20 '90s Snacks That You Can Buy Today
Food is one of life's most nostalgic appeals. Childhood is marked with memories that revolve around eating — what Grandma made for the holidays, the fast-food treat that Mom rarely bought, the favorite restaurant that was only in the town where we vacationed. This is also true of snack foods. Do you remember the scent of your favorite gum or the texture of the best fruit snacks?
According to a piece published by Harvard University Press by John S. Allen, author of "The Omnivorous Mind," food is "one of the more likely things in the environment around which memories are formed and focused." Snacks and sweets, in particular, often signaled a special treat, a moment recognized not only by memory but by the reward centers in our brain. For those of us who grew up during the 1990s, a few of the most treasured childhood and teenage snacks of that time are still available to purchase. Some haven't changed, while others have been updated or revamped for the current youthful consumer base or restrictions within the food industry. Here are a few of the most nostalgic '90s snacks you can still buy today.
Scooby Doo remains a favorite fruit snack figure
For many '90s kids, fruit snacks were the sweet treat in the lunchbox. While the general concept of a gummy, bite-sized, fruit-flavored pack of nibbles was common, kids often asked their parents for specific brands. That's because they did not all taste the same, have the same texture, or feature the same characters. Some classic '90s treats are no longer around (sorry, Garfield and Friends), but others have stood the test of time.
One of the most popular survivors is the General Mills brand Betty Crocker product Scooby Doo Fruit Flavored Snacks. While they currently contain no artificial flavors or colors, they were made a bit differently in the '90s, and fans say this adjustment has impacted the flavor and color. On Change.org, there's even a petition asking the makers to reestablish the light blue gummy of the past.
Fruit Roll-Ups now come in more flavors
Back in the day, individually-wrapped Fruit Roll-Ups by Betty Crocker were at the top of the lunch box game. Everyone knew these sticky, sweet, fruit-flavored, cellophane-backed sheets. According to Mental Floss, Fruit Roll-Ups hit the shelves in the early 1980s in strawberry, apple, cherry, and apricot flavors. The '90s brought more innovation, and kids could choose from a variety of new tastes.
Fruit Roll-Ups now come in refreshed options, many of which combine more than one flavor into a single sheet. Kids have discovered tie-dye, Jolly Rancher (another favorite candy of the '90s), sour versions, and even a Fruit Roll-Up that features "tongue tattoos" which imprint a design for more "wacky fun" (via Betty Crocker). This fits the '90s vibe when commercials featured a factory that produced unique ideas such as money-themed "fruity money peel-outs" (via YouTube) to constantly supply kids with entertaining versions of the classic treat.
Fruit by the Foot is still a snack duty champ
These self-described "fruit flavored sheet strips" are also made by Betty Crocker and occupy the same market space as Fruit Roll-Ups. According to the brand's Twitter profile, "All Fruit by the Foot are fruit roll ups, but not all Fruit Roll Ups are Fruit by the Foot." What makes Fruit by the Foot special is that it comes as a spooled ribbon, individually wrapped and ready to be enjoyed — inch by inch — until all three feet of it are devoured.
It seems like a gimmick, but the snack has stood the test of time, and its formula has responded to some modern priorities. Fruit by the Foot is actually vegan and, since 2015, it contains no artificial colors and flavors (via The Business Journals), so this is a versatile sweet for specific dietary needs. The brand has also featured flavors like Berry Tie-Dye, Blue Raspberry, and Strawberry Tie-Dye.
Gushers still get gobbled quickly
Rounding out Betty Crocker's '90s fruit snack dynasty are Gushers, officially known as Fruit Gushers. For many Gen X kids, these were highly sought after and quickly consumed lunchbox snacks. Gushers haven't changed much since they came out in 1991 — they still have a chewy texture and liquid-filled center and come in individually wrapped packs.
The brand continues to market to both kids and kids at heart who grew up in the '90s and are now adults. A 2022 tweet (in collab with Dunkaroos) goes like this: "Lunch used to be about whose mom packed Dunkaroos or how many Gushers you could fit in your mouth. Now it's all about getting to the microwave before Brian in Accounts Receivable reheats his leftovers for 10 minutes."
