This Was *The Biggest* Snack Trend The Year You Were Born (2024)

Dairy Queen was founded in 1940 in Joliet, Indiana. The company's signature soft serve quilckly became a favorite snack for kids and parents alike across the country.

M&Ms were first released in 1941 and were invented by Mars as a snack for soldiers in World War II. The small amount was easy to produce on wartime rations, while the hard candy shell prevented the chocolate from melting in a soldier's bag.

The invention of the continuous potato processor allowed Lays to mass produce their popular snack food. The large scale production helped the company grow exponentially in the '40s.

Everyone's favorite gelatinous treat became popular in the early 1940s, largely because of war rationing. It remained one of the most popular sweet snacks until the 1980s.

Although hot dogs were originally a German cuisine, they became popular in America after being brought over by immigrants in the 1890s. By the 1940s, they were America's favorite barbecue food and were even added to the official menu of the White House.

Snacks were tight in the '40s due to food rationing for World War II, so even though instant mashed potatoes are usually considered a side, this McCormick & Company product became a common snack, too.

Who doesn't love the taste of coconut, dark chocolate, and almond slivers in one bite? In 1947, Almond Joys became one of the biggest snack foods after launching the year before.

Cheetos were invented by Fritos founder C.E. Doolin in 1948. Doolin credited the United States military for the invention of the cheesy snack chip, as they had advanced the technology of cheese dehydration during WWII.

Junior Mints just scream old-fashioned movie candy. They were first released in 1949 and were named after the Broadway show, Junior Miss.

Ahh… You remember those gummy little bright pops of color that seemed to become most useful for decorating gingerbread houses as the years passed. Well, Dots were the treat to eat straight out of the box in 1950.

I mean, Dunkin' still makes a mean donut to this day. But back in 1951, a year after the company's inception, everyone was snacking on those frosted doughy delights when the munchies hit.

Developed by food scientist Edwin Traisman and sold by Kraft, Cheez Whiz became the processed, shelf-stable cheese sauce that everyone used to top hot dogs, chips, and more.

Pepperidge Farm expanded from a bread company to cookie moguls in the '50s. People were snacking on these babies all day long for their crispy texture and great flavors.

Today you mostly think of marshmallow Peeps around Easter, but in 1954, these cute, sugary bunnies were a more everyday sort of treat.

M&Ms were the go-to candy back in 1948 after they had been used as rations during World War II. But by 1955, the newest hit was peanut—and for good reason, right?

These little bursts of licorice were super popular—but probably for advertising rather than taste. The "Choo Choo Charlie" character was spot on, as well as their jingle, "Charlie says, 'I love my Good & Plenty.' Charlie says, 'It really rings my bell!'"

An easier way to bake cookies? Everyone was on board once refrigerated cookie dough came on the market.

Chips are the ultimate snacking food, and in 1958, the Frito Company acquired rights to Ruffles, which were a major hit for their fun ridged or “crinkled” shape and amazing taste.

Whoever said ice cream was just for dessert was wrong. Reuben Mattus started marketing the brand in 1959, and everyone was digging into it with a spoon to satisfy their sweet snack cravings.