Back when we were kids, we ate whatever our parents put on our plates without complaint. Whenever we got a snack or a treat, we were grateful to receive it. But nowadays, kids are picky eaters who turn their noses up at unfamiliar foods. Here are 10 old-school snacks we used to love that today’s kids probably wouldn’t even try.
1. Zotz
Zotz are one of those old-school snacks we still crave. They’re hard candies with a powdery center that fizzes as it dissolves. Surprisingly, they’re still making Zotz, which you can find at convenience and candy stores. Zotz come in fruity flavors like cherry, watermelon, and blue raspberry, plus a fiery cinnamon variety.
2. Nabisco Chocolate Wafers
Nabisco chocolate wafers are another old-school snack today’s kids have probably never tasted. They’re similar to Oreos but have a richer, deeper chocolate flavor that we love. They came on the market in 1924 and quickly became a baking staple. They were commonly used to make icebox cakes, which is a layered dessert similar to a trifle. Sadly, Nabisco discontinued these wafers in 2023, so youngsters will never get a chance to try them.
3. Cocktail Sausages
Many of us grew up eating cocktail sausages straight out of the jar. This old-school snack was also a fan favorite at parties. The sausages were typically glazed in grape jelly and chili sauce. Today’s kids are picky eaters who would turn their noses up at this combo, but we still think it’s delicious!
4. Scotch Eggs
Scotch eggs are hard-boiled eggs that are wrapped in minced sausage and bread crumbs. Then they get deep-fried to golden brown perfection. Although they don’t look super appetizing, they’re absolutely delectable, especially if you dip them in mustard. Although this old-school snack has declined in popularity, you can still find it on the appetizer menu at some bars, especially in the UK.
5. Razzles
Razzles are an old-school snack that was featured in the popular rom-com 13 Going on 30. At first glance, they appear to be fruit-flavored candies. But as you chew them, Razzles magically turn into gum. They come in yummy flavors that we can’t get enough of, including raspberry, lemon, and grape.
6. Fruit Pizza
Fruit pizza is a nostalgic, old-school snack from the eighties that most kids probably haven’t even heard of. Although it’s called pizza, it’s actually a giant, round sugar cookie covered in vanilla frosting. The dessert gets topped with slices of colorful fruit like strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi. It’s not a healthy after-school snack by any means, but it sure is tasty!
7. Zapp’s Chips
Zapp’s chips are spicy and bold, so it’s unlikely that today’s picky kids would enjoy them. Zapp’s first graced the snack aisle in 1985 with a unique chip flavor called Cajun Crawtator. However, the popular Voodoo variety that came on the scene years later is our favorite. Too bad youngsters will never know the joy of opening a fresh bag of Zapp’s!
8. Cheez Whiz on Crackers
We’ll admit that Cheez Whiz isn’t the healthiest old-school snack. But when the craving for that nostalgic cheesy flavor hits, nothing else will do! We enjoy Cheez Whiz on a variety of crackers, from Ritz to Wheat Thins. Sometimes we’ll skip the cracker altogether and eat it off of a spoon. Today’s kids probably prefer real cheese, but we’ll never lose our love for Cheez Whiz.
9. Jello Salad
Jello salad is a retro delight. You can mix any flavor of jello you like with tasty toppings, such as cottage cheese, pretzels, fruit, nuts, and marshmallows. For a savory twist, some people add cheese or even vegetables. Although we enjoy sweet versions of jello salad the most, we’ll happily gobble up any variation of this old-school snack.
10. Goldfish as Cereal
Although this may be niche, some of us treated Goldfish crackers like cereal as kids. Despite the fact that they’re cheddar flavored, we’d pour milk over them and eat them with a spoon. This old-school snack may sound a little weird, but it actually hits the spot. Today’s kids would probably think it’s too weird to try, which is their loss!
More For Us!
Kids usually want to steal all the food off of their parents’ plates. However, choosing nostalgic foods from your childhood that they’re unfamiliar with can help you eat your meals in peace. Today’s kids will probably refuse to try old-school snacks like Scotch eggs and jello salad. Luckily that means there’s more food left for us adults!