Bonkers candy was a popular treat in the mid-1980s, produced by Nabisco. The candy was rectangular-shaped with a tangy filling and came in a variety of flavors, including grape, orange, strawberry, watermelon, and chocolate. It was sold in a large rectangular package with individually wrapped candies inside.
Despite its popularity, Bonkers candy was discontinued in the early 1990s, much to the disappointment of its fans. However, in recent years, there has been renewed interest in the candy, and some companies have attempted to recreate the original recipe. In this article, we will explore the history of Bonkers candy, its rise to fame, and its eventual demise, as well as its lasting impact on the candy industry.
Origins of Bonkers Candy
Bonkers candy was first introduced by Nabisco in 1985 and was marketed as a “fruit candy with a real fruit juice center”. It quickly became a hit among candy lovers due to its unique taste and texture. The packaging of Bonkers candy was distinct from other candies available in the market at that time. The candy came in a large rectangular package with several of them individually wrapped. Common flavors included grape, orange, strawberry, and watermelon.
The candy was designed to be chewable rectangular-shaped candies with tangy filling. Each candy had a soft outer shell that gave way to a burst of fruity flavor when bitten into. The filling was made from real fruit juice, which gave it a unique taste that set it apart from other candies on the market.
Bonkers candy was a fun and simple treat that was perfect for kids and adults alike. The candy came in sleeves and the sleeves had all one flavor of your choice. They had four different flavors. The flavor that really stuck out was the chocolate. Not only could you get sweet, fruit flavors but you could enjoy a chocolate chew.
Development and Marketing
Bonkers candy was first introduced by Nabisco in 1985 and was marketed as a “fruit candy with a real fruit juice center”. The candy was rectangular in shape and had a chewy texture, with a tangy filling. The candy came in a large rectangular package with several of them individually wrapped. Common flavors included grape, orange, strawberry, watermelon, and chocolate.
The development of Bonkers candy was an attempt by Nabisco to capitalize on the growing trend of fruit-flavored candies in the 1980s. The candy was marketed as a fun and fruity treat that was perfect for kids and adults alike. The candy’s unique texture and tangy filling made it stand out from other fruit-flavored candies on the market at the time.
To promote Bonkers candy, Nabisco launched a series of television commercials featuring the tagline “Bonkers, they bonk you out!” The commercials featured a giant piece of fruit falling from the sky and hitting unsuspecting people on the head, causing them to go “bonkers”. The commercials were a hit with audiences and helped to establish Bonkers candy as a popular treat.
Overall, the development and marketing of Bonkers candy was a success for Nabisco. The candy remained popular throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, before eventually being discontinued. However, the candy’s unique texture and fruity flavors continue to be fondly remembered by those who enjoyed it during its heyday.
The Rise in Popularity
Bonkers candy was first introduced by Nabisco in the mid-1980s. The candy quickly became a hit with kids and adults alike due to its unique fruity flavor and chewy texture. Bonkers candy was marketed as a candy that “bonks you out” with its intense fruit flavor.
The popularity of Bonkers candy continued to grow throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The candy was widely available in supermarkets and convenience stores across the country. The iconic commercials featuring giant falling fruit also helped to increase the candy’s popularity.
Bonkers candy remained a popular candy choice for many years until its popularity began to wane in the early 2000s. The candy became harder to find and was only available in novelty candy stores.
Despite its decline in popularity, Bonkers candy remained a beloved candy for many people who grew up in the 80s and 90s. In recent years, the candy has made a comeback with a new vegan and kosher version produced by California-based candy company LEAF Brands. The new version of Bonkers candy has reignited interest in the classic candy and has brought back fond memories for many people.
Product Variations and Flavors
Original Flavors
Bonkers candy was introduced in 1985 by Nabisco as a fruit candy with a real fruit juice center. The candy was rectangular-shaped and chewy with tangy filling. The candy came in a large rectangular package with several of them individually wrapped. Bonkers had 8 original flavors in their line. Every piece of candy was wrapped individually and then placed in a sleeve of like flavors. They had chewy outsides and tangy, chewy insides as well. The flavors included grape, orange, strawberry, watermelon, lemon-lime, cherry, raspberry, and punch.
