my mom bought the green ones, which were wintergreen. Where are they now???

I used to buy air bons by the bag full at our local drug store when I was a kid. There were the red ones, green ones and maybe yellow. I don't recall the other flavor. They were one of the most memorable treats as a child. Do they still make them somewhere out there. If so I would love to get a hold of a case.

I love these! Air bons! We bought them at Kmart!

Does anyone know which candy manufacturer made them? If we find that, we can ask the company if they still make air bons.

Could it be??? Has anyone ordered from here to find out? www candywarehouse.com/stripedballs.html Removed a dot so it would go.

I loved thses too and have always wondered if I could find them For some reason I think they were made by Whitman's but that is just a guess. I would love to find the, I used to buy them at this little pharmacy in Yorba LInda CA called B & B and have asked there but no one remembers them

I use to love these and have currently been trying to find the Air Bons. Teeheenah, the candy you found are not the Air bons. :( But good try. I really dont think they make them any more :(

They were great--we only had the peppermint ones in Hawaii, which were made by Whitman and came in a can. I had the Vermont Country Store check on them (they have been able to find old brands and have them made again) but they were unsuccessful.

I used to LOVE Air Bons, especially the peppermint (white) ones. I remember buying them at K-Mart, Walgreens and even Woolworths. I am always on the lookout for them whenever I am shopping but haven't come across any....yet. Please tell me they didn't quit making them!I can taste them now. Loved how they would dissolve away in my mouth. =)

My best friend and I bought these during college -- 1994 was the last year I remember them. We'd eat them like mad. If you ate one and then drank water it tasted so cold you thought your teeth would shatter. You could even just hold one between your lips and blow hot breath on them and they'd melt. I would LOVE to find these again!

Whitman's Air Bons! I have looked and searched the internet. No one has them. Yellow were butterscotch, by the way. And no, the stripedballs from candywarehouse ain't them. Too bad. I'm going to write the Whitman's company and ask.

I am sitting here dreaming of AIR BONS...Spearmint and Peppermint to be exact. How I miss them!!!

I can not believe the number of people that are looking for this candy.I often find myself looking for them oh how I wish I will go to K-mart one day and see them. I look every time I go in just hoping. I my mom introduced those to me as a child and I would buy bags of them when i went to K-mart they were 2 for a dollar. I cotton candy balled tight in my fist is the closest i have gotten..Maybe they will make a come pack.. To all the Puff Candy Lovers take care.

My great grandmother ALWAYS had these candies when I was growing up - I loved them. Have been looking for them for years and have not been able to find them anywhere. Let's all write to Whitman's and ask them to bring them back!

I thought that I was the only one who missed this candy. The last time I purchased them was at K Mart about 8 or 9 years ago. I wonder why they stopped making it.

I've been looking for them too! But I couldn't remember the name. Thank you! They were sold in bags in my part of the country and at discount or drug stores and were 2 for $1.00. We had the peppermint, butterscotch, & spearment. When you put them in your mouth they immediately disolved into a small chewy candy mass similar to what happens when you put cotton candy in your mouth. Oh! If anyone finds them, please post!

I emailed Whitman's a while back about Air Bons and they said they no longer make them. I just emailed them again asking them if they'd consider making them again. I'll write back and let everyone know what they say.

Reply from Russell Stover/ Whittman's : Thank you for recently contacting us. It is always a pleasure to hear from our customers whether it is to praise or in offering their comments and/or suggestions. We are sorry, but there are no plans to bring back the Peppermint Air Bons. Your comments will not go unnoticed. I don't think I'm the only one to write to them so I think our comments are indeed going unnoticed. Or they notice but don't give a hoot.

My grandmother had the peppermint one every Christmas when I was young. I've been looking for them for years. Couldn't remember what they were called until just now when I found this site. So sad to learn that they can't be found any longer. My mom and I are crushed. Whitmans please bring them back!

Well I'm seriously bummed that they no longer make them. :( I was thrilled to find this post and I think we should all pop emails to Whitman's and let them know that we love these and miss them! Go to russellstover . com customer service page.

my favs were the spearmint & butterscotch ones. would love to see them come back!!!

I remember these candies they were such a treat and everyone in my family has been searching for them. I want to have a butterscotch one bad. I hope that someone does find out who made them. I thought that they were a store brand though not a name brand. I am not to sure because I was pretty small.

I have looked for these for years. I remember when my 24 year old son had his first Easter basket. He would put candy in his mouth and spit it out and then try another and spit it out, then he put an air bon in his mouth and started to spit it out and sucked it right back in. It was the green ones. I loved those things. I have never been able to find them.

My late great-grandmother always had these at her house and I loved them. I've been searching for years (really for years!), hoping to share these with my kids now. I'm really bummed to hear that Whitmans aren't considering bringing them back. I will glady shoot them over an email too. :)

Oh- I loved air bons too. The first time in my life that I had disposable cash that I could spend on anything. I must have been a teen- but I bought a whole container of these and ate them all. My second great purcahse was a sewing machine. I did get wiser with money.

I remember buying Air Bons in a store called Neisners. I remember the colors and flavors. My friend Gail and I would love to have them again. I'll keep on looking.

i remember buying them at two guys department store in e.brunwick,nj.my mom would go crazy and buy the whole shelf so we had plenty for us and the neighbors.as soon as the bag was opened the race was on to see how many you could squash with your tongue.by the end of the bag we were all drinking broschi...lol...good times,good times!!!

I LOVED Whitman's Air Bons! I still find myself looking for them everytime I go to K-Mart or Walgreens but have never come across them. So sad! My fav were the peppermint (white) ones. I can still taste them and even get strong cravings for the puffy pieces of palatable bliss.... but nothing comes close. PLEASE bring them back!!! =)

LOVED LOVED LOVED Them! Someone would make plenty of money if they brought them back on the market!

