20 Discontinued 1970s Snacks You’ll Never Taste Again

Snacking in the 1970s reflected a culture caught between traditional home cooking and a growing fascination with modern technology. This era gave birth to iconic but short-lived products that leaned heavily into the “futuristic” vibes of the time, often using bright packaging and television tie-ins to capture the imagination of children. From protein-packed “space sticks” to fruit snacks that resembled strips of colorful leather, the variety was immense, though many items failed to survive the changing health standards and shifting tastes of the subsequent decades. These discontinued treats represent a specific moment in history when artificial flavors were celebrated and the pantry was a place for culinary adventure. While many of these flavors are now lost to time, they remain a vivid part of the collective memory for those who grew up navigating the neon-lit aisles of the seventies supermarket.

1. Space Food Sticks

Originally developed for astronauts, Space Food Sticks became a household staple for kids who wanted to eat like they were on a lunar mission. These were chewy, energy-dense rods that came in flavors like chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel. They were marketed as a “balanced” snack, though they were largely composed of sugar and vegetable oils. The unique cylindrical shape and the foil wrapping made them feel high-tech and exciting compared to a standard granola bar. They were the ultimate “portable” snack of the early seventies, fitting perfectly into a lunchbox or a pocket for after-school adventures. While they had a loyal following, they eventually faded as the novelty of space travel lost its marketing punch. They remain among the most nostalgic items for anyone who dreamed of becoming an astronaut during the Apollo era.

2. Hunt’s Snack Pack (Metal Cans)

While Snack Packs still exist today in plastic cups, the 1970s version was a much more dangerous and tactile experience because they came in small metal cans with sharp pull-tab lids. Opening a chocolate or butterscotch pudding meant carefully pulling back the lid, which often resulted in a spray of pudding or a small cut if you weren’t careful. There was something uniquely satisfying about the metallic clink of the spoon against the side of the can that the modern plastic versions just can’t replicate. The pudding itself was incredibly thick and rich, often served as the highlight of a school lunch. These cans were a marvel of convenience, requiring no refrigeration and staying fresh for months in the pantry. They were a defining part of the seventies childhood, representing the era’s obsession with canned goods and long-lasting shelf life.

3. Pizza Spinners

Pizza Spinners were a unique snack from General Mills that attempted to capture the flavor of a pepperoni pizza in a crunchy, wheel-shaped cracker. They were light and airy, with a distinct reddish seasoning that left a salty residue on your fingers. The “spinning” shape was fun for kids to play with, and the flavor was surprisingly bold for a cracker of that time. They were often found in the same aisle as Bugles and were a popular choice for party platters or a quick snack during a Saturday morning cartoon marathon. Despite their popularity, they were discontinued as the company moved toward more traditional snack shapes and flavors in the 1980s. For fans of savory snacks, the loss of Pizza Spinners left a void that hasn’t quite been filled by modern pizza-flavored chips. They were a crunchy, savory reminder of the decade’s love for experimental shapes.

4. Koogle Peanut Butter

Koogle was a flavored peanut butter spread that came in a variety of non-traditional flavors like chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, and banana. It was marketed with a bizarre, googly-eyed mascot and encouraged kids to eat peanut butter as a dessert rather than just a sandwich filling. The texture was slightly different from regular peanut butter, which made it very popular for spreading on crackers or eating straight from the jar. It was an early attempt at making peanut butter “fun” and appealing to the massive sugar-loving youth market of the seventies. However, the flavored peanut butter trend didn’t have much staying power, and Koogle disappeared from shelves by the end of the decade. It remains a cult favorite for those who remember the strange thrill of a chocolate-flavored peanut butter sandwich.

5. Marathon Bar

The Marathon Bar was a long, braided chocolate bar filled with wavy caramel that was famous for how long it took to eat. At eight inches long, it was a substantial treat that challenged kids to see how long they could make it last. The bright red packaging featured a ruler on the back so you could actually measure the bar as you ate it. The caramel was famously chewy and would often get stuck in your teeth, which was part of the fun (and the struggle) of the Marathon experience. It was marketed by a cowboy character named “Marathon John,” who claimed the bar was too big to finish quickly. Due to production costs and a shifting focus within the Mars company, the bar was discontinued in 1981. It is frequently cited as one of the most missed candy bars in history because of its unique shape and satisfying chew.

6. Mug-O-Lunch

Mug-O-Lunch was a line of instant, warm meals from Betty Crocker that were designed to be made in a single mug with just boiling water. They came in varieties like Macaroni and Cheese, Spaghetti, and Beef Noodle, targeting the growing market of kids who needed a quick meal after school. The portions were small, and the flavors were very salty, but the convenience was unmatched for the time. It was a precursor to modern “cup” meals, but with a distinctly seventies focus on being a “real” lunch in a mug. The packaging featured a cheerful yellow mug, making it look cozy and approachable for young cooks. While it was a clever idea, the quality of the dehydrated ingredients wasn’t always the best, and the product line was eventually retired. It remains a nostalgic memory for latchkey kids who relied on the kettle for their midday sustenance.

