The 1990s were a golden era for snacks. Bold flavors, fun designs, and sweet treats filled lunchboxes and grocery store aisles. They left a lasting impression on everyone who grew up then.
Some snacks have remained popular over the years, but many of our favorites have disappeared from store shelves. We have only memories of their great taste. Here are 21 iconic discontinued snacks from the 90s that people can no longer enjoy but still miss dearly.
1. Dunkaroos
- What it was: Mini cookies paired with sweet frosting for dipping.
- Why it was iconic: The perfect lunchbox treat with fun shapes and flavors like chocolate chip and rainbow sprinkle.
- When it disappeared: Early 2000s (though they returned in limited supply in 2020).
- Fun fact: Fans have asked General Mills to bring back Dunkaroos for years. Their return created a lot of excitement on social media.
2. Planters P.B. Crisps
- What it was: Peanut-shaped cookies filled with a creamy peanut butter filling.
- Why it was iconic: A sweet, nutty snack with the perfect crunch.
- When it disappeared: Mid-1990s.
- Fun fact: Despite their short life, P.B. Crisps maintains a cult following with petitions for the return of the discontinued candy.
3. Butterfinger BB’s
- What it was: Bite-sized snack versions of the classic Butterfinger candy bar.
- Why it was iconic: Easy to snack on and perfect for movie theaters.
- When it disappeared: 2006.
- Fun fact: Fans speculate that manufacturers discontinued the candy because it would easily melt, creating a sticky mess.
4. Squeezits
- What it was: Plastic bottles of brightly colored juice that you squeezed to drink.
- Why it was iconic: Fun shapes and wacky flavors like Chucklin’ Cherry and Grumpy Grape.
- When it disappeared: Early 2000s.
- Fun fact: The bottles often came with a fun twist-off cap in different character designs.
5. 3D Doritos
- What it was: Hollow, puffed-up versions of the classic tortilla chip.
- Why it was iconic: Crunchy and fun to eat, with flavors like Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch.
- When it disappeared: Early 2000s.
- Fun fact: They made a comeback in 2021 but with a slightly different texture and packaging.
6. Crystal Pepsi
- What it was: A clear version of Pepsi with the same cola flavor.
- Why it was iconic: Its futuristic look and marketing campaigns were unforgettable.
- When it disappeared: 1994.
- Fun fact: It briefly returned in 2016 for a limited time due to fan demand.
7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pudding Pies
- What it was: Vanilla pudding-filled pies with a bright green glaze.
- Why it was iconic: Inspired by the 90s TMNT craze, these pies were both colorful and delicious.
- When it disappeared: Mid-1990s.
- Fun fact: Marketers promoted the pies as “green ooze-filled treats” in honor of the popular cartoon turtles’ favorite slime.
8. Orbitz Soda
- What it was: A clear soda filled with floating, colorful gelatin balls.
- Why it was iconic: It looked more like a science experiment than a drink.
- When it disappeared: 1997.
- Fun fact: Despite its unique appearance, critics criticized it for its odd texture and lack of flavor.
9. Keebler Magic Middles
- What it was: Shortbread cookies filled with gooey chocolate or peanut butter.
- Why it was iconic: The perfect balance of crunchy and creamy.
- When it disappeared: Late 1990s.
- Fun fact: Fans have attempted to recreate the recipe at home, with varying levels of success.
10. Ecto Cooler
- What it was: A bright green citrus-flavored Hi-C drink inspired by Ghostbusters.
- Why it was iconic: Its tie-in with the beloved movie franchise made it an instant favorite.
- When it disappeared: 2001.
- Fun fact: Ecto Cooler made a brief return in 2016 for the Ghostbusters reboot.
11. Pizzarias Chips
- What it was: Pizza-flavored chips with a bold, tangy taste.
- Why it was iconic: They truly captured the essence of pizza in a crunchy snack.
- When it disappeared: Late 1990s.
- Fun fact: Keebler made them and marketed them as “baked, not fried.”
12. Hershey’s Swoops
- What it was: Chocolate slices shaped like potato chips.
- Why it was iconic: A fun twist on chocolate with a unique presentation.
- When it disappeared: Early 2000s.
- Fun fact: They came in several flavors, including Reese’s and Almond Joy.
13. PB Max
- What it was: A chocolate-coated snack bar filled with peanut butter and oats.
