Snack time in the 90s hit different, and the proof is in the snacks we still can’t stop talking about. From neon-colored sodas to bite-sized candies, these treats weren’t just food, they were part of growing up. Lunchboxes, movie nights, and after-school hangouts all had their go-to favorites. Some disappeared too soon, others made a comeback, but every one of them still sparks instant nostalgia. These snacks remind us why the 90s were such a golden age for junk food.
Doritos 3D
Anyone who grew up in the 90s remembers ripping open a bag of Doritos 3D and hearing that hollow crunch the second you bit in. The puffed shape made them feel fun and different, and kids proudly packed them in their school lunches. Flavors like Jalapeño Cheddar had just enough kick to feel grown up, and when they disappeared, it left plenty of us wishing for one more bag.
Altoids Sours
Carrying a tin of Altoids Sours in your backpack was basically a status symbol. The fruity punch was so strong it made your whole mouth pucker, and passing them around in class guaranteed instant popularity. They were bold, addictive, and when the tins vanished from stores, nothing else came close to replacing that sharp, tangy hit.
Butterfinger BB’s
These little peanut butter bites were the snack you begged your parents for at the movie theater concession stand. They melted fast, stuck to your teeth, and made a mess, but nobody cared because they were that good. Sharing them with friends during a movie or sneaking them into your backpack was part of the fun, and their disappearance left a gap candy fans still talk about.
Planters Cheez Balls
If you opened a can of Cheez Balls, you knew your fingers would be neon orange for the rest of the day. They had that light crunch followed by a cheesy melt that made it impossible to stop at just a handful. They were the snack you could spot from across the lunchroom, and it felt like the 90s ended a little too soon when they were taken off shelves.
Dunkaroos
Few snacks made kids as jealous as Dunkaroos. Pulling one out of your lunchbox felt like winning the lottery, with cookies on one side and frosting on the other. The ritual of dipping each cookie into the frosting was half the fun, and running out of frosting before cookies was a universal tragedy. After disappearing from shelves for years, Dunkaroos finally made their return in 2020, proving some childhood favorites really are worth the hype.
Pepsi Blue
Cracking open a bottle of Pepsi Blue felt like holding something futuristic in your hand. The color alone turned heads, and the sweet berry flavor was unlike anything else on the soda shelf. It showed up at birthday parties, sleepovers, and game nights, then disappeared before most of us had the chance to get sick of it.
Crispy M&Ms
When these hit shelves in the late 90s, they quickly became a favorite. The crisp rice center added a crunch that regular M&Ms didn’t have, and the bright packaging made them stand out in the candy aisle. Kids grabbed them at movie theaters or gas stations, and when they disappeared, fans kept asking for them until they finally returned years later.
Sprite Remix
This was the soda that made you feel like you were drinking something special. It had that familiar lemon-lime base with a tropical kick, and it showed up at birthday parties and school dances. For a while, it felt like the cooler cousin of Sprite, but then it vanished from shelves, leaving people stuck with regular Sprite and memories of something a little more fun.
McDonald’s Arch Deluxe
McDonald’s put a lot of hype behind this burger, calling it more “grown-up” with toppings like peppered bacon and a tangy mustard-mayo sauce. Kids didn’t care, but parents curious for something different gave it a try. It didn’t last long, but anyone who had one remembers it as McDonald’s boldest swing at making fast food feel a little fancier.
Swoops
Hershey’s tried to reinvent chocolate by shaping it like a potato chip. Each piece was curved like a Pringle and came in flavors based on their popular candy bars. They were fun to eat straight from the package, but they disappeared fast, becoming one of those snacks you almost forget existed until someone brings them up.
Oreo O’s Cereal
Breakfast felt like dessert whenever Oreo O’s were in the bowl. The chocolatey rings turned the milk sweet, and every kid who begged their parents for it thought they were getting away with eating cookies first thing in the morning. It was discontinued in the U.S. for years, and fans spent just as long wishing it would come back.
Wonder Ball
The thrill of cracking open a hollow chocolate ball to find candy inside made this one unforgettable. The toy-like packaging and collectible stickers only added to the fun. Parents worried about safety, but for kids in the 90s, it felt like the most exciting candy on the shelf.
Jell-O Pudding Pops
These frozen treats were the highlight of summer afternoons. They combined the creamy taste of pudding with the refreshment of a popsicle, and pulling one out of the freezer felt like a reward. They slowly faded away, but plenty of people still remember just how good they were straight from the box.
12 Overrated Chocolate Candy Bars Nobody Really Enjoys
We all have our favorite chocolate bars, but let’s be honest—not all of them deserve the hype. Some candy bars just don’t hit the mark. You know the ones: too bland, too sweet, or just plain disappointing. It’s surprising how popular some of these overrated treats are, considering they often leave us wanting more. From lackluster flavors to weird textures, these chocolate candy bars seriously miss the mark. Here are the ones that really don’t live up to their reputation in our opinion.
Read it Here: 12 Overrated Chocolate Candy Bars Nobody Really Enjoys
The 11 Worst Movie Snacks No One Wants to Admit They Hate
We all have our go-to snacks for movie night, but let’s be honest—some of them are pretty terrible. Whether it’s because they’re messy, too loud, or just plain gross, there are some movie snacks we all secretly dislike but never admit. Here are the 11 worst offenders that make you wish you’d just stuck with popcorn.
Read it Here: The 11 Worst Movie Snacks No One Wants to Admit They Hate
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Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