Bagel Bites are going strong as after school snacks
The after-school crowd heralded a certain class of '90s snacks. Savory, hot, and often cheesy, these were the goodies that hungry kids dug into before dinner. One of the favorites was Bagel Bites, which was once championed by Tony Hawk, instilling these snacks as a preteen shrine.
Today the formula is still as simple as it ever was: a small bagel topped with some combination of cheese, sausage, and pepperoni. The meat is diced into tiny bits so it all fits on the small, round bagel "crust." According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a 2021 lawsuit claimed that the ingredients weren't accurately reflected on the packaging. By August 2022, maker Kraft Heinz Food Company came out on top (via Law Street Media), and Bagel Bites remain a favorite snack.
Totino's Pizza Rolls are a quick lunch
If Bagel Bites have a proverbial enemy, it's Totino's Pizza Rolls. In fact, by the early 2000s, the two snacks occupied such a similar space in the marketplace that Bagel Bites used advertising to argue that their product was healthier (via Weighty Matters). But, there are still plenty of Pizza Rolls fans.
Both kids and parents took to the bite-sized versions of Totino's Party Pizzas. Pizza Rolls are pizzeria-themed little pillows that come in flavor combinations featuring pepperoni, triple meat, and supreme, along with cheese-only options, and they can be heated in the oven or microwave. These were summertime lunch heroes that also stepped in as after-school, sleepover, and movie night snacks. One modern touch that the brand has imprinted on this '90s classic is a range of recipes for sauces and dips that can enhance Pizza Rolls, such as cheesy bacon ranch or spicy barbecue (via Totino's).
Hot Pockets get an air fryer upgrade
Open up the official Hot Pockets website, and you'll get tips on how to heat them in the air fryer, not just the microwave. And that's not the only modern take that this '90s classic has experienced. Hot Pockets have generous protein content between 9g and 15g and are made with attention to quality ingredients in a diverse range of 37 different flavors from "pizza to drive-thru to breakfast."
One of the most iconic elements of Hot Pockets hasn't changed since the '90s: the susceptor (or crisping sleeve). Interestingly, not all sleeves are the same. "As long as there's a Hot Pockets or Lean Pockets brand logo on your box, you're in the right place," as addressed in a FAQ on the website. "We use the sleeves to talk to you, and we change what we're saying from time to time." How's that for adapting to new generations?
Elllio's Pizza hasn't changed
Ellio's Pizza is remembered by many as a school lunch staple, a rectangle pizza that fits perfectly into the standard issue tray. The product in its original version is over 50 years old (via Time), and by the '90s, there was a make-it-at-home product. The shape was touted as the best part of the pizza, the middle. First introduced as a meal for the toaster oven, Ellio's eventually modernized it for the microwave.
"Ellio's hasn't changed one bite since you enjoyed it growing up," declares the brand's website. "What you loved about it then, your kids will love about it now. So pass it on." There have been flavor developments since the '90s — Italian Sausage & Pepperoni and Supreme were added in 2008, followed by Five Cheese Pizza in 2021 and Sicilian Style in 2016, according to Ellio's.
Handi Snacks are missing the red stick
If the last time you enjoyed Handi-Snacks was in the '90s, you'd notice that something is missing. There's still the two-bowl disposable pack — filled on one side with a cheesy dip, the other populated with rectangle-shaped Ritz Crackers — but there's no red spreading stick. According to a tweet from Ritz Crackers in 2019: "The red sticks were removed in order to be more eco-friendly. People tend to throw the sticks away instead of recycling them." Now the cracker gets dunked directly into the dip.
Still, the Handi-Snacks line — which contains the original style plus Oreo, premium, and pretzel varieties — remains one of the iconic portable snacks of our time. Though the product debuted in the 1950s, according to Snack Stack, millions of dollars spent on advertising in the '90s made them a memorable lunchbox presence for Gen X tweens (via AdAge).
