8 Discontinued Snacks Americans Are Still Begging to Bring Back

Some snacks fade away and are quickly forgotten. Others leave such a strong impression that people are still talking about them years, or even decades, later. They write to companies, sign online petitions, and share old commercials on social media, hoping someone will listen.

Sometimes, those efforts pay off. Snacks like Dunkaroos, Crispy M&M’s, and Planters Cheez Balls have all returned to stores after fans spent years asking for them. Those comebacks have given hope to people still waiting for their own favorites to return.

These eight discontinued snacks are among the ones Americans keep begging to bring back. If you grew up in the 1980s or 1990s, you might find a few of your own childhood favorites on this list.

1. Keebler Tato Skins

Keebler Tato Skins were crunchy potato chips made to taste like baked potato skins, with real potato skin flavor in every bite. They came in flavors like cheese and bacon and sour cream and chive. Many fans say they tasted like a loaded baked potato in chip form.

When Keebler’s snack business changed hands, Tato Skins became harder to find and eventually disappeared. Fans have been asking for them ever since. Some say no other chip has ever matched their unique taste and texture.

2. Butterfinger BB’s

Butterfinger BB’s were bite-sized balls of the famous crispy peanut butter candy, covered in chocolate. They were heavily advertised in the 1990s, including commercials featuring characters from “The Simpsons.” Kids loved popping them by the handful.

Butterfinger BB’s were discontinued in 2006. Other bite-sized versions of the candy have been sold since then, but many fans insist the original BB’s were better. They remain one of the most requested discontinued candies.

3. Altoids Sours

Altoids Sours were tangy, fruit-flavored candies that came in the brand’s iconic metal tins. Flavors like tangerine, raspberry, and green apple were popular with teenagers and adults alike. Many people also loved collecting the colorful tins.

Altoids Sours were discontinued around 2010, and fans have been hoping for a return ever since. Some people still keep their old tins as keepsakes. For many, the sour candies were a perfect balance of sweet and tart.

4. Oreo Big Stuf

In the late 1980s, Nabisco introduced Oreo Big Stuf, a giant version of the classic cookie sold individually. Each cookie was several times bigger than a regular Oreo. Kids thought they were the ultimate treat.

The Big Stuf was discontinued in the early 1990s, partly because of its high calorie count. Many people who grew up in that era still remember it fondly. Fans would love to see a modern version return to shelves.

5. Life Savers Holes

In the early 1990s, Life Savers introduced Holes, small candy pieces that were supposedly the “holes” punched out of Life Savers. They came in a small plastic container and in fruity flavors. The idea was clever and fun.

Life Savers Holes were popular for a while but were eventually discontinued. Many people who grew up with them still talk about them. They remain a quirky piece of candy history.

6. Planters P.B. Crisps

Planters P.B. Crisps were crunchy, peanut-shaped cookies with a creamy peanut butter filling. They were introduced in the early 1990s and became popular with kids and adults who loved peanut butter. The snack was sold in a resealable canister.

P.B. Crisps were discontinued after a few years, but fans have never forgotten them. Online petitions and social media groups have called for their return. Many people describe them as one of the best snacks of the decade.

7. Hostess Pudding Pies

Hostess Pudding Pies were sweet treats with a flaky crust and a creamy pudding filling, often chocolate or vanilla. They were glazed with a sugary coating, similar to Hostess fruit pies. Many kids found them in their lunchboxes.

The pies disappeared from stores years ago. Fans still remember the rich filling and sweet glaze. They often appear on lists of discontinued snacks people miss the most.

8. Squeezits

Squeezits were fruit drinks sold in small, colorful, squeezable plastic bottles. Kids loved twisting off the top and squeezing out the sweet drink. The bottles had fun characters and bright colors that made them popular in school lunches.

Squeezits faded from stores in the 2000s. Many millennials still remember them as a highlight of their childhood lunches. Fans have asked for a comeback, especially as other 1990s snacks have returned.

How to Get Your Favorite Snack Back

If there is a snack you miss, you are not powerless. Companies pay close attention to social media, and a steady stream of posts, comments, and petitions can catch their attention. Many successful comebacks started with a small group of fans who refused to give up.

Contacting a company directly can help, too. Most food brands have customer service pages or phone lines where shoppers can share feedback. Polite, specific requests, such as asking for a limited-edition return, are more likely to be noticed than angry complaints.

Some fans also turn to copycat recipes. Home bakers have recreated everything from discontinued cookies to snack crackers, sharing their results online. While the homemade versions may not be perfect, they can come surprisingly close.

Of course, part of the appeal is the memory itself. The snacks we grew up with remind us of school lunches, sleepovers, and lazy weekends. That is why so many people still talk about the after-school snacks of their childhood, and why lists of classic 1980s foods are always so popular.

Why Snack Comebacks Happen

Companies have learned that nostalgia is a powerful marketing tool. When a discontinued snack returns, it often generates excitement and strong sales, at least for a while. Social media makes it easier than ever for fans to show companies how much they want a product back.

Keep the petitions coming and the memories alive. The next big snack comeback could be the one you have been waiting for.