Nostalgic snacks you'll ONLY know if you grew up in Britain

Nostalgic nibbles

Children these days can walk into a shop and grab crisps and treats from all over the world – but back in the day, our options were a bit less glamorous. Remember the excitement when you opened your lunchbox to find Rice Krispies Squares, pickled onion Monster Munch or a Twix? Ideally followed by a Fab ice lolly or a bright blue Hush Puppy on the way home from school. Here, we look at the snacks we fell in love with while growing up in Britain.

Read on for a bite of nostalgia as we remember the amazing snacks we used to eat, from the 1930s to the 2000s.

1932: Twiglets

A staple of Christmas buffet tables, Twiglets were one of the UK’s first savoury snacks, invented in 1929 when French biscuit maker J. Rondalin decided to add brewer's yeast to a leftover batch of cracker dough. They were first sold here in 1932 and have been in our cupboards ever since. The distinctive flavour of the crunchy sticks is similar to Marmite, and certainly tends to be something you either love or hate. The recipe for Twiglets was changed significantly in 2022, with the new version containing 60% less salt and being baked rather than fried.

1932: Anglo Bubbly

If there’s one bubblegum that you remember from your childhood growing up in the UK, it’s probably this vintage gem. Anglo Bubbly was introduced to the UK in 1932 by the British confectioner Barratt and became a favourite treat for many generations, instantly recognisable for its bright pink colour, round shape and distinctive pear flavour. After a packaging revamp in 2009 the recipe was tweaked slightly, so it’s now made from 100% natural colours and flavours.

1947: Golden Wonder

One of Britain’s most famous crisp companies, Golden Wonder was founded in 1947 by Edinburgh baker William Alexander. The story goes that, after finishing a shift frying doughnuts in a deep fat fryer, he didn’t want the machines to be redundant so started dropping slices of potato into them. He delivered big bags of his crisps around the city, and they were an instant hit. By 1964, Golden Wonder was the biggest crisp company in the UK, going on to create nostalgic favourites like Wotsits, Ringos and the robot-shaped Transform-A-Snack.

1954: Frosties

It’s no surprise that kids in the 1950s went wild for this sugar-coated breakfast cereal. Kellogg’s Sugar Frosted Flakes, which went on to be called Frosties in the UK, launched in 1954, and were an instant hit thanks to the ingenious marketing campaign using legendary mascot Tony the Tiger and his famous catchphrase, 'They're gr-r-reat!' Despite modern trends against sugary cereal, it remains a bestseller.

1954: cheese and onion crisps

Nowadays crisps come in every conceivable shape and variety, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that someone had the bright idea to flavour them. In 1954, the first flavoured crisps were invented by Joe ‘Spud. Murphy (owner of the Irish company Tayto) who developed a technique to add cheese and onion seasoning during production. Salt and vinegar and smoky bacon flavours soon followed, and sales were so high, the company had to expand rapidly.

1960: Opal Fruits

Launched in 1960 in the UK as Opal Fruits, the individually wrapped chews in lemon, lime, orange and strawberry flavours were renamed Starburst for the US market when they crossed the Atlantic in 1967. A few years later the brand made way for a blackcurrant flavour and combined the lemon and lime. They were eventually rebranded as Starburst in Britain in 1998, but to many they'll always be Opal Fruits.

1967: Fab ice lolly

An enduring summertime treat, the Fab lolly was first sold in 1967 alongside the rocket-shaped Zoom, another cult favourite that was sadly discontinued in the late 1990s. Each Fab – which stands for fruit and berries – has three layers of strawberry, milk and chocolate, covered in hundreds and thousands sprinkles. It remains popular to this day, and various limited-edition flavours have been released over the years including orange, lemon and a special Birthday Cake version to celebrate the lolly’s 50th anniversary.

1967: Angel Delight

Desserts don’t get more retro than Angel Delight, which was adored by parents and kids alike because the sachets could easily be made up and enjoyed within minutes. Launched by Bird’s in 1967 it was first available in a strawberries and cream variety, but the more recognisable core flavours of strawberry, butterscotch, banana and chocolate were soon introduced.

1967: Twix

Many of the world’s most iconic chocolate bars are US inventions, but the Twix is a thoroughly British creation, first produced at Mars’ Slough factory and launched in 1967. The twin biscuits (hence the name Twix) with soft caramel and chocolate have done remarkably well ever since. According to the latest statistics, a staggering 161 million Twix bars are sold around the world every year.

1974: Skittles

Skittles, you may be surprised to hear, are not a US creation but a British one, appearing in UK shops in 1974 (crossing the Atlantic five years later). These fruity, chewy sweets with hard shells have been a runaway success thanks, in part, to quirky, colourful and often surreal ad campaigns.

1974: Slush Puppie

For many kids, long, hot summers were all about cooling off with an icy slushy. These garish beverages, responsible for giving millions brain freeze, are actually a relatively recent treat, invented by Omar Knedlik (owner of American fast food chain Dairy Queen) in the late 1950s. The slushy drinks craze came to the UK in 1974 when Slush Puppie started selling its distinctive bright blue and red drinks at shops all over the country. It remains Britain's top slushy brand today.

