You probably ate these 21 growing up, but kids today won’t even try them

There was a time when these foods showed up on nearly every table—and nobody thought twice about eating them. From school lunches to weeknight dinners, they were just part of growing up. But fast forward to today, and many kids are giving these once-beloved dishes a hard pass.

Whether it’s changing tastes, healthier trends, or just different expectations around food, these classics don’t hit the same anymore. Take a look at the foods everyone used to eat without question—and see which ones today’s kids refuse to touch.

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies from Childhood

A close up image of old fashioned oatmeal cookies stacked on a plate. — Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Warm, chewy oatmeal cookies that bring back sweet memories. These old-fashioned treats are a classic kids’ favorite that’s hard to resist.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies

Zesty Lemon Greek Potatoes

Close-up image of lemon greek potatoes in a dish. — Lemon Greek Potatoes. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

Crispy wedges with fresh lemon and oregano make these potatoes unforgettable. A nostalgic side dish many kids today have never tasted.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Greek Potatoes

Classic American Potato Salad

Creamy, egg-filled potato salad that screams summer BBQ. This timeless dish is rarely served to kids today but is packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Classic American Potato Salad

Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

A creamy green bean casserole that takes you back to holiday dinners. Kids today might pass on this nostalgic, cheesy classic.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

Hearty Stuffed Pepper Soup

Overhead image of a bowl of Stuffed Pepper Soup, garnished with parsley, ready to serve. — Stuffed Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

This tomato-based soup captures all the flavors of stuffed peppers. A comforting meal kids today may never request.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Soup

Potato & Sausage Chowder

Overhead image of cozy bowl of potato and sausage chowder with breads on the side. — Potato And Sausage Chowder. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

A creamy chowder with potatoes and sausage that warms the soul. This hearty dish is one many kids have skipped over in recent years.
Get the Recipe: Potato And Sausage Chowder

Southern Beans and Cornbread

Beans and cornbread served together in a bowl. — Beans and Cornbread. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A warm Southern classic that’s hearty and comforting. This nostalgic combo is a taste of home most kids today have never tried.
Get the Recipe: Beans and Cornbread

Old-Fashioned Banana Bread

Sliced loaf of banana bread on wooden board. — Old-Fashioned Banana Bread. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Rich banana bread with nuts and warm aromas. A sweet childhood memory many kids today may never experience.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Banana Bread

Classic Baked Potato

Baked potatoes on a serving dish with sour cream and fresh parsley. — Baked Potato. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A fluffy baked potato with crispy skin that everyone remembers. A simple side kids today rarely ask for.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

A cheesy, meaty casserole inspired by the classic chicken dish. This throwback meal is rarely made for kids today but is full of nostalgic flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Soft Sour Cream Cookies

Three stacks of Sour Cream Cookies with more on the background. — Sour Cream Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Pillowy soft cookies with a hint of tang from sour cream. A nostalgic sweet many kids today have never tasted.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Cookies

Spiced Carrot Cake Muffins

Carrot cake muffins on a cooling rack. — Carrot Cake Muffins. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

Moist muffins with warm spice and sweet carrot flavor. These nostalgic treats are rarely found in lunchboxes today.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake Muffins

Cheesy Broccoli Soup

Close-up image of sliced homemade Margherita pizza. — Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Parallel Plates.

Creamy broccoli and cheddar soup, a comfort classic from the past. Kids today often skip this nostalgic bowl of goodness.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie

A bite of pecan pie on a fork. — Old Fashioned Pecan Pie. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

A sweet, nutty pecan pie that screams holiday nostalgia. Few kids today have a chance to taste this classic dessert.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Pecan Pie

Old-Fashioned Artichoke Apple Soup

A bowl of soup with apples and sprigs of thyme. — Creamy, Vegan Jerusalem Artichoke Soup With Apples. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This creamy soup blends earthy Jerusalem artichokes with tart apples for a nostalgic twist. It’s a comforting classic that today’s kids rarely get to taste.
Get the Recipe: Creamy, Vegan Jerusalem Artichoke Soup With Apples

Chewy Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies

Close-up of stacks of oatmeal butterscothc cookies on a wooden board. — Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

These classic oatmeal cookies with butterscotch chips bring back childhood memories. Their chewy texture and rich caramel flavor are a treat most kids today have never tried.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies

Mini Sloppy Joe Sandwiches

Close-up image of 2 sloppy joe sliders on a wooden board. — Sloppy Joe Sliders. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

These bite-sized sloppy joes are a retro favorite that kids today rarely eat. Perfectly messy and flavorful, they make any meal a fun throwback.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Sliders

Classic Chopped Italian Hoagie

Close-up image of chopped italian sandwich on a wooden surface. — Chopped Italian Sandwich. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This chopped Italian sandwich combines cured meats and provolone for an old-school favorite. Kids today rarely experience the bold flavors of this lunchtime classic.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Italian Sandwich

Hearty French Beef Stew

An image of a classic French beef bourguignon. — Classic French Beef Bourguignon. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This French beef stew is a rich, slow-cooked classic that’s often skipped today. Tender meat and savory gravy make it a timeless dish from childhood kitchens.
Get the Recipe: Classic French Beef Bourguignon

Old-School Cowboy Stew

A bowl of cowboy stew. — Quick And Easy Cowboy Stew. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This hearty cowboy stew mixes sausage, bacon, and beef in a way many kids today have never tasted. It’s a filling, nostalgic dish perfect for family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Quick And Easy Cowboy Stew

Egg-in-the-Hole Breakfast Classic

An overhead image of egg in a hole toasts. — Egg in a Hole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Buttery toast with a perfectly set egg is a breakfast everyone remembers. This simple, golden classic is one kids today might skip.
Get the Recipe: Egg in a Hole

Grandma’s 33 Old-school Dishes People Refuse to Stop Making

Grandma didn’t need written instructions—just time, patience, and a few trusted techniques passed down through generations. These time-honored dishes are still being made today, not out of habit, but because they’re worth holding onto.
Grab it here: Grandma’s 33 Old-school Dishes People Refuse to Stop Making