1. Jell-O Pudding Pops
These frozen, creamy dessert pops were a massive hit during the 1980s and early 1990s, becoming an iconic household treat. Originally introduced by General Foods in the 1970s and heavily promoted by comedian Bill Cosby, the pops quickly became a profitable success. They reportedly earned a massive $300 million annually within five years of their peak popularity. Despite strong sales, the original General Foods version of Pudding Pops were discontinued around 1995 due to high production costs associated with manufacturing a frozen dessert within a company that primarily focused on shelf-stable products. While they were briefly reintroduced under the Popsicle brand in the 2000s, fans generally agreed that the texture and overall flavor profile differed significantly from the beloved original.
2. Dunkaroos
The ultimate ’90s lunchbox commodity, Dunkaroos were a simple yet genius snack pack that paired frosted cookies with a separate compartment of vanilla or chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles for dipping. Introduced in 1990 by General Mills, the brand was named after the popular Australian animal, the kangaroo. The product’s success waned in the 2000s, and they were officially discontinued in the United States in 2012. Many attributed their disappearance to a general decline in popularity and growing concerns from parents and health advocates over marketing highly sugary snacks directly to children. A passionate online campaign by nostalgic millennials ultimately led to their highly-anticipated return in 2020.
3. Planters Cheez Balls
These uniquely neon-orange, spherical cheese puffs, packaged in a distinctive cylindrical tin, were a cornerstone of snack food from the 1980s through the early 2000s. Planters, primarily known for nuts, created a cheesy snack that was beloved for its intense artificial cheese flavor and the satisfying mess of orange dust left on one’s fingers. Production of both the Cheez Balls and their counterpart, Cheez Curls, was stopped by Planters in 2006. The company cited a focus on core nut products and difficulty sourcing the specialized equipment needed for the signature packaging as primary reasons for their discontinuation. Following years of consumer outcry, Planters finally brought the classic Cheez Balls back for a limited run in 2018.
4. Keebler Pizzarias Chips
Keebler, the company famous for its “elves” and various crackers, introduced Pizzarias in 1991, marketing them as “crispy little crackers that crunch like chips.” These chips aimed to capture the flavor of a full pizza, with popular options like Zesty Pepperoni and Cheese Supreme. The snack had a respectable initial run, making about $75 million in sales in its debut year, but it struggled to maintain market share against major potato and tortilla chip brands. When Keebler was sold in the late 1990s, Pizzarias were among the products that were phased out, leaving many fans hoping that a modern chip would finally fill the pizza-flavored hole they left behind.
5. Fruitopia
Introduced by the Coca-Cola Company’s Minute Maid division in 1994, Fruitopia was an attempt to compete with the surging popularity of Snapple and other alternative tea and juice drinks. It was marketed to Generation X with a vibrant, psychedelic-themed ad campaign and flavors with quirky names like “Strawberry Passion Awareness” and “Kiwiberry Ruckus.” Despite a massive $30 million initial marketing push and securing a place on Time Magazine’s “Top 10 New Products” list in its first year, the brand’s novelty quickly faded. Sales lagged toward the late 1990s, and the product line was largely discontinued in the United States by 2003, with some flavors later revamped under the Minute Maid name.
6. Kudos Granola Bars
The Kudos bar, created by Mars, was a popular contender in the breakfast and snack aisle throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Unlike most health-conscious granola bars, Kudos stood out by incorporating actual candy pieces like M&M’s or Snickers, offering a sweet, dessert-like experience. This blend of whole grains and chocolate was a favorite of kids. However, as dietary trends shifted toward lower-sugar and more natural ingredients, the Kudos bar’s identity as a ‘candy bar masquerading as a granola bar’ became a liability. Mars quietly discontinued the line around 2017, ending the reign of this candy-infused lunchbox staple.
7. Butterfinger BB’s
Following the trend of miniaturized candy, Nestlé launched Butterfinger BB’s in 1992. These were small, spherical versions of the classic Butterfinger candy bar, featuring the same flaky peanut butter core covered in chocolate. Their bite-sized shape made them popular as a snack to be eaten by the handful, and they were especially well-known for their tie-in with The Simpsons in marketing campaigns. Despite initial popularity, production on the candy ceased in 2006. Nestlé later introduced a similar product called Butterfinger Bites, but many fans missed the original BB’s’ unique round shape and texture that made them so distinct.
