can you carry on GF foods on airplanes??

To me, this sounds like bringing coals to Newcastle, so don't pack more than just an emergency supply for your first day or two. Things that are "automatically" gluten-free, such as fruit, are widely available at shops in Italy. What you can't carry onto airplanes is liquids (including yogurts) in any container of more than three ounces. Most visitors just walk straight through the "Nothing to Declare" lane at European customs without any formal inspection. But according to https://italy.visahq.com/customs/, meat and milk items cannot be imported from outside the EU, so I would not carry those.

We have had good feedback from travelers who found gluten-free options in Italy, either advertised on menus or by asking an being specific. See also https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/celiacs-and-eating-in-genova-and-cinque-terre and links there.

If it's not liquid you can get it on the plane in the US, but Italy has requirements around meat and dairy products. Bars, pasta, etc should be fine. I also see no restrictions on produce, so fruits and veggies are also not a problem. The meat or cheese based items would be fine to eat on the plane, but dispose of before arrival.

I wouldn't worry about bringing a ton. Enough to eat on the plane in case there is a problem, and some snacks for if you are delayed. I travel GF now and my son has been for a long time. It's annoying, but at any airport of any size there are shops that sell things that are GF - salads, yogurts, fruits. Once you are in your destination, grocery stores should have plenty of naturally GF foods, so you won't starve. Finding specific GF foods and restaurants will take some research but is not a problem in most places.

Again, your biggest concern will be while in transit and immediately after arrival, so bring food for that but don't worry too much about having your own food for the rest of the time - you can find GF food all over Italy. I do always rent apartments or aparthotels with kitchens, just in case so I can cook and/or store things like cheese and meats. It's a big help but not at all necessary.

Learn the local label for GF foods, and note that they may be sold in pharmacies because celiac is a medical condition. Also google Gluten Free [destination]. A search for Gluten Free Venice brings up a specific GF store, some restaurants, and a lot of other resources. I'm using Venice because I'm going next year, but the same should apply to most cities in Italy.

A similar question, concurrent, in this same Italy Forum with plenty of good answers is at
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/celiacs-and-eating-in-genova-and-cinque-terre

I would be sure you have food for the flights even though you have made arrangements ahead of time. Altho I am not GF or Celiac I always request a vegan meal. Twice I've not gotten it on the long haul flight from Seattle to Amsterdam and back but I had planned ahead and had some provisions. On those 2 times the Flight Attendant offered me the set-up which had salad which I did eat.

By the way, after the vegan food was not loaded on the way over I checked my online airline account which did show I had a special meal request in and when I checked in to come home asked about it. The desk person said it showed the meal, but also advised me to pick up something to take with me. It also was not loaded so I was glad I had some back up.

In addition to what others mentioned about not being allowed to import meat to Italy I would be concerned about keeping it refrigerated for a long flight. You don't want to start out your vacation with some kind of food-borne illness! Yikes! Fruit is likely to get knocked around and bruised unless you purchase it airside. Consider GF crackers and perhaps the small individual servings of nut butter. The whole foods section at my regular supermarket has Justin's Almond butter in small packets. These are a gel consistency so need to go in your 3-1-1 bag.

Thanks for all responses. Actually ALL my food will be DEHYDRATED so no worries with regards to damaged fruit :)
Its all in clear baggies. The BBQ chicken and pasta also dehydrated. didnt know if that would be an issue for "meat" or not.

Yes I know food WILL BE available most places but do not want to be "stuck" without. I'd rather have food "with" me vs having to spend money nor waste time trying to buy food and making sure its gluten free. not all salads come without croutons and not all salad dressings are gluten free for those who are not aware. I do have lists of restaurants, etc in each place I will visit for Gf choices :)
Its mostly enroute I am afraid of or just in times of wanting a little snack vs having to chance or find the time to stop in stores.
thanks again
R

At the airport or in train station pharmacies, you can find lots of snack options. Restaurants will prepare gluten-free meals for you, or direct you to choices that are naturally gluten-free. I stop at a street market and buy a small package of nuts for an emergency snack. You don't have to bring a lot with you.

I am gluten intolerant,have been in Italy since May 5 and you absolutely do NOT need to worry about this. Not only is it possible to eat gluten free at any restaurant even small ones, the staff are more knowledgeable about this issue than in the United States. I also have a print out of a restaurant card that explains my issue in Italian. Every person in the restaurants and delicatessen are so helpful and eager to meet my needs.Also easy to buy gluten free crackers in the grocery store.
Save yourself the trouble and worry and packing of your gf food!

I am unfamiliar with dehydrated foods...how does this work? How do you get dehydrated BBQ chicken ready to eat? Can it be done on a plane? This is a whole new concept, and it's quite interesting!

I am aware of salad dressings and croutons. This is why the salad on the plane will be a problem unless it is specifically GF. So certainly bring what you need for transit! However, in stores and restaurants it will be easier than you think. Snacks are a different matter because sometimes you need to eat right away and there isn't a good option in the museum or hiking trail. So you will want to bring some with you each day, from home or bought in Italy. Maybe bring enough for a few days and pick more up as you see them? Bars, dehydrated fruit, whatever other packable snacks you like. When you get there you can buy fresh fruit and keep it in your room, along with GF crackers etc. If you have a fridge, or are staying in a small B&B where they will let you use their fridge, all the better. Buy cheese, deli meats (should be some labeled GF), GF crackers or bread. Definitely search for grocery stores near you first hotels ahead of time and make note of their addresses.

You're right that running around looking for GF food isn't high on any vacation priority list. However, I've actually found it kind of fun - an excuse to go into random local stores, search out specialty stores in neighborhoods I wouldn't otherwise visit. It can be an adventure. Of course, I like to cook and rent apartments, so I can really make it an adventure with recipes and odd (to me) ingredients. I mean, it's not an activity I would recommend to anyone who doesn't have dietary restrictions, but you can make the best of it :)