This Popular Breakfast Cereal Had A Banana Flavor In The '80s, And We Want It Back Pronto
Bananas are nutritious, full of potassium and fiber. Not to mention, you never have to worry about biting into a banana seed. They go well with chocolate, and you certainly couldn't make banana bread without them. In fact, there are countless ways to put a banana to good use. But true banana buffs (of a certain age) know that Kellogg's Banana Frosted Flakes was the pick of the bunch in its day, and people are still bummed that it hasn't been around for decades.
On the market only from 1981 to 1984, this cereal was barely a blip on the banana radar — gone before most people even knew it existed. Due to its very short run, the fan base was small, yet mighty. Banana Frosted Flakes enthusiasts raved about how every flake was speckled with real banana pieces, which gave the cereal added crunch and intensified the banana flavor. One Redditor shared that they faithfully ate a bowl every morning before school, and that no other banana cereal quite measures up.
Sadly, though, Kellogg's stopped production in 1984, and the cereal went to the great supermarket in the sky. One fan of the flakes admitted that she cried when she heard the news. And today, some people continue to keep their eyes peeled for the return of these golden flakes of banana splendor, even begging Kellogg's to reconsider. But we don't think they're coming back — though the company did introduce a banana crème-flavored Frosted Flakes, also for a limited time, in 2019.
Frosted Flakes flavors that have also disappeared
Banana faithful, never fear. You can still get your banana fix, even in cereal form, in products like Great Grains Banana Nut Crunch. Special K also currently has a banana nut bread-flavored protein cereal available, or you can go for some Banana Caramel Cheerios, which taste just like bananas Foster in a bowl. Sadly, none of them taste quite like Banana Frosted Flakes — and they're not the only Frosted Flakes flavor we'll never try again.
Kellogg's gave chocolate-flavored Frosted Flakes a go several times — first in 1997 with Cocoa Frosted Flakes, which only stuck around until 2000. Then, chocolate got another shot in 2017 with Chocolate Frosted Flakes, but those didn't last either and were gradually phased out. Now, Kellogg's has finally landed on chocolate milkshake flavor, plus a chocolate peanut flavor, both available today. The third time's the charm.
In 2016, Kellogg's rolled out Cinnamon Frosted Flakes, but in 2023, they suffered the fate of so many failed flake flavors and were discontinued. Kellogg's also tried out a Cinnamon French Toast variety in 2022 that likewise didn't stick around long.
Finally, saving the most tragic discontinuation for last, Kellogg's Birthday Confetti Frosted Flakes came out in 1997 and went away the same year. The cereal was released to celebrate the occasion of Tony the Tiger's 45th birthday, and Kellogg's didn't keep the party going past that year. Still, losing a cereal with rainbow sprinkles on every flake has us crying in our cornflakes.