The 1980s was a vibrant and memorable era, not only for fashion and music, but also for the snack industry. It is impossible to remember the decade without recalling the sensational chips that dominated store shelves and delighted taste buds. In this article, we take a tasteful journey back in time to discover the iconic chips that were a sensation in the ’80s and captivated snack lovers with their unique flavors, bold packaging and irresistible crunch.
Doritos
The ’80s saw the meteoric rise of Doritos, the tortilla chips that revolutionized the snacking landscape. Bursting with bold and tangy flavors like Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch, Doritos quickly became a staple at parties, movie nights and casual gatherings. With their distinctive triangular shape, intense seasoning and addictive crunch, Doritos captured the hearts and taste buds of snack enthusiasts across the country.
Popular flavor
- Nacho Cheese: The Nacho Cheese flavor became a true icon in the Doritos line. These triangular tortilla chips were coated with a bold and tangy cheese seasoning that delivered a satisfyingly cheesy and savory taste. Nacho Cheese Doritos quickly became a fan favorite and paved the way for Doritos’ success.
- Cool Ranch: Introduced in the early ’80s, Cool Ranch Doritos offered a spicy and tangy flavor profile. These chips were seasoned with a blend of herbs, spices and ranch flavoring, providing a refreshing and slightly tangy flavor that complemented the chip’s crunchy texture.
Pringles
Pringles, the stackable potato chips, gained immense popularity in the ’80s for their unique shape, addictive taste and iconic cylindrical packaging. Known for their satisfying crunch and consistent flavor, these perfectly uniform chips offered a wide variety of flavors, including Original, Sour Cream & Onion, and BBQ. Pringles’ convenient packaging and irresistible taste made them a must-have snack for individuals and social gatherings.
Popular flavor
- Original: The Original flavor of Pringles was a timeless classic enjoyed for decades. These crispy potato chips were lightly salted and offered a simple and satisfying potato taste. The consistent shape and flavor of Original Pringles made them a snack staple.
- Sour Cream & Onion: Pringles’ Sour Cream & Onion flavor was a hit in the ’80s. These chips were coated with a tangy and creamy sour cream and onion seasoning, delivering a savory and slightly tangy taste with a hint of onion flavor. The combination of the smooth sour cream and the pungent onion created a deliciously addictive flavor.
Ruffles
Ruffles, known for their distinctive ridged texture, made a splash in the ’80s snack scene. These thick-cut potato chips delivered a hearty crunch that snack lovers couldn’t resist. With flavors like Cheddar & Sour Cream and All Dressed, Ruffles offered a satisfying combination of bold seasonings and robust potato flavor. Whether enjoyed on their own or paired with dips, Ruffles chips became a go-to option for those seeking a satisfying and indulgent snacking experience.
Popular flavor
- Cheddar & Sour Cream: Ruffles’ Cheddar & Sour Cream flavor was a standout in the ’80s. These ridged potato chips were generously coated with a savory cheddar cheese seasoning balanced with the tang of sour cream. The result was a rich and creamy flavor that perfectly complemented the hearty crunch of the Ruffles chips.
Cheetos
The quintessential cheesy snack, Cheetos gained immense popularity in the ’80s for their addictive cheesy flavor and bright orange color. These crunchy, finger-licking delights have brought joy to countless snacking enthusiasts. From the classic Cheetos Crunchy to the puffy Cheetos Puffs, these cheesy snacks became a symbol of fun and indulgence that captured the hearts of children and adults alike.
Popular flavor
- Crunchy: Cheetos Crunchy, the classic cheesy snack, was a staple of the ’80s. These puffed corn snacks were coated in a bright orange cheese seasoning for a bold and cheesy flavor. The satisfying crunch and irresistible cheese flavor made Cheetos Crunchy a favorite snack for cheese lovers.
Lay’s
A snack brand that has stood the test of time, Lay’s continued to be a favorite in the ’80s with its classic potato chips. Known for their thin and crispy texture, Lay’s chips offered a simple yet satisfying snacking experience. With flavors like Original, Barbecue, and Sour Cream & Onion, Lay’s offered a wide range of options to satisfy different taste preferences. The iconic yellow bag and unmistakable Lay’s taste made these chips a familiar and beloved choice for snack enthusiasts throughout the decade.
Popular flavor
- Barbecue: Lay’s Barbecue flavor was a popular choice in the ’80s. These thin and crispy potato chips were flavored with a smoky and tangy barbecue seasoning for a perfect balance of sweet, savory and slightly spicy flavors. The barbecue flavor provided a delicious twist on the classic Lay’s chip.
- Sour Cream & Onion: Lay’s Sour Cream & Onion flavor was a timeless favorite. These thin and crispy chips were coated with a creamy and tangy sour cream and onion seasoning, resulting in a flavor combination that was both refreshing and savory.
What other popular snacks were there in the 80’s?
In addition to the iconic chips that dominated the ’80s snack scene, there were several other popular snack foods that captured taste buds and satisfied cravings during this nostalgic era. Here are some notable mentions:
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Pop Rocks:
Pop Rocks, the fizzy candy sensation, burst onto the scene in the ’80s, creating a unique and exciting snacking experience. These tiny, colorful candy pebbles popped and crackled on the tongue, delighting children and adults alike. Pop Rocks came in a variety of flavors, and their explosive nature made them a favorite among adventurous snackers.
