A Trip Down Memory Lane: 12 Discontinued 70s Snacks We All Miss

Do you ever find yourself thinking about the snacks you enjoyed as a kid? The 1970s were a golden age for unique and delicious treats, many of which have since vanished from store shelves. If you’re ready for a nostalgic journey, we’ve compiled a list of 12 beloved, discontinued snacks from that decade that many people wish would make a comeback.

1. Marathon Bar

The Marathon Bar was a true champion in the candy aisle. Introduced by Mars in 1973, this wasn’t your average chocolate bar. It was a full eight inches of braided caramel drenched in milk chocolate. Its distinctive red packaging and ruler on the wrapper, showing off its impressive length, made it a favorite among kids. The slogan was “It lasts a good long time!” Sadly, its run came to an end in 1981. While Mars has never brought it back, candy lovers often point to the British Cadbury Curly Wurly bar as a very close relative.

2. Koogle

Before Nutella became a household name, there was Koogle. This delightful creation from Kraft was a flavored peanut butter spread that came in several fun varieties, including chocolate, cinnamon, banana, and vanilla. It was creamy, sweet, and perfect for spreading on toast or just eating with a spoon. The jars featured a friendly, googly-eyed character, making it even more appealing. Koogle disappeared from shelves in the late 1970s, leaving a void for those who loved its unique flavor combinations.

3. Space Dust

This candy was an experience. From the makers at General Foods, Space Dust was a pouch of fine, fruit-flavored powder that fizzed and popped in your mouth. It was a direct competitor to Pop Rocks, which had a more crystalline texture. Space Dust was incredibly popular for its novel sensation, but it faced a barrage of urban legends and unfounded safety concerns, with rumors that the carbonated candy could be dangerous. Despite being completely safe, the negative press led to its discontinuation.

4. Screaming Yellow Zonkers

Even the name of this snack was fun. Screaming Yellow Zonkers were a simple yet addictive treat: popcorn coated in a sweet, yellow, buttery glaze. What really set them apart was the packaging. Instead of a flashy box with product photos, Zonkers came in a matte black box covered in witty, surreal, and often hilarious text. Reading the box was half the fun. The snack was produced by Lincoln Snacks for decades before being discontinued in 2007, much to the dismay of its cult following.

5. Jell-O 1-2-3

This wasn’t just a dessert; it was a magic trick in a box. Jell-O 1-2-3 was a special gelatin mix that, after being prepared and left to set in the refrigerator, would miraculously separate into three distinct layers. The bottom was a clear, classic Jell-O layer, the middle was a creamy, chiffon-like layer, and the top was a light, airy foam. It was a showstopper at parties and family dinners. Despite its popularity, it was officially discontinued in 1996.

6. Danish Go-Rounds

Long before Toaster Strudels, Kellogg’s had another toaster pastry to compete with its own Pop-Tarts. Danish Go-Rounds were circular, spiral-shaped pastries with a fruit filling and a frosted topping. They were designed to mimic the look and taste of a real Danish pastry and were considered by many to have a flakier, more satisfying texture than their rectangular cousins. They were phased out by the end of the 1970s, leaving Pop-Tarts to completely dominate the toaster pastry market.

7. Nestlé's Choco'Lite

For those who preferred a lighter chocolate bar, Nestlé’s Choco’Lite was the perfect choice. This candy bar featured aerated milk chocolate, giving it a light, bubbly texture that would melt in your mouth. It was less dense than a traditional chocolate bar, which made it a unique offering. Many people compare it to the Cadbury Wispa or Nestlé Aero bars, which are still popular in the UK. Unfortunately for fans in the US, the Choco’Lite was taken off the market in 1982.

8. Pizza Spins

In the 1970s, pizza-flavored snacks were all the rage, and General Mills threw their hat in the ring with Pizza Spins. These were small, pinwheel-shaped crackers that packed a zesty punch of tomato, cheese, and spice. They were incredibly crunchy and savory, making them a perfect snack for after school or during movie night. Despite their popularity, they were discontinued around 1975, leaving fans to search for a worthy replacement.

9. Wacky Wafers

From the Willy Wonka Candy Company, Wacky Wafers were a simple but beloved candy. They were large, coin-sized hard candies that were about the size of a silver dollar, and they came in a variety of fruit flavors like banana, grape, and green apple. The fun was in their size and long-lasting flavor. While the brand has been revived in smaller forms over the years, the original, oversized wafers that 70s kids remember have never made a true comeback.

10. Nabisco Tid-Bits

Sometimes the simplest snacks are the most memorable. Nabisco’s Tid-Bits were small, stick-shaped crackers with an incredibly cheesy flavor and a satisfying crunch. They were so addictive that it was nearly impossible to eat just a handful. They came in a signature box with a cellophane window, so you could see the golden-orange crackers inside. While they survived well past the 70s, they were eventually discontinued in the early 2000s.

11. Whistles and Daisys

General Mills gave us this fun duo of corn-based snacks. Whistles were orange, tube-shaped snacks that looked a bit like bugles, while Daisys were flower-shaped. Both had a light, airy crunch and a cheesy flavor. They were often marketed together as a pair of fun-shaped snacks for kids. Like many other unique snacks from the era, they had a relatively short lifespan and were gone by the mid-1970s.

12. Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding (in metal cans)

While Snack Pack pudding is still a staple in lunchboxes today, the experience of eating it in the 1970s was completely different. Originally, Hunt’s Snack Pack pudding came in small aluminum cans with a sharp pull-tab lid. Popping open a can of chocolate or vanilla pudding felt like a special treat. The company switched to safer and cheaper plastic cups in the 1980s, and while the pudding is the same, the nostalgia for those iconic metal cans remains strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are so many popular snacks from the 70s discontinued? There are many reasons a snack might be discontinued, even if it was popular. These can include changing consumer tastes, rising ingredient costs making the product unprofitable, competition from newer snacks, or a company deciding to streamline its product line to focus on its bestsellers.

Are there any modern alternatives to these snacks? For some, yes! If you miss the Marathon Bar, you can find a Cadbury Curly Wurly bar online or in stores that import British candy. For a light, aerated chocolate like Choco’Lite, the Nestlé Aero bar is a great substitute. However, for many others like Koogle or Pizza Spins, their unique flavors are just a fond memory.