Does Nabisco Still Make Bacon Thin Crackers?

An old favorite snack was bacon thin crackers, with Nabisco’s Bacon Thins being the best. Some of these classic crackers have been taken off the market over the years, though, leaving bacon fans to wonder if their favorites are gone for good.

We’ll look at the history of bacon thin crackers, find out when and why Nabisco stopped making them, and talk about whether there are still other savory, crispy treats out there for people who want them.

A Brief History of Bacon Thin Crackers

Bacon thin crackers emerged as a popular snack food in the mid-1900s. Brands like Frito-Lay, Nabisco, and Keebler all came out with salty, paper-thin crackers that tasted like smoked bacon.

Nabisco’s Bacon Thins debuted in the 1970s. They were made with wheat flour, soybean oil, actual bacon flavoring, and lots of salt. The crackers were thin and brittle, perfect for nibbling and dipping.

Keebler’s Bacon Townhouse Crackers also arrived in the ’70s, boasting a similar ingredient list and crispy texture. Frito-Lay joined the bacon thin crackers game later with their Baconaes during the ’90s.

These snacks were a hit with consumers and holding their place on grocery store shelves for decades. But over time, some brands made the decision to discontinue their bacon thin crackers.

When Did Nabisco Stop Making Bacon Thins?

Nabisco’s beloved Bacon Thins were put out to pasture in the early 2000s. It seems the crackers were discontinued around 2003, although an exact date is unclear.

After nearly 30 years on the market, Nabisco quietly stopped producing Bacon Thins. For a while, stock continued to circulate in stores. But once that ran out, the crackers were gone for good.

Bacon Thins fans were surprised and disappointed when their go-to snack suddenly disappeared. Many contacted Nabisco to find out what happened, especially because the crackers remained popular up until they were discontinued

Why Did Nabisco Get Rid of Bacon Thins?

Nabisco has never provided an official explanation for discontinuing Bacon Thins crackers. But food experts and former employees have some theories on why the iconic snack was axed.

Low Profit Margins

Bacon Thins were inexpensive to purchase, usually retailing for under $2 per box. They may not have been generating enough profit for Nabisco against production and distribution costs.

Changing Consumer Preferences

In the early 2000s, many Americans were shifting towards “healthier” snacks. Bacon Thins were high in sodium and fat, so they fell out of favor for some consumers.

Corporate Decision Making

In 2000, Nabisco was acquired by Kraft Foods. There was some consolidation and cutting of less profitable products. Bacon Thins may have been viewed as expendable.

Manufacturing and Ingredient Issues

Keeping an older product like Bacon Thins on shelves got harder over time. Regulations, ingredients, and equipment changed, making it more difficult to maintain production.

So while it’s not 100% clear why Nabisco pulled the plug on Bacon Thins, it seems like a combination of business and manufacturing factors led to the demise of this fan favorite.

Are There Any Bacon Thin Crackers Left?

Since Nabisco stopped making them, what are the options today for those who miss the crispy, salty, smoky flavor of bacon thin crackers?

Look for Nabisco Bacon Thins in the Secondary Market

There are some retailers online that specialize in discontinued foods and have backstock of Bacon Thins available, often marked up due to scarcity. eBay and Amazon also have resellers of vintage packages.

Track Down Keebler’s Bacon Townhouse Crackers

Keebler’s version is still made today and probably the closest replacement out there. The ingredients and texture mimic the original Bacon Thins.

Try Store Brand Bacon Crackers

Generic bacon crackers by companies like Kroger or Aldi aren’t exactly the same, but offer a decent bacon flavor for a fraction of the cost.

Make Your Own Homemade Bacon Crackers

There are lots of recipes online using bacon grease, bacon bits, soy sauce, etc to add a homemade bacon flavor to crackers or breadsticks.

Look for New Bacon Crackers Products

Small batch brands have cropped up offering artisanal versions of bacon crackers. And big brands like Ritz have even made new products like Ritz Bacon Cracker Curs.

Consider Other Bacon Snacks

There are more bacon snack options now than ever before spanning chips, jerky, pretzels, popcorn, nuts, and more that may help satisfy a craving.

Will Nabisco Ever Revive Bacon Thins?

Many nostalgic fans hold out hope that Nabisco will reconsider and bring back the original Bacon Thins. However, that seems quite unlikely at this point.

Once production of a food product ends at a big company like Nabisco, the huge investment needed to revive it makes a comeback prohibitively expensive. Also, executives at KraftHeinz seem more focused on new innovations than relaunches.

That said, nothing is impossible in the food world! If customer demand was truly overwhelming, Nabisco could theoretically reformulate Bacon Thins to make manufacturing more efficient. Or they could bring back a limited run to capitalize on nostalgia.

For now, though, the return of original Nabisco Bacon Thins is more of a pipe dream than a reality. But there are still ways to get your crispy, salty, bacon cracker fix – you just might need to explore some new options.

So don’t despair, bacon snackers! With a little creativity and exploration, you can find alternatives that capture the spirit and flavor of the iconic Bacon Thins.