1. Kellogg’s Oatbake Cereal
If you grew up in the ’90s, there’s a good chance Kellogg’s Oatbake made its way into your morning routine. It was hearty, just sweet enough, and felt like a warm hug in cereal form. Unlike many sugar-heavy cereals, Oatbake had this soft, almost chewy texture that made you feel like you were starting your day off right. Parents liked it because it wasn’t full of marshmallows, and kids liked it because it didn’t taste like cardboard shares the New York Times.
Sadly, it disappeared from shelves with barely a whisper. Fans still search for similar alternatives, but nothing quite hits the same notes. Message boards and Reddit threads are full of nostalgic pleas for a comeback. It’s proof that not all cereal nostalgia has to come in neon colors or cartoon mascots adds Taste of Home.
2. Planters Cheez Balls
These little neon-orange bites were pure joy in a canister. With their tangy, slightly salty powder coating and satisfying crunch, Planters Cheez Balls were the ultimate party snack for kids and adults alike. Opening that blue can felt like a treat all on its own. You didn’t just snack on them, you devoured them by the handful shares Business Insider.
For years, they were gone, and snack fans were heartbroken. They’ve made a few comebacks in limited releases, but people are still hoping for a full return. It’s just one of those snacks that seemed simple but had a cult-like following. Once you’ve had a taste, it’s hard to forget explains Esquire.
3. Jell-O 1-2-3
This magical dessert felt like a science experiment and treat rolled into one. You’d mix it up, pour it into a glass, and somehow it would separate into three layers—mousse on top, creamy in the middle, and classic Jell-O on the bottom. It was a hit at dinner parties and birthday celebrations and made you feel like a culinary genius without doing much at all.
It quietly vanished in the ’90s, and many fans didn’t realize it was gone until they tried to find it again. The unique texture and layered look made it hard to replicate at home. It’s still one of the most-requested Jell-O products to bring back. Some people have even tried to reverse-engineer it, but nothing quite compares to the original.
4. Nestlé Wonder Ball
Who didn’t get excited opening a Wonder Ball to see what surprise was inside? These chocolate orbs were filled with tiny candies and sometimes stickers or toys, making them irresistible to kids. The jingle still lives rent-free in the heads of many millennials: “Oh, I wonder, wonder, what’s in a Wonder Ball?” It wasn’t just candy, it was an experience.
Eventually, they were pulled due to safety concerns over the choking hazard, which only made them more legendary. They briefly came back with candy inside instead of toys, but the magic wasn’t quite the same. People still talk about them like they were mythical. It’s a perfect example of how candy can become a full-on memory.
5. Nabisco Giggles Cookies
Before there were emoji cookies, there were Giggles—smiley-faced sandwich cookies with expressive little eyes and mouths. Each one looked like it was laughing at you, which somehow made them more fun to eat. The filling was a mix of vanilla and chocolate, and the whole experience was just a little bit whimsical. Lunchboxes were better with Giggles in them.
They quietly disappeared in the early ’90s, and kids who grew up in that era still mourn their absence. Every so often, someone starts a petition to bring them back. The packaging, the faces, the flavor—it was all so specific to that moment in time. You don’t forget the cookie that smiled back at you.
6. Heinz EZ Squirt Ketchup
Green ketchup might sound like a mistake, but in the early 2000s, kids were obsessed with it. Heinz EZ Squirt came in wild colors like Blastin’ Green and Funky Purple, and it made eating hot dogs or fries feel like an art project. The squeeze bottle was kid-friendly, and it became a lunchroom status symbol.
Parents weren’t always thrilled, but kids begged for it. Eventually, the novelty wore off and sales dipped, leading to its discontinuation. But for those who were around, it was a core memory. There’s something fun about food that doesn’t look the way it’s supposed to, especially when you’re eight.
7. Altoid Sours
Altoids weren’t just for breath freshening—at least not in the early 2000s, when they released their tangy, puckering Sours. The citrus and apple flavors hit hard, but in the best way. They came in sleek metal tins that people still hang on to today. If you had one in your backpack, you were instantly popular.
Despite their fanbase, they were discontinued in 2010. The demand has never really gone away, and old tins are now collector’s items on eBay. Every few years, people beg the company to bring them back. Sour candy just hasn’t been the same without them.
