15 Snacks From the 1970s You Can’t Buy Anymore

The 1970s were a decade of bold experimentation in the snack food industry, characterized by neon colors, questionable nutritional value, and inventive packaging. While many modern favorites found their footing during this era, dozens of iconic treats have been relegated to the annals of history. From space-age powders to funky-shaped chips, these snacks defined the childhoods of a generation. This list explores 15 of the most beloved yet discontinued snacks that evoke a powerful sense of nostalgia for those who grew up in the era of disco and bell-bottoms. Though they are no longer available for purchase, the memories of their unique flavors and catchy commercials remain as vivid as ever.

1. Tangy Taffy (Original Recipe)

Before it was absorbed into the Wonka brand and rebranded as Laffy Taffy, the original Tangy Taffy was a 1970s staple. These long, flat bars were famous for their intense tartness and their tendency to become incredibly brittle if kept in a cool place. Kids loved the challenge of smacking the bar against a hard surface to shatter it into bite-sized shards. The cherry and watermelon flavors were particularly iconic, stained with the vibrant food dyes that defined the decade. Over time, the recipe was softened to prevent tooth-cracking incidents, and the original “shatter-able” version became a relic of a more adventurous snacking era.

2. Munchos

While Munchos still exist in some niche markets, the original 1970s version was a revolutionary “potato skin” snack that felt entirely different from the standard Lay’s chip. Made from dehydrated potato flakes that were flash-fried to create a light, airy, and incredibly salty experience, they were the ultimate crunchy indulgence. The 1970s packaging featured bold, groovy typography that perfectly captured the aesthetic of the time. They were thinner and more fragile than modern crisps, offering a unique “melt in your mouth” quality. For many, the modern iteration simply does not capture the exact salt-to-crunch ratio that made the 1970s bags a mandatory addition to every backyard barbecue and school lunchbox.

3. Aspen Soda

Launched by PepsiCo in the late 1970s, Aspen was a clear, crisp apple-flavored soda that aimed for a more sophisticated audience. It was marketed as a refreshing, “natural” alternative to the heavy colas and neon-colored sodas of the time. The taste was remarkably similar to sparkling cider, but with the carbonation levels of a standard soft drink. While it gained a cult following, it failed to capture a large enough share of the market to survive the “Soda Wars.” By 1982, Aspen was discontinued and replaced by Slice, leaving apple soda fans in a lurch until the craft soda movement revived the flavor profile decades later.

4. Koogle

Koogle was a flavored peanut butter spread that took the 1970s by storm. It came in wild flavors like chocolate, cinnamon, banana, and vanilla. The mascot was a giant, goofy-eyed creature that appealed directly to children who were bored with standard creamy or crunchy peanut butter. It was essentially a dessert disguised as a protein-rich spread. While kids loved the sugary variants, parents were less enthused by the nutritional profile. As the health-conscious 1980s approached, the demand for “chocolate peanut butter” spreads dipped, and Koogle was wiped from the shelves. It remains one of the most requested discontinued items for those seeking a taste of their 1970s childhood.

5. Teem Soda

Produced by PepsiCo, Teem was the lemon-lime competitor to Sprite and 7-Up throughout the 1970s. It was known for having a slightly more aggressive carbonation and a “sharper” citrus profile than its rivals. The green glass bottles with the bright yellow and white logo were a common sight at soda fountains and in vending machines across the United States. Teem had a dedicated following, particularly among those who found other lemon-lime sodas too sweet. However, as the 1980s began, PepsiCo decided to shift its focus toward Slice, and Teem was slowly phased out of the American market. It still pops up in certain international markets, but the original ’70s “Teem Spirit” has largely evaporated from the American consciousness.

6. Bubble Up

Bubble Up was the “other” lemon-lime soda that gave 7-Up a run for its money during the disco era. It had a slogan that promised “a kiss of lemon, a kiss of lime,” and it lived up to it with a very sweet, less acidic flavor profile than its competitors. In the 1970s, it was often the go-to mixer for punch at school dances or family reunions. The bright blue and green logo was a fixture in grocery store aisles across the Midwest. While the brand still exists in very limited regional distribution, its 1970s heyday—when it was a genuine contender for the lemon-lime throne—is long gone. For many, a cold Bubble Up is the literal taste of a 1970s summer afternoon.

7. Sunshine Hydrox

Before Oreo became the undisputed king of the sandwich cookie, there was Hydrox. In the 1970s, many families were strictly “Hydrox households.” These cookies were known for being crunchier and less sweet than Oreos, with a darker, more cocoa-heavy biscuit that held up better when dunked in milk. The 1970s packaging was classic, featuring the Sunshine Biscuits logo and a no-nonsense design. Hydrox fans were famously loyal, often engaging in heated debates about which cookie was the “original” (spoiler: it was Hydrox). Sunshine was eventually bought out, and the brand went through various reformulations and disappearances. While a version of Hydrox has been revived recently, the 1970s version remains the gold standard for many cookie purists.

