10 American Snacks That Never Quite Took Off
America loves a good snack, but not every idea hits the sweet (or savory) spot. For every Doritos or Reese’s, there are dozens of failed experiments collecting dust in the archives of snack history. Some were ahead of their time, others just plain strange, and a few were surprisingly tasty but couldn’t win over enough fans to stick around. Whether you remember them from commercials or only heard about them in nostalgic conversations, these forgotten snacks tell a quirky story about how brands keep trying to predict our cravings. Let’s take a look back at ten American snacks that tried to make it big but ended up disappearing from shelves far sooner than their creators expected.
1. Crystal Pepsi
Crystal Pepsi was Pepsi’s big swing at reinventing cola in the early 1990s. The concept: a clear, caffeine-free drink that promised “pure” refreshment. The buzz was strong; the commercials, unforgettable, but the taste left people puzzled. It just didn’t feel like Pepsi, no matter how retro the bottle looked. The product fizzled after a short run, but has returned in limited releases, feeding its cult following. In the end, this clear soda proved you need more than novelty to last in the world of soft drinks.
2. Oreo O’s Cereal
Turning Oreo cookies into breakfast cereal seemed like a can’t-miss idea when it hit shelves in the late 1990s. Kids loved the chocolatey crunch and cookie-flavored milk it created, but a licensing mess meant Oreo O’s vanished in the mid-2000s. Years later, they made a comeback in select stores but never reached those early levels of hype. For those who grew up with it, Oreo O’s is still a taste of carefree Saturday mornings, just a little harder to find.
3. Doritos 3D
In the mid-1990s, Doritos 3D seemed like the future: puffed, crispy, three-dimensional versions of the classic chip. They were everywhere, from TV commercials to lunchboxes, but the excitement was short-lived. By the early 2000s, they disappeared quietly, making room for more traditional flavors. New versions have come and gone since, but nothing’s matched the novelty or buzz of that first run. It’s a lesson in how even a beloved brand can’t always reinvent the wheel.
4. Planters Cheez Balls
Planters Cheez Balls, those neon-orange snacks in the blue canister, were childhood gold: cheesy, crunchy, and totally addictive. For years, they had a loyal following, but disappeared in 2006, sparking a nostalgia-fueled uproar. Though Planters brought them back briefly, they never stayed on shelves for long. Now, they live on as a memory of movie nights and packed lunches, proof that sometimes the simplest snacks are the ones people miss most.
5. Butterfinger BB’s
Butterfinger BBs were a ’90s movie theater staple: bite-sized Butterfinger balls, perfect for sharing and even better for sneaking into popcorn. Made legendary by Bart Simpson in catchy ads, BBs disappeared mid-2000s to the disappointment of fans. The closest options just aren’t the same; the signature crisp and size made them truly unique. There’s still hope among snack lovers that someday, Butterfinger BB’s will stage a sweet return.
6. Pepsi Blue
If you ever saw a bottle of Pepsi Blue, you definitely remember it. Launched in 2002, this shockingly blue, berry-flavored soda confused and divided everyone who tried it. Was it candy? Was it cola? Not enough people found out because the drink disappeared within a couple of years, only to resurface briefly for limited runs after fans begged for its return. In every sense, Pepsi Blue was a bold experiment that failed, but somehow still lingers in collective snack memory.
7. Dunkin’ Munchkins’ Donut Holes (Specialty Flavors)
Before Doughnut holes became a staple treat, Dunkin’ Donuts introduced several unique flavors of Munchkin Donut Holes, including some that didn’t quite catch on, like maple bacon and pumpkin spice varieties. While the classic glazed and chocolate Munchkins remain popular, these adventurous versions aimed to expand snacking options but struggled to find lasting appeal. High production costs and mixed consumer reactions led to their quiet disappearance from many menus. Fans still reminisce about the packable, bite-sized treats, hoping some of those original flavors might one day make a comeback to the delight of nostalgic snackers.
8. Surge
Coca-Cola’s answer to Mountain Dew, Surge, blasted onto the soda market in the late ’90s with high caffeine and more attitude than any other soft drink at the time. Teens loved the fluorescent green color and intense citrus flavor, but sales fizzled in the early 2000s. A wave of online nostalgia brought it back for a limited time, but even the most passionate fans couldn’t keep it on shelves. Surge goes down as one of the brightest, briefest sugar highs in soda history.
9. Kudos Granola Bars
Kudos took the humble granola bar and pushed it way into “treat” territory, covering them in chocolate and topping them with candy like M&Ms. For kids of the ’80s and ’90s, they were the ultimate lunchbox upgrade. As the snack world tilted toward “better-for-you” options, Kudos’ sweet side lost its market, leading to its quiet exit from stores. Still, many snackers miss the days when granola bars felt like dessert.
10. Choco Taco
The Choco Taco was an iconic frozen treat combining a waffle cone shaped like a taco shell, filled with creamy ice cream, and topped with rich fudge and nuts. Introduced in the 1980s by a California ice cream company, it quickly became a beloved novelty snack, especially popular at movie theaters and ice cream trucks. Despite decades of popularity, production ceased in 2022 due to business decisions driven by supply chain challenges. Fans have mourned the loss of this uniquely American dessert and often call for its comeback. The Choco Taco stands as a delightful example of creative snack innovation that’s now part of nostalgic snack history.
