20 Retro Candy Brands We Can't Find Anymore

Candy from the past wasn’t just about sugar—it was a symbol of joy, simplicity, and childhood wonder. Over the years, many of these beloved brands disappeared, whether due to changing tastes, production issues, or corporate decisions. This list looks nostalgic at 20 retro candy brands we can’t find anymore but still crave.

1. PB Max

Jacek Halicki on Wikimedia Commons

Launched in the late ‘80s, PB Max was a chocolate-covered peanut butter and oat bar that gave Reese’s a run for its money. Its rich, crunchy, and creamy goodness was a hit, but Mars pulled the plug because, ironically, they “didn’t like peanut butter.” Fans still dream of PB Max returning to shelves to this day.

2. Butterfinger BB’s

Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons

These bite-sized versions of the classic Butterfinger were a ‘90s kid’s dream snack. Easy to pop and dangerously addictive, they starred in The Simpsons ads. Despite their popularity, they vanished in the 2000s, leaving us searching for replacements that never quite measure up.

3. Marathon Bar

Scott Ehardt on Wikimedia Commons

The Marathon Bar was a chewy, chocolate-covered caramel rope that took ages to eat—hence the name. Introduced in the 1970s, it tested patience and jaw strength, but every bite was worth it. It disappeared by the ‘80s, though many still crave its satisfying challenge.

4. BB Bats Taffy Lollipops

The Eloquent Peasant on Wikimedia Commons

These taffy-on-a-stick lollipops were as simple as they were delicious. They came in flavors like banana, strawberry, and chocolate. First introduced in the 1920s, they lasted for decades but faded into obscurity. Their mix of chewy and sweet remains unmatched by today’s candies.

5. Reggie! Bar

Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons

Named after baseball legend Reggie Jackson, this candy bar was a chocolate, peanut, and caramel dream. Released in the late ‘70s, it quickly became a hit for candy lovers and sports fans. Sadly, it didn’t survive past the ‘80s, striking out faster than expected.

6. Space Dust

Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons

Space Dust was the “sister” candy to Pop Rocks, but it came in powdered form for extra fizzy fun. Kids loved pouring the tangy, popping powder straight onto their tongues, much to their parents’ dismay. Although it fizzled out after a few years, its memory still sparkles for those who tried it.

7. Squirrel Nut Zippers

Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons

These old-school, nutty caramel chews dated back to the early 20th century and were beloved for their rich flavor and sticky texture. Named after a Prohibition-era cocktail, they lasted generations before fading away. If you tried them, you’d remember pulling more than a few teeth fillings.

8. Bar None

Bodo on Wikimedia Commons

Launched in 1987, the Bar None was Hershey’s attempt at a premium candy bar layered with chocolate wafers, cocoa, and peanuts. It was chocolate heaven in a wrapper but didn’t last long due to recipe tweaks and declining popularity. Fans still demand its return, remembering it as a masterpiece.

9. Seven Up Bar

Pixabay on Pexels

The Seven Up Bar wasn’t soda-flavored. It had seven mini chocolate-filled squares, each with a different flavor, such as nougat, caramel, or cherry. It was a box of surprises in one candy bar. Sadly, it was discontinued in the ‘70s, leaving modern candy fans wondering why it ever disappeared.

10. Tart n’ Tinys

Ivan J. Long on Wikimedia Commons

These tiny, crunchy candies were like sweet, colorful pellets of joy. When candy trends shifted in the 2000s, they disappeared, though they briefly came back in a chewy version. The original hard candies, though, remain a fond and tangy memory.

11. Whistle Pops

SilverSacredTreasures on Wikimedia Commons

Whistle Pops weren’t just lollipops—they were instruments of chaos that kids used to annoy adults for hours. Introduced in the 1970s, these whistle-shaped candies were pure sugary fun. Though they disappeared, their “toot-toot” memories echo in candy history.

12. Choco’Lite

Gül Işık on Wikimedia Commons

Nestlé’s Choco’Lite bar was airy, bubbly chocolate at its finest—a melt-in-your-mouth experience from the 1970s. It was like eating a cloud of cocoa, lighter than anything we’d seen before. Sadly, its lightness didn’t keep it afloat and disappeared by the ‘80s.

13. Fruit Wrinkles

Anete Lusina on Pexels

These soft, chewy fruit snacks were shaped like wrinkly nuggets of goodness. A favorite in the 1980s, they were the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. Eventually, Fruit Wrinkles lost their place to sleeker, trendier fruit snacks and vanished forever.

14. Bonkers! Candy

Engin Akyurt on Wikimedia Commons

Bonkers! were fruit chews with a burst of flavor in the center, making every bite feel like a fun surprise. Their commercials were wacky, and their candy was unforgettable, but they disappeared by the 1990s. Even today, fans agree—they were indeed “bonkers” in the best way.

15. Astro Pops

Valfontis on Wikimedia Commons

Astro Pops were rocket-shaped lollipops that looked like something from outer space. They were sweet, colorful, and so long-lasting that you’d feel like you were on a mission to finish them. Sadly, these space-age treats burned out too soon, disappearing in the 2000s.

16. Wonka Bar

Beao on Wikimedia Commons

Inspired by Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, the Wonka Bar was every kid’s dream treat. Known for its rich chocolate and connection to the golden ticket fantasy, it felt like pure magic in a wrapper. Sadly, this nostalgic candy has vanished, leaving only sweet memories.

17. Giggles Cookies

Bryan H Bell on Wikimedia Commons

These chocolate and vanilla sandwich cookies smiled back at you with their adorable faces and creamy centers. A ‘90s lunchbox favorite, Giggles were too cute to eat (but we ate them anyway). Sadly, they giggled their way off shelves, leaving us all craving one more smile.

18. Oompas

Austin Kirk on Wikimedia Commons

Oompas were peanut butter and chocolate candies like giant M&Ms—but tastier. Introduced by Willy Wonka Candy in the 1970s, they were chunky, colorful, and delicious. They disappeared far too quickly, leaving a peanut butter-shaped hole in our hearts.

19. Fizzies

Katie Rainbow on Pexels

Fizzies were like soda tablets you dropped into water to make an instant fizzy drink. They were a candy-like science experiment that was a hit in the 1960s but reappeared briefly in later decades. Despite their retro charm, they dissolved into history, leaving behind only bubbly memories.

20. Milkshake Bar

Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels

The Milkshake Bar promised a creamy, chocolatey experience that “lasted longer,” and for a while, it delivered. Its malted milk center and smooth chocolate coating made it a treat worth savoring. Unfortunately, it melted by the 1980s; no candy has ever filled its shoes.

• Tags:
• Candy Brands
• Sweets
• Rare
• Treats