The 90s were a great time. It was the peak of Saturday morning cartoons and was a decade filled with the most iconic snacks you could find. It’s an era of time that a lot of us associate with our childhood.
From candies, and drinks, to frozen pizza, we got it all here. Surprisingly, a lot of them are still going strong to this day. So let’s turn back the clock a little bit and let’s take a look at the top 20 best snacks from the 90s.
20. Eggo Waffles
Eggos may have been around since the 50s but they didn’t cement their place in popular culture til the 90s. Eggos are a brand of frozen waffles that make everyone’s start to the day a little more comforting. Whether you’re having them for breakfast or as an after-school snack, we all know that you can’t leggo your Eggos.
19. Squeezits
A lot of snacks in the 90s had something that made them stand out. Squeezits is a prime example. So what is it exactly? Squeezits are just like a regular fruit drink except that it came in a pretty unique packaging. To get a sip, you have to twist off the cap and you literally have to squeeze it to get the juice out. It was a fun way to enjoy a refreshing drink on the go.
18. Handi-Snacks
Speaking of being on the go, Handi-Snacks were a game-changer for everyone who enjoyed a quick pick-me-up snack in between meals. It was packaged with crackers, a compartment for dipping, and the iconic red stick you used to spread the sauce. This portability made it a must-have for kids and even adults who liked to eat something that isn’t too heavy when they get hungry.
17. Ring Pop
How could we have a list of the best 90s snacks without mentioning Ring Pop? These candies in the shape of a gemstone on a ring were more than just a dessert. They were also a fashion statement! That’s right, you’d find it hard to find kids rockin’ a Ring Pop on their fingers at playgrounds back in the day.
16. Ouch! Gum
Here’s another candy that stood out because of the novelty. Ouch! Gum was more than just your standard bubble gum. Its whole concept revolves around a first aid kit and each piece of gum resembles a bandaid. Even the packaging is in the form of a bandage box! Not only that, you can also play one of the 20 different collectible games you get in every pack.
15. Bubble Tape
From the same brand that gave us Ouch! Gum, comes Bubble Tape. Hubba Bubba really outdid themselves on this one. Because what else would make bubble gum more appealing? By making them in the shape of tape of course. Each pack of Bubble Tape would contain a whopping 6 feet worth of bubble gum!
14. SpaghettiOs
Uh oh, SpaghettiOs! While SpaghettiOs are more of a meal than a snack, lots of people still tend to treat it as one. First debuted in 1965 by the Campbell Soup Company, these pasta rings in tomato sauce quickly made its way to the hearts of anyone who wanted a quick and easy way to eat spaghetti. Whether you like it straight from the can or heated up in a microwave, there’s no denying that SpaghettiOs made its mark and earned its spot in a list like this.
13. Pepsi Blue
Pepsi is one of the biggest brands of cola around, often being considered as the only true competitor against Coca-Cola. One edge it had against it was its willingness to try out outrageous things in their products such as creating a Pepsi that was completely blue. Not only was it fun (the novelty of drinking something blue was pretty cool), it also tasted really good. It may have been discontinued but Pepsi relaunches it every few years, proving that people continued to love it since it came out.
12. Orbitz
This has to be one of the most unique drinks to come out during the 90s. Orbitz is a non-carbonated drink that features floating gelatinous balls that taste like fruit. Based on appearance alone, you could tell that they were going for a design that reminded you of lava lamps. Despite being short-lived, there’s no denying Orbitz’ impact. After all, people are still talking about it to this day and some collectors even manage to sell their unopened bottles of Orbitz for a high price.
11. Pop-Tarts
Pop-Tarts are undeniable icons from the 90s. Every household used to have Pop-Tarts around to enjoy as snacks or to pack in their lunchboxes. These toasted pastries were so easy to prepare that you just stick them inside a toaster and wait for them to be done. With a wide variety of flavors, Pop-Tarts took the world by storm and remain a popular snack today.
10. Toaster Strudels
While Pop-Tarts may have been more popular, it was Toaster Strudels who truly elevated these toaster pastries. They had fewer flavors to choose from but each one of them tasted really good. The best part about Toaster Strudels is how you get to drizzle your own icing on top of it. Made me feel like a pastry chef every time.
9. Hot Pockets
Most people enjoyed Pop-Tarts and Toaster Strudels as desserts or light snacks. But what if you’re looking for something savory and something that feels like an actual meal? Then that’s when you turn to Hot Pockets. These microwavable turnovers contained one or more types of cheese, meat, or vegetables. With iconic flavors like ham & cheese or pepperoni, nothing beats the rush of biting into a Hot Pocket fresh out of the microwave; even if the melted cheese burnt our mouths.
8. Bagel Bites
Look, everyone loves pizza and everyone loves bagels. So it was a no-brainer when Kraft Heinz started producing both of those in one bite-sized meal called Bagel Bites. These are literally tiny pizzas on top of mini-bagels. They may have been small but they were always big on flavor.
7. Ellio’s Pizza
We didn’t always have 24-hour pizza deliveries. So back then, when we had cravings for pizza in the wee hours of the night we turned to Ellio’s Pizza. This brand of frozen pizza may not match the flavors of an actual pizza but it sure hits the spot when there’s nothing else around. Its signature rectangular pizza was a perfect size for toaster ovens which means the convenience it provides is topnotch.
6. Capri Sun
Capri Sun is the iconic juice pouch that became a staple in lunch boxes and picnic baskets throughout the 90s. They revolutionized the way juice and drinks can be packed when they invented their distinctive silver pouches that came with easy to use straws. It soared in popularity during this decade thanks to its convenient size and wide range of flavors to choose from.
5. Sunny D
What better way to refresh yourself after enjoying a sunny day on a carefree afternoon than by drinking Sunny D? This orange-flavored drink was marketed as a healthier alternative to soda because it contains Vitamin C. Despite not being actual orange juice, Sunny D still remains as the go-to if you want an orange drink to quench your thirst.
4. Dippin’ Dots
Dippin’ Dots may have come out in the past but these bite-sized pieces of ice cream were made with the technology of the future. Dippin’ Dots’ claim to fame were these little ice cream balls that were flash-frozen using liquid nitrogen. It was invented by microbiologist Curt Jones in the late 1980s. Its innovative approach made it a hit during the 90s and is still a very popular snack today.
3. Dunkaroos
Cookies AND frosting in one package? Count me in! Dunkaroos is a snack that comes with cookies and a dip made of frosting. It’s like your typical cream-filled cookie but you get to decide how much frosting or filling goes into each bite. Unlike some of the entries on this list, Dunkaroos really did debut during the 90s making it a perfect addition to this list of best snacks from the decade.
2. Kid Cuisine
Kid Cuisine sure knew how to make mealtime fun. This brand of frozen dinner felt like it was actually made by kids FOR kids. It had meals that prominently featured food that kids enjoyed like chicken nuggets, burgers, and pizza. Anyone who’s ever had a Kid Cuisine as a kid felt like they were truly having a gourmet meal. Plus, it was endorsed by a talking penguin! Who could say no to that?
1. Lunchables
And finally, topping off our list is what has to be the most 90s snack ever: Lunchables. There’s nothing that screams 90s quite like this do-it-yourself meal kit for children. Every pack of Lunchables contained a full meal that you had to assemble. Not only did it fill up your tummy, but you also got to feel like a real chef! You get to decide how to prepare your food just the way you like it.