1977: Pot Noodle

Pot Noodle was launched way back in 1977 by Golden Wonder, when convenience food was all the rage and noodles were exotic. The original idea of 'cup noodles' came from Japan, but Pot Noodle put a very British twist on the idea of ramen with recognisable flavours like Chicken & Mushroom and Beef & Tomato. Cheap and easy, this was a student staple – all you needed to know was how to boil a kettle.

1977: Monster Munch

Launched in 1977 by Smiths, Monster Munch was initially rolled out as The Prime Monster and advertised as being ‘bigger than your average snack’ due to the hefty size of the crisps – but was quickly rebranded as Monster Munch in 1978. Over four decades later they’re still a much-loved snacking option, renowned for their airy texture, distinctive monster foot shape and punchy flavours, including Roast Beef, Pickled Onion and Spicy Flamin’ Hot.

1977: Ring Pops

A popular treat in the late 1970s, Ring Pops jewelled-shaped candy rings from American brand Topps were so big they made your hand ache. But they lasted for ages and came in some great flavours, such as cotton candy bubble gum and cherry. They’re still available to buy today.

1982: Egg McMuffin

This snack would be eaten all day if McDonald’s allowed it but breakfast menus usually end by 10.30am in the US and 11am in the UK. Consisting of a griddled egg, bacon and American cheese in a toasted English muffin, it’s been a key dish on the US menu since the early 1970s, however breakfast wasn't introduced to British restaurants until 1982.

1986: Tracker bars

Nature Valley was first to create the mass-produced granola bar, introducing this fruit, nut and cereal snack to the American public in the mid-1970s. However, in the UK it was all about the Tracker bar, which was launched by Mars in 1986 and was the UK’s first cereal bar. Many granola bars have since faced criticism for their high sugar content, and today there are a plethora of options with varying degrees of nutritiousness.

1988: Bubble Tape

Hubba Bubba gum always had a young following because of its excellent bubble blowing potential. But Wrigley really struck gold when Bubble Tape was launched in the late 1980s. Its success was attributed to its unique (at the time) tape dispenser packaging and the variety of flavours.

1990: Pop-Tarts

An instant hit, these toasted sweet pastries weren’t frosted when they arrived on American shelves in 1964 – this extra touch was added a few years later. However, British customers had to wait almost 30 years to get their hands on the tasty treats. Pop-Tarts were introduced here, with a fair amount of fanfare, in the early 1990s, and they proved wildly popular. Originally available in four flavours, there are around two-dozen varieties available these days.

1991: Pringles

Pringles were first sold from 1967 as Pringles Newfangled Potato Chips but it was from 1975, when they were widely distributed, that the brand really took off in the USA. They arrived in British shops in 1991 and the catchy slogan, ‘Once you pop you can’t stop’, sealed the snack’s fame as one of the most recognisable potato crisp brands around. The stackable crisp brand is best known for its classic red, green and blue tubes, but around the world you can find flavours from deep-fried pickle to wasabi mayo.

1993: Red Bull

The sickly energy drink known for its hefty caffeine content was launched in 1987 in Austria, and fast became a favourite with sports players, students and party goers. It came to the UK in 1993 and it’s still the bestselling energy drink in the world – in 2023 more than 12 billion cans were sold.

1994: Ben & Jerry's ice cream

Starting with one ice cream parlour in Vermont, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield built up an empire in a few years, thanks to their creative flavours, quirky packaging and ethical stance. By 1981 they were opening their first franchise and by the mid-1980s, everyone wanted to try their ice cream. In 1994, the first pints of Ben & Jerry's ice cream began to appear in the UK, and iconic flavours like Phish Food and Cherry Garcia blew our minds. Pictured is the first ever Ben & Jerry’s, located in an old gas station in Vermont.

1994: Doritos

Doritos tortilla chips have been around since 1964 when Frito-Lay’s marketing vice president discovered the snack at Disneyland, California. Doritos were launched into the UK in 1994 and quickly became a household name. The salty chips are ubiquitous all over the world today.

1995: Rice Krispies Squares

Parents and kids had been making Rice Krispie cakes at home, by combining the crunchy cereal with melted butter and marshmallows, for years before Kellogg’s finally launched its own packaged version in 1995. Soft, crunchy and chewy, they were a lunchbox staple for many of us. Kellogg’s also marketed a Rice Krispie Treats breakfast cereal in the USA, but it was discontinued a few years ago.

1996: Cheesestrings

Bursting onto the snack scene in 1996 with a zany-looking cheese character and the catchy tagline ‘Real A-peelable Cheese’, Cheesestrings were loved by kids because they made playing with your food acceptable. Parents got on board because they were made of ‘real’ cheese. Produced by Strings & Things, these tube-shaped, plastic-wrapped snacks had a unique texture that allowed you to peel off strings of cheese. Over time, the brand has introduced various flavours and types, including Twisted (a combination of Cheddar and mozzarella) and Pizza.