8. Pepsi Blue
Pepsi Blue wasn’t just a soda, it was a full-on mood. It launched in the early 2000s with a bright, electric blue color and a berry-like taste that was as polarizing as it was unforgettable. If you were a teen during that time, chances are you tried it at least once, if only for the novelty. The color alone felt rebellious.
It didn’t last long, but it’s developed a strange kind of cult following. It made a short-lived comeback in 2021, and fans went wild. Some stocked up like it was an apocalypse item. That kind of devotion says everything you need to know about its impact.
9. Crystal Pepsi
Another Pepsi experiment, Crystal Pepsi was a clear cola that confused and delighted everyone when it launched in the early ’90s. It looked like water but tasted like cola, and that alone was enough to get people talking. The commercials were sleek, the packaging was futuristic, and it felt like soda from another planet.
It didn’t last long, but people never forgot it. It’s been brought back in small batches over the years, often selling out in hours. There’s something oddly nostalgic about it, even if the flavor was never anyone’s favorite. It’s the kind of product that proves how presentation can make a lasting impression.
10. Keebler Magic Middles
Cookies with a surprise center will always be special, and Magic Middles nailed it. They looked like simple shortbread cookies from the outside, but one bite revealed gooey chocolate or peanut butter hiding inside. It was a treat that felt like a secret, and kids loved the moment of discovery.
They quietly disappeared in the 2000s, much to the disappointment of their fanbase. People have spent years trying to recreate them at home, with varying success. Keebler has brought back some nostalgic products, but this one still sits on the bench. If it ever returned, you can bet the internet would light up.
11. Dunkaroos (Original Formula)
Yes, Dunkaroos are technically back—but if you had the original ’90s version, you know it’s not quite the same. The old-school cookie-to-frosting ratio was elite, and the frosting had that extra something you just can’t find now. Kids traded for them at lunch and hoarded the frosting cups like treasure.
When they were discontinued in the U.S., it felt like a betrayal. The newer ones bring back some joy, but longtime fans swear they taste different. Maybe it’s nostalgia, maybe it’s formula changes, but either way, people still miss the original. Few snacks sparked as much joy with such a simple premise.
12. PB Crisps
These little peanut-shaped snacks from Planters had a crispy shell and creamy peanut butter filling. They weren’t candy and they weren’t quite chips—they were in their own category entirely. The texture was addictive and the peanut butter was smooth and sweet without being overwhelming. People still talk about how they melted in your mouth.
They vanished in the late ’90s, and fans have been mourning ever since. Every few years, a rumor spreads that they’re coming back, only to be debunked. That hasn’t stopped the petitions or nostalgic posts. For many, PB Crisps were the perfect mix of snack and treat.
13. McDonald’s Pizza
Yes, McDonald’s used to serve pizza, and some folks still haven’t forgiven them for taking it off the menu. It wasn’t gourmet, but it had its charm—cheesy, doughy, and available at a drive-thru. It felt like such a novelty to get pizza at a place known for burgers and fries.
It didn’t last long, likely due to prep time and logistics. But in the few places it existed, it was beloved. People still talk about it online, wondering if it could ever work today. McDonald’s may not be a pizzeria, but for a moment, they came pretty close.
14. Fruit String Thing
Fruit snacks have come in many shapes and styles, but Fruit String Thing was something else. It was candy-meets-art-project, with bright colors and stringy shapes that kids could twist and stretch. It wasn’t just about eating—it was about playing, too. The taste was pure fruit-flavored sugar and the fun was unmatched.
Eventually, it quietly disappeared from shelves. Some say it was ahead of its time, others say it was a cavity waiting to happen. Either way, it left a gap in the fruit snack world. There’s been nothing quite like it since.
15. Reese’s Bites
Imagine the peanut butter cup you love, but in a perfectly poppable bite-sized version. That was Reese’s Bites—no wrapper, no fuss, just straight-up peanut butter and chocolate goodness. They were ideal for movie nights or sneaking a few from the pantry when no one was looking. It was candy convenience at its best.
They were discontinued in the mid-2000s, reportedly over contamination concerns due to their unwrapped nature. But that hasn’t stopped people from craving them. There are similar products out now, but fans insist they’re not quite the same. Sometimes, it’s the simplicity that makes something unforgettable.