10 Best After-School Snacks From the ’90s
Here's a delicious throwback to the best snacks kids loved coming home to in the '90s.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Coming home after school in the ‘90s meant one thing—snack time. Kitchens were filled with fun treats that were sweet, cheesy, or packed with flavor. Some were crunchy, some were gooey, and all of them made the afternoons better. These snacks were a big part of what made childhood so fun.
1. Dunkaroos
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Few things felt more rewarding than peeling back the lid of the Dunkaroos pack and dipping cookies into that rich, sugary frosting. The kangaroo mascot made them even more fun, but the real star was that creamy vanilla or chocolate dip. It was the snack that made kids feel like dessert was always on the menu.
2. Gushers
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Biting into a Gusher meant experiencing a tiny explosion of sweet, fruity liquid that made snack time exciting. Each bite-sized candy had a soft, chewy shell that gave way to a juicy center, making it stand out from other fruit snacks. It was a lunchbox legend, often traded for other snacks but rarely given up willingly.
3. Planters Cheez Balls
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These neon orange cheese balls came in a signature blue canister that somehow always felt bottomless. Each bite left fingers coated in cheesy dust, which was half the fun of eating them. They were the perfect snack to munch on while watching afternoon cartoons.
4. Warheads
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Warheads were not for the faint of heart. They delivered an intense sour punch before melting into sweet relief. Every kid had that one friend who could handle them without flinching, earning instant playground respect. They were the ultimate test of snack-time bravery.
5. Handi-Snacks
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The tiny red stick was just as iconic as the creamy cheese and crispy crackers. Spreading the cheese evenly was an art, but some kids skipped the cracker altogether and went straight for the dip. Either way, it was a snack that made lunchtime feel a little fancier.
6. French Toast Crunch
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Looking like miniature slices of toast, this cereal delivered a buttery, cinnamon-sugar flavor that made it feel like breakfast and dessert combined. Eating it dry as a snack was just as satisfying as having it with milk. It was proof that sometimes, smaller really is better.
7. Fruit Roll-Ups
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Whether kids unrolled them in one piece or tore them into shapes, Fruit Roll-Ups were as fun to play with as they were to eat. Some packs even had tongue tattoos, turning snack time into an interactive experience. The sticky, chewy texture and fruity flavors made them a staple of every kid’s lunchbox.
8. Butterfinger BB’s
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These tiny, round versions of Butterfinger bars were dangerously easy to pop into your mouth. The crisp peanut butter core covered in chocolate was just as addictive as the original. They may have been small, but they packed a serious crunch.
9. Combos
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Whether filled with cheddar, pizza, or nacho cheese, Combos were the go-to snack for kids who wanted something crunchy and salty. The baked pretzel or cracker shell added just the right amount of texture. They were a perfect balance between junk food and something that felt almost snack-time sophisticated.
10. Trix Yogurt
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This yogurt came in vibrant, swirled colors, making it look more like a dessert than a snack. The fruity flavors matched the cereal, making it a fun twist on a breakfast classic. It was proof that even yogurt could be exciting in the ’90s.