Hostess has been a household name for generations, bringing joy to snack lovers with classics like Twinkies, Ding Dongs, and HoHos. But for every beloved staple, there’s a line of Hostess snacks that disappeared from shelves, leaving fans wondering why. Whether it was changing tastes, money issues, or production changes, these discontinued treats stay in our memories. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit some of the most iconic discontinued Hostess snacks that are no longer with us.
A Brief History of Hostess Snacks
Founded in 1919, Hostess quickly became synonymous with American snacking. Its portfolio grew to include iconic treats that became staples in lunchboxes and convenience stores nationwide. Hostess has faced challenges, including a big bankruptcy in 2012. This caused a temporary stop in production. While some products made triumphant comebacks, others faded into history.
1. Chocodiles
A chocolate-covered version of the beloved Twinkie, Chocodiles were a fan favorite for years. Despite their devoted following, Chocodiles disappeared from shelves, only to reappear briefly in 2014. The re-release featured an updated recipe, but many fans argued it didn’t match the original’s charm.
2. Hostess Pudding Pies
Hostess Pudding Pies were a rich, indulgent treat with creamy filling encased in a flaky crust. They came in flavors like vanilla and chocolate. However, they were discontinued during Hostess’s financial troubles in the 2000s. This left fans wanting their nostalgic discontinued flavors.
3. Hostess Banana Dream
This sponge cake filled with banana-flavored cream was a retro favorite. Popular in the 1970s and 80s, Banana Flips eventually disappeared, likely due to declining demand for banana-flavored desserts.
4. Suzy Q’s (Original Recipe)
The Suzy Q, a beloved oblong snack cake filled with white cream and made with either banana or devil’s food cake, has had a tumultuous history. Hostess first discontinued it in 2012 during its bankruptcy, but it returned in 2015 with a new look that didn’t sit well with fans. In 2018, the original recipe was brought back after public demand, only for the Suzy Q to be quietly discontinued again in 2020 during the pandemic. Despite its ups and downs, this iconic treat remains a nostalgic favorite for many.
5. Hostess Donettes (Seasonal Flavors)
Classic powdered and chocolate-covered Donettes are still popular. However, seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice and strawberry have disappeared. This change disappointed many fans who loved these special treats.
6. Deep-Fried Twinkies
Originally a state fair favorite, Hostess brought Deep-Fried Twinkies to the freezer aisle in 2016. These pre-fried treats could be heated in the oven or air fryer for a taste of fairground nostalgia. Despite their initial success, they were discontinued, forcing fans to seek them out at local fairs once again.
7. Hostess Ding Dongs (Foil-Wrapped Era)
Ding Dongs are still popular today. However, many people miss the foil-wrapped versions from the 70s and 80s. Those special packages bring back fond memories for them.
8. Hostess Zingers (Certain Flavors)
Zingers, with their signature frosting and filling, came in a variety of flavors, but some, like raspberry coconut, have vanished. Fans of this unique snack still reminisce about its texture and taste.
9. Hostess Choco-Bliss
Choco-Bliss was a decadent treat made of moist chocolate cake, rich chocolate frosting, and creamy filling. Introduced in the 1980s, it quickly gained a cult following. Unfortunately, the company discontinued it in the 1990s, leaving chocoholics searching for a replacement. As far as discontinued Hostess snacks go, this one is legendary.
10. Tiger Tails
A unique twist on the classic Twinkie, Tiger Tails featured coconut and raspberry stripes. Originally introduced in the 1960s and later revived in the 1980s, they were beloved for their bold flavors and striped design. Unfortunately, these jungle-themed snacks have been permanently retired.
11. Hostess Big Wheels
Big Wheels were essentially the predecessor to Ding Dongs. They replaced the classic Ding Dongs by wrapping them in foil and using a different recipe. However, fans of the original still remember their unique flavor.
