The Candy That Made Us: Candy Bars That Disappeared Every Gen X Remembers

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Bar None

Picture this: it’s 1987, and you’ve just walked into your local corner store, the bell on the door jingling with a cheery chime. The air is thick with the intoxicating scent of chocolate and sugar, and your pocket jingles with coins that feel like a small fortune. You saunter past the glass jars filled with penny candy, eyeing the colorful wrappers that beckon you like long-lost friends. And then, like a beacon of chocolatey hope, you spot it — a Bar None.

Bar None was Hershey’s audacious attempt to create the ultimate chocolate candy bar, introduced as a single, glorious bar of layered chocolate wafers, luscious chocolate cream, and a crunchy topping of crushed peanuts, all encased in a milk chocolate shell. It was a confectionary dream come true, and for a brief, vibrant moment in the late '80s, kids were absolutely obsessed. You could snag one for just 40-50 cents, and the ritual of savoring it began with peeling back that shiny wrapper, the crinkling sound echoing like the sweet promise of indulgence.

As you took your first bite, the chocolate melted in your mouth, the crunch of the peanuts adding a satisfying texture that made your taste buds dance. Those commercials featuring the utterly bizarre 'Chocolate Beastie' were unforgettable, as they portrayed a creature lurking behind a door, desperate for the ultimate chocolate fix. “Tame the Chocolate Beastie,” they urged, and you believed that only a Bar None could satisfy its cravings. How many times did you, or your friends, quote that catchy tagline on the playground?

But alas, the magic faded as Hershey reformulated Bar None in 1992, adding caramel and splitting it into two bars. The backlash was swift, and the once-beloved treat vanished from shelves by December 1997, leaving behind a wistful void in your candy memories. However, hope was restored in July 2019 when Iconic Candy revived the original Bar None using that cherished recipe. You can find it now for a nostalgic $2.00-$3.00, a bittersweet reminder of your childhood treat.

You know you’re a Gen X if you still remember the feeling of “taming the Chocolate Beastie” with each Bar None you devoured after school.

PB Crisps

Ah, PB Crisps, the delightful snack that was so much more than a candy bar. Introduced in 1992 by Planters, these peanut-shaped graham cookies filled with creamy peanut butter crème were a revelation. For a brief three-year period, they captured the hearts and taste buds of snackers everywhere, especially in school lunchboxes. Priced at $1.50-$2.50 per bag, they were a little indulgence that made your allowance feel like a true investment.

Peeling open a bag was like unearthing treasure. The rich, creamy filling paired with the crunchy exterior was a match made in snack heaven. With Mr. Peanut as your suave, top-hatted guide, you’d find yourself singing along to the jingle, “It began with a nut and a volt, that shook his top hat with a jolt!” It was catchy enough to echo in your mind long after the last crumb was gone. The whimsical charm of PB Crisps made them a coveted item during lunch trade-offs, as you would barter for that sweet, sweet peanutty goodness.

But as with many good things, PB Crisps were tragically discontinued in 1995, leaving a void that left fans clamoring for a return. Despite multiple campaigns and online petitions, Planters has repeatedly squashed hopes for a revival, leaving you with only the bittersweet taste of nostalgia and the occasional sealed vintage bag on eBay at exorbitant prices.

You know you’re a Gen X if you still check the snack aisle for PB Crisps, hoping to relive those sweet memories, even though you know deep down that Mr. Peanut isn’t coming back.

Bonkers

Then there was Bonkers, the candy that packed a fruity punch like no other. Launched in 1985 by Nabisco, these rectangular chews with a tangy fruit juice center became the stuff of playground legends. They promised an intense burst of flavor that could transport you to candy paradise, and the absurd commercials featuring characters getting 'bonked' by giant falling fruits only added to their allure. Priced at a mere 25-50 cents per pack, they were a staple in the candy arsenal, perfect for sharing after school.

Each bite of Bonkers was a flavor explosion, with eight original varieties including grape, watermelon, and lemon-lime, making it impossible to choose just one favorite. The colorful wrappers and quirky commercials showcasing the absurdity of the candy captured the imagination of kids everywhere. “Bonkers! Bonks you out!” became a catchphrase, echoing in the halls as you and your friends reminisced about the hilarity of the commercials.