8. Doritos 3D
Doritos 3D were a puffed, three-dimensional chip shaped like a hollow tetrahedron, launched by Frito-Lay in 1995. This departure from the flat tortilla chip format offered a bolder crunch and flavor experience, available in varieties such as Jalapeño Cheddar and Nacho Cheese. The novelty chip was discontinued in the early 2000s, though they maintained a loyal following. Citing popular demand and the rise of snack nostalgia, Frito-Lay brought back a baked version, Doritos 3D Crunch, in 2021. However, many original fans felt the baked update lacked the deep-fried texture and intense flavor of the original 1990s version.
9. Nestle Wonder Ball
The Nestle Wonder Ball was a chocolate sphere that was beloved for the surprise it held inside. Introduced in the 1990s, it contained smaller candies or stickers themed after popular movies or TV shows, such as Disney properties. The product was briefly pulled from the market in 1997 due to concerns over the small toys inside being a choking hazard. After being relaunched with edible candies instead of small toys, the product found new life. However, it was ultimately discontinued in the early 2000s, a fate similar to many novelty candy products that couldn’t sustain long-term profitability.
10. Altoid Sours
Altoids, known for their “curiously strong mints,” ventured into the candy aisle with Altoid Sours, introduced in the early 2000s. These were small, intensely flavored sour candies, packaged in the brand’s signature metal tins. Flavors like Tangerine, Raspberry, and Apple were popular for their potent, mouth-puckering sour coating, followed by a sweet finish. Despite their distinct packaging and a strong following among young adults, the Sours line was discontinued around 2010. The company never gave an official, widely-publicized reason for the decision, which has led to persistent calls from fans for their reintroduction.
11. Crystal Pepsi
Crystal Pepsi was a clear cola introduced by PepsiCo in 1992 as part of a marketing trend toward “purity” and clarity in food and beverage products. The soda was essentially a regular Pepsi cola, but without the caramel coloring, a unique feature at the time. The company spent a massive $40 million on the launch, but the novelty quickly faded. Consumers were reportedly confused by a clear cola, and the product was discontinued in 1994. Crystal Pepsi has since become a pop culture icon of ’90s fads, prompting PepsiCo to bring it back for several limited-time revival runs, often for a few months at a time, to satisfy nostalgic demand.
12. Oreo Big Stuf
Oreo Big Stuf was a gigantic version of the classic Oreo cookie, which was sold individually wrapped and designed as a portable snack rather than a multi-serving package. It debuted in 1987 and was significantly larger than a standard Oreo, making it a truly decadent treat. The oversized snack was only available for a few years, ultimately being discontinued around 1991. The discontinuation is largely believed to be due to its high price point and low shelf life compared to the standard Oreos, preventing it from achieving the necessary sales volume to remain profitable on grocery store shelves.
13. Doritos Guacamole Flavor
Launched in the early 2000s, Doritos Guacamole was an ambitious flavor that aimed to capture the creamy, tangy, and subtly spicy taste of a fresh avocado dip. The chip stood out for its distinct greenish hue and complex seasoning blend. While many fans loved the authentic, unique flavor profile, it failed to gain the widespread traction of perennial favorites like Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch. The flavor was officially discontinued around 2006. It has occasionally been brought back in different markets for short-term runs, proving that a dedicated, though niche, audience still craves the taste of the avocado-inspired chip.
14. Squeezits
Squeezits were a popular line of fruit-flavored drinks introduced by General Mills in the late 1980s, primarily marketed toward children. They were easily recognizable by their colorful, squeezable plastic bottles, each molded into a distinct, playful character shape, like the blue “Chucklin’ Cherry” or the pink “Silly Strawberry.” The drinks contained a mixture of water, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial flavorings, a common composition for juice-style drinks of the era. The brand was eventually discontinued in 2001, likely due to changing consumer tastes and a move away from highly artificial and sugar-heavy children’s beverages in favor of drinks made with real juice.
It is a fascinating, yet bittersweet, experience to realize that these small treats made such a big impact on our lives. Though grocery aisles are constantly evolving, these 14 discontinued snacks, with their unique packaging, bold flavors, and memorable marketing, have permanently cemented their place in the snack food Hall of Fame. They prove that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the ones we remember most fondly.
This story 14 Discontinued Snacks That Still Live Rent-Free in Our Heads was first published on Daily FETCH