I can tell you where to get the same taste you are craving for.... Walmart (bakery section) has the Meringue Cookies that give off the same texture and satisfaction. If you don't find them now, wait until Xmas holiday comes around. That's the closest I've come to fullfil my craving for those delicious Air Bons. Childhood Pastime Favorite treat!

I sent an email to Whitman's asking where to find them. I listed links to about five different blogs where people were asking where to find them. They replied with a form email stating that "they appreciated my inquiry but had no plans to bring back the candy." Maybe that's what is wrong with American businesses--they refuse to sell what people are asking them to make! Go figure!

my brothers and i used to LOVE air bons. our parents would bring them home from the US when we were living in okinawa, japan. does anyone have any candy-making experience? i just wonder how hard it would be to replicate the candy. it couldn't be that hard, right?

I too would love to find Air-Bons. Does anyone know of anyway to get Walmart to make and carry them?? I saw some "root beer barrels" that "Great Value" by Walmart ,had on Oct.23,2010 & bought there, so maybe if someone knew how to contact them, we could get them to make them? ha,ha They know how to make money & we all would love them!!

My sister and I were talking about these today. We both loved the spearmint (green) ones. We also used to get cinnamon ones. Tasted like Red Hots! Would love to have one right now. We have both been searching for the "Puff Balls" Hopefully somebody will get these back on the market soon! I love to cook and if I knew how I'd at least attempt to make some.

I remember scarfing those as a kid. We should all bombard Whitmans/Russell Stover with letters and e-mails and LET THEM KNOW how much we want them back! They could truly make a fortune selling Air Bons again, they are throwing away a tremendous opportunity. Not to mention, our Air Bon joneses have gone unanswered for too long!

I loved Air Bons, too!! I am a total history buff and nostalgia freak, and when I started to find treats from my childhood popping up at my local PriceBusters, I would hope and pray every Christmas that I would turn an aisle corner and find that on a shelf. Now that I know that will never happen, I feel like this year will be a "Blue Christmas" for sure. I read the following article: http://www.20-first.com/1151-0-companies-ignore-women-the-largest-market-opportunity-in-the-world.html especially the very end. Seeing as there are only women on this webpage, I wonder if the author might just have a point... Well, my sisters, in the name of the Air Bon and our fond memories (and our hard-earned cash), I say we "pause for the cause!"

I did work at the Whitman's plant that made Air Bons in the late 80's and early 90's. The machines that produced them were unique and very old. The process shot very small pellets of hard candy into a vacuum chamber that would expand it. If I remember corectly they had two machines, and one was not working in the early 90's and we were told it would not be repaired. I am pretty sure the machines that make these are no longer in existence.

Oh my gosh the memories this brought back. My favorite were the green (spearmint I think) and then the butterscotch. Sort of reminded me of round cotton candy balls with a hard shell. One of these nostalgic candy companies has got to re-manufacture a new machine and they would make a mint. You guys touched great memories of the good ol' 80's... If anyone finds them, please post. Thanks.

AIR BONS!!!! Thank you! I couldn't remember the name and I've also been searching high and low and around evry corner in every store...My 77 year old dad has been craving them and I would like nothing more than to make my daddy happy. Please tell me they are going to bring them back!! The last I saw of them was at a Fla. Kmart in 1996. Got to have 'em!

the candy I am searching for is completely round (no flat sides), IS NOT individualy wrapped and DOES NOT come in a bag, the came in a can (carboard sides and tin bottom and top) about as tall as two peanut cans stacked. I rememberthem from the late 60s to early 70s.

Finally I have a name! I asked Vermont Store to help me find them about 10 years ago. I didn't have the "whitman" clue, just a description of the unforgettable texture and flavor of them. They were unable to help me as well. I sure wish they would come back! Loved the spearmint, myself!

I'm still looking too!

I work for Russell Stover / Whitman's and Air Bons are back! Currently they're only in our retail stores (check www.russellstover.com for store locations) but you never know...if demand is great enough distribution may expand to the CVS, Rite Aid, Wal Mart, etc. of the world.

A gentleman who says he works for Russell Stover/Whitman's, posted that Air Bons were going to return to the market at Russell Stover last week. I live just a few miles from a Russell Stover so I went there as soon as the shipment came in. They are indeed called "Air Bons" but they are the same thing as Bob's Sweet Stripes and the many other similar mints out there, unfortunately. They are NOT the super light, airy, literally melt-in-your-mouth mints that I also recall from the 70s that came in peppermint and spearmint and were, as someone else said, like crispy balls of cotton candy. I am so sorry to tell you guys this! But please keep me posted if you do hear about the real thing coming back on the market. Sooooooo good...

I remember these from my childhood. I really wish they would bring them back. If I ever ran into a display of these things today I would buy at least $60 worth for fear I would never see them again!!! DS if you read this, Russel Stover / Whitman's recipe isn't the candy we're looking for. You should look into purchasing the recipe and/or rights to manufacture them and tap into this niche market.

I have four children and have been looking for these candies..I have described them to my kids and they would love to try them...they said I make them sounds soooo good....I loved the mint flavored and lemon and orange...awesome! Please bring them back!

I, too, was excited to hear about them at Russel Stover. I drove MANY miles to buy lots of bags and was disappointed. They are called air bons, do have good flavor but are not the air bons we all are wanting. So sad...

I used to buy the spearmint airbons. Have looked for many years no one sells them anymore. Wonder if K-mart Corporate offices can do some investigation on this?