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Fruit Roll-Ups:
Fruit Roll-Ups were a popular snack that combined fruity flavors with playful fun. Available in a variety of bright colors and flavors, these chewy, rollable fruit snacks enticed kids with their sweet taste and interactive nature. Unrolling Fruit Roll-Ups and enjoying their fruity goodness was a favorite pastime for many young snack lovers.
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Gushers:
Gushers were a fruity snack sensation that hit the market in the late ’80s. These bite-sized treats featured a liquid-filled center that burst with flavor when bitten into. With flavors like Strawberry Splash and Tropical Punch, Gushers offered a juicy and exciting snacking experience that left a lasting impression on those who indulged.
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Bugles:
Bugles, crunchy corn snacks shaped like little cones, gained popularity in the ’80s for their unique shape and satisfying crunch. Their distinctive design made them fun to eat, often prompting people to place them on their fingertips and pretend they were witch’s fingers. Bugles came in a variety of flavors and were enjoyed by snack enthusiasts looking for a tasty and crunchy treat.
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Hostess Twinkies:
Hostess Twinkies, the iconic cream-filled golden sponge cakes, remained a popular snack throughout the ’80s. These sweet and indulgent treats gained a cult following, and their soft texture and creamy filling made them a go-to choice for those craving a nostalgic and satisfying snack.
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Jell-O Pudding Pops:
A popular frozen treat in the ’80s, Jell-O Pudding Pops offered a creamy and refreshing option for snack lovers. These frozen pops featured layers of smooth and flavorful Jell-O pudding, offering a delightful combination of flavor and texture that was enjoyed by both kids and adults.
These snacks, along with the iconic chips mentioned earlier, contributed to the diverse and exciting snacking landscape of the ’80s. From the fizzy, popping sensation of Pop Rocks to the fruity fun of Fruit Roll-Ups, these snacks brought a sense of adventure and fun to snack time and left a lasting impression on those who enjoyed them during this nostalgic decade.
Bottom line
The 80s was an era of vibrant flavors and memorable snacking experiences, fueled by iconic chips that became an integral part of pop culture. From the bold and spicy Doritos to the stackable Pringles, from the hearty crunch of Ruffles to the cheesy delight of Cheetos and the timeless appeal of Lay’s, these chips not only satisfied cravings, but also became symbols of fun, indulgence and nostalgia. As we reflect on this flavorful decade, let us celebrate the enduring charm of these iconic chips that have brought joy and satisfying crunch to snack lovers everywhere.
FAQs
What chips were popular in the 80s?
What was the most popular snack in the 1980s?
25 Classic Foods from the ’80s
- Slice Soda.
- Hostess Pudding Pies.
- Triple Power Push Pops.
- Dr. Pepper Gum.
- Ranch Dressing.
- Original New York Seltzer.
- Giggles Cookies.
- Squeezits.
What kind of food was popular in the 80s?
Top 15 Food and Drinks from the 1980s
- Vol au Vents. The ’80s is sometimes referred to as the decade of decadence, and when it came to glamorous food, it just had to be French.
- Pasta Salad.
- Sloppy Joes.
- Beef Stroganoff.
- Veal Tonnato.
- Tiramisù
- Sex on the beach cocktail.
What snacks were popular in the 80s UK?
You could add other retro snacks which are still available including Smith’s Scampi Fries (I could never get enough of these!), Bacon Fries, Pork Scratchings, Golden Wonder Ringos, Wotsits, Monster Munch (preferably pickled onion), Space Raiders (again, pickled onion were popular) and Cheese Quavers.
What people ate in the 1980?
10 Recipes That Defined the 1980s
- Spinach Dip in a Pumpernickel Bread Bowl. Spinach and Artichoke Dip (Image credit: Nealey Dozier)
- Jell-O Pudding Pops.
- Sloppy Joes.
- Sushi.
- Blackened Cajun Seafood.
- Pasta Salad.
- Totino’s Pizza Rolls.
- Poppy Seed Dressing and Raspberry Vinaigrette.
What snack foods came out in the 80s?
And for more, don’t miss these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.
- Hi-C Ecto Cooler.
- Fruit Wrinkles.
- Squeezit.
- Magic Middles.
- Hostess Pudding Pie.
- Dixies Snack Crackers.
- Oreo Big Stuf.
- Hershey Bar None.
What do you serve at a 80s party?
15 of the best 80’s Party Foods!
- We’re asked for your suggestions of the best retro party foods. Cheese Ball.
- Apricot Chicken.
- Hedgehogs.
- Asparagus rolls.
- Vol au vents.
- Can of smoked oysters mashed into sour cream with lemon juice. Great dip to have with julienned carrot & celery strips.
- Avocado soup.
- Yo Yo biscuits.
What foods were popular in 1981?
8 favorite foods that first appeared in 1981
- I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. The bygone Baltimore-based manufacturer J.H.
- Lean Cuisine. In the ’80s, people started talking a lot more about dieting, cholesterol, aerobics, etc.
- Pudding Pops.
- Chicken McNuggets.
- McRib.
- Bartles & Jaymes.
- Better Cheddars.
- Nutri-Grain.
What food came out in 1981?
1981 was an exciting year for snackers. Revolutionary, we might say. Cult classics like pudding pops and McNuggets first hit freezers and fryers that year. It was also the start of the health craze.