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Retro Candy Flashback: Wacky Wafers

Categories: Candy,Classic and Retro Candy

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I hate bananas, I can’t dance, and I have no idea how to unicycle, but I would gladly dance upon a unicycle across the country in a giant banana costume if it meant the return of my beloved Wacky Wafers.

Wacky Wafers were a delicious candy once manufactured by the Willy Wonka Candy Company, which is now owned by Nestle. Upon acquiring the company, Nestle decided to keep the Wonka staples: Nerds and Everlasting Gobstoppers were both spared. It was curtains for Wacky Wafers, however; a tragic event for Candy Addicts everywhere.

What made Wacky Wafers so great was their composition. They were a beautiful amalgamation of the best elements of other candies: the chalky wafer feel of a Necco, the sugary snap of SweetTarts, and the creative flavoring that is best represented in Wacky Wafers’ surviving sister candy, Bottle Caps.

Each Wacky Wafer had a distinct flavor: you didn’t eat a “yellow” wafer, you ate a banana one. Some argue that Giant Chewy SweetTarts are a decent replacement for Wacky Wafers, but I have to disagree. With a Wacky Wafer, I knew what I was tasting, unlike the “I think it’s cherry, no wait, it’s lime, no… it’s orange?” reaction that I often get from SweetTarts. As I mentioned earlier, I hate bananas, but for some reason, the banana Wacky Wafer was one of my very favorite candies. It had a lovely flavor: sweet but not overwhelmingly so, a bit like a giant banana Runt that had been crushed by a magical, wacky, delicious steamroller.

Perhaps this is all nostalgia: if Wacky Wafers had made it to 2007, would I still love them as much? It’s hard to say. But I’m willing to get on that unicycle to find out, if that’s what it takes. You hear me, Mr. Wonka? My costume is in the mail and I’ve got my dancin’ shoes on.

To see a great picture of various Wacky Wafer packages, take a look at this picture of three different Wacky Wafers packages taken by Dan Goodsell, the author of A Sampler Of Things.

Wonka, banana, discontinued



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47 Responses to “Retro Candy Flashback: Wacky Wafers”

  1. 1
    JoAnn says:

    I LOVED Wacky Wafers! They remain #1 on my “Most Missed Candy” list, followed closely by the two-pack of Dinosaur Eggs. I remember Wacky Wafers in the clear package, we’d always get them from the corner store in my neighborhood. And yes, banana was the best and most coveted flavor. Always saved it for last.

  2. 2
    Jamie says:

    Dinosaur Eggs! A favorite of mine as well. Sometimes I buy the Quaker Dinosaur Eggs oatmeal, which is great for breakfast, but not quite the same, know what I mean?

    I miss those things!

  3. 3
    Chris says:

    Oh, JoAnn, you said everything I was going to say. I remember first getting them on a family trip to TN, and fighting with my brothers over them. Banana was the best!

  4. 4
    Meghan says:

    OMG I loved these when I was little….. I had forgotten about them until this…. Man I wish I could get some right now… yummy

  5. 5
    Brian says:

    I LOVED Wacky Wafers. Oh how i crave them now :)

    Brian

  6. 6
    Dawn says:

    I just spent hours on nostalgic candy websites trying to find Wacky Wafers and came across your article. Now I know why I haven’t been able to find them in stores or on the web. Your description couldn’t have been anymore perfect. Banana was the best. I also saved it for last. Last week I actually tried the Chewy SweetTarts. They can’t even compete with Wacky Wafers…a poor replacement for this classic candy.

  7. 7
    Wendy says:

    I WANT WACKY WAFERS, I WANT WACKY WAFERS…There have to be more of us out there. I was trying to describe my favorite candy to my daughter, I was reminded of just how great they were. Bring ‘em back Wonka (Nestle).

  8. 8
    Diana says:

    OH MY, I thought I was the only one!!!! I have searched long and hard to find the best candy ever made!!! Now I know why I can not find it anywhere. Me and a few of my friends have been on every website there is looking for WACKY WAFERS. What is wrong with Mr. Wonka, please, please, please bring them back!!!! Yes banana was also my favorite – but I loved them all. I also try to desribe them to my two children but you can’t because there is nothing out there like them. I did find on one site a chewy rendition of a Wacky Wafer but it was not the same and they no longer have them. Give us back our Wacky Wafers!!!!

  9. 9
    Beth says:

    I’m with you on the banana ones. I could have eaten those and nothing else three meals a day. How dare Nestle steal them from me?

    Dinosaur Eggs were the best, because you didn’t know what color you’d get. I also loved the watermelon jawbreakers; green on the outside, pink on the inside. Can’t find anything as good.

  10. 10
    Carol says:

    Bring them back please! Bottlecaps are not the same. I always love the green apple taste.

  11. 11
    Angie says:

    Bring back the Wacky, I loved this candy. I look on line all year long, hopeing for a miracle. Please Nestle bring it back.