7. Carnation Slender

Before the modern protein shake boom, there was Slender by Carnation, a “diet” drink that came in cans or as a powder to be mixed with milk. It was marketed heavily to women who wanted a quick meal replacement that was low in calories but still tasted like a milkshake. The flavors were standard—chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry—but the 1970s versions were known for their somewhat chalky texture and metallic aftertaste. It was a staple of the “diet culture” that began to take hold during the decade, often found in the pantries of health-conscious mothers. The branding was very sleek and focused on the promise of a “slender” figure, reflecting the beauty standards of the time. While Carnation eventually rebranded its nutritional drinks, the original Slender name and its specific seventies aesthetic have long since vanished.

8. Fizzies Drink Tablets

Fizzies were small, effervescent tablets that you would drop into a glass of water to create a sparkling, fruit-flavored drink. They were essentially the sugary, drinkable version of Alka-Seltzer, and kids loved watching the tablets bubble and dissolve. They came in classic flavors like cherry, orange, and grape, providing a cheap and fun way to make “soda” at home without the heavy bottles. The routine of dropping a tablet and waiting for the “fizz” was a major part of the appeal. However, the original version used cyclamates as a sweetener, which were banned by the FDA in the late sixties and early seventies, leading to a change in formula that many fans felt wasn’t as good. They struggled to compete with the rising popularity of powdered mixes like Kool-Aid and were eventually pulled from the mainstream market.

9. Burry’s Gaucho Cookies

Gaucho Cookies were a popular oatmeal sandwich cookie filled with a smooth peanut butter cream, produced by the Burry’s company. They were a favorite for many families because they were less sweet than traditional chocolate sandwich cookies and had a more “homemade” texture. The oatmeal base gave them a satisfying crunch that paired perfectly with the savory peanut butter center. They were often found in clear plastic trays within their packaging, making them easy to serve as an after-school snack. Burry’s was eventually acquired by another company, and many of their signature brands, including the Gaucho, were slowly phased out. For those who loved the combination of oats and peanut butter, these cookies were the gold standard of the seventies pantry. They represent a simpler era of cookie design before everything became “extreme” or “double-stuffed.”

10. Gatorgum

Gatorgum was a Gatorade-branded chewing gum that was designed to quench thirst and provide a quick burst of electrolytes for athletes. It had a very distinct, tart lemon-lime flavor and a “liquid” center meant to mimic the taste of the sports drink. The main gimmick was that the gum was so sour it would cause your mouth to water, technically “quenching” your thirst while you played sports. However, the flavor lasted only a few seconds, leaving you with a piece of rubbery, flavorless gum very quickly. Despite this, it was a massive hit among kids who wanted to feel like professional athletes during their backyard baseball games. The packaging was bright green and orange, mirroring the iconic Gatorade bottles. It was eventually discontinued as the novelty wore off and the company focused back on its liquid beverages.

11. Ding Dongs (Foil Wrapped)

While Ding Dongs still exist, the 1970s version was a different experience because each individualsnack cake was wrapped in thick, silver aluminum foil. This packaging kept the chocolate coating from melting on your fingers and gave the snack a premium, “gift-wrapped” feel. There was a specific routine to unwrapping the foil and flattening it out before diving into the cream-filled cake. In the seventies, they were also sometimes called “Big Wheels” or “King Dons” in certain parts of the country due to trademark disputes, adding to their local charm. The foil wrapping was eventually replaced by cheaper plastic film in the late eighties, which many fans felt took away from the overall quality and nostalgia of the snack. The sight of a silver-wrapped Ding Dong in a lunchbox was a sign of a very good day at school.

12. Danish Go-Rounds

Danish Go-Rounds were a toaster pastry from Kellogg’s that featured a spiral, “round” shape rather than the rectangular form of a Pop-Tart. They were designed to look more like traditional Danish pastries and featured a fruit filling that peeked out from the dough coils. The routine involved heating them up in the toaster, which often caused the sugar frosting on top to melt and bubble. They were marketed as a slightly more sophisticated breakfast or snack option, but they were notoriously fragile and often broke into pieces in the toaster. Because they were harder to manufacture than the standard Pop-Tarts, they were eventually discontinued in the late seventies. They remain a fond memory for those who preferred the spiral design and the extra-crispy edges that the round shape provided.

13. Munchos (Original Recipe)

Munchos were a potato-based snack that were “potato skins” before that was a common term, though they were actually made from dehydrated potato flakes. In the ’70s, they were famous for being incredibly light, thin, and much saltier than a traditional potato chip. They had a unique, crinkled texture that made them melt in your mouth almost instantly. They were often sold in large, thin bags that felt like they were filled mostly with air because the chips were so delicate. While a version of Munchos still exists today under the Frito-Lay brand, many fans of the original seventies recipe claim they were much crispier and more flavorful back then. They were the ultimate “cheap” snack that you could eat by the handful without feeling full. Their extreme saltiness made them the perfect companion for a cold soda on a hot afternoon.