Ok so I ordered the so called New Air Bons from Russell Stover last week and they are NOT the Air Bons I had as a child. They were not much different than the Bob's Sweet Stripes or Red Bird Peppermints and they do not instantly dissolve in your mouth and they are not round and striped like we remember either. I was so dissapointed and emailed them that they should not have named them Air Bons because they are not the real old time Air Bons from years ago. I feel I was mislead. Don't get me wrong...they are good but not the real Air Bons of yester-year. I'll have to stick to eating their amazing chocolates.

My husband and I were talking about these the other day. They were the candy we always took on our nursing home visits. They were great for people with no teeth and they were delicious! Melt in your mouth--missing them right now! Too bad they're no longer manufactured. Those soft peppermints are like eating wet chalk--no comparison.

When I was a kid we used to get the bags of Air Bons made by Whitmans as a treat. Butterscotch was my favorite. I haven't seen them for several years now, but would love to have some. as I understand it Whitmans no longer makes them. I wish they did, though. There is nothing that comes close in flavor or consistency...

The air puffed candy i ate were in a bag,not wrapped,came in strawberry,spearmint,and peppermint stripped balls.I don't think they were made by russell stover or whitmans candy co.Because i bought them at family dollar stores,and even the dollar trees for about 1 dollar in the 90s.Thought maybe farleys made them not sure.

I know I am late in replying.. but I just had to tell everyone. I know exactly what you guys are talking about. I remember growing up having these at my grandmother's house down south. My mother loved them as well. Well for Christmas I was hunting for these peppermints because I wanted to surprise my mom... Well no luck of the originals because they no longer make them.. but I found something VERY similar. The melt right in your mouth. Well they are buy Russell Stover and they are new. Go to the Russell Stover website and type in peppermint puffs. I purchased 5 bags for my mom and she loves them. We have tried so many different brands, but this is by far the best and closes to the original. Its a must buy if your still looking

I agree with all of you. I loved the Air Bons butterscotch was my favorite. I don't remember who made them, so I can't help out there. But, for the people that loved the peppermint puffs. There is a candy that I purchased made by "Bob's" which is Farley's. They are also on the web so you can order them. I believe they were at our Kroger store for Christmas. Good Luck. If anyone finds the butterscotch please let us all know. Which I'm asking for a small miracle.

I Called Whitmans and also was told they no longer make them so I guess they need emails or calls from everyone who wants to see them come back. They were great during the Holidays but I liked them year round.

Maybe we all need to call and e-mail the Whitmans company so they can bring them back.....I mentioned this as a memory to my mom last week and thuis week she's like "oh, we need to find these now!!" So were on the internet googling and yahooing away and found this forum! Its pretty fun to read all of the memorys you have and to see how many people are looking for this exact same candy. Down thru the tears I have always tried to find them in K-mart, and Woolworths is not around anymore,,,,coming up empty handed is so sad :( Lets all help each other and send an e-mail or call the Whitmans company and protest that they bring this all time favorite back!!!!!!

I,ve been looking for these air bons for ages.I,m so dissapointed that Whitmans isn,t going to make them the original way.

are these what you are referring too?....russel stovers has em $4.99 a bag.says old fashioned air bon mints. cant post the link on here i guess?? lol

I was so excited to hear Whitman's brought Air Bon's back, I set aside $500. That may sound crazy but after 15 years of searching, I would do about anything for them. There is really NO EXCUSE for the company to not bring Air Bons back. They need realize the production cost will be justified by profit.

Have they brought them back? I too, have been looking for them for years, and it seems hardly anyone knows what I'm talking about. Thank God you guys do!!! I need to know where to find them.

I also loved the air bons and I can remember getting them at the drug store and 4 flavors butterscotch, spearment, peppermint and strawberry. I do wish they would bring them back or someone make them they would be a great seller and I am going to research the machine that made them and see if I can buy the machine and restore it

The air boons from Russell Stovers in the 12 oz bag are not the same.

It just came to me after searching for the name of the candy that they were made by Whitmans. I have searched for them but no luck. Used to buy them at Gold Circle stores in Columbus Ohio. Loved the pink ones!!

SANIBEL GROCERIES SELLS THEM... THEY ARE LOCATED IN MINNEAPOLIS, SANIBEL ISLAND AND SOME OTHER LOCATIONS SO IF YOU GOOGLE FOR AIR BONS LAY DOWN BAG AND SANIBEL OR SANIBEL JERRY'S YOU SHOULD COME UP WITH THEM OR .... LOOK ON THEIR WEBSITE.

THEY ARE BACK!!!!!!! Go to the Russel Stover Website and type Air Bons in the search.

The Russell Stover ones are not what we are looking for. I got some today, not what I want.

So where can we get them in Ohio? These were so great. And, can we start a pafe for the Reds baseball team. Bengals lost, but we'll be back. Have not won a playoff game since 1990. Dam

Saw the one post explaining how they were made. Initially suspected, as ANON states, that they were made in much the same way styrofoam shipping noodles or Chee-tos are made. A small amount of material was forced at high pressure through a small orifice, and, in the case of Air-Bons, expanded, and may have been chopped coming out of the machine (I remember they had a different texture on either end, like the head of an acorn, where they might have been cut coming out of the extruder). I remember them having a short shelf life, especially when the bag wasn't re-sealed -- Recall coming back to a bag of Air-Bons in a hot car on vacation, only to find a bag of goo, especially on a hot, humid day. Short shelf life may have been one of the reasons for their being discontinued. Hey Whitman "suits" -- Bring em' back anyway!!!

I've been thinking of these lately. The butterscotch were my favorite, I remember my dad eating the mint ones. Just typing this has my mouth watering. I remember buying them at discount stores like Kmart, Woolworth ect. Would love to find them. I can't believe there not online somewhere. It seems there's enough people out there interested!!! Good luck in your search....Fellow sweet tooths!!!

