Just like low-rise jeans and frosted tips, some foods had their moment before quietly fading into oblivion. This list of forgotten classics tells a delicious story of changing tastes and food fads. Let’s take a trip down memory lane through 20 foods that once filled grocery shelves and dinner tables before disappearing forever.
Jell-O Pudding Pops
Jell-O Pudding Pops were everywhere in the 1980s and 1990s and were the king of frozen treats. They’re creamy, rich, and available in classic flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and swirl. The Bill Cosby ads helped make them a household name, but despite their popularity, they vanished from shelves in the early 2000s due to declining sales.
Oreo Big Stuf
Introduced in 1987, this was basically an Oreo but ten times bigger than a regular one. Unfortunately, its sheer size was also its downfall. The internet still mourns its loss, with fans begging Nabisco to return it. Until then, regular Oreos will have to do unless you feel like stacking a few together.
Banana Frosted Flakes
Kellogg’s took a fruity risk in the 1980s by coating Frosted Flakes with a banana-flavored glaze. It made sense because bananas and cereal have always been a winning duo. But apparently, people preferred slicing real bananas into their cereal rather than eating pre-flavored flakes. Despite Tony the Tiger’s best efforts, Banana Frosted Flakes quietly disappeared.
3D Doritos
Before everyone became obsessed with weird chip flavors, one snack innovation truly stood out: 3D Doritos. These puffed, crunchy triangles were launched in the late 1990s and were available in nacho cheese, jalapeño cheddar, and zesty ranch. Sadly, they disappeared in the early 2000s, leaving fans wondering why.
Pepsi Blue
Pepsi Blue was introduced in 2002 with the hope of shaking up the soda world, but not everyone was ready for blue cola, and by 2004, it vanished. Some say its downfall was the polarizing flavor, while others blame the backlash against heavily dyed foods.
Hi-C Ecto Cooler
Hi-C Ecto Cooler was launched in 1987 as a tie-in with “Ghostbusters” and garnered a cult following. Even after the franchise, the drink stuck around until the early 2000s. Then, without warning, it disappeared and left fans heartbroken. Demand for a comeback surged when the “Ghostbusters” reboot was announced in 2016, and Hi-C answered the call with very limited batches.
Ouch! Bubble Gum
Bubble gum wrapped to look like bandages; what could be cooler? Ouch! Bubble Gum was a 1990s kid’s dream, packaged in a tin resembling a first-aid kit. The gum itself wasn’t particularly special, but the novelty was unbeatable. Something about pulling a “bandage” out of the tin and chewing on it was oddly satisfying.
Carnation Breakfast Bars
Carnation Breakfast Bars were the go-to grab-and-go meal replacement. First introduced in the 1970s, these bars were packed with vitamins, fiber, and just enough sweetness to make kids think they were getting away with eating candy for breakfast. They had a dedicated following, but Nestlé pulled them from shelves in the early 2000s.
Fingos
Cereal you could eat with your hands—no spoon, no milk, just straight out of the box. That was the concept behind Fingos, introduced by General Mills in the 1990s. It sounded brilliant, but something didn’t click. Perhaps the idea was ahead of its time because snackable cereals are everywhere these days.
Keebler Magic Middles
Keebler had a true gem with Magic Middles: soft shortbread cookies with a fudgy center. They weren’t flashy, but that gooey chocolate filling made them irresistible. They quietly disappeared in the late 1990s, and fans have never stopped asking why. Some blame changing market trends; others say Keebler just didn’t push them hard enough.
Fruitopia
Fruitopia was a psychedelic fruit drink launched by Coca-Cola in 1994, with names like Strawberry Passion Awareness and Citrus Consciousness. The bright colors, trippy commercials, and bold flavors made it a hit until the early 2000s when Coca-Cola phased it out in the U.S. and replaced it with Minute Maid juices. However, Canadians and Australians still get to enjoy it.
Planters Cheez Balls
Planters Cheez Balls was a fan favorite, with its neon-orange, crunchy, and packed in that signature blue canister. Planters discontinued them in 2006, though after years of petitions and online pleas, the company finally brought them back for a limited time in 2018.
Butterfinger BB’s
Bart Simpson told us that “nobody lay a finger” on his Butterfinger, but in the 1990s, Butterfinger BBs were the real prize. These bite-sized chocolate-covered peanut butter crisps made eating Butterfingers less messy and more fun. Nestlé pulled the plug in 2006, and while fans still beg for their return, the closest thing available is Butterfinger Bites.
Shark Bites
Fruit snacks ruled the 1990s, and Shark Bites were among the best. Kids would dig through the pack, hoping for an all-white jackpot. They had a solid run, but somewhere along the way, they disappeared from shelves.
Dunkaroos
Dunkaroos were basically childhood in a snack pack, introduced in 1990 by Betty Crocker. They vanished from U.S. stores in the early 2010s, much to the dismay of every millennial. After years of demand, they made a grand return in 2020, but nothing beats the excitement of pulling them out of a lunchbox.
Sprinkle Spangles
Sprinkle Spangles were the cereal version of a birthday party in a bowl. Each piece was shaped like a star and covered in colorful sprinkles, and the mascot, the Sprinkle Genie, practically screamed at kids to enjoy the sugar rush. Unfortunately, they were gone by the late 1990s, maybe because they were cookies disguised as cereal.
Tato Skins
Kettle chips are the snack aisle’s heavyweight, but back in the day, Tato Skins had a serious following. These thick, crunchy potato snacks were made by Keebler and had a baked-in flavor that set them apart from regular chips. Despite their popularity, Keebler discontinued them. If you’re still craving that classic taste, you’re lucky: Poore Brothers makes a nearly identical version.
Altoid Sours
Altoids are still around, but their sour cousins? Tragically extinct. Altoid Sours were small tins of fruit-flavored sour candies that packed an intense punch. The sour apple and tangerine flavors were fan favorites; people would go through a tin in no time. However, for unknown reasons, they were discontinued in 2010.
Pizzarias Pizza Chips
Pizzarias hit the market in the 1980s and tasted like actual pizza, not just vague cheese and seasoning. They came in three flavors: Cheese Pizza, Zesty Pepperoni, and Supreme. Despite strong sales, Keebler stopped making them in the 1990s, and no replacement has ever truly filled the void.