8. Jolly Rancher Stix

Before Jolly Ranchers were primarily sold as small, individual hard candies, the 1970s version was the “Stix.” These were long, flat, rectangular bars of the famous hard candy that cost only a nickel or a dime at the local five-and-dime store. They were notorious for being incredibly sticky; on a hot summer day, the paper wrapper would fuse to the candy, requiring a surgical level of patience to remove. The cherry and apple flavors were particularly vibrant, providing a long-lasting sugar rush for kids on bikes. Eventually, the company shifted toward the smaller, more manageable “nugget” shape that we see today, but the “Stix” remain the definitive form of the candy for anyone who grew up in the seventies.

9. Switzer’s Licorice

While Twizzlers eventually won the licorice wars, the 1970s belonged to Switzer’s. This St. Louis-based brand produced a cherry-and-black licorice known for its soft, almost pillowy texture and deep, rich flavor. The red-and-black checkerboard packaging was a common sight at movie theater concession stands and corner drugstores. Unlike modern licorice, which can be waxy, Switzer’s felt like a premium confection. The company went through several ownership changes in the late 1970s, and the original recipe was eventually altered, much to the disappointment of purists. For those who grew up in the seventies, no other red rope quite matches the nostalgic sweetness of a fresh bag of Switzer’s.

10. Nabisco Flings

Flings were a “curled” corn snack that felt like a cross between a Cheeto and a cracker. They were light, airy, and coated in a very specific, mild cheese-and-ham seasoning that felt incredibly “fancy” for the 1970s. The packaging featured a sophisticated design that suggested these were the perfect snack for a cocktail party. They had a crunch that was less aggressive than a corn chip but more substantial than a puff. Despite their popularity as a party staple, Nabisco decided to focus on their more mainstream cheese snacks, and Flings were quietly retired. They remain a cult favorite for those who remember the unique “ham and cheese” flavor profile that defined 1970s entertaining.

11. Fruit Brute Cereal

While Count Chocula and Franken Berry are still household names, their werewolf companion, Fruit Brute, has largely been forgotten. Launched in 1974, this was the fourth addition to the “Monster Cereal” line. It consisted of fruit-flavored frosted cereal with “lime flavor” marshmallows, which was a pretty radical combination for the time. The mascot was a friendly, overall-clad werewolf who “howled” with delight over the fruity taste. Despite a loyal following, Fruit Brute was discontinued in 1982, making it one of the rarest finds for cereal box collectors. The lime marshmallows gave the milk a specific, zesty tint that many 1970s kids still swear was the best part of the morning.

12. Fiddle Faddle

While Cracker Jack was the old school choice, Fiddle Faddle was the “cool” 1970s alternative for fans of clusters. Produced by Sandoz (and later Lincoln Snacks), it consisted of popcorn and peanuts glazed in a very thick, very sweet buttery toffee. The clusters were often huge, requiring a bit of work to break apart. In the 1970s, the box was bright and featured a font that perfectly captured the “mod” style of the era. It was a staple for family road trips and movie nights at home. While it still exists in some capacity, the 1970s recipe felt much more generous with the toffee coating, creating a crunch that could be heard from the next room.

13. Pringles Newfangled Potato Chips

When Pringles first hit the scene in the late 1960s and surged through the 1970s, they weren’t just chips; they were “Newfangled.” Sold in a tennis ball-style canister to prevent breakage, they were marketed as the technologically superior snack for the modern family. The 1970s version had a slightly different texture and a more pronounced fried-dough flavor compared to the uniform, thin crisps found today. They were a marvel of food science, created from a mash of dehydrated potatoes pressed into a perfect shape. While the brand is a global powerhouse now, the “Newfangled” branding and the original, thicker crunch of the seventies remain a specific memory for those who remember the transition from greasy bags to sleek tubes.

14. Kool-Aid Space Foam

Space Foam was a bizarre but fascinating 1970s experiment in beverage technology. It was a pressurized can, similar to a whipped cream can, containing a concentrated, flavored syrup. When sprayed into a glass of water, it created a thick, frothy, flavorful foam that eventually settles into a drink. It was marketed as the “fun” way to make a soda at home, and kids were mesmerized by the chemical reaction in their glasses. Available in flavors like cherry and grape, it felt like a snack straight out of a science fiction movie. The novelty wore off quickly as parents realized the mess it could create, and the product vanished from stores by the end of the decade, remaining a weirdly wonderful relic of 1970s kitchen experiments.

15. The Original Chipwich

While ice cream sandwiches had been around for decades, the Chipwich took the world by storm in the late 1970s. It was the ultimate “premium” street snack, consisting of two very thick, very soft chocolate chip cookies with a massive scoop of vanilla bean ice cream in the middle. The edges were then rolled in mini chocolate chips for an extra layer of crunch. It was famous for being sold by vendors with colorful carts on the streets of New York City before it hit grocery store freezers nationwide. The 1970s version felt massive, a literal handful of dessert that required two hands to eat. It made ice cream sandwiches feel special, and the original Chipwich is still a favorite of the seventies generation.

• Tags:
• Nostalgia
• 1970s
• discontinued snacks
• retro food
• childhood memories