Buzz
From the 1980s to the 2000s, breakfast cereals experienced their golden era. During this time, manufacturers introduced an endless array of varieties, shapes, colors, and some truly questionable flavors. Whether you craved sweetness, healthiness, or something in between, there was a cereal for every taste.
While everyone has their go-to cereal (looking at you, Peanut Butter Captain Crunch), there are plenty of options you’d buy once and never touch again. Below are ten of the most revolting cereal flavors that were eventually pulled from shelves.
10. Ice Cream Cones
In 1986, General Mills had the bold idea that if cookies were acceptable for breakfast, why not ice cream? The result was Ice Cream Cone cereal, a bizarre creation available in chocolate and chocolate chip flavors that left much to be desired.
These cereals were so poorly received that they were pulled from shelves almost immediately after their launch. Parents were appalled at the thought of feeding their kids ice cream for breakfast. What initially seemed like a brilliant concept turned out to be a major misstep.
Attempts to revive Ice Cream Cones in 2003 also fell flat. Today, the cereal is remembered as one of the most unappetizing options that simply didn’t resonate with consumers.
9. Cupcake Pebbles
While Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles remain household favorites, Cupcake Pebbles thankfully didn’t last. Available from 2010 to 2011, the cereal’s packaging boasted slogans sweeter than the cereal itself, including phrases like “Good old wholesome sweetened rice cereal with artificial flavor.” It’s hard to imagine a worse way to market a product.
Cupcake Pebbles were so unappealing that even Barney and Fred, the beloved Flintstones characters, avoided them. Instead, their kids, Bamm-Bamm and Pebbles, were featured on the box. Whether you loved or hated this cereal, one thing is certain—the marketing slogan was a disaster.
8. Batman Cereal
Batman Cereal had all the makings of a hit—bat-shaped pieces and the branding of a legendary superhero. Unfortunately, its terrible flavor kept it from achieving greatness.
Sales soared in the initial months after its launch, thanks to a plastic Batman collectible bank included in the box. Kids begged their parents for the cereal, and many households gave in to the hype.
But the cereal’s appeal was purely superficial. The so-called “natural honey nut flavor” advertised on the packaging failed to impress. Consumers found it fell far short of the promises made in its flashy commercials, leading to its discontinuation in 1990.
It seems nothing could surpass the timeless appeal of Honey Nut Cheerios, which debuted in the 1970s.
7. Nickelodeon Green Slime Cereal
The Nickelodeon channel launched in the late 1970s but didn’t gain significant traction until the early 1980s. One of its popular shows, You Can’t Do That on Television, featured a quirky trivia segment where contestants were doused with water if they said the word “water.”
The real fun began when contestants said, “I don’t know,” resulting in them being covered in slime. This simple yet entertaining gimmick captivated audiences, as no one on the show was safe from the slime.
Capitalizing on the show’s success, Nickelodeon teamed up with General Mills in 2003 to launch Green Slime cereal. The cereal was introduced to coincide with the Kids’ Choice Awards, aiming to bring the slime phenomenon to breakfast tables.
Unfortunately, the cereal failed to capture the magic of the show. Its unappealing taste, combined with its slime-like color and smell, made it a hard sell. It didn’t take long for Nickelodeon to discontinue the product, making room for more palatable and less revolting breakfast options.
6. Sour Patch Kids
The Sour Patch Kids cereal was so poorly received that its discontinuation went unannounced. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to it, now you know! Despite its colorful, sugary appeal, it was widely regarded as a novelty item rather than a breakfast staple.
Although the cereal’s commercials were catchy and enticing, most families couldn’t imagine eating it regularly. Ironically, despite being called “Sour” Patch Kids, the cereal contained a staggering 40% sugar—a level most health-conscious individuals would avoid.
Surprisingly, the cereal wasn’t even particularly sweet. It’s a clear sign of failure when the advertisements are more enjoyable than the product itself.
5. Nintendo Cereal System
If you’re a die-hard Super Mario enthusiast, you might recall the Nintendo Cereal System, launched by Ralston Cereals in 1988. This cereal was inspired by two iconic video games of the era: The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros.
Unfortunately, like many cereals tied to popular franchises, the Nintendo Cereal System didn’t stand the test of time, primarily due to its unappealing taste.
Initially, sales were strong as Super Mario fans eagerly bought the cereal to connect with their favorite game. However, it quickly became clear that the cereal was more of a hindrance than a treat, ruining the most important meal of the day.
The flavor was so disappointing that the cereal was discontinued. Despite this, it has become a sought-after collector’s item, with some boxes selling for over $200. It’s safe to say that buyers weren’t paying for the taste.
4. Urkel-Os
Urkel-Os was a strawberry and banana-flavored cereal adored by millennials but despised by Gen Z. Inspired by the ’90s sitcom Family Matters, this cereal celebrated the quirky, lovable character Urkel, who often wore shirts matching the cereal’s vibrant colors.
Unlike other failed cereals, Urkel-Os enjoyed some popularity before being dismissed as a subpar option. Its flavor simply couldn’t compete with iconic circular cereals like Froot Loops.
Urkel might still ask, “Did I do that?” but the cereal’s legacy remains questionable.
3. Frute Brute
Frute Brute debuted in 1974 but was discontinued by 1982. This cherry-flavored, frosted cereal featured a werewolf mascot and was part of the Monster Cereal lineup. Despite General Mills’ reputation, this particular product missed the mark entirely.
Frute Brute was an absolute flop, and its extended shelf life was purely coincidental. Its fleeting popularity stemmed from its appearances in iconic films like Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, which left a lasting impression.
However, its sales were as fictional as its movie cameos. A cherry-flavored cereal? For many, it was like eating breakfast that tasted like cough syrup—hardly appetizing.
2. Mr. T
Laurence “Mr. T” Tureaud, a wrestler and actor, was a cultural icon in the ’80s. Known for his roles in The A-Team (1983–1987) and Rocky III (1982), his fame led to the creation of Mr. T cereal, aimed at satisfying his devoted fanbase.
The cereal featured “T”-shaped pieces to honor the actor’s larger-than-life persona. Sadly, its taste didn’t live up to the legend it was named after. Universally panned as inedible, the cereal was quickly pulled from shelves.
Even a cameo in the film Pee Wee’s Big Adventure couldn’t save the cereal from being discontinued. Despite its promising concept, marketing, and production, it seems no one thought to taste-test it before launch.
Perhaps this is one case where we truly can pity the fool… who bought this dreadful cereal.
1. Banana Frosted Flakes
This choice might stir some controversy, but many agreed that Banana Frosted Flakes were a miss. It’s no wonder Kellogg pulled the plug on this flavor. While the idea of incorporating bananas into breakfast sounded appealing, the overly sweet, crunchy banana pieces were far from the real thing.
Launched in 1981, the cereal was discontinued by 1984. However, Kellogg recently brought back a new version, Banana Crème Frosted Flakes, which many consider an improvement. Only time will tell if this iteration lasts longer than its predecessor.
