20 Discontinued Snacks from the 70s and 80s That We Still Miss
The 1970s and 1980s were the golden age of experimental snack foods, when manufacturers weren’t afraid to push boundaries with bold flavors and unique concepts. Many of these treats left an indelible mark on the taste buds of an entire generation, creating food memories that persist decades later.
From innovative candy bars to revolutionary chip flavors, these decades produced some of the most creative and beloved snacks in American history.
Marathon Bar
Made by Mars, the Marathon Bar was a braided rope of chocolate-covered caramel that stretched to 8 inches in length. The unique selling point was its impressive size, which the company claimed would last longer than any other candy bar.
Mars even included a ruler on the back of each package so kids could verify the length. The Marathon Bar’s production run lasted from 1973 to 1981, though its devoted fans have been campaigning for its return ever since.
Gatorgum
Introduced in 1979, Gatorgum was the first attempt to combine the benefits of sports drinks with chewing gum. The product contained the same electrolytes found in Gatorade and came in the familiar flavors of Lemon-Lime and Orange.
The gum was marketed to athletes as a way to fight thirst during competition. Strangely enough, the product actually delivered a noticeable cooling sensation while chewing.
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Bonkers
These fruit-flavored candy squares took the market by storm in 1985. The candies featured a chewy fruity exterior with an even fruitier filling that would burst when bitten.
Their memorable commercials showed people getting ‘bonked’ on the head by giant fruits after trying the candy. The most popular flavors included grape, orange, and strawberry, each with its own unique filling combination.
Chocolate Cigarettes
These candy cigarettes were made of chocolate and wrapped in edible paper designed to look like real cigarettes. The packaging mimicked actual cigarette brands, complete with flip-top boxes and gold foil wrapping.
Kids would pretend to ‘smoke’ them by blowing on the tip, creating a small puff of powdered sugar. The controversial nature of marketing cigarette-shaped candy to children eventually led to their discontinuation in the late 1980s.
Reggie! Bar
Named after baseball star Reggie Jackson, this candy bar was launched in 1976 by Standard Brands. The snack consisted of a peanut, caramel, and chocolate core covered in milk chocolate.
When Jackson hit three home runs in a single World Series game in 1977, fans celebrated by throwing Reggie! Bars onto the field. The connection between sports and candy created a unique marketing opportunity that resonated with baseball fans.
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Space Dust
Released as a spin-off of Pop Rocks in 1976, Space Dust was essentially a powdered version of the popular popping candy. The fine granules created an even more intense popping sensation than the original.
Parents became concerned about the product’s resemblance to illegal drugs, leading to its rebranding as Cosmic Candy. The controversy eventually led to its complete discontinuation despite its popularity among kids who enjoyed the unique sensory experience.
Jell-O 1-2-3
This innovative dessert separated into three distinct layers as it set in the refrigerator. The top layer was light and fluffy, the middle was creamy, and the bottom was classic Jell-O.
Each box came with strawberry-flavored powder that would magically transform into these distinct textures. The product’s marketing focused on its ‘magical’ self-layering properties, making it a hit at dinner parties.
PB Max
This candy bar combined whole grain cookie, peanut butter, oats, and milk chocolate into a unique treat. Mars spent millions developing and marketing PB Max in the 1980s.
Despite generating $50 million in sales during its peak, the company discontinued it in 1994. The strange reason for its discontinuation was reportedly that Mars’ owners personally disliked peanut butter.
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Tart ‘n’ Tinys
These small, colorful candies were similar to Smarties but had a more intense, tart flavor profile. The candies came in a unique plastic dispenser that made them easy to share.
The original version featured a clear plastic container that showed off the vibrant colors of the candy inside. Their small size made them perfect for movie theaters and lunch boxes, where kids would often trade their favorite flavors.
O’Boisies
These potato crisps had a unique rippled texture that made them extra crunchy. The snack was marketed as ‘The potato chip with the French accent’ due to its sophisticated texture and flavor.
Keebler launched them in 1985 with significant marketing support, including numerous television commercials. Their distinctive shape allowed them to hold more seasoning than regular chips, creating an intense flavor experience.