Russel Stover claims they have the peppermint available again, heres the link. I haven't tried them yet. http://www.russellstover.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=2881

They came in can or bag, Flavors Mixed (Cherry, Lemon & one other) Peppermint, Spearmint & Butterschotch. Ebay has one of the cans with pics on it for sale $29.99. Here is the link, go see the can FAST before sold so you know what you are looking for. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-old-Metal-tin-WHITMANS-MINT-AIR-BONS-puffed-candy-whitmans-chocolate-/140886136908

The ones im looking for are all green (no stripes. My dad used to get them every week from path mart, walgreens, k-mart, hills, etc... Befor you put them in your mouth, if you were to break one in half, it would almost have a flake/layered appearence to them. However they were solid, very light and airy. Soon as you got them wet they would start to dissolve/shrink/melt instantly. I have been looking all over the internet and haved looked up everything that everyone has mentioned and I still have not been able to find them. These have no stripes, and I only remember the green ones. I have no idea if they came in peppermint or anything else. I miss them so very much and have been craving them since the 80's! I tried searching for every key word and phrase I could come up wit...and yet...nothing. Not even any pictures.

...Also the ones that i am talking about were spherical...A ball shape. Its seems to me that the ones everyone else is talking about are flat on the top and bottom. if anyone has any leads what-so-ever...please e-mail me at LunarDuplicities@gmail.com Please do not hesitate... Thank you to everyone who has shown interest in finding these awesome disappearing mints. Good luck everyone and happy hunting.

The russell stover air bons are not what everyone is talking about. Not even close. The ones I had were bigger than a golf ball and lighter than a ping pong ball. They were shinny and when I was a kid I thought they looked just like Christmas tree ball ornaments. The last time I saw them, they were in a bag and I believe my mom got them at a department store. That was in 1974. I haven't seen them since and no one seems to know what I'm talking about. They always think its the old fashion red and white striped chalky mints. They aren't. Totally different animal.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, my husband works for Nestle and I have learned in the years that he had been there that they really could care less if anyone wants something back. They get rid of things because they are not selling well enough to keep in production, or the machinery consistently breaks down and it would take millions and I do mean millions of people requesting it, for it to even make a tiny blip on the executive radar. There are dozens of candies that I would love to see again, but it just probably won't happen. :(

these were made by Whitmans/Russel Stovers and they still sell the peppermint but I loved the spearmint

I use to buy them at Woolworth s Five and Dime in the early 1990's in Richmond,Va on Broad Street downtown. After the Woolworth Five and Dime went out of business that was the last I purchased the Air Bons in yellow which had a butterscotch flavor. I can not find them anywhere on the web. Now I can purchase candy cigarettes on the web. Gee some company needs to make them again.

I am trying to put link on here but it won't let me. I am going to purchase a bag in the hopes my search might be over http://www.russellstover.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=2881

Here in Hawai'i we only had peppermint .it came in asilver can with printed Picture's of these wonderful puffs of heaven on a green backgound it also had a pull rtb can top and a plastic cover. It was the best mint candy Ihave ever eaten ... Maybe if enough of us e-mailed Whitman's they will put it back on production.

I love these mints. I remember getting them from Walgreens in spearmint,wintergreen, and orange. They would melt in my mouth.. This was such an awesome candy... Gosh, why can't they bring them back???

Still looking for Whitmans Air Bons or candy that comes close. No luck. :( I seem to remember seeing them around spring time...especially Easter. Their pastel colors were such an attraction and I could always point them out as soon as I approached the candy isle. My mom always tried to distract me from the candy isle because she knew once I spotted them, that was it...I HAD to have them! I could easily consume a whole bag (or two) within minutes! Yeah...they were THAT good! :)

These minty candy puffs were all kinds of divine. I once ate almost a whole bag and got a tummy ache, but it was so worth it

http://www.russellstover.com/jump.jsp?itemID=2881&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C155&iProductID=2881 just found this on the whitman/russell stover site

I found them too! Russell Stover/ Whitman they come in peppermint only but if lovers buy them I'm betting they will make the other flavors. For some reason I remember Lemon Chiffon Air Bons from K-mart...maybe I'm dreaming : )

okay so I read more of you girls posts and I'm thinking those Russel Stover Air Bons are not the same either- looks like those buttery mint ones of Bob's stripe mints which I like but not love like the Air Bons. Sorry to mislead you. "Sister Bons" Let's figure this out and bring them back to share with our kids and grandkids.

I am looking for the (just smaller than a ) Golf ball in size, Butterscotch flavor, pale yellow with a darker yellow stripe. Seriously would melt almost identical to cotton candy. I would put it in my mouth and it would dissolve INSTANTLY like cotton candy. Thanks everyone,..at least it appears people are aware of them. I have been looking for years as well. Every time I have described them, I either get the "Okayyyyy,.. we don't know what the heck you're talking about but, we will pretend we do" look,.. or they think I am referring to the red/white striped peppermint melt away balls that take time to dissolve. Here's hoping one of us find the real thing and posts it on here for all. :)

Same story as most of you, remembered from childhood. Butterscotch was my favorite. Just one would truly bring back the best of memories. I'm thinking there may have been some kind of issue with safety or health for them to discontinue them, otherwise they would be stupid to not bring them back. I will be looking for a way to re-create them. If I ever do I will let you all know. Lol!!

I loved these mints too. I was hoping to find some. They just melted in your mouth like butter!!The closest thing I could find are Bob's Sweet Stripes. They do melt in your mouth but it takes a bit to get it going. The old ones were just heavenly.

