18 Retro Snack Bars from the ’90s That Vanished
Many snack bars that were popular in the 1990s have disappeared from stores due to changing tastes, health trends, or company decisions.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Snack bars were a big part of childhood and after-school routines during the 1990s. These products were often sweet, convenient, and heavily marketed to kids. Over time, many were discontinued because of low demand, health concerns, or company rebranding.
1. Kudos Bars
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Kudos bars were granola-based and came in flavors like chocolate chip and M&M’s. They were sweet and tasted more like candy than a healthy snack. Kids often brought them to school or had them after sports. Production ended in the early 2010s, and they haven’t returned to shelves since.
2. Nestlé Wonder Ball Cereal Bars
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These bars were based on the chocolate Wonder Ball candy. They had a cereal base with a chocolate layer and came with surprises inside. The product was short-lived and aimed mainly at children. It was pulled due to both safety concerns and low sales.
3. Quaker Chewy Granola Dipps with Sprinkles
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This version of the Chewy Dipps bars came with colorful candy sprinkles on top. It was marketed as a fun snack for kids. While Quaker Chewy bars still exist, this sprinkle-covered variety was quietly removed. It did not return as health trends shifted.
4. Nabisco Giggles Snack Bars
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These bars had cookie layers with a creamy filling and a smiling face design. They were playful and targeted at young children. Despite the fun look, they didn’t last long on shelves. Nabisco discontinued them due to low demand.
5. Rice Krispies Treats Caramel Chocolate Bars
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Kellogg’s released these bars with layers of caramel and chocolate over the classic Rice Krispies base. They were sold as a dessert snack and were very sweet. Over time, the bar became harder to find. Kellogg’s eventually removed them to focus on simpler versions.
6. PB Crisps by Planters (in bar form)
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Planters experimented with peanut butter-flavored products, including a crispy bar version of PB Crisps. It had a creamy inside and a crunchy outer shell. Fans liked the taste, but it was discontinued in the late ’90s. The entire PB Crisps line was dropped by the company.
7. Hershey Snack Barz
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These snack bars are made with puffed rice, marshmallow, and a chocolate coating. They were sold in several flavors, including Reese’s and Cookies ’n’ Creme. Though similar to candy bars, they were marketed as snacks. Hershey ended the line due to low long-term sales.
8. S’mores Granola Bars by Betty Crocker
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These bars combined graham flavor, marshmallow bits, and chocolate chips. They were sold as a fun twist on a campfire treat. While some versions still exist under different names, the original ’90s formula was discontinued. Betty Crocker moved away from overly sweet granola products.
9. Apple Newton Snack Bars
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Fig Newtons had spin-off flavors like apple and raspberry in soft snack bar form. They were sold as a fruit-based option for kids. The apple version didn’t sell as well as the original fig flavor. Nabisco eventually pulled it from the market.
10. Fruit & Grain Bars by Kellogg’s (original recipe)
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These bars had a fruit filling inside a grain-based shell. They came in flavors like strawberry and blueberry. Over time, the recipe changed and the original texture was lost. The first version was discontinued and replaced by reformulated versions.
11. Snapple Snack Bars
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Snapple briefly entered the snack bar market in the late ’90s. These bars were fruit-based and aimed to match the brand’s juice flavors. The product didn’t catch on and was taken off the shelves quickly. It was one of several short-lived food attempts by the beverage brand.
12. Pop-Tarts Snack Stix
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These were thin, stick-shaped versions of Pop-Tarts meant for snacking on the go. They had flavored filling and a soft outer crust. They were introduced as a portable option but never gained popularity. Kellogg’s discontinued them after a short run.
13. Yoplait Go-Gurt Fizzix Bars
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A product spin-off from the Go-Gurt line, these bars had a fizzy texture and were frozen. They were designed to appeal to kids who liked novelty snacks. The fizzing effect was not well-received by all consumers. The bars were quickly pulled from stores.
14. Bugles Snack Bars
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General Mills tried turning Bugles into a sweet snack bar. The bar mixed corn-based ingredients with caramel or chocolate. The product was unusual and did not fit well in the snack bar market. It was discontinued within a few years.
15. Hostess Tiger Tail Snack Bars
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These were cake-style bars with a cinnamon and orange swirl flavor. They were soft, sweet, and sold in single packs. Despite some regional popularity, they did not maintain strong national sales. Hostess removed them from its main lineup.
16. Balance Bars (Original Flavors)
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Balance Bars were an early protein-based snack that launched in the 1990s. The original flavors included Caramel Nut Blast and Mocha Chip. As nutrition science and consumer preferences changed, many of the original recipes were dropped. Only a few reformulated versions remain.
17. Dunkaroos Snack Bars
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After the popularity of the Dunkaroos cookies, a snack bar version was tested with a cookie base and frosting center. It aimed to bring the same sweet taste in a bar format. It was only released in limited regions and didn’t gain much attention. The product quietly disappeared by the early 2000s.
18. Oatmeal Swirlers Bar
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Oatmeal Swirlers was a cereal with fruit-flavored syrup packs. A bar version was briefly introduced to extend the brand. The product was short-lived and failed to attract interest. Both the cereal and the bar were removed from the market.