14. Wonka’s Oompas

Long before Wonka became a massive candy brand, they produced Oompas, which were giant, oversized versions of what we now know as Reese’s Pieces or M&Ms. They were half-peanut butter and half-chocolate, covered in a colorful candy shell. The name, of course, was a tie-in to the Oompa Loompas from the Willy Wonka movie, making them a hit with young fans of the story. They were much larger than standard candies, giving them a satisfying “crunch” followed by a rich, creamy center. The packaging was whimsical and colorful, fitting the Wonka brand perfectly. Eventually, they were replaced by smaller candies as the company moved toward more traditional sizes. For kids of the seventies, Oompas were the ultimate treat because they felt like something that had actually been plucked from a magical candy factory.

15. Hostess Choco-Bliss

Choco-Bliss was a decadent snack cake featuring two layers of dark chocolate cake with a thick chocolate cream filling, all topped with rich chocolate frosting and a drizzle of lighter chocolate. It was essentially a chocolate lover’s dream and was marketed as a more “intense” snack than the standard Ho-Ho or Twinkie. The texture was very soft and moist, and the frosting was famously fudgy. It was a staple of the seventies snack aisle, often sold in packs of two for sharing (though few people did). As health consciousness began to rise in the eighties, the heavy, double-chocolate profile of Choco-Bliss fell out of favor compared to lighter options. It is remembered as one of the most indulgent and satisfying snack cakes Hostess ever produced, representing the “more is more” philosophy of seventies dessert design.

16. Fruit Brute Cereal

Fruit Brute was the fourth addition to the General Mills “Monster Cereal” line, joining Count Chocula, Franken Berry, and Boo Berry. It featured a werewolf mascot and had fruit-flavored marshmallow bits. What made it stand out in the seventies was its distinct “artificial lime” flavor, which was quite different from the berry and chocolate flavors of its peers. While the other monster cereals became seasonal staples, Fruit Brute struggled to find a permanent audience and was discontinued in 1982. It has made very brief appearances as a “retro” item in recent years, but the original seventies formula and box art remain a rare and nostalgic piece of breakfast history. For many, it was the “cool” alternative to the more popular monsters, and the lime-flavored cereal milk it left behind was a unique morning treat.

17. Nabisco Tid-Bit Crackers

Tid-Bits were small, barrel-shaped cheese crackers that offered a more flavorful, crunchier alternative to modern Goldfish crackers. They had a very sharp cheddar flavor and a dense, satisfying texture, making them a popular choice for school lunches or hiking trips. The “Tid-Bit” name was a staple of the Nabisco line for decades, but the product was slowly phased out as the company shifted its focus toward Cheese Nips and other snack brands. They were often sold in a bright orange box that perfectly matched the color of the crackers inside. Fans of Tid-Bits often mention that no modern cheese cracker has quite the same “snap” or the same intense cheese dust that these little barrels provided. They were a simple, reliable snack that defined the savory side of the seventies pantry for millions of families.

18. Reggie! Bar

The Reggie! Bar was a circular chocolate bar filled with peanuts and caramel, named after the legendary baseball player Reggie Jackson. It was introduced in 1978 after Jackson’s famous three-homerun game in the World Series, and it became an immediate sensation. When the bar was first handed out at Yankee Stadium, fans famously threw them onto the field in celebration when Reggie hit a home run. The bar itself was quite large and heavy, providing a lot of “chew” for your money. It was one of the first times a major athlete had a snack bar so closely tied to their personal brand and success. While the bar was a huge hit for a few years, its popularity faded as Jackson’s career moved into its later stages. It remains the ultimate example of seventies sports marketing and a delicious piece of baseball history.

19. General Mills Breakfast Squares

Breakfast Squares were a dense, cake-like snack that was marketed as a “complete breakfast in a square.” They came in flavors like cinnamon, chocolate, and vanilla and were essentially a very heavy, fortified snack cake. The texture was quite dry, which made them perfect for dunking in a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. They were designed for the busy worker or student who didn’t have time for a bowl of cereal, offering a portable and filling alternative. In the seventies, they were often found in the breakfast aisle alongside the Carnation Instant Breakfast. While they were a clever solution for the “breakfast on the go” market, they were eventually replaced by lighter options like granola bars and cereal bars. They are remembered for their weight and their ability to keep you full until dinner, representing the era’s focus on “functional” nutrition.

20. Aspen Soda

Aspen was a clear, apple-flavored soda released by PepsiCo in the late ’70s. It was marketed as a “crisp and refreshing” alternative to the heavy colas and citrus drinks that dominated the market. The branding featured a snowy mountain peak, leaning into the “natural” and “fresh” vibes that were popular at the time. It had a very light, tart flavor that wasn’t too sugary, making it a favorite for adults as well as kids. However, it struggled to find a permanent place on the shelf and was eventually replaced by Slice and other fruit-flavored sodas in the early ’80s. Aspen represents the brief moment when the soda industry tried to embrace “sophisticated” fruit flavors before the sugar-heavy “extreme” flavors of the ’90s took over. For those who remember it, Aspen was the ultimate refreshing treat on a summer afternoon.

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• Discontinued Food
• Retro Treats
• 70s snacks
• vintage snacks