Limited Edition Releases
Over the years, Bonkers candy released several limited edition flavors. Some of the most popular limited edition flavors were tropical punch, blue raspberry, and green apple. These flavors were only available for a limited time, and fans of the candy often looked forward to the new releases.
Nutritional Changes
In the mid-1990s, Kellogg’s acquired Nabisco and made some nutritional changes to the Bonkers candy. They reduced the size of the candy and changed the recipe to make it less sweet. The new recipe was not as popular as the original, and sales declined. Eventually, Kellogg’s discontinued the candy in the late 1990s.
Despite being discontinued for many years, Bonkers candy remains a beloved treat among those who remember it. The candy’s unique combination of chewy texture and tangy filling made it a favorite among candy lovers.
Advertising Campaigns
Television Commercials
Bonkers candy had a memorable advertising campaign that helped make the candy popular in the 1980s. The TV commercials featured a giant piece of fruit falling on a person’s head, followed by the tagline “Bonk you out!” The commercials were humorous and catchy, and they helped make Bonkers a household name.
The commercials were so successful that they are still remembered fondly by many people today. They were often shown during children’s programming, and they helped make Bonkers candy a favorite among kids.
Print and Digital Media
In addition to their TV commercials, Bonkers also had a strong presence in print and digital media. They had print ads in various publications, including DC Comics, and they also had a website that featured information about the candy and games that kids could play.
The print ads were colorful and eye-catching, and they often featured the same giant fruit that was used in the TV commercials. The ads helped keep Bonkers candy in the minds of kids and parents alike, and they helped make the candy a popular choice for snacks and treats.
Overall, Bonkers candy had a strong advertising campaign that helped make it a beloved treat in the 1980s. The TV commercials and print ads were memorable and effective, and they helped make Bonkers a household name.
Cultural Impact
Influence on Pop Culture
Bonkers candy had a significant impact on pop culture during its heyday in the 1980s and early 1990s. The candy’s catchy slogan, “Bonk you out,” and its bright, bold packaging made it a memorable addition to the candy aisle. Bonkers also had a series of memorable commercials that featured people being “bonked” out of their shoes by the candy’s intense flavor. These commercials became a cultural touchstone of the era and helped to cement Bonkers’ place in pop culture history.
Nostalgia Factor
Despite being discontinued for over two decades, Bonkers candy still holds a special place in the hearts of many Americans who grew up in the 80s and 90s. The candy’s chewy texture and intense fruit flavors were a staple of childhood snack time, and many people still remember the joy of opening a fresh pack of Bonkers. Today, Bonkers has become a nostalgic symbol of a simpler time, and many people seek out vintage packs of the candy to relive their childhood memories.
In conclusion, Bonkers candy had a significant impact on pop culture during its time on the market. Its catchy slogan and memorable commercials helped to make it a cultural touchstone of the era. Today, Bonkers remains a nostalgic symbol of a simpler time and continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many Americans.
Discontinuation and Comeback Attempts
Bonkers candy was discontinued by Nabisco in the mid-1990s, but its popularity among candy lovers never died. In 2018, Iconic Candy, a small candy company, acquired the trademark and recipe for Bonkers candy. Since then, the company has been working to bring back the beloved candy to store shelves.
Despite several attempts to revive the candy, including a Kickstarter campaign, the company has faced challenges in producing the candy at a large scale. However, they are still working to bring back the classic flavors of Bonkers candy, including grape, watermelon, strawberry, and orange.
In the meantime, fans of Bonkers candy can still enjoy the classic commercials and reminisce about the chewy, fruity candy that once graced the candy aisle.
Collectibility and Fandom
Bonkers candy has become a collectible item among candy enthusiasts and fans of vintage sweets. The candy’s unique tangy filling and juicy flavors have made it a nostalgic favorite for many people who grew up in the 1980s and early 1990s.
One way that collectors show their love for Bonkers candy is by seeking out vintage packaging and advertisements. Some collectors even display their Bonkers memorabilia in dedicated collections or on social media.
Another way that fans of Bonkers candy express their love is by creating fan art and fan fiction. This can include illustrations of the candy or stories featuring the candy as a central element. Some fans even create their own Bonkers-inspired candy recipes or crafts.
Overall, the enduring popularity of Bonkers candy is a testament to the lasting impact that this unique candy has had on the candy industry and on the memories of those who enjoyed it in their youth.