Munchies has been quietly doing the same job since 1957: packing caramel, nougat and biscuit into bite-sized chocolate cubes that disappear from the bag far faster than anyone intends.
A Mackintosh's original
Munchies was launched in 1957 by Mackintosh's, the confectioner behind Quality Street, before passing to Rowntree Mackintosh after that company's 1969 merger. The format was deliberately different from a standard bar — small, chocolate-coated cubes rather than a single slab — designed for sharing from a bag rather than snapping off a bar.
What makes up each piece
- Caramel — a soft, chewy base layer.
- Nougat — adding lightness against the caramel's density.
- Biscuit — a crunchy layer running through the centre.
- Milk chocolate coating — wrapping the whole thing, in the classic version.
Still on shelves, decades on
Following Nestle's 1988 acquisition of Rowntree, Munchies passed into the Nestle stable, where it remains today. Unlike many of its 1950s-era contemporaries, Munchies was never discontinued — it has instead been extended with variants like white chocolate Munchies, and continues to sit comfortably alongside chocolate favourites that have stayed the course since the 20th century.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes Munchies?
Munchies is made by Nestle today, having originally been launched by Mackintosh's, later Rowntree Mackintosh, in 1957.
What is inside a Munchies sweet?
Each cube-shaped piece combines caramel, nougat and biscuit, coated in milk chocolate.
Is Munchies still sold today?
Yes, Munchies remains widely available in the UK and has been extended over the years into white chocolate and other variants.