Popular Snacks over the past 100 years!

By Maliha Rahman

Some things never change. That includes children being obsessed with junk food. Over the last 100 years, snacks trends have changed. Some foods are still around and popular in the present and some no longer exist. Here is a list of some of the most popular snacks of each decade over the past 100 years. How many do you recognize?

1920s

After the end of WWI, factories were able to shift in high gear towards making processed, packaged snacks. Many new snacks came onto the market including Baby Ruths, Mounds, and Girl Scout Cookies. Back then, a box of 44 cookies would cost 23 cents. A stark contrast to the $5-6 it costs now!

1930s

The 30s saw an introduction of legendary snacks that are still extremely relevant today. Specific ones of note include Twinkies and Lay’s Potato Chips!

1940s

Because of WWII, snack production slowed down heavily. Nonetheless, there were still some popular snacks that were making their way onto shelves. This includes the likes of Mike and Ike and Cheetos.

1950s

The 1950s saw the introduction of a lot of new frozen snacks. This includes the popular Eggo Waffles and Häagen-Dazs.

1960s

The 60s were all about snacks on-the-go. “Fun size” was highlighted in the popular Goldfish crackers and Jelly Belly jelly beans!

1970s

Peak movie night snacks were popular in the 70s. Perfect timing with the release of the first Star Wars movie. Munching away with scenes from a galaxy far far away with the original Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn and Twix bars sounds stellar.

1980s

Parties are kicked up to a whole new level with the introduction of Tostitos chips. A unique flavor combination of sweet and sour is also introduced in bite-sized form with Sour Patch Kids.

1990s

The 90s included many snacks that are no longer as popular today. Prominent ones include Dunkaroos and Push pops.

2000s

Coming into a new millenia, a balanced lunch meal was especially important for children in the 2000s. Lunchables and Gogurts take the decade by storm with their fun interactive nature.

2010s

Cheetos dusts cover the fingers of all children in the lunchroom with the popular Hot Cheetos. Another popular classic that was especially popular in the 2010s was the M&Ms.

2020s (present)

Because we are barely only three years into this new decade, it is hard to tell what snacks will be popular. Early research says that kettle cooked chips and Reese’s peanut butter cups seem to be popping on the shelves. What snacks do you think will be popular in the 2020s? Or do you think it's even been invented yet?

Sources:

Bon Appétit. (2012, December 17). A history of American snack foods, from waffle cones to Doritos. Bon Appétit. https://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/article/a-history-of-american-snack-foods-from-waffle-cones-to-doritos

Hare, H. V. (2019, September 4). Snack Foods you won’t believe have been around for more than 100 Years. The Daily Meal. https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/oldest-snack-foods

Seidal, K. (2023, March 15). The evolution of the Snack Foods Industry. Cablevey® Conveyors. https://cablevey.com/the-evolution-of-the-snack-foods-industry/