12 Discontinued ’80s Snack Bars You Forgot About
These 12 snack bars from the 1980s were once popular across lunchboxes and grocery store shelves but have since disappeared from the market.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
The 1980s introduced a wide range of snack bars aimed at kids, teens, and adults. Some focused on taste and fun packaging, while others promised health or energy. Over time, many of these bars were discontinued due to changing trends, poor sales, or competition from newer products.
1. PB Max
Bodo on Wikimedia Commons
PB Max was made by Mars and featured a thick layer of peanut butter on a cookie base, all covered in milk chocolate. It launched in the late 1980s and gained a loyal following. Despite strong sales, Mars discontinued it for reasons not fully explained, possibly due to management preferences. It has never returned to store shelves, although many consumers still ask for its comeback.
2. Granola Dipps by Quaker (Original Recipe)
Fma12 on Wikimedia Commons
Quaker’s Granola Dipps originally came out in the 1980s with a simple blend of oats and a chocolate coating. The bars were thicker and less sweet than later versions. Over time, the recipe changed, and many fans noticed a difference in texture and taste. The original recipe was eventually phased out and replaced by updated products with different ingredients.
3. Kudos Bars (Original Variety)
Alina Matveycheva on Pexels
Kudos were chocolate-covered granola bars made by Mars and marketed as a fun snack. The 1980s versions included flavors like M&M’s and Snickers, making them more of a treat than a health bar. They were discontinued quietly after recipe changes failed to maintain popularity. Many people who grew up with the original version still remember them fondly.
4. PowerBar (Original Formula)
Société des Produits Nestlé S.A on Wikimedia Commons
PowerBar was one of the first energy bars marketed to athletes, launching in 1986. The original formula was dense, chewy, and hard to eat without water. Although the brand still exists, the original bar formula is no longer made. Newer versions have changed the texture, flavor, and packaging to match modern preferences.
5. Big League Chew Bar
Aleksey Pogrebnoj-Alexandroff on Wikimedia Commons
This was a short-lived spin-off of Big League Chew gum. It came in bar form and was meant to resemble the same baseball theme with a chewy texture and fruit flavor. It did not perform well and was pulled from shelves after limited release. Most people forgot it existed unless they saw old advertisements.
6. Reggie! Bar
Kfarren23 on Wikimedia Commons
Named after baseball player Reggie Jackson, this candy bar was a mix of caramel, peanuts, and chocolate. It was shaped like a patty rather than a traditional bar. First released in the late 1970s, it remained on shelves into the early 1980s before being discontinued. It briefly returned in the 1990s but did not stay in production.
7. Drake’s Snack Bars (Old Variants)
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
Drake’s, known for cakes like Yodels and Devil Dogs, also released snack bars during the 1980s. These bars were smaller and aimed at school lunches, with chocolate or vanilla frosting and a sponge cake base. They were phased out as other products from the brand became more popular. Few images or ads remain, making them harder to trace.
8. Carnation Breakfast Bar (Original Recipe)
Bodo on Wikimedia Commons
Carnation introduced a breakfast bar aimed at busy mornings and marketed it as a meal replacement. The original formula was dry but filled with vitamins and had a grainy texture. It disappeared in the 1990s after sales declined and nutrition trends shifted. Later versions returned briefly but were not the same as the 1980s original.
9. Marathon Bar
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
The Marathon Bar was a braided caramel and chocolate bar made by Mars. It was introduced in the 1970s but stayed on shelves into the early 1980s. Its unique shape and chewy texture made it stand out. It was eventually discontinued due to low sales and replaced by more conventional bars.
10. Choco’Lite Bar
Bodo on Wikimedia Commons
Produced by Nestlé, Choco’Lite featured aerated milk chocolate that made it light and crispy. It had a similar idea to today’s Aero bar but with a different taste and texture. It was marketed heavily in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was discontinued and never reintroduced in the U.S. market.
11. BarNone
Oriel on Wikimedia Commons
BarNone was released by Hershey in 1987 and had layers of chocolate wafers, peanuts, and a chocolate coating. It was promoted as a rich, satisfying snack and had a unique texture. Despite its early success, it was reformulated in the early 1990s and lost popularity. It was discontinued soon after, although some smaller companies have tried to bring it back.
12. Oompas Bar (Wonka Brand)
Keven Law on Wikimedia Commons
Under the Willy Wonka label, Oompas were originally a round candy, but a bar version was also tested. It combined peanut butter and chocolate or fruit flavors in a soft, chewy form. It didn’t sell well and was quietly pulled from stores. Like other Wonka products, it remains a part of nostalgic snack conversations.