Overview:
Some Little Debbie snacks fade away due to competition, niche flavors, or weak sales—yet they remain unforgettable to fans. Here’s a look at five discontinued cakes and pies that people still miss, and whether there’s hope for a comeback.
A Bite of Snack History
Little Debbie, one of the most iconic snack brands in America, has been a staple of lunchboxes, after-school treats, and grocery aisles since 1960. Owned by McKee Foods, the company has produced dozens of beloved cakes, pies, and rolls that shaped American snacking culture alongside rivals like Hostess and Drake’s. But not every treat makes the cut. Over the decades, several unique creations have disappeared—some mourned, others barely remembered.
Today, we’ll revisit five discontinued Little Debbie snacks and explore whether there’s any chance we’ll see them again.
Fudge Dipped Banana Rolls
These rolls were a short-lived but memorable treat, available from 2016 to 2018. Imagine a chocolate-covered banana reimagined as a snack cake: a rich fudge coating wrapped around a fluffy sponge cake with sweet banana filling. Fans compared it to the Strawberry Shortcake Roll, though the banana version leaned heavier and richer in taste.
Will it Return?
The chances aren’t terrible. Little Debbie has a history of rolling out Swiss roll–style cakes, and the machinery for making them is already part of their process. Importantly, when the Fudge Dipped Banana Rolls were discontinued, the company never explicitly cited lack of interest—leaving the door cracked open for a future revival.
Snack Fact
The original Swiss Roll, introduced by Little Debbie in 1963, remains one of the brand’s top-selling products worldwide.
Marshmallow Supremes
The Marshmallow Supremes are perhaps the most mysterious of the bunch. Production dates are unclear, and even the year of their disappearance is debated, though most agree they vanished around 2012. These snacks featured a marshmallow fluff center on a brownie base, all encased in a brittle chocolate shell. Delicious, yes—but often criticized for being messy.
Will it Return?
Not likely. With strong competitors like Moon Pies and nearly identical rivals like Pinwheels (cookie base instead of brownie), the Marshmallow Supremes lacked the distinctiveness to stand out. Unless Little Debbie decides to gamble on nostalgia, these are probably gone for good.
PB&J Oatmeal Creme Pies
Few discontinued snacks inspire as much longing as the PB&J Oatmeal Creme Pies (2000–2008). These combined the chewy, treacle-flavored oatmeal cookie base of the brand’s most famous treat with peanut butter and jelly filling. The flavor was nostalgic, comforting, and unique.
Will it Return?
Fans certainly hope so. In fact, a 2018 online petition gathered over 9,000 signatures urging McKee Foods to bring it back. Still, the company tends to phase out snacks that don’t sell consistently, and even cult followings don’t always justify production costs. That said, the simplicity and popularity of peanut butter and jelly could make this one of the better candidates for revival.
Snack Fact
The Oatmeal Creme Pie, first sold in 1960, was the very first Little Debbie product. It remains one of the most popular items to this day.
Coconut Crunch
This elusive snack is nearly forgotten, with packaging photos scarce even online. Structured like a Nutty Buddy, Coconut Crunch swapped peanut butter for coconut cream, drizzled with vanilla glaze and topped with toasted coconut. While divisive in flavor, it had a loyal following among coconut lovers.
Will it Return?
Highly unlikely. Coconut is already a polarizing flavor, usually relegated to seasonal releases. Having been discontinued since the 1990s, the Coconut Crunch is more of a snack ghost than a likely comeback candidate. Still, for those who remember them, they hold a nostalgic place in the Little Debbie story.
P.B. Richies
The P.B. Richies were decadence in snack cake form: moist chocolate cake filled with creamy peanut butter and covered in a chocolate shell. They were rich, indulgent, and loved by many—but their downfall came from business strategy. In 2012, McKee Foods acquired Drake’s, a brand that already produced Funny Bones, a nearly identical peanut butter–filled cake. Rather than compete with themselves, McKee retired the Richies.
Will it Return?
Very unlikely. With Funny Bones still on the market, McKee has no incentive to reintroduce a competing version under the Little Debbie name. Fans may have to settle for the Drake’s alternative.
Snack Fact
The Little Debbie brand was named after founder O.D. McKee’s granddaughter, Debbie McKee-Fowler, who still plays an active role in the company today.
Final Thoughts
Little Debbie’s discontinued snacks are more than just sugary treats—they’re cultural touchstones, remembered fondly by fans who grew up with them. While some might have a slim chance of return, others are destined to remain in the vault of snack history.
Still, nostalgia has a funny way of reshaping markets. As more companies tap into retro branding and bring back beloved products, it’s never impossible that one or two of these snacks might stage a comeback. Until then, they remain sweet memories.
Sources
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