Toaster Strudel, the beloved frozen breakfast pastry that many grew up eating, has been a pantry staple for decades. With its recognizable foil packet and sweet cream cheese filling, Toaster Strudel holds a special place in the hearts of generations of breakfast-eaters.
In recent years, some shoppers have noticed that Toaster Strudel seems to have disappeared from store shelves, leading them to wonder: Has Toaster Strudel been discontinued?
Toaster Strudel – A Brief History
Toaster Strudel was first introduced in 1985 by Pillsbury. It was one of the first toaster pastries on the market and quickly became popular for providing a quick, convenient sweet breakfast treat.
Originally there were four flavors – strawberry, blueberry, apple cinnamon, and cherry. Over the years new flavors were introduced, like chocolate and strawberry milkshake. Limited edition flavors also appeared seasonally, like pumpkin spice or s’mores.
General Mills acquired Pillsbury in 2001 and with it the Toaster Strudel brand. The product continued to be a top seller, garnering nearly $200 million annually at its peak.
Availability of Toaster Strudel Today
As of October 2023, Toaster Strudel has not been discontinued. It can still be found in the frozen breakfast aisle at most major grocery stores across the United States.
However, while still in production, it does seem to have diminished presence on shelves compared to previous years. There are a few factors that may explain this change:
Reduced Distribution
General Mills has cut down on Toaster Strudel’s distribution to stores in recent years. They still manufacture it but have pulled back on having it as widely available across all stores and regions. This gives the impression the product is disappearing when it may just no longer be carried at certain locations.
Competition in the Market
The toaster pastry market has exploded since Toaster Strudel debuted in the 80s. Where it was once one of the few convenient breakfast pastries, now there are numerous other options. General Mills now has its own line of Breakfast Pastries that compete directly with their Toaster Strudel. Other brands like Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts also dominate shelf space. With more competition, Toaster Strudel no longer needs to be stocked in as many stores or varieties.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain Issues
Like many businesses, General Mills has been impacted by supply chain disruptions and labor shortages in recent years. They’ve had to cut back production and distribution of some items when facing manufacturing slow downs. Toaster Strudel seems to be one item that has seen cuts, with fewer shipments going out to stores. However this is a temporary issue not a discontinuation.
Toaster Strudel Has Not Been Discontinued
Despite concerns that falling store stocks mean Toaster Strudel is no more, General Mills has confirmed the product remains in production and is still one of their core offerings. While availability may be reduced from its peak popularity, the company reiterates it has no plans to discontinue or stop making Toaster Strudel.
General Mills addressed the question of it being discontinued on their FAQ page, stating:
“We realize Toaster Strudel may be getting harder to find in some stores lately. We want to reassure fans we continue to make and sell both our classic and seasonal Toaster Strudel varieties. We recommend checking the freezer aisle or asking your grocery store’s manager if you are having trouble finding your favorite flavors in-store.”
They recommend checking major grocery stores like Walmart, Target, or local chains to find Toaster Strudel near you. Availability may vary by location but should be restocked over time.
Toaster Strudel Flavors Currently Available
While the exact Toaster Strudel flavors carried can vary by retailer and region, these are the varieties currently still manufactured and sold by General Mills:
Classic Flavors
- Strawberry
- Blueberry
- Cherry
- Apple Cinnamon
- Chocolate Chip
- S’mores
Limited Edition/Seasonal Flavors
- Pumpkin Pie
- Sugar Cookie
- Raspberry
- Boston Creme
General Mills brings back the seasonal flavors for limited times around holidays or for variety. So while Pumpkin Pie Toaster Strudel is a fall staple, it won’t be found on shelves all year.
How to Tell if Toaster Strudel is Discontinued at Your Store
If your local grocery store seems to no longer carry Toaster Strudel, there are a few steps you can take to determine if they have truly discontinued selling it or if it may come back in stock:
1. Check with customer service.
The customer service desk will have the most up to date information on product availability. They can look up if it’s been discontinued at their location or let you know if it’s just out of stock currently.
2. Look for empty space on shelves.
If there is empty space on the shelves where Toaster Strudel used to be, that’s a sign that the store still allocates room for it but is waiting for more stock. Discontinued items are removed from the sales floor completely.
3. Ask if it can be ordered or restocked.
Even if it’s currently out of stock, stores can often order more inventory or have it sent from their warehouse upon request. So the product isn’t necessarily discontinued even if you can’t find it on a particular day.
4. Check again after a few weeks.
Store inventory is always fluctuating. A product may be out of stock one week but back the next. Check back in a couple weeks to see if has been restocked.
5. Switch stores.
If one grocery store near you has stopped carrying Toaster Strudel, check around at other food retailers. Neighborhood markets, pharmacies with food sections, wholesale clubs, and convenience stores are all worth looking into if your regular grocer no longer stocks it.
Toaster Strudel Alternatives
If you find that Toaster Strudel has been discontinued by certain stores in your area, or you just want a similar toaster pastry option, consider these alternatives:
Pillsbury Toaster Strudel
Pillsbury, who originally made Toaster Strudel, still produces their own version. It comes in Strawberry, Blueberry, and Apple Cinnamon.
Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts
Pop-Tarts have even more flavor varieties than Toaster Strudel, including s’mores, brown sugar cinnamon, and wild berry.
Great Value Toaster Pastries
Walmart’s store brand Great Value offers cheaper toaster pastries in apple, blueberry, and strawberry flavors.
Nature’s Path Organic Pastries
For a healthier toaster pastry, Nature’s Path makes organic flavors like Strawberry with yogurt filling.
Homemade Toaster Strudels
Get creative and make your own using small pie crusts, fruit fillings, and icing. Then shape and fold into the Toaster Strudel packet shape.
Toaster Strudel Discontinuation Rumors are Premature
While it’s true that Toaster Strudel isn’t as ubiquitous as it once was on grocery store shelves, reports of its demise are premature. General Mills confirms it is still manufacturing and distributing the product nationally, despite supply chain issues making inventory less consistent.
Fans of the classic frozen breakfast treat need not despair or pay inflated prices to stockpile it quite yet. With a little searching around your local retailers, you should still be able to locate those familiar foil packets to satisfy your Toaster Strudel cravings. Just be sure to pop them in the toaster on a low setting – we all remember how prone they are to burning!
The Future of Toaster Strudel
What does the future hold for Toaster Strudel? Given its long history and consumer loyalty, it seems unlikely General Mills would discontinue it altogether anytime soon. However, its availability may continue to fluctuate going forward.
As grocery stores offer more and more private label copycats, Toaster Strudel will need to keep proving itself relevant and appealing to shoppers. General Mills may increasingly promote it around seasonal events like back-to-school breakfasts or the holidays to attract interest.
If manufacturing and distribution challenges persist, Toaster Strudel may eventually go the way of seasonal-only availability rather than year round. Time will tell how much of a staple it remains on the American breakfast table.
But for now, reports of Toaster Strudel’s death are greatly exaggerated. While we may have to search a little harder and be flexible on flavors, we can still enjoy this beloved little pastry for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
Toaster Strudel still lives! Despite some shoppers struggling to find it, General Mills reassures us this iconic breakfast treat remains in production. Availability may vary by store and shortages could come and go. But with some persistence and checking around your local grocery options, you should still be able to get your Toaster Strudel fix. Keep an eye out for those delicious flaky pastries hiding in the freezer aisle so you can keep enjoying that piping hot strudel taste you love.