- Why it was iconic: Its rich, indulgent flavor was perfect for peanut butter lovers.
- When it disappeared: Early 1990s.
- Fun fact: Rumor has it that the Mars family discontinued it because they didn’t like peanut butter.
14. Wonder Ball
- What it was: A hollow chocolate ball filled with candy or toys.
- Why it was iconic: It combined the fun of a treat and an unexpected toy.
- When it disappeared: Late 1990s (later reintroduced in the 2000s without toys).
- Fun fact: The company discontinued the original version because of safety concerns over the toys.
15. Hostess Choco-Bliss
- What it was: Chocolate snack cakes with a creamy filling.
- Why it was iconic: Rich, decadent, and perfect for a chocolate fix.
- When it disappeared: Mid-1990s.
- Fun fact: Online nostalgia forums frequently mention these cakes.
16. Kudos Granola Bars
- What it was: Granola bars coated with chocolate and packed with candy like M&M’s or Snickers.
- Why it was iconic: They felt like a dessert disguised as a healthy snack.
- When it disappeared: Early 2010s.
- Fun fact: Kudos were a staple in 90s lunchboxes and came in a variety of flavors.
17. Viennetta Ice Cream
- What it was: A fancy layered ice cream dessert with chocolate ribbons.
- Why it was iconic: It felt luxurious and people often served it at celebrations.
- When it disappeared: Late 1990s (returned briefly in the 2020s).
- Fun fact: Marketers promoted Viennetta as an affordable way to feel “fancy” at home.
18. Crispy M&M’s
- What it was: M&M’s with a crispy rice center.
- Why it was iconic: A lighter, crunchier version of the classic candy.
- When it disappeared: Early 2000s (returned in 2015).
- Fun fact: Their re-release was thanks to fan petitions and social media campaigns.
19. Ouch! Bubble Gum
- What it was: Bubble gum packaged in a tin designed to look like a first-aid kit.
- Why it was iconic: The tin was just as memorable as the fruity gum inside.
- When it disappeared: Late 1990s.
- Fun fact: People often reused the tin to hold small toys or trinkets.
20. Oreo Big Stuf
- What it was: Giant, individually wrapped Oreos.
- Why it was iconic: It offered several bites of Oreo goodness in one cookie.
- When it disappeared: 1991.
- Fun fact: Marketers called it the ultimate treat. However, they probably stopped selling it because it had too many calories.
21. Shark Bites Fruit Snacks
- What it was: Fruit snacks shaped like sharks, with a rare white “great white” shark gummy.
- Why it was iconic: Kids loved the thrill of finding the coveted white gummy candy.
- When it disappeared: Late 1990s.
- Fun fact: Shark Bites, made by Betty Crocker (the same people who created Fruit by the Foot), were very popular. They were one of the top fruit snacks of the decade.
22. Cheez Balls (Planters)
- What it was: Bite-sized cheese puffs with an addictive crunch, sold in iconic canisters.
- Why it was iconic: Their sharp, cheesy flavor and convenient packaging made them a party and snack-time favorite.
- When it disappeared: Early 2000s.
- Fun fact: Planters brought them back briefly in 2018 after fans demanded their return for years.
23. Tato Skins Chips
- What it was: Potato chips with a thick texture and bold flavors like Bacon & Cheddar.
- Marketers claimed that the product contained “real potato skins,” which contributed to its iconic status. This gave it a hearty, homemade feel often missing in snack foods.
- When it disappeared: Late 1990s.
- Fun fact: These chips were the precursor to today’s loaded potato skin appetizers and inspired several imitators.
24. String Thing
- What it was: A fruity, stretchy snack shaped like a thin string and coiled into fun designs.
- Why it was iconic: Its playful, peel-and-eat nature made it a hit with kids.
- When it disappeared: Late 1990s.
- Fun fact: String Thing commercials often featured catchy jingles that 90s kids still remember.
25. Waffle Crisp Cereal
- What it was: A breakfast cereal shaped like tiny waffles with a maple syrup flavor.
- Why it was iconic: Its sugary sweetness and unique texture made it stand out among other cereals.
- When it disappeared: Early 2000s.
- Fun fact: Fans of Waffle Crisp started online petitions and social media campaigns to bring it back. They had limited success.