Sadly, Bonkers disappeared from stores in the late '90s, though the brand has had a tumultuous history since then. Leaf Brands LLC snagged the trademark in 2012, and while there have been attempts to revive it, availability has been spotty. Finding a pack of Bonkers nowadays often feels like discovering buried treasure at specialty candy stores for $2.00-$3.00.

You know you’re a Gen X if you can vividly recall the absurdity of Bonkers commercials and still laugh at the thought of fruit bonking unsuspecting victims.

Gatorgum

For the sporty kids in the '80s, Gatorgum was legendary. It hit the shelves in 1978, manufactured by Fleer Corporation, and marketed as Gatorade in gum form. The gum came in citrusy Lemon-Lime and Orange, the same flavors that quenched the thirst of athletes everywhere. Priced at 25-35 cents a pack, having Gatorgum in your gym bag was a badge of honor; you were serious about sports and totally cool.

With each chew, you could almost believe that you were hydrating on the go. The Gatorade branding made it feel like you were one step closer to becoming a star athlete, even if your only sporting achievement was mastering the monkey bars at recess. Kids would trade packs of Gatorgum like currency, hoping to bolster their credibility in the eyes of their peers.

Unfortunately, Gatorgum’s reign came to an end in 1989 when the manufacturing contract expired, and it was lost to the sands of time — though not without a whisper of hope. Gatorade confirmed in a tweet that Quench Gum is now its spiritual successor, but without the iconic branding, it just doesn’t hold the same nostalgic charm.

You know you’re a Gen X if you remember how cool it felt to chew Gatorgum while pretending to be a pro athlete on the field.

Astro Pops

And finally, we arrive at Astro Pops, the candy that was literally designed by rocket scientists. Introduced in 1963, these three-stage rocket-shaped lollipops with layers of cherry, passionfruit, and pineapple captivated the imaginations of kids during the Space Race. Priced between 10-25 cents each, they were a sweet representation of the era’s fascination with space exploration.

The moment you unwrapped an Astro Pop, it was a sensory delight. The cone-shaped design was not only unique but also a bit of a challenge — each layer offered a different flavor, and as you worked your way down, it became an exciting adventure in taste. The colorful wrapper, shaped like a rocket, made you feel like you were holding a piece of outer space every time you indulged.

They were a staple at candy counters, their playful design embodying the spirit of adventure. Sadly, Spangler Candy Company discontinued them in 2004, leaving a void in candy aisles everywhere. But hope flickered anew in 2010 when Leaf Brands revived Astro Pops, though they may not be as ubiquitous as they once were. You can now find them online or at specialty candy stores, priced at $1.00-$2.00 each, reminding you that some childhood dreams can come back to life.

You know you’re a Gen X if you remember how much fun it was to unwrap an Astro Pop and savor every layer of flavor as if you were launching into space.

The Corner Store is Gone

As we reminisce about our beloved candy bars and the joy they brought, it’s hard not to feel a pang of nostalgia for the corner stores that once lined our neighborhoods. The small, mom-and-pop shops have mostly vanished, replaced by impersonal gas stations and online megastores. Those cherished memories of trading candy with friends, sneaking a dime from your allowance, and sharing laughs over sugary treats remain, but the experience is undeniably different. The candy aisle has lost its character, replaced by corporate giants and convenience over charm.

Yet the memories linger, sweetening our hearts and reminding us of simpler times when a few coins could buy a bag full of joy. Just like those penny candies taught us that small things add up, life insurance works the same way — a small monthly amount can offer big protection for the loved ones we cherish.

What Candy Would YOU Bring Back?

So, what candy would you bring back if you could? Drop us a line on Facebook and let’s relive those sweet memories together!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Bar None — Can you still buy it?

The original Hershey version was discontinued December 15, 1997. Iconic Candy, a company dedicated to reviving classic candies, relaunched Bar None in July 2019 using the original recipe (one bar, no caramel). Available through specialty retailers and online.. Originally introduced in 1987 (test markets June 1986 in California, nationwide September 1987) by The Hershey Company. Hershey test-marketed Bar None in California in June 1986 for over a year before the nationwide launch in September 1987. The original version was a single bar of chocolate wafers, chocolate cream, crushed peanuts, and milk chocolate coating. In 1992, Hershey reformulated it -- adding caramel and splitting it into two bars. Fans revolted. Sales plummeted. The magic was gone. Bar None was quietly discontinued on December 15, 1997. In July 2019, Iconic Candy revived the brand using the original single-bar, no-caramel recipe. The lesson: don't fix what isn't broken.

