Grocery Products That Were Discontinued In 2021

To some people, stocking up at the grocery store is just another weekly chore that needs to get checked off the list, often begrudgingly so. For self-identified foodies, it's the best part of their week — perusing new products, dreaming up new recipe ideas, and loading up on their must-have snacks and ingredients. Regardless of where on the spectrum you lie, everyone can agree that it's joyous whenever you go to the grocery store and easily find everything you're looking for. (Don't you remember the great toilet paper scare of 2020?). So, when you have to search far and wide for a pantry staple, it's a total bummer. It's even worse when you discover that it's not that you can't find your favorites because they are simply out of stock — sometimes, they are gone from the shelves for good. 

The end of the year is all about reflection, and it's a good time to look back on the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2021. That includes reviewing all of the grocery items we lost in 2021. Some products are long-time staples on the shelves, while others seem like trial and error ideas from some major companies. And in some cases, it's only certain flavors that were cut for one reason or another. Regardless, we decided to round up all of the items we lost from the grocery store in 2021 and try to offer alternatives to hold you over while you beg these brands to bring back your must-haves. 

The COVID-19 pandemic hurt a lot of industries, but the frozen food business was not one. Frozen meals were a win-win for many because they are long-lasting and take little to no effort to prepare. However, Amy's Kitchen, which has a variety of "healthy" frozen meals, was feeling the heat. During the height of the pandemic, Amy's streamlined its products from 228 offerings to just 71 (via Mercury News).

A quick Twitter search will show fans throughout the year complaining about losing their favorite items, from the "Light & Lean" meals to the barbecue pizza. If you're worried one of your favorite items got the boot, make sure to cross-reference with Amy's Kitchen's website to see what's still offered in the frozen foods aisle. 

Pizza crust and garlic sauce are arguably a more iconic duo than cookies and milk. The only right way to eat pizza crust is if it's covered in garlic in any form. DiGiorno made picking frozen pizza over delivery easy with their Garlic Crust pizzas that were downright addicting. But according to a tweet from the company, the Garlic Crust is no more — and fans aren't happy. Digiorno still has plenty of unique crust options, from Bacon and Cheese-Stuffed to Croissant crusts. But for now, your best bet is sprinkling a bit of garlic powder on your frozen pizza before baking it until DiGiorno decides the product needs to make a comeback. 

The 2010s were all about milk alternatives. Honestly, does anyone even drink cow's milk anymore? So, of course, coffee creamer companies like Coffee Mate jumped on the bandwagon and started introducing creamers featuring milk alternatives in their offerings. However, in a tweet to a fan, the company announced they discontinued their Hazelnut-flavor Almond Milk Creamer from their Natural Bliss line. Don't fret, vegans and lactose-intolerant people, Natural Bliss still offers a wide variety of almond milk and oat milk-based creamers, but hazelnut is no more. But considering hazelnut is just a popular flavor profile for coffee drinkers, Coffee Mate might not be getting rid of this item for good.

Trader Joe's is more of a destination than your run-of-the-mill grocery store. The shop offers mostly products that you can't find anywhere else and rotates their offerings to keep things fresh and interesting. However, for fans of the company's Chili Lime Mayonnaise, it might be a while for the niche condiment to return to the shelf. According to a user on Instagram, the jar of flavor-packed mayo has been discontinued. Thankfully, Trader Joe's still sells the Chili Lime seasoning mix, so it's fairly easy to make your own. But if this was a must-have sauce in your fridge door, you should hold on tight to the last jar you have on hand. 

Orville Redenbacher had a stroke of genius when the company debuted its Melt On Caramel popcorn. The item is the perfect combination between salty and sweet. Unlike typical kettle corn, this product took regular popcorn kernels and encouraged customers to drizzle a packet of caramel topping on it. It's sticky, salty, and sure to make you thirsty. And according to the company's Twitter account, the box has recently been taken off the shelves. It's another discontinued item that can be recreated pretty easily, but die-hard fans will miss the convenience of this product. For now, you will have to pick either sweet (Orville Redenbacher's Kettle Corn) or salty (the brand's Movie Theater Butter variety) when grabbing a movie snack at the grocery story. 

