14 Forgotten Snacks from the ’60s and ’70s That Deserve a Return

Remember those magical days when a quarter could buy you a handful of treats at the corner store? As we look back on the ’60s and ’70s, some of our favorite snacks have disappeared from store shelves, leaving only sweet memories behind. Join me on a flavorful trip down memory lane as we revisit some beloved treats that deserve another chance to delight new generations.

1. Marathon Bar

Mars introduced the Marathon Bar in 1973, and boy, was it something special. This braided caramel covered in milk chocolate stretched eight inches long and came wrapped in an iconic red and gold package. The commercials claimed it would “last a good long time,” and they weren’t kidding! Sadly, Mars discontinued this beloved treat in 1981, though it lives on in the UK as the Curly Wurly.

2. Space Food Sticks

Riding the wave of Space Age enthusiasm, Pillsbury created these chewy snacks in the 1960s to coincide with the Apollo missions. Initially developed for astronauts, these cylindrical treats came in flavors like chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel. They were marketed as a “nutritious” snack that made us kids feel like we were training to be astronauts ourselves.

3. Screaming Yellow Zonkers

These yellow-glazed popcorn treats came in a distinctive black box with witty, absurdist writing that was as entertaining as the snack itself. Launched in the late 1960s by Lincoln Snacks, Zonkers were the hip alternative to Cracker Jack, minus the prize but with plenty of counterculture cool. The packaging alone was worth the price of admission!

4. Reggie! Bar

Named after baseball legend Reggie Jackson, this circular chocolate bar packed with peanuts and caramel was launched in 1976. The most memorable moment came when fans at Yankee Stadium pelted the field with Reggie! Bars during a game, creating a chocolate shower that would never fly in today’s more regulated ballparks. While short-lived, it remains a beloved piece of baseball and snack food history.

5. Whistle Pops

These ingenious lollipops were designed with holes that allowed kids to whistle while enjoying their candy. Parents might have regretted buying them, but we sure loved them! Available in various fruit flavors, they were the perfect combination of treat and toy, making them a hit at every candy counter in the 1970s.

6. Powerhouse Bar

The Powerhouse Bar was a unique combination of peanut butter, caramel, and fudge that powered many of our afternoon adventures. Made by Peter Paul (the folks behind Mounds and Almond Joy), this hefty candy bar was marketed as an energy boost before energy drinks were even a thing. Its distinctive yellow wrapper stood out in any candy display.

7. Gatorgum

Before there were energy drinks, we had Gatorgum. Introduced in the late 1970s as a spin-off from Gatorade, this thirst-quenching gum came in lemon-lime and orange flavors. The powerful flavor blast would hit you like a linebacker, though it faded faster than a Florida afternoon shower. Athletes and kids alike couldn’t get enough of this unique gum.

8. Chocolate Soldier

Before Yoo-hoo dominated the chocolate drink market, Chocolate Soldier was the go-to chocolate beverage for many kids in the ’60s. Served in distinctive brown bottles, it had a richer, more sophisticated taste than its competitors. The drink’s mascot, a cartoon soldier made of chocolate, was a familiar sight in refrigerator cases across America.

9. Chicken in a Biskit

While you can still find these crackers in some stores today, the original 1960s version had a unique flavor that today’s version just can’t match. These savory crackers packed a powerful punch of chicken flavor that made them stand out from regular saltines. They were perfect for snacking straight from the box or crushing up in soup.

10. Pizzarias Chips

Introduced in the late 1970s, these pizza-flavored chips were unlike anything else on the market. Keebler really captured the essence of pizza in these crispy treats, complete with tomato, cheese, and herb seasonings. They were the perfect snack for when you craved pizza but couldn’t get your hands on the real thing.

11. Nabisco Swiss Cheese Crackers

These unique crackers from the 1960s featured holes to mimic the texture of real Swiss cheese. The buttery, cheese-flavored crackers came in a distinctive red box and were a sophisticated alternative to regular cheese crackers. They were perfect for parties and bridge clubs, though we kids would sneak them from the pantry whenever we could.

12. Hostess Choco-Bliss

Introduced in the mid-1970s, this was Hostess’s answer to the Devil Dog. It was a chocolate lover’s dream: a chocolate cake filled with chocolate cream and topped with chocolate frosting. The commercials claimed it was “triple chocolate good,” and they weren’t exaggerating! These rich treats disappeared by the early 1980s, but their memory lives on.

13. Koogle Peanut Spread

Kraft’s Koogle was a flavored peanut butter spread that came in vanilla, chocolate, banana, and cinnamon flavors. Launched in 1971, it came with an unforgettable mascot – a puppet with a thick German accent who sang and danced in the commercials. The spread was perfect on sandwiches or right off the spoon (when Mom wasn’t looking!).

14. Sweet-Tarts Fruit Punch

In the late 1970s, Sunline introduced this powdered drink mix version of their popular candy. You could turn your ordinary glass of water into a Sweet-Tarts-flavored beverage! It came in little packets similar to Kool-Aid, but with that distinctive Sweet-Tarts tang. The commercials featured kids making “funny faces” from the tartness.