PB Crisps (Planters) — Can you still buy it?

Discontinued in 1995. Planters has confirmed multiple times that there are 'no plans to bring them back' due to insufficient consumer demand during their original run. Despite this, online petitions and Reddit threads regularly campaign for their return. The nostalgia for PB Crisps far exceeds their actual sales when they existed.. Originally introduced in 1992 by Planters (division of Nabisco/Kraft). PB Crisps came in three varieties: original (peanut butter creme filling), Chocolate Crisps (chocolate creme filling), and PB&J Crisps (peanut butter and strawberry jelly filling). They were discontinued in 1995 after just three years. Planters stated there 'was not enough consumer demand' -- yet over 200+ comment Reddit threads regularly appear mourning their loss. A dedicated website (PBCrisps.com) exists solely to campaign for their return. The disconnect between actual 1990s sales and modern nostalgia is a fascinating case study in how scarcity creates demand.

Bonkers — Can you still buy it?

The original Nabisco version was discontinued in the late 1990s. Leaf Brands LLC acquired the trademark in 2012 and announced plans for a revival by 2015, but the relaunch has faced significant delays. Limited quantities have appeared through specialty retailers. The brand remains in limbo between discontinued and revived.. Originally introduced in 1985 by Nabisco. Bonkers had 8 original flavors: grape, orange, strawberry, watermelon, lemon-lime, cherry, raspberry, and punch. The candy was a rectangular chew with a fruit-juice-flavored center -- marketed as having 'real fruit juice.' The giant-fruit-falling commercials predated similar absurdist humor that would become common in advertising decades later. When Nabisco discontinued Bonkers, the candy became one of the most requested comebacks in candy history. Leaf Brands (the same company that revived Astro Pops and Wacky Wafers) acquired the Bonkers trademark in 2012. The chocolate-flavored Bonkers was the most unusual variety -- chocolate-covered fruit chew was a polarizing concept.

Gatorgum — Can you still buy it?

Discontinued in 1989 when the manufacturing license contract between Fleer/Swell/Vicks and Gatorade expired. Gatorade confirmed in a 2017 Twitter post that Gatorgum's spiritual successor is Quench Gum, now made by Mueller Sports. Quench Gum is still available but lacks the iconic Gatorade branding.. Originally introduced in 1978 by Fleer Corporation (manufactured under license from Stokely-Van Camp/Gatorade). Gatorgum was created through a licensing deal between Stokely-Van Camp (Gatorade's owner before 1983) and Fleer, a bubble gum manufacturer known for baseball cards. The gum launched in 1978 with only Lemon-Lime flavor; Orange was added around 1980. When the licensing contract expired in 1989, the product simply ceased to exist. Stokely-Van Camp sold Gatorade to Quaker Oats in 1983, and the new owners chose not to renew the gum license. Gatorade confirmed on Twitter in 2017 that Quench Gum by Mueller Sports is the closest modern equivalent. The gum's marketing promised it could 'quench your thirst' -- a dubious claim for chewing gum, but kids believed it.

Astro Pops — Can you still buy it?

Revived by Leaf Brands LLC after Spangler discontinued them in 2004. Available through Leaf Brands in original and new formats including Astro Pop Asteroids (bite-sized pieces) and Astro Pops Sodas. Available online and through specialty candy retailers.. Originally introduced in 1963 by Two former rocket scientists in El Segundo, California. Created in 1963 by two rocket scientists who quit the space program to make candy -- one of the greatest career pivots in confectionery history. The cone-shaped wrapper literally becomes the mold -- hot liquid candy is poured directly into the wrapper. Original flavors were cherry (red), passionfruit (yellow), and pineapple (white). Spangler acquired the brand in 1987 and expanded flavors to include banana split and caramel apple before discontinuing the line in September 2004. Leaf Brands revived them in 2010. The original inverted design (stick on top, point on bottom) was changed for safety reasons -- kids were cutting their mouths on the pointed end.