The 1980s were a golden age for snacks—bold, colorful, and often downright quirky. From sweet treats to salty indulgences, snack companies didn’t hold back when it came to creativity. Unfortunately, many of the best ’80s snacks are no longer around, leaving those of us who grew up with them feeling a little nostalgic every time we walk down the snack aisle. Let’s take a trip down memory lane with 12 discontinued ’80s snacks that we’d love to see make a comeback.
1. Planters Cheez Balls
These bright orange spheres of cheesy goodness were a mainstay of ’80s snack time. Packaged in those iconic blue canisters, Planters Cheez Balls had a flavor and texture that was unmatched. They were crunchy, salty, and coated in just the right amount of neon-orange cheese dust that left your fingers happily messy.
Though Planters briefly brought them back in 2018 due to popular demand, the revival didn’t last long. For those of us who grew up popping these addictive bites into our mouths during after-school cartoons, they’re a snack we’ll never forget. The canned nostalgia deserves a permanent place on shelves again.
2. Hostess Chocodiles
If you thought Twinkies were perfect, Hostess found a way to make them even better by covering them in chocolate. Chocodiles were essentially chocolate-dipped Twinkies, but their slightly smaller size and decadent coating gave them a unique identity. They were a sugary indulgence that felt like a special treat, often sneaked into lunchboxes or devoured after school.
Although Hostess has brought back Chocodiles in limited runs over the years, they’ve never regained their full glory. The ’80s were their heyday, and fans still reminisce about their perfect balance of cake, cream, and chocolate.
3. Giggles Cookies
These sandwich cookies featured goofy, grinning faces stamped into their tops, making them an instant hit with kids. Giggles came in chocolate or vanilla flavors, with a creamy filling that added just the right sweetness. Their whimsical design was half the fun—who could resist biting into a cookie with a big, silly grin?
Giggles disappeared in the early ’90s, leaving a void in the world of playful snacks. With today’s focus on nostalgia and fun packaging, these cookies are long overdue for a comeback.
4. Keebler Magic Middles
Keebler struck gold with Magic Middles, shortbread cookies with a gooey chocolate or peanut butter filling hidden inside. Biting into one revealed a soft, rich center that felt like discovering treasure. These cookies had a perfect balance of textures, with the buttery outer shell complementing the creamy middle.
Magic Middles vanished in the ’90s, leaving fans clamoring for their return ever since. Their unique concept and indulgent taste make them a top contender for snacks that should grace our shelves again.
5. Dunkaroos
Technically, Dunkaroos debuted in the late ’80s, but they became an instant classic. These bite-sized cookies came with a compartment of sweet frosting for dipping, making them a favorite among kids and parents alike. The mix-and-match fun of choosing how much frosting to dunk was part of their charm.
While Dunkaroos have seen a partial comeback in recent years, they’ve never fully recaptured the magic of their original era. Those who remember the ’80s packaging and flavors know that the current version doesn’t quite compare.
6. PB Max
For peanut butter lovers, PB Max was the ultimate treat. This candy bar featured a thick layer of peanut butter on a cookie base, covered in milk chocolate. It was hearty, satisfying, and packed with peanut butter flavor. The tagline, “We mean peanut butter,” wasn’t an exaggeration.
Despite its popularity, PB Max was discontinued because the Mars family reportedly didn’t like peanut butter. For those of us who adored it, that reasoning still stings. This is one snack that deserves a second chance.
7. Oreo Big Stuf
Oreo went big—literally—with Big Stuf, a massive single Oreo cookie that was individually wrapped for snacking on the go. It was essentially a giant Oreo that you could eat like a pastry, complete with the same beloved cookie-to-cream ratio.
Big Stuf was discontinued in the early ’90s, leaving fans craving its oversized indulgence. Given today’s obsession with “supersized” treats, it feels like the perfect time to bring this jumbo cookie back.
8. Jell-O Pudding Pops
Jell-O Pudding Pops were a staple of ’80s freezer sections, offering creamy, frozen pudding on a stick. They came in classic flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and swirl, delivering a rich and satisfying dessert that was a step above regular ice cream bars.
While a version of Pudding Pops was reintroduced in the 2000s, they didn’t capture the original’s magic and quickly disappeared again. Fans still dream of their smooth, velvety texture and the joy of peeling back the wrapper on a hot summer day.
9. Hi-C Ecto Cooler
Hi-C hit pop culture gold in the ’80s with Ecto Cooler, a citrus-flavored drink inspired by the Ghostbusters franchise. Its bright green color and Slimer-themed packaging made it irresistible to kids, and its tangy, refreshing taste kept them coming back for more.
Though Ecto Cooler has made brief comebacks for Ghostbusters reboots, it’s never been a permanent fixture again. For fans of the original drink, it’s more than a beverage—it’s a symbol of carefree childhood afternoons.
10. Crystal Pepsi
Okay, technically this one’s a drink, but it was such an iconic ’80s phenomenon that it deserves a spot. Crystal Pepsi was a clear cola that promised the same taste as regular Pepsi but with a futuristic, “clean” look. It was bizarre, intriguing, and ultimately short-lived.
Crystal Pepsi has seen limited re-releases, but its original hype as a groundbreaking product has never been fully recaptured. It’s one of those ’80s novelties that people remember vividly, even if it wasn’t around for long.
11. Fruit Wrinkles
Fruit Wrinkles were a spinoff of Fruit Roll-Ups, but instead of being flat, they were small, chewy pieces of fruit-flavored goodness. Packaged in bright, colorful boxes, they were a lunchbox staple for kids who wanted a portable, fun snack.
These chewy treats disappeared in the ’90s, but their unique concept still holds up today. With the resurgence of fruity snacks, Fruit Wrinkles could easily make a triumphant return.
12. Whistle Pops
These lollipop-shaped candies doubled as musical instruments. You could actually blow into them to create a whistling sound, making snack time an interactive experience. They came in fun flavors and were a hit at birthday parties and playgrounds.
Whistle Pops faded away in the ’90s, but their playful design makes them a nostalgic favorite. In today’s world of gimmicky snacks, these musical treats would fit right in.
The ’80s were a snack lover’s paradise, with treats that were fun, inventive, and full of personality. While some of these snacks have seen brief revivals, most are still locked in our memories, waiting for a comeback. Which of these snacks do you miss the most? Would you love to see any of them return to your pantry?