Breyers jumped onto the "healthy" ice cream fad spawned by the popularity of Halo Top pints and others like it with its Breyers Delights products. The ice cream flavors were low calories, full of protein (a whopping 20 grams per pint), and came in a variety of decadent flavors. But according to Breyers' Twitter account, the Delights line was totally discontinued in recent months. If you're looking for a less fattening ice cream option, Breyers still sells its Carb Smart line of products that are lower in calories than your typical scoop, and you can check out the few No Sugar Added flavors in the company's lineup. 

Nature Valley granola bars have been a must-have snack for a wide variety of busybodies — kids late for the bus, sports teams looking for a post-game refuel, or hikers needing a quick snack to energize themselves on their journey. The classic (and often messy) flavors are the most ubiquitous, but Nature Valley has debuted plenty of flavor varieties in the past to mix things up. One product was the Almond Butter Chocolate Three Layer Bar, which was the perfect combination of sweet and filling. However, per Nature Valley's Twitter account, the product was discontinued. Nature Valley still has plenty of flavored bars with mixes of nuts, fruit, chocolate, and other ingredients, though.

If it's not delivery, quick pizza at home calls for Digiorno. Digiorno as a brand sells some of the most recognizable oven pizza products, offering a variety of options and toppings for us lazy folks to indulge in in 15 minutes or less. The crust offerings alone are astounding and force you to question your pizza preferences outside of thin or thick crust. The Thin and Crispy pizzas are a must-have for people who believe pizza can't be thin and crunchy enough. But according to Digiorno's Twitter account, the Pepperoni and Peppers flavor was discontinued in spring 2021. The company still offers other flavors, such as the Supreme Thin Crispy Crust which is a pretty close dupe for the original. But we know that for those who ride or die for their favorite frozen pizza, it's a major loss. 

Kellogg's Eggo waffles have been a breakfast-time staple for decades. The company took a typically tedious breakfast item and made it as easy to make as popping something in the toaster. The company line has expanded to include waffles, pancakes, and French toast in a variety of flavors, including the company's Nutri-Grain waffles complete with whole wheat. Eggo tweeted that because the Nutri-Grain waffles "did not have enough fans" that the line was discontinued. Eggo still sells whole-grain blueberry options of its Thick & Fluffy waffles if you're looking for a similar option. Otherwise, we're stuck to the sugary classics, which may be a blessing in disguise.

While ketchup chips aren't exactly a popular snack in the U.S., our neighbors to the north know what's up with the underrated chip flavor. It's a shocker considering America's affinity for French fries and ketchup that it's not more of a thing in the U.S. Lay's Ketchup Chips, which are popular in Canada, pack a tangy punch of sweet and salty that highlights the best of the condiment. In Canada, Lay's Ketchup might be a popular gas station pick or a crowd-pleasing junk food. 

But in the U.S., they're not easy to find. And in 2021, it became nearly impossible as Lay's announced that they discontinued the flavor in the States. If you never got a chance to taste them, it might be worth a road trip to Canada just to buy as many bags as you can find. They're truly an inventive snack, and it's sad that the U.S. doesn't get it. 

Nothing screams nostalgia like a Rice Krispies Treat. It's the easiest dessert to make and always a crowd pleaser — cereal, marshmallows, and butter mixed together is pretty hard to make unappetizing. So when Kellogg's announced they were debuting a Rice Krispies Treat Cereal, it was a match made in sugary breakfast heaven. But as soon as they treated us to this new cereal, they broke our hearts by discontinuing the product. This is NOT a food item that needs to be removed from the shelves and brought back for dramatic effect — the flavor stands on its own. But while we have to say goodbye to the flavor for now, we hope that it will make a comeback someday.

For busy people, finding quick and easy on-the-go snacks is essential to keep their energy up during the day. Granola bars, trail mix, the list goes on — anything that's easy, tastes alright, and takes absolutely no prep time is often a life-saver. Quaker Oats has its own version of the on-the-go snack — its Baked Flats bars. They were a good source of grains and fiber and provided extra energy to help you make it from lunch to dinner. But per Quaker Oats' Twitter account, the snack bars were discontinued in the spring. Even though there are other options in the aisles, die-hard fans are sure to miss these bars. 

