The greatest snack innovations in history came from one unexpected decade. While the 1970s are remembered for disco and bell-bottoms, the era revolutionized how Americans ate and played with their food. Brands pushed boundaries by turning astronaut food into everyday snacks and making cheese spray from cans seem normal. These creations shaped modern snacking in ways few people realize.
20. Chocodiles: The Ultimate Snack Upgrade
Need a lunchbox treat that makes other kids jealous? Hostess struck gold by combining two beloved flavors. Chocodiles transformed the classic Twinkie into a premium snack by enrobing it in rich milk chocolate, creating playground gold. Parents tucked these special treats into lunch boxes, making cafeteria trading reach fever pitch. Kids loved these because they combined two favorite treats into one ultimate dessert.
19. Funny Face Drink Mix: A Colorful Twist on Beverages
Looking to stretch your allowance? Funny Face Drink Mix revolutionized beverages with memorable characters. Each packet cost just pennies while delivering pitchers of colorful refreshments. You could create your own flavor combinations while collecting character glasses. Families embraced this affordable drink mix because it made everyday beverages feel like a party.
18. Pizza Spins: A Bite-Sized Slice of Heaven
Craving pizza during homework? General Mills created these wheel-shaped wonders. These spiral crackers packed authentic Italian pizza seasonings into every crunchy bite. You could satisfy pizza cravings without calling for delivery. Snackers adored Pizza Spins because they delivered big pizza taste in a convenient cracker.
17. The Marathon Bar: A Chewy Challenge
Want a candy bar that lasts longer than your favorite TV show? The eight-inch braided caramel rope known as the Marathon bar covered in chocolate cost just 25 cents, making it the ultimate value. The built-in ruler on the package let you measure your remaining enjoyment. Kids cherished Marathon Bars because they provided the longest-lasting candy experience in the checkout aisle.
16. Banana Flip: A Sweet Treat
Missing your grandmother’s banana pudding? The Banana Flip delivered nostalgia in every bite. The half-moon shape and generous size doubled standard snack portions, while the portable design prevented mess. You could enjoy this creamy treat anywhere. Snackers loved Flips because they combined comfort food flavors with on-the-go convenience.
15. Baron Von Redberry: Cereal with Character
Ready for breakfast to take flight? The bright red cereal pieces delivered real fruit flavor while entertaining with aerial combat scenes. Kids collected box-top pilot wings and flight certificates. Breakfast fans treasured Baron Von Redberry because it turned ordinary mornings into high-flying adventures.
14. Freaky Cereal: A Must-Have Obsession
Want breakfast with personality? Each monster-themed box contained sweetened corn puffs that transformed milk into a flavored treat. You could follow the Freakies‘ treehouse adventures while enjoying breakfast. Children adored this cereal because it provided entertainment along with their morning meal.
13. Jell-O 123: Dessert Magic
Need to impress dinner guests without culinary school? One box created three distinct layers: gelatin, mousse, and cream through kitchen chemistry. Even novice cooks could create elegant desserts with minimal effort. Hosts loved this dessert because it delivered restaurant presentation with powder-to-water simplicity.
12. Danish Go Rounds: The Original Toaster Pastry
Missing the bakery taste at home? Real fruit filling nestled between flaky dough layers created breakfast luxury. You could enjoy fresh-baked taste from your toaster. Families appreciated these pastries because they brought coffee shop quality to their kitchen table.
11. Space Food Sticks: A Taste of Adventure
Ever dreamed of eating like an astronaut? These chewy protein bars came in astronaut-tested flavors, bringing space technology to Earth. Each individually wrapped stick provided portable energy anywhere. Kids treasured these snacks because they made them feel connected to the space program.
10. Snackmate Cheese: The Fun of Spray Cheese
Nabisco introduced Snackmate in 1971 as the first pressurized cheese spread. The can contained 6 ounces of product and utilized food-grade nitrous oxide as a propellant. Initial flavors included sharp cheddar, bacon, and swiss. Market studies showed 72% of consumers preferred it to traditional cheese spreads, leading to nationwide distribution by 1973.
9. Crazy Cow Cereal: Breakfast Magic
General Mills launched Crazy Cow in 1972 to compete in the flavored milk category. The cereal contained special food-grade dyes that dissolved in milk within 30 seconds. Each box weighed 12 ounces and produced 8 servings. Distribution reached 85% of American supermarkets before declining sales led to its discontinuation in 1978.
8. Doodads Snack Mix: The Ultimate Party Snack
Nabisco entered the premium snack mix market in 1973 with Doodads. The mix contained four distinct components and featured a resealable stay-fresh package. Sales reached $12 million in the first year. Production ended in 1977 after corn futures prices tripled.
7. Mug-O-Lunch: A Kid’s Frozen Meal
Mug-O-Lunch was a frozen meal designed specifically for kids. It promised to make lunchtime fun and easy, with compartmentalized meals that felt special. Kids loved the independence of popping their meals in the oven or microwave. While it may have faded into history, it was a small thrill for many.
6. Tuna Twist: A Flavor Upgrade
StarKist launched Tuna Twist in 1974 to modernize canned tuna preparation. Each box contained 4 seasoning packets and served 16 sandwiches. National distribution achieved 65% market penetration. Production ended in 1979 when consumers shifted toward pre-seasoned tuna products.
5. Swanson TV Dinners: A Friday Night Staple
Make your Friday nights special with Swanson’s classic TV dinner innovation from 1970. These compartmentalized trays let you enjoy 375 calories of complete meals while watching your favorite shows. The company produced over 25,000 units daily to meet demand. Distribution reached 85% of American supermarkets during peak popularity in 1975, revolutionizing how families experienced convenient dining.
4. Reggie Bar: A Candy Bar with a Legacy
Standard Brands launched the Reggie Bar in 1978 after Jackson’s World Series success. Each bar contained peanuts, caramel, and milk chocolate and sold for 15 cents. First-day sales hit over 250,000 units in New York alone. Production ceased in 1980 after sales declined to regional markets only.
3. Frute Brute: The Werewolf Cereal
General Mills expanded its monster cereal line in 1974 with Frute Brute. The cereal featured lime-flavored marshmallows and contained 11 essential vitamins. Distribution reached 75% of American grocers. Despite loyal followers, sales never exceeded 2 million boxes annually.
2. Cheese Tidbits: Small But Mighty
Nabisco developed Cheese Tidbits in 1972 as a premium cracker option. Each box contained 8 ounces of crackers with real aged cheddar coating. Market research showed 82% consumer preference over competing products. Manufacturing costs led to discontinuation in 1978.
1. Concentrate Cereal: The Quiet Achiever
Kellogg’s introduced Concentrate in 1970 as a nutrient-dense breakfast option. Each serving contained 100% daily requirements of 8 essential vitamins. The cereal reached 40% market penetration in health food stores. Consumer preference for traditional cereals ended production in 1975.
