The 1970s were a golden age of snack foods—brightly packaged, sugar-loaded, and sometimes completely bizarre, yet we loved every bite. Whether it was a lunchtime treat, an after-school indulgence, or something we begged for at the grocery store, these snacks were pure fun. Some had weird textures, strange flavors, or gimmicky packaging, but that was part of the excitement. While most of them have disappeared, the memories of tearing into these nostalgic treats live on. Here are 12 forgotten ’70s snacks that nobody admits to missing—but deep down, we all do.
1. Space Food Sticks
In the ’70s, NASA was everything, and if astronauts ate it, we wanted it too. Space Food Sticks were marketed as futuristic energy bars, designed to give kids the same experience as Apollo mission astronauts. These chewy, cylindrical snacks came in flavors like peanut butter and chocolate, but their texture was somewhere between taffy and a protein bar. They were a little dry, a little weird, and honestly not all that delicious—but eating them made you feel like you were on a space mission. The Henry Ford reveals that this revolutionary treat has a history that’s out of this world.
While they were originally a hit, the novelty wore off, and by the early ’80s, they disappeared from shelves. Today, energy bars serve the same purpose, but they don’t have the same out-of-this-world appeal. For those who remember them, Space Food Sticks were less about taste and more about imagination. Nothing made snack time more fun than pretending you were floating in zero gravity.
2. Banana Flip
If you loved snack cakes in the ’70s, there’s a good chance you had a soft spot for the Banana Flip. This half-moon-shaped treat featured a spongy yellow cake folded over a thick layer of banana-flavored crème filling. The cake was light and fluffy, and the filling had an over-the-top artificial banana taste that was oddly irresistible. It was sweet, messy, and always a little too big to eat without getting your fingers sticky. Fans are still exploring their disappearance, including at American Memory Lane.
While Hostess and Little Debbie still make plenty of snack cakes, the Banana Flip is nowhere to be found. Maybe banana-flavored treats just didn’t stand the test of time, or maybe they were too messy for modern grab-and-go snacking. Either way, those who got to experience a Banana Flip in its prime know it was one of the most indulgent treats of the era. It may not have been sophisticated, but it was the kind of snack that made you feel like you were getting away with something.
3. Danka Sandwich Cookies
Danka Sandwich Cookies were Nabisco’s answer to Oreos, but with a little twist. These came in a variety of flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and even banana, and they had a much crispier, lighter texture. The best part? The crème filling was extra sweet, making them feel like a more decadent version of your standard sandwich cookie. They were the kind of snack you could easily polish off an entire sleeve of before realizing what you’d done. Fortunately, some snacks have filled this niche, as outlined on Heroes, Heroines, and History.
Despite their popularity in the ’70s, Danka Cookies quietly disappeared, leaving only Oreos to dominate the sandwich cookie world. While plenty of other brands have tried to introduce new flavors and textures over the years, nothing quite matched the crispy bite of a Danka. For those who remember them, they were the perfect mix of crunchy, creamy, and totally addictive.
4. Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip
Fun Dip was the ultimate playground status symbol, even though it was basically just powdered sugar in a packet. You’d rip open the pouches, lick the chalky candy stick, and dip it into the neon-colored, ultra-sweet powder. The flavors—cherry, grape, and lime—were tart and tangy, but let’s be real, the best part was the sugar rush. Kids would inevitably end up eating the powder straight or pouring it directly into their mouths.
Believe it or not, Fun Dip still exists today, but it’s not as popular as it once was. In the ’70s, it was everywhere, from school lunchboxes to birthday party treat bags. The sticky fingers, the colored tongues, and the thrill of eating pure sugar made it one of the most fun snacks of the era. No one admits it, but Fun Dip was just as much about the experience as it was about the taste.
5. Koogle Flavored Peanut Butter
Koogle was peanut butter with a twist—literally. It came in flavors like chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, and banana, making it unlike anything else on the market. The texture was smoother than regular peanut butter, almost like a spread, and it was marketed as the cool, fun alternative to boring old PB&J. Kids loved it because it felt like eating dessert straight out of the jar, and parents liked that it still had protein (even if it was packed with sugar).
Despite its popularity, Koogle vanished from store shelves by the late ’70s. Some say it was ahead of its time, as flavored peanut butter didn’t really catch on again until much later. Today, brands experiment with nut butter flavors, but nothing quite captures the nostalgia of a jar of Koogle. For those who grew up in the ’70s, just hearing the jingle—“Pea-nutty Koo-gle, with the koo-koo-koogly eyes!”—brings back memories of slathering it onto Wonder Bread with reckless abandon.
6. Pizza Spins
Pizza Spins were a snack that truly lived up to its name—they were small, crunchy wheels covered in a bold pizza seasoning that tasted like a cross between a cracker and a chip. They had that perfect balance of tangy tomato, zesty cheese, and just a hint of spice, making them a favorite for kids who wanted something more exciting than regular potato chips. They were the perfect after-school snack, leaving fingers coated in a fine dust of pizza-flavored magic.
Despite being one of the most beloved savory snacks of the decade, Pizza Spins mysteriously disappeared. General Mills quietly discontinued them, and they’ve never been revived, despite fans begging for a comeback. While modern pizza-flavored snacks exist, nothing has ever quite matched the taste and texture of Pizza Spins. Those who remember them still insist they were the best snack of their kind—fun, flavorful, and way ahead of their time.