It's hard to find something to dislike about Totino's Pizza Rolls. The nostalgic snack was a quick and easy way to get your pizza fix by just throwing a plate in the microwave.  The flavors cover the essential pizza toppings wrapped in a tiny (and often boiling hot) package. But 2021 is the year we lost a reliable favorite: Totino's Sausage Pizza Rolls. The company made the announcement after a fan asked where they could buy the sausage flavor, which is a bummer. There are still meat-centric options, like pepperoni and bacon, triple meat, and supreme to hold you over while mourning this loss.

Canned soups can fall victim to being very one-note and watered-down takes on basic soup flavors. However, companies like Progresso and Campbell's Chunky have taken major steps to make canned soup that actually resembles homemade versions. But one favorite Chunky flavor, the Meatball Bustin' Sausage and Rigatoni soup, was taken off the shelves and out of rotation this year (via Campbell's Chunky Twitter). The soup featured mini meatballs, spicy sausage, rigatoni pasta, and a bunch of vegetables that gave the soup its heartiness. Campbell's Chunky has plenty of other flavors, but this product stood out from the pack. If you're missing it, the internet is full of copycat recipes that take a bit more effort than opening up a can but make satisfying dupes. 

For awhile there, it seemed like food companies were trying to make a kale version of every product imaginable. Kale smoothies, kale chips, kale everything. While the leafy green undoubtedly has a lot of health benefits, it's truly not an ingredient that can taste good in everything. One example was Trader Joe's attempt at making Broccoli & Kale Pizza Crust happen. To no surprise, according to a user on Instagram, the crust will no longer be a regular item in the freezer section. It's nice to have gluten-free options and healthier choices at stores these days, but pizza needs pizza crust. Not a green kale patty. So if you were one of the people that loved the item, we're sorry for you, but did you really expect this to be a top seller? 

No other company offers an assortment of coffee creamers like Coffee Mate. The brand has products that will make your coffee taste like anything from a candy bar to the most over-the-top Starbucks drink you can imagine. But with so many options, it's not shocking that some go in and out of style. Unfortunately, 2020 was the last year at-home baristas got to use Toasted Marshmallow Mocha creamer in their morning cup of Joe (via Coffee Mate on Twitter). If you need a tasty replacement, Coffee Mate offers similar flavors like Glazed Donut or Cafe Mocha, or you can try something completely creative like the Funfetti flavor to forget about this incredible loss.

Aunt Jemima syrup and pancake mix is a familiar face on most generic grocery store shelves. However, while the product hasn't gone anywhere, the packaging has undergone a complete rebrand. Quaker Oats decided to change the product, which was "based on a racial stereotype," amid calls for racial equality in the U.S. The new packaging reads "Pearl Milling Company" rather than "Aunt Jemima," according to USA Today. So the smiling woman on the old packages has officially retired. And considering the reasoning behind it, it's for the best. At least the flavor of the syrup is still the same because it's what's on the inside that counts. 

Potato chips will never go out of style as a universally loved crunchy snack, but kettle chips take it to the next level. They're salty, crispy, and come in a variety of flavors, with brands like Kettle Brand Chips releasing tons of unique options. One of their most eccentric varieties was the Maple Bacon flavor of chips that was like breakfast in a bite. But according to a tweet from Kettle Brand Chips, the flavor was discontinued this year. There really isn't any flavor close enough to scratch the same itch, but Kettle Brand's Korean Barbeque and Parmesan Garlic are honorable mentions worth trying out while you wait for Maple Bacon to come back.

DiGiorno was really out here breaking hearts in 2021 by removing several items from their offerings. Another pizza that bit the dust was the Supreme Pan Pizza, according to the company's Twitter account. The Crispy Pan Pizza is still available in pepperoni, four cheese, and three meat, and they feature a crust that is both crunchy and thick at the same time for those who like a little bit of both. However, if you're looking for something loaded with a bunch of toppings, you'll have to check out Digiorno's other crust options, such as their Thin Crispy Crust or the Hand-Tossed Style Crust, at least for now. 