WOW! I thought I was crazy and am so glad I found people looking for this peppermint ball as well. I was only 4 yrs old in 1991 and my mother's friend had the peppermint ones. They were in a jar or tin and they were shiny ping pong ball like. Very thin and light outer shell that crunched and then melted in your mouth instantly. I have been looking ever since then and am so glad to know I am not alone. I vow to make them for everyone to enjoy in every flavor if I ever make millions of dollars! I wish in the meantime someone else would make them for us. By the way, like everyone said it is not the puffed powdery ones like Bob's and king Leo and Russell Stover puff balls. The ones we are asking about are perfect round balls. I love you all and thank you so much for all your help and stories/memories of these balls of heaven.

I have been looking for these for years. I see Russell Stover is making them again

Please let me know where I can buy Mint Air Bons!

I used to love the peppermint air-bins in the can. They were so sweet and refreshing. I just found them in a bag at www.russelstover.com, and I ordered a few bags. Part of the nostalgia for me, however, is the can with the foil lid. I am hoping they will be as tasty. I ordered some for my mom and my daughters. It's awesome that we all have this in common. I enjoyed all of your comments. Thanks.

I bought those Russel Stover's Air Bons in a bag and they are not the same as the Whitman's Air Bons in the can from the '80s. The ones from RS are soft mints and not light as air and melt quickly in your mouth like the peppermint balls we bought years ago.

I am NOT a candy lover but the peppermint air bons were WONDERFUL. I always look for them . They did come in a can and there was no weight except the can, the bons were so light the can felt empty .In Florida you had to eat them fast and I did .

Sorry everyone, but I am afraid I have some bad news. I really hope I'm wrong. I LOVED these as a kid and have searched high and low. My mother, who has a knack for finding stuff like this, called different candy companies until she found someone who seemed to actually "know" the candy we are talking about. The woman told her that they actually stopped making the candy because the machine that manufactured them actually broke. Why they can't simply fix it I don't remember. Maybe there wasn't enough demand. I'm just not sure. Maybe one day we will see them again. :(

I have been thinking about these candies for a long time. Like many of you, no one seemed to remember them so I am happy to find all of you Air Bon lovers! If it wasn't for sites like this I would have never even recalled the name since I had them when I was very young. When I think about these candies I always have sweet memories of Christmases past...

At the Whitman website they appear to be back! I ordered it so we shall see!

I also have been looking for this candy. The last time I bought it was at Kmart in Anchorage Alaska in the 1990s. Kmart had mint, lemon and strawberry flavored. I used to buy butterscotch as a child. There was a drugstore that sold orange flavored ones but we're made by a different company. I wish I could remember. I do remember the ones from Kmart were called Puffs Candy. I'm still hoping to find them again one day

http://www.russellstover.com/jump.jsp?itemID=2881&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C155&iProductID=2881 They don't have spearmint, but looks like the peppermint flavor came back!!!! I wish I liked peppermint!

Got really excited thinking I had found the originals. Bought 5 bags from Whittman the week before Christmas. Big disappointment - not the originals. Definitely not making the originals any longer.

Just received the 12 ounce bag of Russell Stover "Air-Bons Mints". The mints are NOT anything like the Whitman's Air Bons I ate as a child. These are not light/airy....very disappointing.

I still daydream about these, and I don't think I've eaten one since the 70's. We could always find them at KMart. After reading this thread and searching online, my faint hope of trying to find a way to make these in a home kitchen are dashed. It looks like you need very specialized food manufacturing equipment to make them.

I have been looking for YEARS for these. They were the best!! But when I got them in the late 70's early 80's they were in a bag. About the size of a reg. Size of Halloween candy. And you could see them. They were not wrapped. I am still looking!! So if anyone finds them please give an update... Thanks

ooh i wish they would make them again.....love love love them....nothing else like them out there. yes....if anyone finds them...let us know

Start making the rounds one again but this time make them soft drink flavor too

They were not quite as big as a golf ball--LOL Little kids see everything larger than an adult would. They weren't quite as lg. as a ping pong ball, either. They WERE green w/ dark green stripes, and pink w/ dark green stripes. My grandmother treated me to them often and I remember they'd melt away to nothing when wet. they weren't made in layers, but most like Bluth-nah! - January 12, 2013 described them. I can tell some people know exactly what I am talking about and others are, very clearly thinking of another confection which is much more solid/heavy. Nothing like them!

Hi All, I just wrote to Lindt & Sprüngli who are the new owners of R Stover and Whitmans. I told them about how we all love the air bons and hoped that they would bring them back. I think they could make a ton of money on them. Maybe if more wrote they would at least give it a go.

I just went on the Russell stover site and they have peppermint air bons. $3.99 a bag.

Iloved these candies as a child and would love to be able to share them with my children please help me find them.

I remember eating these as a kid and even when I was a little older. There is no substitute for them on the market today. The original Kmart used to sell them. I contacted them but they didn't know what I was referring to. I can't believe so many people still remember these as fondly as I do! I feel a tug at my heart every time I think of the 80's and 90's and what will never be again. I don't see why companies don't listen to their public and give them what they want. I agree that we should all band together and bombard them with letters and emails to bring these awesome candies back! I wish I still had an old bag just to look at and relive some great memories :(

I recall my mom buying "air bons" at K-Mart during the summer months. They were the most delicious and memorable candy of my childhood. My mom and I, to this day, would give anything to have them again. I remember peppermint (white w/red stripes), spearmint (green w/dark green stripes), cherry (pink w/red stripes) orange, butterscotch, and possibly lemon, too. I can't believe that the candy manufacturers won't bring this fantastic candy back! They could literally make millions ... how foolish they are, like who wouldn't want to make millions?!!! If I had the money, I would by the rights to the formula and make them myself.

I dream of the peppermint. Pop one in and smoosh, ahhh. surly they can pack them air tight with todays technology. Bring them back to ME!

