Hot Pockets have been around since 1983, but most people probably know them best from Jim Gaffigan’s iconic stand-up bit. The jury’s out over whether or not Gaffigan’s jokes had a negative impact on the brand, but one Hot Pockets off-shoot bit the dust: Lean Pockets. Remember Lean Pockets? Let’s dig into the cheesy, diet-friendly depths and find out more about these snack food casualties.
What are Lean Pockets?
Lean Pockets hit the market in 1987, supposedly as a “diet” alternative to the standard Hot Pockets. And while they did technically have less calories—on average about 270 compared to the regular’s average of 310—they were most likely a cash grab in the era of fast diet trends in the ‘80s and ‘90s. They even packaged them in a green box, because green = healthy, obviously.
The reality is they were just another microwaveable option from the freezer aisle, right there with pizza rolls and dino nuggets.
What are the Lean Pockets flavors?
Lean Pockets cleverly used a lot of health food buzzwords to prove they were a healthier option. For example, their Spinach Artichoke White Meat Chicken not only included two vegetables, but also emphasized the use of “white meat” chicken, which we all know is the healthiest damn thing in the whole world.
Other flavors included hits like White Meat Chicken Jalapeno Cheese in Baked Pretzel Bread, Garlic Chicken White Pizza with Whole Grain Crust, Sausage Egg and Cheese (with Low-Fat Mozzarella), Reduced Fat Pepperoni Pizza, BBQ Recipe White Meat Chicken, and, most perplexing of all, Philly Steak & Cheese.
Do they still make Lean Pockets?
Lean Pockets are dead and buried. In 2020, Hot Pockets’ parent company Nestle tweeted that the product was being discontinued due to sluggish sales. Apparently, during Covid, people weren’t concerned with microwaveable health foods and just wanted the home comforts of a robust Hot Pocket filled with hot lava cheese.
But never fear, the standard Hot Pocket is still alive and kicking. They are even expanding. One of their newest additions to the line is a partnership with Hot Ones. So now, if the extreme heat inside a Hot Pocket won’t destroy your tongue, the extreme spice will.
