A look back at Bugles' most iconic flavors through the decades
As Bugles celebrates its 60th anniversary, the brand that catapulted General Mills into the snack food category continues to capture the hearts and taste buds of fans nationwide. Discover the rich history behind the beloved horn-shaped snack as we take a look at the brand’s most iconic flavors.
1964: The Original Bugles
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In 1964, Bugles made its debut alongside two other shaped snacks — Whistles and Daisy*s — as the first snack brands from General Mills. While Whistles and Daisy*s didn't withstand the test of time, Bugles’ crispy, salty, roasted corn flavor and unique horn-shape became an instant hit, inspiring a new wave of snacking.
1984: Nacho Cheese
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Twenty years later, the brand introduced its first flavored Bugle, Nacho Cheese. Made with real Romano and Cheddar cheeses, the salty snack brought a whole new dimension of crunch to the table. Nacho Cheese Bugles remain a core flavor available today.
1990s: An Era of Flavor Begins
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Bugles didn't stop at just one flavor. The 1990s marked the beginning of a flavor evolution. Bugles launched three popular savory flavors: Ranch (1991), Sour Cream & Onion (1994) and a limited run of Smokin’ BBQ Bugles (1997).
During this time, Bugles decided to ditch the box and rolled out new foil bag packaging in 1998, giving the brand a new appeal on shelves nationwide.
1999–2004: The Chile Craze
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Always innovating, Bugles rolled out a trio of zesty flavors to capitalize on the Tex-Mex trend, including Chile con Queso (1999), Chili Cheese (2003) and Salsa Bugles (2003).
2005–2010: Sweet Surprises
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But Bugles didn't stop at savory flavors. In 2005, fans were surprised with limited-edition Churros-style Bugles, a sweet twist on the classic snack. This was just the beginning of Bugles’ foray into the new Sweet & Salty line that appealed to a wider range of taste preferences.
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In the early 2000s, the line grew to include rich, indulgent flavors like Caramel (2006), Chocolate Peanut Butter (2009), and Caramel and Cheddar (2010). Of the three, the Caramel Bugles flavor was by far the most popular and was added as a mainstay, making it available on shelves year-round.
2010–2018: Bold & Spicy
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Born out of the extreme flavor craze at the time, bold and spicy flavors like Hot Buffalo (2010), Jalapeño Cheddar (2014) and Hot & Spicy Bugles (2018) added a little heat to every satisfying crunch.
