Nostalgic Flavors People Long For
Some cereals were rituals, sugar-dusted memories poured into bowls before school or devoured by the handful after. While trends have shifted toward health-conscious blends, plenty of us still long for the technicolor mascots and over-the-top flavors of discontinued classics. Let's remember the 20 cereals that deserve a triumphant return. Which one do you want back?
ASMR OREO O'S COOKIE CEREAL MILK | EATING MOUTH SOUNDS NOISES NO TALKING | MUKBANG by Jerry
1. Waffle Crisp (Post, 1996–2018)
Tiny, crunchy waffles swimming in syrupy flavor, Waffle Crisp nailed nostalgia in every bite. Launched in 1996, it built a fanbase thanks to its buttery-sweet punch and crispy texture. It was discontinued in 2018, and its brief 2021 revival was through a limited collector’s box.
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2. Oreo O’s (Post/Kraft, 1997–2007)
Oreo O’s let you start the day with dessert. The crunchy cereal had a chocolate and cream flavor that mirrored the cookie it was named for. While it reappeared in limited form after 2017, the marshmallow-stuffed Korean version never made it to U.S. shelves.
3. Sprinkle Spangles (General Mills, 1993–1998)
Few cereals screamed ‘90s excess like Sprinkle Spangles. Brightly colored stars coated in rainbow sprinkles, they tasted like birthday cake and left milk sweet enough to rival melted frosting. Despite a beloved genie mascot, it quietly vanished before the end of the decade.
Sprinkle Spangles by General Mills
4. Crazy Cow (General Mills, 1977–1982)
Crazy Cow transformed breakfast into a magic trick. This quirky cereal came in chocolate and strawberry flavors that turned milk into a neon-colored treat. Though discontinued in the early '80s, its milk-coloring gimmick laid the groundwork for cereals like Cocoa Pebbles.
Crazy Cow (1977) by Cereal Time TV
5. Fruit Brute (General Mills, 1974–1982)
Before cereal crossovers were trendy, Fruit Brute was part of the Monster Cereals lineup. Its citrus-cherry flavor and vibrant colors stood out among its spooky siblings. Though it briefly resurfaced in 2013, it’s still missing from the fall cereal aisle.
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6. Dinersaurs Cereal (Ralston, 1988–1990)
Dinersaurs combined dinosaur-shaped cereal pieces with a lightly sweetened flavor and a quirky prehistoric diner theme. It stood out for its clever box design and fun concept. Still, the cereal disappeared quickly and has never returned to store shelves.
Dinersaurs (1988) by Cereal Time TV
7. Ice Cream Cones Cereal (General Mills, 1987, 2003 Limited Release)
This short-lived classic mimicked vanilla ice cream. Originally released in 1987, it made a brief comeback in 2003 but never stuck around. Its mascot, Ice Cream Jones, promised to “bring the cones,” but they haven't returned since.
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8. S’mores Crunch (General Mills, 1982–1988)
Combining chocolatey graham squares with mini marshmallows, S’mores Crunch offered a campfire treat without the flames. Its authentic flavor mix stood out from other cereals. Despite high fan nostalgia, General Mills hasn’t brought it back, not even during the 2010s retro cereal revivals.
9. Cinnamon Mini Buns (Kellogg’s, 1991–1993)
These bite-sized spirals resembled tiny cinnamon rolls. Kellogg’s leaned into the indulgence, making it sweeter than most competitors. Its short two-year run left a surprisingly large fanbase, and many still recall the buttery aroma that wafted up the moment milk hit the bowl.
10. Banana Frosted Flakes (Kellogg’s, 1981–1984)
This curious twist on a classic added artificial banana flavor to sugar-coated corn flakes. Though divisive, it had a loyal following that loved the bold taste. Unlike Kellogg’s other flavor experiments, it’s never been revisited, not even in the occasional cereal comebacks.
BANANA CREME FROSTED FLAKES REVIEW! By Brett and Brad
11. Powdered Donutz (Ralston, 1980s)
A cereal that looked—and tasted—like mini powdered donuts? Ralston delivered exactly that! Lightly sweet and dusted with real powdered sugar, Powdered Donutz turned milk into a creamy dessert. It was a unique concept, yet it quietly disappeared during Ralston’s cereal phase-out.
12. Crispy Critters (Post, 1963–1969)
Crispy Critters featured animal-shaped cereal pieces with a gentle honey flavor. The cereal was marketed with a catchy jingle and a cartoon mascot named Linus the Lionhearted. Even with a wholesome taste and fun shapes, it didn’t survive long in an increasingly competitive breakfast aisle.
Crispy Critters (1962) by Cereal Time TV
13. Smurf Berry Crunch (Post, 1983–1987)
Tied to the wildly popular cartoon, Smurf Berry Crunch delivered berry-flavored red and blue corn puffs. It later morphed into Smurf Magic Berries with added marshmallows, but neither version endured. Post discontinued the line by the late '80s, despite high brand recognition.
14. Rocky Road Cereal (General Mills, 1986–1987)
Chocolate-covered cereal pieces, tiny marshmallows, and nutty puffs made Rocky Road a dessert disguised as breakfast. It echoed the classic ice cream flavor with impressive accuracy. It had a memorable flavor blend, but it lasted barely a year before General Mills discontinued it in the late '80s.
15. Hidden Treasures (General Mills, 1993–1995)
At first glance, it looked like a standard puffed cereal, but Hidden Treasures lived up to its name. Some squares contained fruity filling, while others were empty, adding an element of surprise. Introduced in 1993, it vanished in just two years, notwithstanding its uniqueness.
16. Donkey Kong Cereal (Ralston, 1982–1984)
Donkey Kong Cereal featured barrel-shaped corn pieces sweetened just enough to rival Cap’n Crunch. Its box showcased classic game art, making it a collectible for fans. However, all that popularity couldn't keep the cereal alive. Ralston shelved it after just two years, possibly due to licensing costs with Nintendo.
17. OJ’s Cereal (Kellogg’s, 1985)
OJ’s packed a bright citrus flavor meant to taste like orange juice in crunchy form. Marketed as a substitute for a glass of juice, it sparked curiosity but puzzled taste buds. The concept flopped quickly, but its bold flavor experiment remains unforgettable to cereal lovers.
18. Nerds Cereal (Ralston, 1985–1986)
Strawberry and grape were the original Nerds combo, each incredibly sweet and brightly colored. Split into two separate bags per box, it lets kids choose between contrasting fruity flavors. Unfortunately, the cereal’s extreme sugar content doomed it to a short one-year run.
Nerds (1985) by Cereal Time TV
19. C-3PO’s Cereal (Kellogg’s, 1984–1986)
With a name straight from the Star Wars galaxy, C-3PO’s cereal had figure-eight shapes and a mild honey-corn taste. It featured movie tie-ins that excited fans during the trilogy’s peak. After just two years, it was retired and never reissued—even during Disney’s later cereal partnerships.
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20. Morning Funnies (Ralston, 1988–1989)
Each box of Morning Funnies doubled as a mini comic strip collection, featuring characters like Marvin. The packaging itself stood out, and inside, fruity-shaped cereal pieces delivered a sugary punch. Yet, Morning Funnies only lasted one year, possibly because parents preferred nutrition over comics.