Go-Gurt now features modern cartoons
No spoon or spreader is needed to enjoy Go-Gurt! It's yogurt you can eat directly from a flexible tube. This individually wrapped snack is easily transportable and can even be frozen to keep it cool all morning until lunchtime. A product of General Mills-licensed brand Yoplait, when Go-Gurt came out in the late '90s, it was one of the first yogurt brands marketed directly to children. According to General Mills, Time called Go-Gurt "the fastest-selling yogurt product ever released" in 2000. By 2014, Go-Gurt was available as an option in McDonald's Happy Meals (via Consumerist).
In tried-and-true marketing-to-children fashion, the packaging is key. As of 2022, Go-Gurt features "Spiderman," "Frozen II," "Spongebob Squarepants," and "Star Wars" iconography, according to Yoplait. But catchy looks are nothing new to this yogurt — '90s packaging "included Glo-Gurt tubes with glow in the dark fortunes."
Yoplait Trix Yogurt is back by popular demand
Another treat in the Yoplait lineup of the past was Trix Kid Cup, which was discontinued in 2016. But guess what? "You asked — it's back," is tagged on the yogurt's outer packaging. In a May 2021 Instagram post, the brand shared that the product was coming back, and fans showed appreciation. "Childhood returned," wrote one user. In fact, the Trix rabbit represents childhood to many. He's the funky face of the eponymous cereal, and he's been around for over 60 years, according to General Mills. His message remains consistent: "Trix are for kids."
The flavors include berry and strawberry, though plenty of Instagram fans commented on a love for the now-defunct cotton candy Trix yogurt flavor. If that's what you're looking for, turn to Spongebob Squarepants Go-Gurt — a cotton candy flavor is available in that format.
Dunkaroos kept the '90s vibe
Another product that has come up to speed with modern tastes is the Yoplait Go-Gurt Dunkaroos collab. In fact, there are several crossover products in the Dunkaroos lineup, including cookie dough and a cereal. But the classic is here, in total '90s form, and that's definitely reflected in the brand's website. The traditional product is similar in function to Handi-Snacks: a single disposal package with one frosting-filled side and the other with cookies for dunking.
On Instagram, some fans call the current iteration a "reboot," but the Dunkaroos brand insists that nothing has changed in terms of ingredients and taste. "Fans last saw Dunkaroos in 2012 and after thousands of pleas to bring it back, we are excited to bring them out of the vault," according to the brand's website.
Cosmic Brownies are a bowling-themed superstar
According to McKee Foods, the parent company of the Little Debbie brand, Cosmic Brownies were initially rolled out in 1999. It was in line with the Cosmic bowling trend, when bowling alleys go for a black-light theme, with glow-in-the-dark elements, fun music, and a playful vibe.
The classic '60s predecessor, Fudge Brownies, were topped with English walnuts. Cosmic Brownies have a similar fudge-like base and topping but also have "rainbow-colored, candy-coated chocolate chips," according to the brand, giving a '90s neon attitude to an old favorite. Zebra Cakes, Honey Buns, and Christmas Tree Brownies were other 1990s debuts. Over 75 Little Debbie varieties are now available in 50 states, and Debbie herself is a real family member, still involved with the business, according to McKee Foods.
Fun Dip is still the candy that parents say is too sugary
In the '90s, next to the coveted full-size candy bar, a pack of Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip was a Halloween treasure. It starts with the mystique of the candy Lik-A-Stix, which — when wet — gathers up the candy powder for consumption. The stick can be eaten at the end of the experience, and the sugar high ensues. Maybe.
According to maker Ferrara Candy Company, Fun Dip contains 11 grams of sugar in each serving pouch. In comparison, another '90s candy favorite, Skittles Original chewy candy, has 45 grams of sugar per serving (via Skittles.com). We can now all report this bit of trivia to our parents, who always said that Fun Dip was too sugary!
Warheads still pack a punch
Can you remember the first time you braved a Warhead? Commonly considered the sourest candy of the decade, friends would dare each other to pack their mouths with as many as possible. Introduced to the US in the early '90s, the original was an individually-wrapped hard candy that came in several flavors intensified by malic acid, citric acid, and ascorbic acid (via Penn State's History of Candy).
