1. Hydrox Cookies
Before Oreo took over the cookie aisle, Hydrox was the original chocolate sandwich cookie. They hit shelves way back in 1908, decades before Nabisco’s Oreo came along. By the ’70s, Hydrox was still hanging on and had its loyal fans who insisted the cookies were crunchier and less sweet. Many parents bought them because they were usually a little cheaper than Oreos, and kids packed them in lunchboxes or dunked them in milk after school.
The problem was that Oreo became the brand everyone asked for, and Hydrox slowly slipped into the background. By the late ’70s and ’80s, fewer stores carried them, and eventually they were discontinued. Even though they had a short comeback years later, they never reclaimed their former spot. Still, if you were a kid in the ’70s, you probably remember seeing Hydrox right next to Oreos in the cookie aisle.
2. Marathon Bar
This one is impossible to forget if you ever saw it — a braided rope of caramel covered in chocolate, stretching a good 8 inches long. The Marathon Bar was advertised with a big “long lasting” banner across the wrapper, and for kids, it really felt like you were getting more candy than usual. It took forever to chew, which only added to the appeal.
Unfortunately, its length made it pricier to produce than most candy bars, and sales didn’t keep up. By the early ’80s it disappeared, though fans still remember it with affection. Some say Cadbury’s Curly Wurly is the closest you’ll find today. But for Americans, Marathon remains the ultimate chewy caramel memory.
3. Pizza Spins
Pizza-flavored anything was a novelty in the ’70s, so when General Mills introduced Pizza Spins, kids were all in. These crunchy, wheel-shaped chips were seasoned with tomato, cheese, and oregano flavors meant to mimic a slice of pizza. They were a fun after-school snack that felt a little rebellious compared to regular chips.
Sadly, they didn’t stick around long. Some said the flavor was too strong, others thought it didn’t quite taste like pizza, and eventually the product was shelved. Still, Pizza Spins have a cult following online today. Fans swap stories about begging their moms to buy them and the disappointment when they vanished.
4. Hostess Chocodiles
Hostess was already king of the snack world with Twinkies, but Chocodiles took things to another level. These were Twinkies dipped in a chocolate coating, and the result was pure decadence. Lunchboxes felt a lot more exciting when one of these was tucked inside.
But Chocodiles weren’t as widely distributed as Twinkies, which meant many people never even saw them in stores. By the ’80s they were nearly impossible to find, and eventually Hostess stopped producing them in large numbers. Even so, fans have never stopped craving them. They’re remembered as one of the best Hostess experiments of the decade.
5. Koogle
Koogle was a spread made by Kraft that came in flavors like chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, and banana. The colorful jars and fun commercials made it feel like peanut butter with a groovy twist. Kids loved spreading it on toast or sandwiches, and some even ate it straight from the spoon.
But as the novelty wore off, families went back to traditional peanut butter and jelly. By the end of the ’70s, Koogle was gone. It remains a nostalgic oddity today, with old commercials popping up on YouTube. People still talk about which flavor they liked best and how strange it was that it disappeared so fast.
6. Oompas
Willy Wonka candy was everywhere after Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory came out in 1971. Oompas were one of the early products, like giant M&Ms filled with either peanut butter or chocolate. They had colorful wrappers and the tie-in name made them instantly appealing to kids.
But they didn’t taste quite as smooth as M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces, which came out a few years later and stole their thunder. By the end of the decade, Oompas were phased out. People still remember ripping into the bag with excitement, though. For a short time, they were part of every kid’s candy stash.
7. Hostess Pudding Pies
If you loved Hostess fruit pies, the pudding pies felt like hitting the jackpot. Instead of apple or cherry, these were filled with chocolate or vanilla pudding and coated in that same flaky crust. They were rich, sweet, and almost too much for one sitting, but kids didn’t complain.
Sadly, they weren’t as shelf-stable as the fruit versions, which hurt sales. They disappeared from stores not long after their debut. Even though they didn’t last, they’ve become one of those “lost” Hostess treats fans mention every time people reminisce about snack foods.
8. BarNone
BarNone promised “chocolate overload” and delivered with wafers, peanuts, chocolate cream, and a chocolate coating. It was introduced toward the end of the ’70s and stood out as a layered, crunchy candy bar that felt unique compared to the usual options. Fans loved how filling it was.
But competition was fierce, and BarNone never really found its footing. By the mid-’80s, it was quietly discontinued. Even so, people still remember the commercials and the thrill of unwrapping one. It’s often mentioned as a “most-missed” chocolate bar.
9. Choco’Lite
Hershey introduced Choco’Lite in the ’70s as a bubbly chocolate bar that promised a lighter, airier texture. The bar’s commercial jingle and ads showing kids enjoying its crunch made it memorable. It felt like Hershey’s answer to Nestlé’s Aero bar.
But despite the catchy marketing, it never really took off. People found themselves choosing plain Hershey bars instead, and Choco’Lite faded away. Today, collectors hunt for the old wrappers online, and those who tasted it as kids still remember the airy bite.
10. Tid-Bits
Nabisco’s Tid-Bits were small, flavored cracker bites that came in boxes. They were perfect for snacking out of the box or pouring into a bowl for a party. The light crunch and seasoning made them stand out from plainer crackers.
But Cheez-Its and other competitors were more popular, and Tid-Bits lost their spot on the shelves. They quietly disappeared, leaving only a faint memory for those who enjoyed them. Sometimes, the simplest snacks vanish the fastest, even when they’re tasty.
11. Seven Up Bar
The Seven Up candy bar was a wild concept — seven connected chocolate squares, each filled with something different. You never quite knew what you’d get when you bit into one: maybe caramel, maybe coconut, maybe mint. For adventurous kids, it was part of the fun.
The problem was that no one liked all seven fillings. There was always one or two sections you dreaded, which made it less of a sure bet. Sales slipped, and by the late ’70s the bar was gone. Still, it holds a special place in candy history.
12. Fruit Brute
Before Count Chocula and Franken Berry took over the cereal aisle, General Mills tried a werewolf-themed cereal called Fruit Brute. With its neon colors and fruity flavor, it looked wild on the shelf. Kids who loved monster cereals were drawn to it, even if parents weren’t thrilled about the sugar.
Fruit Brute didn’t last long, disappearing in the early ’80s after a short run. But collectors love the old boxes, and Quentin Tarantino famously put it in two of his movies. For those who ate it as kids, it’s one of the most nostalgic cereals of the ’70s.
13. Space Food Sticks
Made by Pillsbury, Space Food Sticks were marketed as “nutritional energy snacks” inspired by NASA’s space program. They looked like chewy little bars and came in flavors like peanut butter and chocolate. Kids loved the idea of eating something astronauts supposedly ate.
But as the space craze faded, so did sales. By the end of the ’70s, they were gone from most grocery stores. Still, they’re remembered as a true product of their time, tied to the era’s fascination with outer space. For some, just the name brings back memories of watching Apollo missions on TV.