12. Peanut Butter Totally Nutty!
Introduced in 2018, Peanut Butter Totally Nutty! bars were Hostess’s answer to Little Debbie’s Nutty Buddy. Featuring a zebra-striped fudge coating and layers of wafer and peanut butter, they had a short shelf life before being discontinued.
13. Hostess Grizzly Chomps
Grizzly Chomps were hearty, oversized cookies filled with chocolate chips, oats, and other bold ingredients. Known for their dense, chewy texture, they offered a more rugged alternative to Hostess’s sweeter snacks. Introduced in the 1990s, they were discontinued in the early 2000s, leaving fans craving their distinctive flavor.
Related: 25 Discontinued Snacks From The 90s That We Still Miss
14. Hostess Fruit Pies (Discontinued Flavors)
Hostess Fruit Pies are famous for their flaky crust and sweet glaze. They used to come in many flavors, like lemon, blackberry, and pineapple. While apple and cherry remain, many of these unique flavors have retired.
15. Leopards
Leopards were essentially chocolate chip Twinkies, featuring soft chocolate chips embedded in the yellow sponge cake. Introduced in the late 1990s, they were a hit with kids but eventually went extinct, much to the disappointment of snack lovers.
16. Hostess Ninja Turtles Pudding Pies
Hostess Ninja Turtles Pudding Pies were a 1990s favorite, featuring a green crust filled with creamy vanilla pudding. Packaged with collectible Ninja Turtles stickers, these pies were a hit during the TMNT craze. Discontinued in the mid-1990s, they remain a nostalgic treat for fans of both Hostess and the Turtles.
17. Bakery Petites
Hostess tried to jump into the “fancy snacks” market with its Bakery Petites line in 2018. These bite-sized treats included indulgent options like Brownie Delights, Cake Delights, and Crispi Thins in flavors like strawberries & crème, lemon buttercream, and double chocolate.
Despite winning “Best in Show” at the 2018 Sweet & Snacks Expo, the Bakery Petites didn’t stick around for long. Hostess admitted they didn’t market them well, and by 2019, they quietly disappeared from store shelves, leaving fans craving one last bite.
18. Baseball CupCakes
Hostess combined America’s love for baseball and snacks with its Baseball CupCakes. These yellow cakes were topped with white icing and red “stitches” to resemble a baseball. Launched in 1993, the CupCakes also came with collectible baseball cards, encouraging kids to buy more boxes.
Limited re-releases included a “Night Game” chocolate version in 2018, but both have since disappeared from shelves. Fans still fondly remember ripping open the package to see if they scored a rare card along with their treat.
19. Brownies Made With Candy Bars
In 2016, Hostess teamed up with candy giants like M&M’s, Milky Way, and Butterfinger to create a line of candy-stuffed brownies. These fudgy squares came packed with candy pieces and promised to be a “chocolate lover’s dream.” Fans loved the M&M’s version, but reviews for the Butterfinger and Milky Way brownies were less kind, with some calling the flavors weak. Hostess stopped production a year later, leaving snackers wondering why they didn’t just stick with M&M’s.
20. CupCake Cookies
Hostess took everything people loved about their iconic CupCakes — chocolate, cream, and those signature squiggles — and turned it into a crunchy cookie. Released in 2017 under the “Hostess Bake Shop” label, CupCake Cookies came in chocolate, strawberry, and lemon. They sat on store shelves next to Decorated Twinkies and Triple Fudge Ding Dongs as part of a short-lived premium line. By 2018, the Bake Shop brand quietly vanished, taking the CupCake Cookies with it. Fans still miss the crunchy twist on a classic treat.
21. Munster Pack
In 1992, Hostess got into the Halloween spirit with the Munster Pack, featuring cupcakes topped with orange icing and brown sprinkles. But the real stars were The Munsters masks printed on the back of the box, letting kids transform into Herman, Lily, or Grandpa Munster.
The packs returned for Halloween 1993 but vanished after that. Hostess later released “Monster Cakes” with pumpkin faces, but they didn’t have the same charm. Fans still hunt for unopened Munster Packs on eBay, especially for those classic DIY masks.