Warheads now come in multiple formats, including jelly beans, a candy mouth spray, gummy worms, and more. All of them are designed to be powerfully sour, and some reports say that too much Warhead consumption can cause bodily damage (via People). But maker Impact Confections is clear: "... a voluntary statement is printed on every package warning that the candy is extremely sour and can be an irritation to sensitive mouths and tongues," according to the brand's website. "If your mouth experiences any irritation, sour candy is probably too extreme for your tongue and you should stick to Circus Peanuts."
Push Pops can be tossed in your purse
If there was one treat that could be tossed into our backpack or swimming bag in the '90s, it was Push Pops. The plastic case ensured the lollipop inside stayed clean and unbroken, even if it had already been licked in the car on the way to school or the public pool. Even actor Ryan Reynolds was "hip to the pop" in a classic '90s commercial (via That Eric Alper).
These novelty candies — made by Bazooka Candy Brands, the same company that came up with Ring Pops, Baby Bottle Pops, and Juicy Drop — upped the ante at the grocery store checkout with interesting packages that felt like hardware. Originally Topps Chewing Gun, Bazooka Candy Brands changed hands in 2007 and is owned by Madison Dearborn Partners and former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, according to the brand. Some of today's Push Pop flavors include Strawberry, Blue Raspberry, Berry Blast, Watermelon, and Cotton Candy.
Bubble Tape is still 6 feet of gum fun
We can still remember the powdery, bubble gum scent of Bubble Tape, another '90s candy with substantial and attention-grabbing packaging. Though it was rolled out in the 1980s, clever marketing to Gen X tweens increased Bubble Tape's popularity (via The Spectator). Commercials with images of the gum rolling past six human feet touted that this gum was "for you, not them" — in other words, adults wouldn't get it.
Mars Wrigley owns maker Hubba Bubba, and the product is sold under the name Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape (via Mars Wrigley). You can also find it online and in specialty candy stores in flavors such as Original, Sour Green Apple, and Sour Blue Raspberry, taking up the '90s obsession with sour candy and repurposing it for a new generation (via NPR).
SunnyD has plenty of new young fans
Kids in the '90s loved coming home to SunnyD, which had orange juice vibes but contained very little actual juice. Like many cherished '90s brands, SunnyD had been around for a while, and marketing to children increased its popularity. It was tagged as "the good stuff kids go for." Many of us remember commercials featuring sports-playing teens coming home to a fridge full of drinks, bypassing the "purple stuff" and other beverages before setting on Sunny Delight, as it was called at that time.
The SunnyD drink faced controversy when it turned the skin of a 4-year-old girl yellow due to a buildup of beta carotene associated with excessive consumption of the drink (via BBC News). These days, kids enjoy a variety of SunnyD flavors and still get 100% of their daily vitamin C in each serving (via SunnyD), confirming that trust in the drink has been restored.
Surge is back (sorta)
It sounds like a rerun: "Surge will be leaving shelves soon, so you may experience limited availability." In the '90s, Coca-Cola released Surge with a commercial aired during Super Bowl XXXI to compete with Pepsi's Mountain Dew. By the mid-2000s, it was discontinued due to lagging sales (via The Surge Movement).
Since then, fans have been calling the caffeinated drink back. "Join the effort of the community that brought Surge Soda back to the market! Until Surge is available in a store near you, there is work to do," says The Surge Movement. In some ways, the begging worked. It is available at Burger King Coca-Cola Freestyle locations and can be purchased online via the brand's website. But as warned, Surge is still only available on a limited basis.
A few bottles of Crystal Pepsi are floating around
The late '90s were the apex of soda consumption in the U.S. (via Insider), and conditions were right to combine another icon of the times to give the people more of what they wanted: Van Halen. During the 1993 Super Bowl, America was introduced to clear Crystal Pepsi with a launch ad featuring "Right Now," a song that epitomizes many things about that particular moment.
In early 2022, as part of a fan contest, a limited number of bottles of Crystal Pepsi were produced to celebrate its 30th anniversary (via USA Today). The Twitter hashtag #ShowUsYour90s asked people to share pictures of themselves in the '90s for a chance to win one of 300 Crystal Pepsi prizes. The resulting thread is like a time capsule. Though we technically can't buy Crystal Pepsi, fans consider it so iconic that just having a few bottles back in circulation is exciting.