Ive also been looking everywhere for these. what found memories I have of mom and I eating these. I could never ever forget that can....hoping they bring them back as a Retro candy...

I have been looking for years and years for these balls of peppermint filled with air. GLORIOUS SIMPLE CANDY. Russel Stovers air bons are not the same. I thought they were so I bought a case. Nope, not the same candy so I'm stuck with a case of 12oz bags of soft peppermint. Oh well....

Yes, I've been looking for them also! Does anyone know where to find them?

I think if we ALL write to them they might get the message that a lot of people want this candy again.

Thank you for all the memories!! I have been trying to describe the butterscotch ones to my daughters and could not for the life of me remember the name "air bons"! They NEED to bring these back! I can almost taste them just from the memory!

I've been looking for these for years. I remember lemon, peppermint and cherry. They came in a bag. They just dissolved in your mouth. I've tried to describe other people, but they don't know what I'm talking about. Only thing I can find are the harder buttermints. That's not the ones.

uniI miss them too. I tried the various "soft" peppermints on the market. Now that I know that Whitman's made them and having read the history I will stop looking. I do not think they will be made again since the manufacturing equipment no longer exists and the procedure was unique.

Whitmans was too upscale for the candies I bought back in the early 90s at K-Mart in a bag that hung on the racks where you get 2 bags for a $1. They were indeed pink for cherry, yellow for lemon, and there might have been a green. They would melt as soon as your lips hit them and they were as light as a ping pong ball. I always thought they were made from some kind of divinity. For some reason I thought they were made by Ferrera Pan. I just stumbled on to something that totally reminded me of the consistency, and prompted me search again. My daughter made smores dip last night, and it had toasted marshmallows on top. I reheated it for 1 minute in the microwave. When I brought it out the marshmallow was one big piece of hard plastic like substance. We pushed it to the side and ate the chocolate. When I came back to clean up, the marshmallow was crisp and breakable. It had that consistency I recognized. I tasted it, and while it kind of tasted like eggs or something, it did melt in my mouth just like the air bons from years ago. Could we make our own? It made me wonder.

Peppermint air bons are available now from Russell stover. :-)

I distinctly remember buying these at Walgreens in Pekin,Illinois. They were usually sold loose, unwrapped in a bag. As others have described, they felt like extremely light malted milk balls... Roughly ping ping ball size and shape (slightly smaller) and dissolved in your mouth like cotton candy... If cotton candy had a slightly hard outer shell. I remember the orange and cherry flavored ones but I know there were spearmint and peppermint as well. Amazing :) Bring 'gem back!!

Sure wish they would bring the peppermint air bons back! I remember my grandmother loving them!

12 oz. Air-Bons® Mints Old-fashioned puffed peppermints are just like the ones you use to buy at your local drugstore. These Air-Bons® are light, airy and will literally melt-in-your-mouth. Item # Product Qty Price 9753 Air-Bons® Mints, 12 oz. bag $3.99

Sorry I forgot to say the 12 oz air bons are at russellstover.com

My brother is looking for those as well as a host of other snacks. Why does it seem like they always discontinue the "good stuff"? I do remember them and am not sure if the new ones at Russell stover are the genuine item. As has been remarked they came in several different flavors. I'm having a hard time getting thru by phone-close to valentine's day, I guess :)

Was so excited to find this page and then disappointed that I keep finding the chalky peppermints as the "comeback candy." What I remember is almost like air spun sugar candy. Very very light. Like strands of sugar that just melt away in your mouth. NOT the chalky texture mints! Or am I thinking of something else. I have been looking for these mints for 10+ years! No one seemed to know what I was referring to.

Oh so happy to see. I'm not the only one that remembers these. No one I mention them to. Don't remember them. I've been searching for these forever. My favorite were the cherry ones.

The candy I was looking for were made by Elmers and they came in assorted flavors. A candy from the 50's and 60's that I remember fondly from my great grandmother and grandmother. Unfortunately are not made any longer. A true southern tradition! Maybe one day they will reconsider, remake and keep the same recipe.

I remember these wonderful treats and how they would dissolve on the tongue. I remember cherry, spearmint and butterscotch flavors. My favorite was cherry. The peppermint ones sold are NOT the same, they're heavy and chalky.

I am looking for these classic candies that melts in your mouth like cotton candy...when I was a child my grandmother and great aunts use to give these candies to my sisters and me.I can't find them anywhere..a name brand called brocks sold them...it were sold in tin cans and bags.there were various flavors such as, cherry,lemon.spearmint,peppermint,butterscotch,and orange...this was in the late 60's when i ate them..there are similar candies that don't come close enough to call soft candy..please help me to locate these old fashion candy so that I may order some by the case.

I've been looking for these for years! My mother bought them at Kmart; butterscotch was my favorite. I wish they would make a comeback!

Both Whitman's and Elmer's made the candy. Whitman's call them Air Bons and Elmer's call them Bublets "Light As Bubbles".They're airy inside they melt like cotton candy not chalky creamy. Here's a picture https://www.flickr.com/photos/gwen/4330758837

Whitman's made these in many flavors...called Air Bons in the 60's. An employee there said the machines were old and Whitman's was not going to repair them. By 1980 they were down to one machine and when that one died they were no more. Would lovvvvve to get my hands on some bags of the caramel Air Bons!

I think another flavor was Wintergreen.

Brocks puffs were the big round melt in your mouth candy.Just like cotton candy does. They are not made anymore. So wish that the Brach company that more or less bought Brock candy company out would make them. They were the best and came in a few different flavors besides mint.