  12. 12
    Vickie Greaux says:

    Wow, unbelievable, have been searching the web for Wacky Wafers & came across this site. Cannot believe they’ve been discontinued. I bought them in the clear plastic package & how I loved them all, yes I do agree the banana was really great but also loved the watermelon! That was the best candy ever!! PLEASE, PLEASE bring back my childhood candy!! I would love for my kids to have the chance to try them too!!

  13. 13
    Sherry says:

    I remember they where sold on an Icecream truck here in NYC for $25 cents you would get a long clear package with about five or six coin size flat wafers. I can remember there was Watermelon mmm Greenapple, Bananna and Grape for sure . I miss these and have searched high and low for them– Someone needs to bring these candies back ASAP

  14. 14
    Amy Jo says:

    My husband and I were just talking about these! We both remembered them and LOVED them!! We went looking for them and alas could find none. What I wouldn’t give to have those again!! I know our son would love them too. He loves Bottlecaps and I know Wacky Wafers would be a hit with him too! PLEASE BRING THEM BACK!!!

  15. 15
    Gina says:

    Oh gosh how I loved Wackey Wafers too, my bro and I use to buy them from the ice cream man who came down our street in So. Calif. Of course the banana was my all time fav. but the watermelon was divine too. I can taste them right now! And what happen to the good ol Ice Cream man !
    WAAAAAAAAAAA… Bring them back to me please! Gina

  16. 16
    Jen says:

    I loved these, too! I remember the white package. I hate that everything I love always gets discontinued. It is reallly a bummer. Nothing is more frustrating than finding out something you loved as a kid is just a memory, now:(

  17. 17
    buckycatt says:

    Is there somewhere we can start a petition to get Nestle to bring back Wacky Wafers? I have mourned their loss for years, and runts is really an inadequate substitute. Thanks for bringing them back to the forefront of the late baby boom, early Gen X minds.

  18. 18
    Noelle says:

    I loved this candy as a kid. My absolute favorite. Please bring that candy back. I really miss it. Watermelon and Bannana tasted wonderful.

  19. 19
    Voni says:

    WOW…I thought I was the president of the ‘what have you done with my Wacky Wafers?!’ club. But I see there are a multitude of us. You know we are stronger in numbers. If we all email Nestle Corp, who knows….they just might listen. Imagine- a comeback greater than Michael Jordan’s!!

  20. 20
    Marci says:

    I loved Wacky Wafers. I remember them in the clear package too. They were my favorite candy of all. I have been looking for them for years. All the flavors were my favorite! Let’s all write to Nestle and have them bring back the Wacky Wafer! My husband has been looking for these too for me because he knows how much I love them.

  21. 21
    oooghaboogha says:

    omgomg waaaakkkkyyy WAFERS!!!! <3<3

  22. 22
    Cris says:

    Ditto to all of you. I was describing them to my daughter as well…wow, what a memory. I thought I was alone…many people I know that I have asked about them don’t remember them at all! I even quizzed the employees at Dylan’s Candy Bar (Houston Galleria) that has quite a variety of older candy and no one had ever heard of them!!! Maybe we can contact Dylan’s Candy Bar to ask to help inspire Wonka to make them again. There is also a Dylan’s in New York (it is owned by Ralph Lauren’s daughter). Does anyone have any connections???

  23. 23
    Radtaz says:

    I’ve been looking all over the place for my beloved wacky wafers,we should start a myspace page for wack wafer lovers,bring them back,bring them back,bring them back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  24. 24
    Sweet-Tooth says:

    WACKY WAFER JUNKIES UNITE!!!

    Nestle has discontinued our beloved candy because they think there’s no longer a demand for them.

    If you REALLY want them brought back we need to let them know they are Wrong!!!

    Contact Nestle and let them know we want them back. Maybe if we make enough noise they’ll listen.

    Call Nestle 1-800-225-2270, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM EST.

    Email Nestle http://www.nestleusa.com/Public/ContactUs.aspx

  25. 25
    Annie says:

    Wacky wafers were awsome. It was tough as a kid to ration those glorious things. Although banana was great, my first love was the watermelon flavor….always at the end. The tough question was what end do you start with…your favorite or the opposite. I’d buy a case of them if I could right now…its right up there with the non-coated original tiny tarts.

  26. 26
    Trish says:

    I knew there had to be others out there who miss Wacky Wafers as much as I do. I remember riding my bike to our little store up the road, I would always buy myself a package of wacky wafers(clear package) and a choc cola drink. Those were great simple times. That little store is still there but my wacky wafers are only a memory. Shame on you nestle! I say get rid of those awful nerds and bring back wacky wafers.

  27. 27
    Keri says:

    Oh my god! I was JUST telling my son’s about the elusive Wacky Wafers and sharing the story of how I too saved the banana for last, and on one particular day, my dad made me laugh so hard that the banana wacky wafer dribbled out of my mouth. I pitched a fit until he went and bought me more. I LOVED Wacky Wafers … and does anyone remember Taco flavored Doritos? What ever happened to those?

