12 Discontinued Cereal Brands We Still Miss

Cereal companies have given us some unforgettable flavors, but not all of them stood the test of time. Whether due to changing tastes, poor sales, or just bad luck, some beloved brands disappeared, leaving nostalgic fans craving their return. Here are 12 discontinued cereals we still miss and would gladly trade a boring bran flake to have back.

1. Sprinkle Spangles

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Sprinkle Spangles were the ultimate sugar rush. They are tiny star-shaped cereal pieces covered in colorful sprinkles. Introduced by General Mills in the mid-‘90s, it was marketed as a dream come true for kids who loved birthday cake flavors. Despite its eye-catching design and over-the-top sweetness, it failed to gain long-term popularity. It was discontinued after a few years, leaving sugar-loving kids heartbroken.

2. Smurf Berry Crunch

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Inspired by The Smurfs cartoon, this cereal featured bright red and blue berry-flavored puffs. It launched in the 1980s, riding the wave of Smurf-mania at the time. Kids loved its sweet taste and connection to their favorite blue characters. However, once The Smurfs craze faded, so did the cereal, disappearing from shelves.

3. Cinna-Crunch Pebbles

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Cinna-Crunch Pebbles took the famous Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles formula and gave it a warm, cinnamon twist. Thanks to its sweet and slightly spicy flavor, it had a devoted fan base. Unfortunately, it never reached the popularity of its siblings and was quietly discontinued. While Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles still thrive, Cinna-Crunch remains a lost treasure.  

4. S’mores Crunch

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S’mores Crunch captured the magic of campfire s’mores in cereal form, with chocolate, graham, and marshmallow pieces. Introduced in the 1980s, it was a favorite among those who wanted dessert for breakfast. Despite its deliciousness, it didn’t last long, and fans were left searching for alternatives. General Mills briefly brought back a s’mores-flavored cereal, but it wasn’t the same.

5. Pop-Tarts Crunch

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Someone at Kellogg’s had the genius idea to turn Pop-Tarts into cereal, and thus, Pop-Tarts Crunch was born. It came in Frosted Strawberry and Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon flavors, mimicking the popular toaster pastries. While tasty, it may have been too sweet for breakfast, leading to its downfall. It disappeared in the late ‘90s, becoming a nostalgic favorite for those who tried it.

6. Berry Krispies

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Berry Krispies were a fruit-flavored twist on the classic Rice Krispies. While they still had the famous Snap, Crackle, Pop, they came in bright, fun colors. Introduced in the ‘90s, they never quite reached the same legendary status as Cocoa Krispies. They eventually disappeared, leaving only the plain version behind.  

7. Reese’s Crunchy Cookie Cereal

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Reese’s Crunchy Cookie Cereal was a spinoff of Reese’s Puffs, featuring a crispier texture and a slightly different flavor. It launched in the early 2000s but didn’t last long despite being based on the popular peanut butter and chocolate combo. Fans of Reese’s Puffs still ask for its return, but the company has forgotten about it. Sadly, it was overshadowed by its more famous sibling and faded away.

8. Ice Cream Cones Cereal

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This 1987 cereal from General Mills featured tiny ice cream cone-shaped pieces in vanilla and chocolate flavors. It was an instant hit because, let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to eat ice cream for breakfast? However, it didn’t last long and was discontinued within a couple of years. A short-lived revival in 2003 failed to bring it back for good.

9. Crazy Cow Cereal

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Introduced in the 1970s, Crazy Cow was a cereal that turned milk into chocolate or strawberry-flavored goodness. It was similar to Cocoa Pebbles but had a different texture and a stronger flavor boost. Kids loved watching their milk change colors, making breakfast extra fun. Unfortunately, it was discontinued, and nothing quite like it has returned.

10. Banana Frosted Flakes

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Banana Frosted Flakes took the classic Frosted Flakes and added a natural banana flavor twist. It was released in the 1980s but never became a permanent addition to the Frosted Flakes lineup. A similar version, Frosted Flakes with Banana Creme, was briefly sold in 2019 but wasn’t the same. The original remains a forgotten breakfast experiment.  

11. Ghostbusters Cereal

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Launched in 1985 alongside the Ghostbusters movie, this cereal featured sweet, fruit-flavored puffs with marshmallow ghosts. It was a hit with fans of the movie and had a good run throughout the late ‘80s. However, when Ghostbusters faded from pop culture, so did the cereal. Despite reboots and nostalgia-driven products, the original has never returned.  

12. E.T. Cereal

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Capitalizing on the success of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, this cereal debuted in the early 1980s. It featured peanut butter and chocolate-flavored pieces shaped like E.T.’s face (which, let’s be honest, wasn’t the most appetizing). While it had a strong start, it didn’t last long beyond the E.T. craze. Once the hype died down, so did the cereal.

• Tags:
• Cereal
• nostalgia
• breakfast
• food
• Discontinued