13 Snack Brands from the ’90s That Quietly Disappeared
Here’s a bite-sized blast from the past, a look at 13 once-beloved ’90s snack brands that vanished off shelves, leaving behind delicious memories and cravings we still can’t shake.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
The ’90s were a golden era for snacks, bursting with bold flavors and quirky brands that became childhood staples — until many quietly disappeared without fanfare. From neon-cheesy puffs to interactive cookie-and-frosting combos, these forgotten favorites left a lasting mark on taste buds and nostalgia alike. This look back uncovers 13 snack brands that vanished from shelves, reminding us how some delicious memories never truly fade away.
1. Butterfinger BB’s
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These tiny, bite-sized versions of Butterfinger bars were launched in the early ’90s and quickly became a playground favorite — especially after Bart Simpson became their unofficial spokesperson. Their crunchy, peanut-buttery interior and candy shell made them addictive. Despite their cult following, they disappeared in the 2000s, leaving fans wondering why they never made a real comeback.
2. Planters Cheez Balls
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Neon orange, unapologetically cheesy, and packed in that unmistakable blue canister, Planters Cheez Balls were a staple in every ’90s pantry. They didn’t try to be healthy — just perfectly puffed corn drenched in processed cheddar goodness. Though they vanished for a while, their brief re-release in 2018 was proof that some cravings never die.
3. P.B. Crisps
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These peanut butter-filled, graham cracker-coated puffs from Planters were like tiny, golden miracles. Sweet, crunchy, and utterly unique, they straddled the line between candy and snack food in the best way. Fans still organize online petitions for their return, decades later.
4. Keebler Pizzarias
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Made from actual pizza dough and dusted with seasonings, Keebler’s Pizzarias hit that perfect cheesy-salty note that made them irresistible. They came in flavors like Pepperoni and Cheese and were advertised as “pizza you can really crunch.” Sadly, they disappeared by the mid-‘90s, leaving a snack-food void that no other chip quite filled.
5. Kudos Bars
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Marketed as a “healthy” snack bar, Kudos blended the idea of a granola bar with the appeal of a candy bar. Whether it was M&M’s, Snickers, or Chocolate Chip, there was a flavor for every kid’s lunchbox. They quietly faded out in the 2010s, victims of an increasingly health-conscious market.
6. Dunkaroos
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These snack packs paired cookies with tubs of flavored frosting — usually vanilla with sprinkles — and made lunchtime trades feel like Wall Street deals. Nothing said “ultimate treat” like dipping those kangaroo-shaped cookies into a pool of sugary bliss. They vanished in the U.S. for years before a triumphant (if limited) comeback.
7. Surge
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Coca-Cola’s answer to Mountain Dew, Surge was a neon-green, highly caffeinated citrus soda that was basically liquid rebellion. It became a cultural phenomenon for a few years before health concerns and slumping sales pushed it off the shelves. Fans started underground campaigns to bring it back — and they kind of did, but it never truly reclaimed its former glory.
8. Fruit String Thing
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This was more than just a fruit snack — it was a game. The fun of peeling, twisting, and playing with those tangy, stretchy strips made snack time interactive. Eventually, the novelty wore off, and it slithered quietly into obscurity.
9. Giggles Cookies
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These were sandwich cookies with little smiling faces cut into them, and inside was either chocolate or vanilla filling — or sometimes both. They looked at you while you bit into them, which was both hilarious and slightly unsettling. Nabisco discontinued them in the early ’90s, but their weird charm still lingers in snack nostalgia.
10. Tato Skins by Keebler
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Billed as being made from “real potato skins,” these chips had a thick, hearty crunch and rustic, salty flavor that made them feel almost homemade. They came in flavors like cheddar and bacon, and sour cream and chive. Though they were a hit for a while, they eventually disappeared from store shelves, their once-rugged edge dulled by time.
11. O’Boisies
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These oddly named, puffed potato chips were another quirky offering from Keebler. They had an unmistakable crackle and were loaded with seasoning, often more than you’d expect from such a delicate-looking snack. They were phased out in the mid-‘90s, leaving only memories of that first explosive crunch.
12. Squeezit
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These colorful plastic bottles filled with juice were as fun to open as they were to drink — you’d twist off the top and squeeze the bottle like you were milking a cow made of Kool-Aid. Each flavor had a goofy character face molded into the bottle, making it a collectible as much as a drink. Healthier beverage trends and school lunchroom regulations eventually squeezed them out of existence.
13. Crispy M&M’s (original 1999 version)
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Before their more recent revival, Crispy M&M’s were a short-lived spin-off introduced at the tail end of the ‘90s. They featured a light, airy crunch that perfectly contrasted with the milk chocolate center. Although they were discontinued in the 2000s, the wave of fan nostalgia led to their re-release years later — but that original formula had a special magic.