  28. 28
    kim says:

    I was telling my children (17, & 12) about these last week, thought it would be a neat stocking stuffer for them. I started searching the web and instead, found you site!! I remember walking to the store as a kid to get these. I loved them too!! I wish they would bring them back as a holiday special. If companies can make special sizes and special colors of candy for each holiday, why can’t they make a special kind of candy just for some holidays? Oh well, maybe someday… thanks for the info

  29. 29
    Missy says:

    I’ve been searching all the candy stores on the east coast from PA to TN & couldn’t find Wacky Wafers. I found this web-site & see Nestle discontinued them (I guess that explains it). I WANT WACKY WAFERS…
    BANANA was my favorite too. I had a certain order from least favorite to favorite to eat them in too…

  30. 30
    Dana says:

    These by far surpass any candy currently made!

    I miss them soo!

    Banana was the best! I loved the way they sorta disintegrated in your mouth all powdery and sweet!

    Please somebody bring them back!!

  31. 31
    Dawn says:

    This was my favorite candy too – all through the 80′s. I too would go to the corner drug store and buy them. The banana and watermelon were the best. I keep surfing the web, hoping they have come back. Maybe we should all write to Nestle and tell them to get back on the ball and to start making the best candy ever, again!
    Why the heck did they discontinue them in the first place?
    I love the Bottle Caps too – but they just aren’t the same.

  32. 32
    Tina says:

    When I was pregnant with my son I craved 3 things ; wacky wafers, a msarathon bar and snow cone. Guess which one I got. I think the candy manufactures ought to bring back some of these great products. I know I would difinately buy them. I loved each flavor of the wacky wafers but the watermelon was my favorite. My son is now 17 and my daughter 14 and I would love to share these with them.

  33. 33
    tracy says:

    i have always wondered where my absolute favorite candy went! i am so disappointed that they were discontinued. Why oh Why do the good things always have to end? My favorite treat: Coke Slurpee and Wacky Wafers! MMM-MMM!

  34. 34
    Kristin says:

    ok…i just emailed nestle saying “I want my waky wafers!” if everyone does this, maybe they’ll do something! you never know! let’s just try.
    nestleusa.com I miss them too!

  35. 35
    Jen Brine says:

    A bunch of us 30 somethings were talking about this delicious candy at work. I thought for sure I could find them if I googled them. I was devastated to find out they do not make them. I am joining the cause to bring this candy back!!!

  36. 36
    Michelle says:

    I was just sitting at the computer, and a craving hit me for something sweet. Made me think of the days when you could buy Wacky Wafers. I decided to google it and found this site. I’m so glad I’m not alone that this was the most awesome candy ever! I’m emailing Nestle for sure. Please everyone else do that as well and we’ll see if they bring it back.

  37. 37
    Mike H says:

    Loved these as a kid, but they were large wafers – about the size of a stack of 3 half dollar coins. Green Apple, Banana, Watermelon, and Tangerine. This was before they came out with the chewy ones.

  38. 38
    Paula says:

    I to was a lover of Wacky wafers. I found this website after searching for my two favorite gums as a kid.. Bub’s Daddy and Freshenup.. I found freshenup at the Crakerbarrel this past weekend and it brought back so many childhood memories… Wacky Wafers/Bubs Daddy/Freshenup gum and sunflower seeds was all i needed as a kid and my fm radio and my banana seet bike!! If you are a Bubs Daddy fan… you will be happy to know they still make it under the name of Super Bubble and sold in stores… If Wacky Wafers ever make a come back… I will stand in line overnight to get my hands on the best candy ever made.. Isnt it funny the world is being ran by people born of the 50′s and 60′s and yet .. hello where is the candy and fun things we grew up on… Bring it back-Bring back the good times!!!! :)

  39. 39
    spring says:

    I just emailed Nestle. I do google wacky wafer every few months to see if they are back. Too bad I bet these would bring in allot more revenue than the bottlecaps. They are so much better! Mmmmmm Banana!!!!

  40. 40
    Alice Via says:

    I loved wacky wafers i wish i could find some place that sales them

  41. 41
    mike like ike with m says:

    I did my first blotter acid dropped on a wacky wafer. Best acid i ever took. the candy was great as well yep, i miss them :)

  42. 42
    KENNY says:

    I have not see anyone bring this up , i remember them having the cartoon from the 70″ wacky racers & the were shaped like car wheels back then for a while , does anyone else remember this?

  43. 43
    Dorris says:

    Thanks for letting us know what happened Wacky Wafers. I’m 50 years and I still remember how they tasted and wished Nestle would bring them back… I, for one, would stock up!

  44. 44
    Chris says:

    I search for Wacky Wafers every month with the hope that they will once again be available

  45. 45
    nic says:

    yes bring them back please

  46. 46
    T says:

    They are bringing back Wacky Wafers!!

    http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9245771.htm

  47. 47
    Patty Reb says:

    I am pretty sure I remember Wacky Wafers and loving them when I was little. I remember all the different flavors and you would get like 4 or 5 in a pack. But please correct me if I am wrong. Didnt Wacky Wafers have pictures of like a family on them. I remember a son, daughter, dog, cat, mom, dad, baby, and i also think one was a parrot. If these are wacky wafers, please someone verify that I am right. If they are they are the best.

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