The ones that I got from out local Gee Bees came in a cellophane bag, not a tin can. I remember 4 flavors peppermint (white with red stripes), wintergreen (light green with dark green stripes), cherry (light red with dark red stripes), and butterscotch (yellow with drak yellow stripes). They were about the size and weight of a ping pong ball. AFter being in your mouth for about 5 seconds, they melted into what felt like a jack in your mouth. Kind of like a styrofoam ball would feel like. Are we sure that Air Bons was the correct name for the candy? Has anyone found these anywhere?

I bought these balls in cellophane bag also,loved the cherry ones,it was the 90s,bought them from family dollar store,dollar a bag.

Anyone tried Cracker Barrel Country Store, they sell old fashion stuff.

I remember these. My father used to buy them. I can't find them anywhere. I believe the green ones were spearmint and the red ones were cinnamon. I think they also had yellow which were lemon flavored. I would just melt in your mouth. Almost used to seem like the inside would melt before the outside in your mouth.

vermontcountrystore.com might carry them. They have a lot of old fashioned candy.

Dear air-bons searchers out there. I will try opening a facebook group to be named ❝Bring back the Whitman's air-bons mint❞ in the hope of gathering enough fellow air-bons lovers to get to Russell Stover (the confectionery maker that bought out the company that bought out Whitmans) to bring the genuine air-bons back (they've replied to my enquiry with a negative answer) ! Please join and support! See you all there. i will borrow the green tin image shared by #intheknow on chowhound.com for the fb group photo. Thank you!

Dear air-bons searchers out there. I will try opening a facebook group to be named ❝Bring back the Whitman's air-bons mint❞ in the hope of gathering enough fellow air-bons lovers to get to Russell Stover (the confectionery maker that bought out the company that bought out Whitmans) to bring the genuine air-bons back (they've replied to my enquiry with a negative answer) ! Please join and support! See you all there.

I miss these so much. I don't belong to Facebook but put me down. I loved them. You could buy them at KMart and Thrifty always had them. Spearmint, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Lemon, and Butterscotch were the ones I remember, but Spearmint was the best. Please oh please Russell Stover bring back the real Air Bon.

I don't know if anyone has tried this lately but if you google Air Bons Russel Stovers which is the same company as Whitmans is once again making the peppermint Air bons. You can order them right on the site. Thats the only place I've seen them I don't want to get in trouble for posting a link but it's there.

Andrea that is not them 🙁

And I thought Whitman (est. 1842) only made the world-famous Samplers of chocolates. Couldn't find much on the Air Bons history, other than Whitman began marketing in 1921. Found images of several tin containers, starting with 1925, 1933, 1943 (plastic wartime material), 1950, 1954 and 1961. Most were from the old Philadelphia plant. It wasn't until much later that plastic bags were used as a cost-cutting measure. Everyone knows that Bon-Bons are the rich, highly-fattening treats. This appeared to be a hard candy takeoff.

So glad I found this discussion! Mostly because for the last 15 years, I've had people look at me like I'm nut-balls crazy when I try to explain how these things tasted and felt like. The fact that they quit making them because a machine broke down is remarkably disappointing to me. But what's even more amazing (in a bad way) is that there is literally not one single candy out there that is remotely similar or even attempting to get close to this amazing classic. Can you think of any other candy like that? I can't. Some entrepreneur please take notice!

I am surprised to see all these comments about Bon-bons. I didn't know the name of this candy but have fond memories of having some at my great-grandmothers. I am presently visiting some ladies at a nursing home & would love to find this candy to take to them. Please report if anyone has found some.

Age 63. Ouch! Anyway, it's that sad time of year when Grandmother's all across the nation and in military installations around the world had "WHITMAN' S AIR-BONS" and or "ELMER'S BUBLETS" on retail shelves everywhere. I was/am an Army brat and we got them at the commissary and Post Exchange aka PX, BX, etc. when we were stationed in Germany, Japan, Hawaii. I know a cafeteria here in Texas (San Antonio area) known as Luby's and also Wyatt's used to have them at the door for customers to grab them by the fistfull as they left from eating. If I had had any inclination that a corporate structure as large and profitable as Whitmans (Brock), currently known as 'Russell Stover' ( not to be confused with 'Brachs'); would wimp out on a challenge to RE-machine the equipment and produce the original recipe, and simply add to their current MASSIVE distribution of, what is they sell? Oh yeah, CANDY that the RETAIL BUYER purchases because WHY? Oh yeah, it's a well loved and PROFITABLE product. Far be it from me who spent 40 years in the RETAIL, SERVICE industry extending Customer requests to the respective manufacturer and having the requests as a measured percentage of the perspective total demand met with acknowledgement in the positive and production promised with a start date announcing either the RE-tooling of current equipment or an expeditious search for a vendor that would BUILD or already supply the equipment needed to cater to the CONSUMER, who by the way was keeping their doors open. A note of sarcasm noted? Well, yeah! The "Fat-Cats" sitting behind their desks and signing their lucrative bonus checks (Tis the Season) had best put their feet off the desk and back in the plant or they to will be known as someone other than 'Russell Stover'. History most certainly DOES repeat itself. So all those chubby little children you produced who are NOW on a HEALTH kick are about to retire you early, stock options and all. Dare to be adventuresome. Pay attention to who got you where you are today. STOP your FALSE advertising of a substandard product STEALING the Well-known name of a product your Grandmother more than likely served even you as a child. Look ashamed gentlemen, because if you aren't, you should be.

I am in total agreement with Sharon. Whitman Candy Co made the original Air Bon Candy and it was the best ever candy. To all who are looking for it now.. sad to say no one is making that wonderful candy anymore. Russell Stover took over Whitman"S candy. So sad that no one is interested in making a comeback of this wonder candy that totally delighted so many during the 70ties and 80ties. Just plain sad....

Russell Stover Candy Co. was the little upstart that came to be 80 years after Whitman began (this was 1922), and simultaneous to when Whitman began marketing Air Bons. Whitman was first acquired by the Ward Company (makers of Goobers and Raisinettes) in 1970, then by Stover in 1993.