No at-home movie night is complete without microwave popcorn. Orville Redenbacher's is the classic, offering a few different products to make you feel like you're at the movie theater at home. However, for those of us who enjoy buying things that allow us to be lazy, Orville Redenbacher removed one of its most ingenious products this year: the Pop-Up Bowl. The Pop-Up Bowl not only served as the bag for the popcorn to pop in the microwave but easily became a bowl to eat it out of. The company announced it to a disappointed fan on Twitter who was searching high and low for the product. For now, it looks like we'll have to take an extra step of pouring our popcorn into bowls before plopping on the couch.

Cookies and cream is an ice cream flavor as common as cookie dough or butter pecan. It's vanilla ice cream swirled with Oreo cookies (or a similar off-brand cookie), so you can't go wrong. But Breyers really changed the game when they took the familiar flavor and mixed it up using Golden Oreos instead of the originals. It was a vanilla version that was distinctive and delicious. But unfortunately, via the company's Twitter account, Breyers Blasts Golden Oreo Cookies and Cream ice cream was discontinued this year. There really isn't anything exactly like the flavor, but hopefully, Breyers brings it back one day for die-hard fans. 

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches might be a time-honored pairing, but sometimes, you want something different. A peanut butter-only sandwich can hit the spot occasionally. So, naturally, Smucker's created one of their Uncrustables sandwiches with just peanut butter. Unfortunately, Smucker's revealed on Twitter that they discontinued the product in May. Now, Uncrustables only come in options featuring peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter and honey, and chocolate hazelnut spread. If you're looking for a straight-up peanut butter sandwich, you'll have to make it yourself rather than go with the frozen pre-made option. 

Speaking of before and after-school snack products, Pillsbury's Toaster Strudels have risen to the prominence and popularity of products like Kellogg's Eggo waffles or Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches. Pillsbury offers Toaster Strudels with endless fillings, with their more creative options including flavors like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and chocolate. But 2021 saw the loss of several unique flavors, according to Pillsbury's Twitter account. The list of discontinued Toaster Strudel flavors includes Boston Cream Pie, Danish Style, and Glazed Donut. There is still plenty of variety in the product line, but these three flavors are a significant loss. 

Ben & Jerry's is literal happiness in a pint. Vermont's finest ice cream company has countless unique flavor options that are downright addictive, and if you've ever tried it, you have probably claimed a favorite. But 2021 was the year Ben & Jerry's sent its Red Velvet Cake pint to its flavor graveyard, as they revealed on Twitter. The flavor featured red velvet cake ice cream featuring cake pieces and swirls of cream cheese frosting. Apparently, it wasn't popular enough to keep churning out, but maybe it will reappear in the freezer section one day in the future. 

Yoplait has quite a corner on the yogurt market, particularly when it comes to its wide variety of individually packed options. One spinoff is the brand Oui by Yoplait, a French-style yogurt with its own array of flavors and products that can curb your cravings for breakfast, dessert, or a tasty snack. However, Yoplait revealed via Twitter that they discontinued the Creme Dessert variety from their product line in September. If you're looking for a new favorite, Oui has a line called Layered Dessert with flavors inspired by cheesecake and pie flavors that are shockingly tasty and might become your new favorite if you're someone who was bummed by the product revamp.

Old El Paso makes it easy to add explosive flavors to your Mexican dinner night with their long list of pre-made sauces. Whether you're making enchiladas or looking to top your tacos with a flavorful drizzle, they have it all and then some. But as of 2021, you will only be able to buy their products in cans or squeeze bottles, as Old El Paso decided to forgo their glass containers. It's an easy goodbye considering the same great flavors are available, just in an entirely new vehicle. However, it's important to include it in the products we lost in 2021.