7. Marathon Bar
If you loved caramel, the Marathon Bar was a dream come true. This extra-long, braided chocolate-covered caramel bar measured a full eight inches, with the wrapper proudly displaying a ruler so you could admire its size. It took forever to chew through, making it one of the most satisfying (and time-consuming) candy bars ever made. Eating one was almost like a challenge—could you make it last, or would you bite off more than you could handle?
Sadly, the Marathon Bar didn’t last, disappearing in the early ’80s. While similar bars exist today, none have quite replicated the stretchy caramel and fun factor of the original. The UK has a candy called the Curly Wurly that’s pretty close, but for American snack lovers, nothing will ever truly replace the Marathon. It was a candy that made you work for your sugar rush, and that’s exactly why we loved it.
8. Yoo-Hoo Chocolate Drink (in a Can)
Yoo-Hoo was already a favorite among kids in the ’70s, but something about drinking it from a can made it even better. Unlike thick chocolate milk, Yoo-Hoo was a thinner, more refreshing chocolate drink, perfect for chugging on a hot day. The can version just added to the experience—something about cracking it open made it feel even more like a treat. It was the go-to drink for kids who wanted something sweet but weren’t in the mood for soda.
While Yoo-Hoo still exists today in bottles and juice-box-style cartons, the canned version is long gone. Some say the metal gave it a slightly different taste, making it even more nostalgic for those who remember it. There was something special about tossing back a Yoo-Hoo straight from the can and feeling like the coolest kid on the block. It may still be around, but for those of us who had it in a can, today’s version just isn’t quite the same.
9. Wigwag Bar
The Wigwag Bar was another entry in the long list of chewy, chocolatey caramel treats that the ’70s seemed to love. Similar to the Marathon Bar, it featured long, braided caramel covered in milk chocolate, making it a fun and messy eating experience. The caramel was extra chewy, stretching as you bit into it, making it feel like a never-ending snack. It was the kind of candy that tested your patience—but in the best way possible.
Wigwag Bars disappeared in the early ’80s, leaving a caramel-shaped hole in the hearts of those who grew up with them. While Nestlé’s Curly Wurly is the closest modern equivalent, it’s still not exactly the same. Fans of the Wigwag swear that the texture and taste were one-of-a-kind, and it remains one of the most requested discontinued candies. If you were lucky enough to eat one back in the day, you know just how fun they were.
10. Super Sugar Crisp Cereal
Long before food companies toned down sugar in kids’ cereals, Super Sugar Crisp was exactly what it sounded like—a cereal packed with so much sweetness, it practically crackled in your mouth. Sugar Bear, the mascot, made it even cooler, delivering smooth, confident lines that made kids feel like eating this cereal was the thing to do. Every bite was a blast of sugar-coated puffed wheat, turning even the plainest milk into a sugary treat.
As the decades rolled on, the name got toned down to Super Golden Crisp and then just Golden Crisp, in an attempt to make it sound healthier. But those who had the original version in the ’70s know it was pure, unapologetic sugar bliss. Today’s version still exists, but it’s not quite as indulgent as the one we grew up with. Super Sugar Crisp was one of the last cereals that didn’t pretend to be anything other than what it was—a bowl full of crunchy, golden sweetness.
11. Pudding Roll-Ups
Before Fruit Roll-Ups took over lunchboxes, there were Pudding Roll-Ups, a weird but wonderful attempt at turning pudding into a portable snack. These soft, sticky strips were exactly what they sounded like—thin sheets of chocolate or vanilla pudding, dried out just enough to be rolled up and eaten like fruit leather. The texture was somewhere between taffy and thick frosting, making them a messy but fun treat.
While they never gained the same traction as Fruit Roll-Ups, those who tried them still remember their unique, melt-in-your-mouth consistency. Pudding Roll-Ups quietly disappeared, and no brand has ever attempted to bring them back. Maybe they were too ahead of their time, or maybe people just weren’t ready for pudding in a chewy form. Either way, they remain one of the strangest, yet most entertaining, snack experiments of the ’70s.
12. Choco’Lite Bar
The Choco’Lite Bar was Nestlé’s attempt to create a chocolate bar that was lighter than air, thanks to tiny little air bubbles inside the chocolate. It had a unique texture, almost like a crunch bar without the rice, and it melted in your mouth in a way that regular chocolate didn’t. The aerated chocolate made it feel fancy and futuristic, and it had a devoted following among kids who liked their candy bars a little different.
Despite its loyal fanbase, Choco’Lite bars disappeared by the early ’80s. While aerated chocolate bars still exist in other countries—like the Aero Bar in the UK—American candy aisles haven’t had a true Choco’Lite replacement. Those who remember them still swear they had the best texture of any chocolate bar ever made. It wasn’t just about taste—it was about how fun it was to eat.
These snacks weren’t just about taste—they were about the fun, the gimmicks, and the pure joy of eating something a little bit ridiculous. Whether it was a candy stick dipped in sugar, a chocolate bar that stretched a foot long, or a cereal that was basically dessert in disguise, the ’70s knew how to make snacking exciting. While they may have disappeared from grocery store shelves, they’ll always live on in our memories—and in the stories we tell about a time when food was just a little more fun.
