13 Breakfast Cereals from the ’70s That Disappeared Overnight
Step back in time and rediscover the short-lived breakfast cereals of the 1970s that vanished almost as quickly as they hit store shelves.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
The ’70s were a golden era of creativity for breakfast cereals, but not every bowlful stood the test of time. These cereals brought bold flavors and flashy marketing. But, many fizzled out fast. Let’s dive into 13 cereals that had their moment in the sun before vanishing overnight.
1. Freakies
Mike in Dubuque on Wikimedia Commons
A wild mix of quirky cartoon monsters and puffed corn, Freakies hit the shelves in 1972. With memorable characters like Cowmumble and Grumble, it was a hit with kids but left parents baffled.
2. Grins & Smiles & Giggles & Laughs
Ron Lach on Pexels
This wacky cereal delivered a mouthful in both name and marketing. Animated by a machine called the “Laughalot,” it promised a giggly breakfast experience.
3. Crazy Cow
~ tOkKa on Flickr
Crazy Cow came in strawberry and chocolate flavors, with cereal pieces that turned milk into a sweet treat. The box featured a cartoon cow full of energy and oddball charm.
4. Sir Grapefellow
Alicia Christin Gerald on Unsplash
A grape-flavored cereal with a British flying ace mascot, Sir Grapefellow was unlike anything else on the market. Paired in a rival cereal campaign with Baron Von Redberry, it became a novelty.
5. Baron Von Redberry
Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels
The tart counterpart to Sir Grapefellow, Baron Von Redberry brought a zingy raspberry twist to the table. With his cartoonish German pilot persona, he aimed to outdo his grape rival.
6. Waffelos
Ron Lach on Pexels
Waffelos had a maple syrup taste and a charming cowboy mascot named Waffelo Bill. Its flavor resembled waffles straight from the griddle, making it a sweet morning treat.
7. Pink Panther Flakes
Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels
Inspired by the famous cartoon character, these flakes were dyed pink and coated with sugar. The box art was eye-catching, and the taste was sweet and sugary.
8. Punch Crunch
Annushka Ahuja on Pexels
Part of the Cap’n Crunch family, Punch Crunch had a tropical fruit flavor and a new character — Smedley the elephant. It aimed to broaden the brand’s appeal, but the fruity variation didn’t stick.
9. Dingleberries
Jep Gambardella on Pexels
Yes, this real cereal had a name that raised eyebrows even back then. Marketed with humor and a mischievous tone, it didn’t last long — possibly because of the awkward name.
10. Moon Stones
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
Moon Stones tried to capitalize on America’s space obsession, featuring a moon-shaped cereal with a frosted crunch. The packaging was stellar, but the taste fell short.
11. Klondike Pete’s Crunchy Nuggets
Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels
A cereal with a prospector mascot, it offered golden corn nuggets that were meant to mimic treasure. Kids enjoyed the Wild West theme, but the flavor was basic and unmemorable.
12. Quake (and Quisp’s Rival)
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Quake, the rival of the still-surviving Quisp, was a burly miner character with a crunchy corn cereal. For a time, kids were asked to vote which mascot should stay.
13. Donkey Kong Cereal
Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels
Though it launched in the early ’80s, Donkey Kong Cereal was developed during the arcade craze that began in the late ’70s. The cereal had barrel-shaped corn pieces and arcade-style branding.