Pumpkin spice products always have a moment in the fall, and sometimes, it goes a bit overboard. Coffee creamer and desserts are one thing, but seemingly every company tries to find a way to infuse these fall flavors in their products, even when it totally doesn't match up. However, Quaker's pumpkin spice oatmeal was a natural flavor pairing to add a festive spin to your morning breakfast. But in 2021, Quaker said (via Twitter) no more and totally removed the flavor from its offerings. There are ways to add your own pumpkin spice flavors to oatmeal, but this no-brainer variety is no longer an option. 

Salty snacks are literally mouthwatering, but sometimes, you want to indulge in a crunchy treat that doesn't pack as much of a punch with the sodium levels. Luckily, Lay's sells healthier versions of their classic snack for when the mood strikes and you want a chip without all of the salt. But unfortunately, as the company revealed in a series of tweets, 2021 was the end of Lay's Lightly Salted chips in a variety of flavors. The company removed the barbecue and cheddar sour cream options from their lightly salted lineup, only offering the classic and wavy versions of the low-sodium option. 

Once dinnertime hits and your hunger doesn't have time to wait for a home-cooked meal, turn to Stouffer's for reliable frozen options for quick and satisfying meals without the mess. Their most popular dishes include lasagna and mac and cheese, but one underrated pick was the Corn Soufflé. The keyword there is was, as Stouffer's broke the news to fans on Twitter that the homestyle side dish is no more. The company still sells its Spinach Soufflé, but it doesn't hit the same as the elevated cornbread original. 

Honey Bunches of Oats is kind of the perfect cereal to eat when you can't decide what you want. It has crisp flakes, clusters of honey-soaked oats, and other mix-ins to satisfy several cravings. Plus, it keeps you full until lunch. The varieties feature add-ins such as almonds, strawberries, apples, cinnamon, and many more. But one fruity variety, Honey Bunches of Oats with Peaches, got the chopping block this year. The company tweeted that the decision was to make room for new products, but it's a sad goodbye. For now, peach lovers will have to slice up their own peaches and add them to their morning bowl of cereal. 

For weekday taco nights at home, Old El Paso has always offered a selection of tortillas, taco kits, and sauces to make it as simple as possible. The company has essentially created every product you could imagine, from cheese-infused Soft Tortilla Bowls to hard Stand 'n' Stuff shells that make it almost too easy to add your fillings. One hybrid product to help soft versus hard taco fans find compromise was the Crispy Flour tortillas. But the product is now a thing of the past, as Old El Paso broke the news to a fan on Twitter that they discontinued the product. 

Yogurt and granola is a healthy, no-brainer breakfast option, but it's not good on the go. So it made sense when Nature Valley debuted yogurt granola bars that took their classic granola bar and dipped it into a yogurt coating — perfect for busy bees or anyone who hates spending more than 30 seconds on making breakfast every morning. Unfortunately, Nature Valley revealed that Yogurt Bar fans weren't just passing them up when they couldn't find the pantry staple in the grocery aisles — it's really gone for good. As previously mentioned, the company has plenty of other offerings for on-the-go breakfast bars, but it does sting a bit if this was in your regular rotation.

Lay's has been one of the biggest potato chip companies on the market for a while, becoming ubiquitous with the snack itself. The company totally reinvented what chips can be with Lay's Poppables, which are light, airy potato bites that give that satisfying crunch you're looking for in a salty snack. Lay's sells the product in many flavors, including Sea Salt & Vinegar, Honey BBQ, and White Cheddar. But for spicy fans, Lay's has bad news — they have discontinued the Creamy Jalapeno Poppables (via Lay's Twitter). Unfortunately, the options for Poppables are limited to a handful of flavors, but fingers crossed that the company brings these back one day. 

Trader Joe's does have its beloved items, like its Everything But The Bagel seasoning or their array of Joe Joe's flavors. But when some products don't get the hype, they don't last long — and it looks like Trader Joe's Caramel Popcorn fell victim to that pattern. An Instagram user revealed that the product has been discontinued, another victim of the Grocery Purge of 2021. To be honest, it's not the worst news ever — caramel popcorn isn't the hardest product to find. But if Trader Joe's is your one-stop shop, you'll have to opt for other snacks.