1. Marathon Bar
The Marathon Bar was a true ’70s legend. It was an 8-inch long chocolate-covered caramel bar that came in a bright red wrapper with a ruler printed on it. Kids loved showing off how long it was, and trying to make it last through an entire Saturday afternoon. It wasn’t just candy—it was a playground bragging right.
The problem was, despite its size, it wasn’t the easiest thing to eat. The caramel stuck to your teeth like glue, and parents weren’t thrilled about the dental bills. By the early ’80s, it disappeared in the U.S., though a similar version called Curly Wurly still lives on overseas.
2. Ding Dongs (under that name)
Hostess Ding Dongs were once the king of the lunchbox. These chocolate cakes with creamy filling were wrapped in shiny foil, making every kid feel like they were unwrapping treasure. The foil crinkle was almost as satisfying as the cake itself.
But in the late ’70s, Hostess briefly changed the name to “King Dons” in certain areas because of a trademark dispute. The brand confusion didn’t help, and for a while, they nearly disappeared before making a comeback under the Ding Dong name again.
3. Hostess Chocodiles
These were Twinkies dipped in chocolate, and they quickly became a cult favorite. Kids loved the combination of the familiar sponge cake with that candy bar-style shell. If someone pulled one out of their lunchbox, you knew they’d have friends circling fast.
But they were tricky to package and ship since the chocolate coating melted easily. By the end of the ’70s, Hostess quietly stopped making them. Fans still remember them fondly and search out limited re-releases when they pop up.
4. Pizza Spins
General Mills thought pizza-flavored snacks were the next big thing, and for a while, they were right. Pizza Spins were little wheel-shaped crackers dusted with a bold tomato-and-cheese powder. They stained your fingers bright orange, which for kids was half the fun.
Despite a loyal following, they couldn’t hold their place against stronger chip brands like Doritos. By the early ’80s, they were gone, and today they’re one of those “did I dream that?” snacks people remember late at night.
5. Toastettes
Pop-Tarts weren’t the only toaster pastry around in the ’70s. Nabisco had Toastettes, which looked and tasted almost identical but were marketed as a little more wholesome. They came in flavors like apple, strawberry, and brown sugar cinnamon, perfect for quick school breakfasts.
The problem? Kellogg’s had all the flashy commercials and cartoon mascots, while Toastettes stayed plain. They couldn’t keep up with the marketing, and eventually faded from grocery store shelves.
6. Hostess Banana Flips
These were massive sponge cakes folded over with banana-flavored cream filling inside. Wrapped in foil, they looked huge compared to other Hostess treats, and they always felt like a full dessert, not just a snack.
The artificial banana flavor wasn’t for everyone, but for fans, nothing else compared. When Hostess stopped making them in the late ’70s, it felt like they vanished overnight. People still bring them up in nostalgia forums, hoping for a comeback.
7. Space Food Sticks
Marketed as the snack astronauts ate, Space Food Sticks were chewy little energy bars in chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel flavors. Parents bought them thinking they were “healthy,” while kids just loved that they sounded futuristic. They had a chewy, almost Tootsie Roll texture that was strangely addictive.
But once the space craze cooled off, so did these snacks. Without the NASA tie-in, they lost their appeal and disappeared from shelves. For ’70s kids, though, they were part of a space-age childhood.
8. Nabisco Swiss Cheese Crackers
These crackers were instantly recognizable with their little holes, designed to look like slices of Swiss cheese. They had a tangier bite than Cheez-Its, which made them a little more “grown-up” but still snackable for kids. Some people swore they were the best cheese cracker ever made.
Unfortunately, they didn’t survive into the ’80s. With Cheez-Its and Cheese Nips dominating the market, Swiss Cheese Crackers faded away. Fans still miss them and trade memories in online food forums.
9. Mug-O-Lunch
Before Cup Noodles took over, Mug-O-Lunch offered instant meals you made by stirring a packet into hot water. Flavors like beef stroganoff and chicken chow mein made it feel fancier than plain soup. Kids with thermoses full of it at school lunches felt like they were eating something special.
But it didn’t last. Competitors like Cup Noodles were easier and more appealing, leaving Mug-O-Lunch to vanish quickly. It’s one of those brands that, if you bring it up now, only a small group of ’70s kids will immediately remember.
10. Hostess Big Wheels
Hostess tried to compete with Little Debbie’s Swiss Roll with their own oversized version called Big Wheels. These chocolate rolls filled with cream were bigger and felt like a deluxe treat. They were the kind of snack you savored slowly, layer by layer.
But they never caught on the same way Swiss Rolls did. Hostess pulled them quietly, and before long, kids stopped asking about them. Today, Big Wheels feel like one of those snacks that existed for a blink before disappearing.
11. Nabisco Koogle Spread
This was peanut butter with a twist—it came in flavors like chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, and banana. It had a sweet, dessert-like taste that made toast or crackers feel more exciting. Kids loved it because it was basically candy in a jar.
But parents weren’t convinced, especially as healthier food trends started creeping in. Sales dropped, and Koogle disappeared before the ’70s were over. Still, its fun commercials and wacky flavors make it a favorite memory for those who had it.
12. Keebler Magic Middles
These were soft cookies with gooey chocolate filling hidden inside. Unlike Chips Ahoy or Oreos, they had that surprise factor that made every bite special. They came in convenient packs that made them popular lunchbox additions.
But they didn’t last long. Keebler dropped them, and attempts to bring them back never stuck. People still remember them as one of the best cookies Keebler ever made.
13. Hostess Choco Bliss
This was a decadent chocolate snack cake with layers of chocolate filling and frosting. For kids in the late ’70s, it felt like the fanciest treat you could buy at the grocery store. It was rich, messy, and unforgettable.
But like many Hostess experiments, it didn’t stick around. By the ’80s, Choco Bliss was gone, leaving behind only cravings for its gooey chocolate layers. For many, it’s still the ultimate “why did they stop making that?” snack.