16 Snack Foods from the ’90s That Are Practically Mythical Now

These 16 ‘90s snacks were once lunchbox royalty; now, they live on in our taste bud memories like sweet, salty legends.

Sophia Zapanta
May 5, 2025
5 min read

16 Snack Foods from the ’90s That Are Practically Mythical Now — Craig Adderley on Pexels

The ‘90s were a magical time for snack lovers — full of bright packaging, strange flavors, and sugary inventions that barely made sense but totally worked. These childhood icons were more than just treats; they were social currency and core memories in foil wrappers. Now, they’ve mostly vanished, leaving us to chase the ghost of our snack-fueled youth.

1. Dunkaroos

kirsch on Wikimedia Commons

Dunkaroos weren’t just cookies; they were an experience. You got to dip kangaroo-shaped biscuits into a tub of sweet, creamy frosting, and somehow that felt like rebellion. Kids who brought Dunkaroos to school had instant clout — no questions asked. Today, they’ve made a small comeback, but the original magic is still missing.

2. Gushers

Thomson200 on Wikimedia Commons

Gushers looked like candy but exploded like a fruit volcano in your mouth. The gooey center was strange, addictive, and just a little suspicious. Every kid knew the risk — you might bite into a dud or get juice on your shirt, but it was always worth it. They’re still around, technically, but the ‘90s version felt more like a party and less like a snack.

3. 3D Doritos

kundl on Wikimedia Commons

They were like regular Doritos, but puffed up with attitude. The shape made them crunchier, louder, and 10 times more fun to eat. They came in tubes that made you feel like you were eating chips from the future. They disappeared just as fast as they arrived, leaving fans weirdly emotional over inflated triangles.

4. Fruit String Thing

Tiia Monto on Wikimedia Commons

This was candy pretending to be fruit, and nobody cared. It came in wiggly shapes you could peel and play with before eating. The taste was somewhere between strawberry and “red,” but that didn’t matter — it was fun. Sadly, it vanished quietly, with barely a goodbye.

5. P.B. Crisps

Pixabay on Pexels

These were little peanut-shaped cookies with a peanut butter cream inside. They were crispy, salty, sweet, and slightly addictive in the best way. Nabisco gave us perfection and then took it away like snack villains. Fans still beg online for a comeback, and honestly, we deserve it.

6. Oreo O’s

Explicit on Wikimedia Commons

Oreo for breakfast? Yes, please. These chocolatey, crunchy cereal loops were like dessert in a bowl — and somehow, that felt legal. They disappeared for a while and came back, but the nostalgia didn’t hit quite the same. The original version had a kind of reckless joy that modern cereals don’t.

7. Shark Bites

ChildofMidnight on Wikimedia Commons

Gummy sharks in tropical colors made every kid feel like a snack-time predator. You always hoped for the rare white shark, which somehow tasted better even though it was the same. The texture was just right — chewy, not rubbery. They swam off the shelves eventually, and snack time hasn’t been the same.

8. Planters Cheez Balls

Willis Lam on Wikimedia Commons

These neon-orange puffs came in a tall blue can and left your fingers gloriously cheesy. They were crunchy at first, then melted like magic. No party was complete without someone shaking the can for dramatic effect. Planters brought them back for a bit, but it’s unclear if they’re here to stay.

9. Yoo-hoo Chocolate Drink Boxes

Jason Gaudet on Wikimedia Commons

Not quite milk, not quite chocolate — just Yoo-hoo. It came in boxes you could pack in your lunch or chug on the playground. The taste was weirdly watery but weirdly good. It still exists, but the box version had peak ’90s charm.

10. Jell-O Pudding Pops

Famartin on Wikimedia Commons

Cold, creamy, and kind of icy, these were the holy grail of freezer treats. They were somehow better than any homemade pudding could ever be. Eating one felt like an upgrade from the usual ice cream bar. They’re gone now, and nothing quite replaces that soft chocolatey chill.

11. Keebler Magic Middles

Willis Lam on Wikimedia Commons

Cookies with gooey centers — why did we let this die out? Magic Middles were soft, crumbly, and then BAM, warm chocolate inside. They were the closest thing to a hug in cookie form. Keebler, if you’re listening, we want them back.

12. French Toast Crunch

Mack Male on Wikimedia Commons

Tiny toast-shaped cereal pieces that actually tasted like syrupy French toast. Every bite was like breakfast pretending to be candy. They had a unique crunch that no other cereal could match. They disappeared for years, came back, and still carry strong nostalgia points.

13. Crispy M&M’s

Lisa Pappalardo on Wikimedia Commons

These had a light, airy crunch inside that made them way more snackable than the regular kind. People either loved them or completely forgot they existed. When they disappeared, it felt like a weird dream we all shared. Thankfully, they made a return — but we still miss the original rollout buzz.

14. Push Pops

Editor182 on Wikimedia Commons

You wore them like a ring and licked them like a champion. Push Pops were sticky, messy, and totally loved. The twist-up design made you feel like a snack-time inventor. They still exist, but they’ve lost their crown to TikTok candy trends.

15. Kudos Bars

LironOmri12 on Wikimedia Commons

These granola bars were basically dessert bars pretending to be healthy. Chocolate chips, M&Ms, and drizzles of syrup turned “granola” into a loophole. Moms bought them thinking they were a win-win, and kids happily played along. They disappeared, and no other bar has quite nailed the same guilty-pleasure vibe.

16. Bubble Jug

Magnus Manske on Wikimedia Commons

It was powdered gum. Let that sink in. You’d pour it into your mouth like candy; then it turned chewy somehow. It was messy, weird, and completely amazing — RIP to the strangest gum of our youth.