Breakfast in the ’70s and ’80s wasn’t just a meal—it was an event. Every trip down the cereal aisle felt like stepping into a candy-colored wonderland, filled with sugar-packed creations featuring wacky mascots and even wackier commercials. But while some cereals became legends, others quietly disappeared, leaving only nostalgic memories and the occasional eBay listing for an old box. Let’s take a look at 14 discontinued breakfast cereals from the ’70s and ’80s that deserve a comeback.
1. Ice Cream Cones Cereal (1987-1987)
Ice Cream Cones Cereal was a kid’s dream come true, turning ice cream into a breakfast food. The cereal featured tiny cone-shaped pieces and sugary scoops of vanilla or chocolate-flavored puffs, all promoted by an animated mascot named Ice Cream Jones. Kids loved it, but for some reason, it only lasted a year before being discontinued. While a brief revival happened in 2003, it wasn’t quite the same, and fans still hope for a full-fledged return.
2. Crazy Cow (1977-1980)
Crazy Cow was a cereal that took chocolate milk to the next level. Available in both chocolate and strawberry flavors, the cereal coated itself in milk, transforming the liquid into a sugary, flavored treat. It had a goofy pink cartoon cow as its mascot, but despite its unique appeal, it vanished from shelves by 1980. Considering the love for chocolatey cereals like Cocoa Puffs, a Crazy Cow comeback seems long overdue.
3. Waffelos (1979-1982)
Waffelos was the perfect cereal for kids who wanted their breakfast to taste like syrup-soaked waffles. The cereal came in two flavors—maple and blueberry—and featured a cowboy mascot named Waffelo Bill, who seemed like a frontier version of the Quaker Oats man. Despite its unique taste, Waffelos disappeared after only a few years, though people still remember its rich maple goodness. Given the continued popularity of waffle-flavored treats, this one would fit right in today.
4. C-3PO’s (1984-1986)
A cereal named after one of the most famous droids in sci-fi history, C-3PO’s was launched at the height of Star Wars mania. The honey-sweetened oat and corn cereal was shaped like twin rings and had a taste similar to Alpha-Bits. While Star Wars remains a marketing powerhouse, C-3PO’s didn’t last beyond a few years. With so many tie-in cereals coming and going, bringing this classic back would be a perfect nostalgia play.
5. Pac-Man Cereal (1983-1985)
Riding the video game craze, Pac-Man Cereal turned everyone’s favorite pellet-chomping arcade character into a breakfast food. It featured corn-based cereal pieces shaped like Pac-Man and colorful marshmallows shaped like the game’s ghosts. The cereal had a catchy jingle and fun commercials, but despite its popularity, it didn’t outlast the mid-’80s. With retro gaming more popular than ever, this one would be a slam dunk for a revival.
6. Donkey Kong Cereal (1982-1983)
Another video game-inspired cereal, Donkey Kong Cereal was essentially a banana-flavored version of Cap’n Crunch. The barrel-shaped pieces were meant to resemble the ones thrown in the classic arcade game, though they were much easier to eat than to dodge. Unfortunately, the cereal vanished as quickly as it arrived, lasting barely a year. Given Donkey Kong’s continued gaming presence, it’s surprising this hasn’t returned for a limited run.
7. Fruit Brute (1974-1982)
Part of General Mills’ famous Monster Cereals lineup, Fruit Brute was the lesser-known werewolf cousin to Count Chocula and Franken Berry. It featured fruit-flavored cereal with colorful marshmallows, but for some reason, it never gained the same level of fame as its spooky counterparts. It was discontinued in 1982, briefly revived in 2013, and then disappeared again. Since Halloween cereals remain a hit every year, Fruit Brute deserves another chance.
8. Yummy Mummy (1987-1992)
Another short-lived Monster Cereal, Yummy Mummy followed Fruit Brute as a new fruity addition to the lineup. With its orange and vanilla flavor and a bandage-wrapped mascot, it was a fun and colorful cereal that stood out on the shelves. However, it was discontinued by the early ’90s, leaving fans of the Monster Cereals with only Count Chocula, Boo Berry, and Franken Berry. Like Fruit Brute, Yummy Mummy made a brief comeback in 2013 but needs a permanent return.
9. Smurf Berry Crunch (1983-1987)
The Smurfs were everywhere in the ’80s, so it was only natural that they’d have their own cereal. Smurf Berry Crunch featured sweet, berry-flavored pieces in vibrant blue and red colors, making it a hit with kids. Later, a second version called Smurf Magic Berries added marshmallows, but both eventually disappeared by the end of the decade. Given the Smurfs’ occasional revivals in movies and TV, this cereal deserves another shot.
10. Mr. T Cereal (1984-1985)
With his tough-guy persona and larger-than-life presence, Mr. T had his own animated series and, naturally, his own cereal. Made of sweetened corn and oat pieces shaped like the letter “T,” it had a taste similar to Cap’n Crunch. While the cereal was a fun novelty, it disappeared after just a short run. Considering Mr. T’s enduring popularity, it could easily make a nostalgic comeback.
11. Dunkin’ Donuts Cereal (1988-1992)
Dunkin’ Donuts Cereal gave kids a way to enjoy donuts in breakfast bowl form. It came in two flavors—Glazed and Chocolate—each shaped like tiny donuts with a sweet, crunchy coating. The cereal was popular enough to last into the early ’90s before being discontinued, but it’s still fondly remembered. With Dunkin’ still going strong, a reboot of this cereal could be a big hit.
12. Cinnamon Mini Buns (1991-1993)
Okay, this one sneaks into the early ’90s, but it deserves a mention. Cinnamon Mini Buns were tiny, cinnamon roll-shaped cereal pieces that tasted exactly like fresh cinnamon buns but stayed crunchy in milk. Fans of the cereal still reminisce about its perfect balance of sweetness and crunch. While other cinnamon cereals exist, none have quite matched the magic of Cinnamon Mini Buns.
Breakfast in the ’70s and ’80s was a golden age of sugary, imaginative cereals that weren’t afraid to get a little weird. While some of these flavors and mascots are long gone, they still live on in the memories of those lucky enough to have enjoyed them. With nostalgia-driven food revivals happening all the time, maybe it’s just a matter of time before one of these classics makes its way back to our cereal bowls. Until then, we’ll just have to dream of what once was!