Pudding Roll-Ups
General Mills combined the popularity of Fruit Roll-Ups with chocolate pudding to create this unique snack. The product consisted of a thin, rollable sheet of pudding that maintained its shape at room temperature.
The texture was similar to a fruit leather but with the rich taste of chocolate pudding. Kids enjoyed playing with their food by stretching and folding the pudding sheets before eating them.
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Bar None
Hershey’s introduced this candy bar in 1987, featuring a chocolate wafer filled with chocolate cream and covered in milk chocolate. A layer of crushed peanuts added both texture and flavor to the sophisticated treat.
The original version developed a cult following among chocolate lovers who appreciated its complex texture combinations. Hershey’s later modified the formula to include caramel, which many fans believe led to its eventual downfall.
Fruit Float
This unique beverage combined carbonated water with fruit juice and came in a variety of flavors. Small balls of real fruit would actually float in the drink, creating both a visual and textural experience.
The product was marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional sodas, appealing to health-conscious parents. The floating fruit pieces made it feel more substantial than regular fruit drinks, though they sometimes caught in the straw.
Pizzarias
These pizza-flavored chips were introduced by Keebler in the mid-1980s. Unlike other pizza-flavored snacks, these actually captured the taste of a real pizza, complete with tomato, cheese, and herb notes.
The chips were cut in a unique shape that resembled small pizza slices. Their intense flavor made them a hit among kids and adults who wanted the taste of pizza in a convenient snack form.
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Swiss Cheese Crackers
Nabisco created these unique crackers that actually looked like Swiss cheese, complete with holes. The crackers had a rich, buttery flavor with a hint of real cheese that set them apart from regular cheese crackers.
Their distinctive appearance made them popular at parties and social gatherings. The holes in the crackers weren’t just for show – they actually contributed to the proper baking and final texture of the product.
Choco’Lite
This Nestlé creation featured aerated chocolate that created a unique, bubbly texture. The manufacturing process involved injecting air into the chocolate mixture, creating a lighter, more delicate eating experience.
The bar’s texture was often compared to that of whipped chocolate mousse. Marketing focused on the bar’s lighter texture, suggesting it was a less guilty pleasure than solid chocolate bars.
Inside-Outs
These innovative candies from Life Savers featured a hard candy shell with a fizzy powder center. The product reversed the traditional Life Savers format by putting the flavored powder inside a candy shell.
Each piece would start sweet before revealing its effervescent center. The contrast between the smooth exterior and fizzy interior made them particularly popular with children who enjoyed the surprise element.
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Wonder Sandwich Cookies
These cookies featured clear cellophane windows that allowed you to see the cream filling inside. The transparent design was revolutionary for its time and made them stand out on store shelves.
The cookies came in various flavors, but vanilla and chocolate were the most popular. Their unique appearance made them especially appealing to children who enjoyed seeing the filling before eating.
Chicken in a Biskit Snackers
These bite-sized versions of the popular Chicken in a Biskit crackers were specifically designed for snacking. The smaller size concentrated the chicken flavor, making them more intense than the original crackers.
They came in a resealable bag that made them perfect for on-the-go snacking. The compact size made them popular for school lunches and afternoon snacks.
Jell-O Pudding Pops
These frozen pudding treats offered a unique alternative to traditional ice pops. The creamy texture and rich flavor made them distinct from other frozen desserts of the era.
Bill Cosby’s memorable commercials helped make them a household name throughout the 1980s. The pops came in chocolate, vanilla, and swirled varieties, each with its own devoted following.
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Snacks That Shaped a Generation
These discontinued treats represent more than just lost snack options – they showcase the innovation and creativity of food manufacturing in the 70s and 80s. While many of these products have inspired modern equivalents, fans maintain that the originals offered something special that can’t be replicated.
Their enduring popularity in people’s memories speaks to how food can connect us to specific moments in time, creating lasting impressions that span generations. Today, online petitions and social media groups continue to campaign for the return of these beloved snacks, proving that sometimes absence really does make the heart grow fonder.
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