The 1990s were a time of dial-up internet, boy bands dominating the airwaves, and some bizarre snack creations. While our taste buds may have matured (hopefully!), there's no denying the strange allure of these bygone bites. So, crank up the Backstreet Boys as we revisit the sugary, salty, and sometimes downright perplexing snacks that had us begging Mom for more (or maybe secretly hiding them in our backpacks).

Gushers

Credit: flickr

These bite-sized, juice-filled abominations were a playground status symbol. The artificial fruit flavors were questionable, at best, and the inevitable explosion of sticky syrup left fingers stained and friendships tested.

3D Doritos

Credit: Youtube

Doritos took a wild ride into the third dimension with these oddly shaped chips. Sure, they offered more "crunch per square inch," but the novelty wore thin faster than the flavor coating.

Dunkaroos

Credit: flickr

This seemingly harmless snack was a sugary nightmare. Dipping kangaroo-shaped cookies into frosting felt like a rebellion against healthy lunches, but the aftertaste of pure sugar was a harsh reminder of the consequences.

Pizza Spins!

Credit: aol

These cracker-crust "pizzas" were more like edible cardboard doused in a vaguely tomato-ish paste. Somehow, the promise of "mini pizzas" in our lunchboxes was enough to overcome the reality of cardboard disappointment.

Snack Cakes Gone Wild

Credit: flickr

From Cosmic Brownies to Ring Dings, the 1990s reveled in industrial bakery creations. Day-Glo frosting, questionable sprinkles, and a suspicious lack of real fruit made these "treats" more of a sugar rush than a satisfying snack.

Yoplait Go-Gurt (or similar yogurt tubes)

Credit: Youtube

Remember these technicolor tubes filled with a mystery goo that vaguely resembled yogurt? The only thing oozing here was confusion. The flavor combinations, like "strawberry banana," were questionable, and the texture...well, let's just say it wasn't for the faint of heart.

Hi-C Ecto Cooler

Credit: Instagram

This florescent green beverage was supposedly inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' ooze but tasted more like a chemical spill at a sugar factory. It might explain why it mysteriously vanished from shelves faster than a pizza disappearing after Michelangelo gets hungry.

Surge and Orbitz Soda

Credit: Youtube

These sugary concoctions were the energy drinks of the 1990s, promising a jolt of something (probably not good for our developing bodies). The neon colors and outlandish names were enough to lure us in, but the taste was a battle between artificial sweetness and a vague chemical aftertaste.

Gummy Worms in Dirt

Credit: Instagram

This "snack" was a sensory nightmare. Gummy worms masquerading as "worms" in a bed of chocolate pudding masquerading as "dirt." The only saving grace might have been the tiny plastic shovel included, perfect for reenacting your least favorite childhood chore.

French Toast Crunch

Credit: Facebook

This cereal promised the taste of a beloved breakfast but delivered a soggy, vaguely maple-flavored disappointment. The sad reality is that French toast is best enjoyed hot and fresh out of the pan, not in a sugar-coated cereal form.

Bloopers Bubble Gum

Credit: pexels

This gum was a chaotic explosion of flavor (and sometimes ink stains) all wrapped up in a plastic baseball. Blowing bubbles was a secondary concern compared to the unpredictable bursts of mystery flavors that left tongues tingling and sometimes stained a suspicious blue.

Squeez-Its

Credit: Youtube

These yogurt-filled tubes promised a convenient and mess-free snack, but the reality was a battle against air trying to extract the yogurt and a sticky mess when you finally succeeded. The struggle for that last bit of yogurt was a metaphor for the decade itself: messy, colorful, and ultimately, a little bit strange.

Zorbitz

Credit: Reddit

These candy-coated chewing gum balls looked like miniature planets and promised an intergalactic flavor adventure. In reality, the taste was a confusing mix of artificial sweetness and a faint hint of plastic. The only real adventure was the unpredictable color change as you chewed.

Snack Pack Pudding

Credit: Youtube

A seemingly innocent after-school snack, these pudding cups were a sugary landmine. The chocolate pudding might have been passable, but the vanilla variety often ended up forgotten in lunchboxes, hardening into a pale brick that resembled a science experiment gone wrong. Unearthing this forgotten relic weeks later often resulted in a gag reflex and a mad dash for the nearest trash can.