1996: Reese's Pieces

Launched in the USA 1978, Reese’s Pieces are peanut-flavoured candies in an orange, brown or yellow crispy coating that were immortalised in the 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – a great early example of successful product placement. However, Reese’s mania didn’t reach British shores for almost two decades, when the tasty nuggets finally became available in 1996.

1998: Dairylea Lunchables

Only the luckiest 1990s school children got Dairylea Lunchables instead of soggy sandwiches in their packed lunch. These handy snack boxes first came on sale in 1998 (back when we didn’t really think about ultra-processed food and single-use plastics) and contained perfect little rounds of ham and processed cheese, which you could sandwich together inside crackers for the ultimate make-your-own lunch.

1998: Gatorade

Now, here’s an interesting fact: Gatorade, the sports drink formulated in 1965, was named after the Florida Gators, the sports teams that represent the University of Florida. At one point it was the market leader in the energy drink category and while it’s generally credited as the first sports drink, the accolade actually goes to British brand Lucozade. Again, fans in the UK had to wait decades to get a taste of the drink – it was finally in Britain in 1998 as part of a huge global expansion.

2000: McFlurry

Invented by a Canadian franchise in 1995 and rolled out across the US in 1998, the McFlurry has become an integral item on the McDonald’s menu. The soft serve ice cream is crowned with a vast array of toppings that include Crunchie, Oreo and Dairy Milk. Fans in the UK had to wait until 2000 to get their hands on the icy treat.

2005: Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans

Capitalising on the obsession with all things Harry Potter, Jelly Belly obtained the licence to sell Muggle versions of the Every Flavour Beans described in the books. Less appetising flavours include soap, bacon and dirt, but that certainly hasn’t put Potter fans off.

2006: McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap

In a move towards healthier menu items, McDonald’s introduced the Chicken Snack Wrap in 2006. Made from crispy chicken, lettuce, cheese and dressing in a tortilla wrap, the portable wraps were a particular hit amongst young customers. But despite its popularity, the cult menu item was discontinued in 2016, apparently because it was too time-consuming for staff to make. However, McDonald’s has hinted the snack wrap will be making a comeback in 2025.

2010: cupcakes

The cupcake trend was more of an explosion than a steady rise. In one episode of Sex and the City, Miranda and Carrie go to Magnolia's Cupcakes and in 2010 the shop had to be taken off the NYC tour as it couldn't keep up with demand. The trend is thought to have peaked in 2012, with the closure of US cupcake chain Crumbs in 2015 being the final nail in the coffin. Cupcake lovers may vehemently dispute this, however, and British chains like Lola's Bakery and The Hummingbird Bakery are still going strong.

2011: posh pork scratchings

It was only a matter of time before pork scratchings got a modern update and became fashionable again. Previously these meaty morsels had been a bit of a guilty pleasure your dad might enjoy with a pint at the pub, and Black Country brand Mr Porky started making the most famous version in 1960. But since the early 2010s, artisan producers have been putting a gourmet twist on the snack, with brands like Mr Trotter’s (founded in 2011) leading the way by using quality meat and natural flavourings.

2012: Popchips

Known for a big celebrity marketing campaign that featured Katy Perry and Ashton Kutcher, Popchips are made in a similar way to puffed rice cakes, which makes them lighter and lower in calories, fat and saturated fat than conventional potato chips. They launched in the US in 2007, arriving in Britain in 2012. Popchips are also GM-free and contain no artificial colours or flavours, but critics say they’re still just potatoes and salt, albeit a healthier version.

2013: cronuts

This was the year of the cronut, a croissant-doughnut hybrid that was created by French chef Dominique Ansel in his NYC bakery. Curious customers lined the streets to try it and images of the creation went viral on social media. It’s regarded as one of the most talked about desserts ever, and even made it onto Time's list of the 25 Best Inventions of 2013.

2014: gourmet popcorn

Gourmet popcorn was all the rage in 2014, largely influenced by London producer Joe & Seph’s, which rose to fame with its legendary salted caramel popcorn in 2010. Flavours soon went beyond sweet and salty with more adventurous varieties such as banoffee, Cheddar cheese and even gin and tonic. With popcorn still one of the nation's favourite snacks, it's a trend we're glad came and stayed.

2015: microwave mug cake

Google called these homemade, Instagram-friendly mug cakes a national trend when it showed an 82% growth in web searches for 'microwave mug cake' between December 2015 and January 2016. Making typically time-consuming baking recipes the work of mere minutes, the easy cakes just involve mixing your ingredients (typically, flour, sugar, fat and any flavourings) in a mug, popping it in the microwave – and tucking in after just a few minutes' cooking time.

2016: rainbow bagel

Although baker and ‘world premier bagel artist’ Scott Rossillo has been making these striking bagels for nearly two decades, it took Jonathan Cheban, a friend of Kim Kardashian, to post about them on social media for the frenzy to start. The rest, as they say, is history.

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