I found this thread a year ago while searching for the candy. Honestly,I only came back to see if it was still here and to be the first comment of 2018!

No, none of the candies out now are the true Air Bons (puffed candy) that Whitmans made. I, along with everyone else, wish they would make them again!!!

I have thought about these things periodically as an adult and just found this thread.... I AM NOT ALONE!! My grandma ALWAYS had these things... butterscotch, white and yellow striped balls that melted in your mouth.... So sad they are not around any more. I have tried some of the "alternatives" but nothing is the same... :(

The yellow ones were butterscotch. These things were amazing. I miss them so much. They were like a cross between cereal marshmallows, cotton candy, and something else as far as texture is concerned. So good.

I am still looking for these. They were so good. My grandma introduced them to us. Why is all the good stuff gone?

This comment from Erica from back in 2016 is the correct one about the candy: Brocks puffs were the big round melt in your mouth candy.Just like cotton candy does. They are not made anymore. So wish that the Brach company that more or less bought Brock candy company out would make them. They were the best and came in a few different flavors besides mint. The company that made them was Brock's, which was bought out by Brach's, or they merged or something. But the candy was round and airy and the main flavors were mint and butterscotch. I think every now and then I would see spearmint. We bought them at K-Mart and Walgreens. Maybe someone should write Brach's Candy Company.

OMG! Looks like you can get the peppermint. I am going to order these to see. But I did like the wintergreen better. Google this-- Russell Stover Air Bons

Nah, i tried already, NOT the same as the airy styrofoam-like mint balls we had decades ago.

I have been searching high and low for years for air bon candies. I was happy to find this website, knowing I am not alone in my longing for (and didn't "imagine") these melt-in-your mouth delights! The Redbird soft peppermint puffs are not the same, and make me miss the dissolving goodness of air bons all the more...

Hello All! I also miss the yummy airbons (butterscotch was my favorite), and have been searching high & low for them! I found a product called "Arnolds Puff Candies" which are available in many flavors. I am going to order the butterscotch. Can't wait to try them! Good luck, hope you like them!!

I remember the Whitman air bins bust the best were called Fruit Bubblets. I used to buy them at Kmart and the local drug store

Cherry Air Bons were the best. Last I recall they were all sold in bags by Whitmans. Three favorites from my childhood were Air Bons, chicken bones, and Flings.

The vintage puff candy I'm looking for are not the "chalky" textured ones still available today, but puffed balls that were more like a "styrofoam" texture and would literally dissolve in your mouth. They were striped round balls sold in bags at Kmart back in the 1970s. The flavors were peppermint (pink), spearmint (green) and butterscotch (yellow).

The puffed candy that so many are talking about from Kmart and other five & dimes were “Brock’s air puff candy”. The company was eventually bought by Brach’s but there is no current item on the market quite like these ping pong ball sized melt in you mouth candy!

Awhile back (before Christmas, I think), I got a canister of Red Bird peppermint puffs. I think I'd gotten them before and liked them, even though they didn't dissolve in two seconds. Well, I finally got around to opening my canister, and these come closer to duplicating the Mint Air-Bon experience. Maybe I happened to get an airy batch. The Mint Air-Bons that I remember from the '70s varied. Some melted immediately on tongue contact, those were the best. Others would last for a few seconds before disintegration. I haven't tried the Russell Stover mints. Probably won't bother looking for them, and definitely won't buy any through Amazon. Stover owns the Air-Bon name, but it sounds like they (or their vendor) don't have the vacuum turned up high enough to duplicate the Whitman process.

I loved those candies, funny thing....Freeze Dried Salt Water Taffy, has same texture and taste. Just FYI

Thanks Debi - they sell freeze dried salt water taffy on Etsy! The ones that I remember from Kmart were from Brock's (not to be confused with Brach's). They were a bag of peppermint balls that are exactly like everyone here describes. Brock's went out of business in the 90s (I think). It's so disappointing to get something someone thinks is "close" and tasting that chalky texture - yuck!

My grandmother used to buy these candy puff balls at Kmart. We so loved our shopping trips with her! Granddaddy would wait for us in the car. As soon as we got in, Grammy would open the clear plastic bag in the car and pass them out. My favorite was the butterscotch, soft yellow with darker yellow stripes. Then the spearmint with the pretty green stripes! They would sit just sit on your tongue for a second then melt away! I do remember pink ones too, but I can not remember the flavor. I wish somebody would bring these back! there sure would be enough of us buying them to make it a successful venture! I loved reading your stories! Thanks for all of the memories!

Russell Stivers makes them now. Still called Air Bons

Over the years, I have looked for this candy. My Dad and Granny introduced me to them. They were amazing! Surly someone has the recipe. There are certainly a lot of customers ready to buy!

We need these back!!!

The ones they make today are not the original. The new ones are gross.

Hey everyone that misses those awesome air puffs or rather what most of you are calling Air Bons. Well all you have to do is mix egg whites ,sugar and whatever flavor you want my favorite is of course Spearmint and I also make Peppermint,Vanilla,Butterscotch and really whatever flavor you like. Mix egg whites, sugar and flavorings of your choice and mix and mix until light & fluffy bake and there is your favorite Candy from your past !!

Ohhh, a simpler time! I'm not usually one to wax nostalgic but a wave of "I wish I could go back in time" just hit me. Air Bons! Christmas at my grandma's, Jello Pudding Pops. *Sigh*

Butterscotch was awesome! my aunt always had them

YES!!!! WE WANT OUR WHITMAN'S BON BON'S BACK!!!!!. AT LEAST FOR A SPECIAL RELEASE ON HOLIDAY! MAKE SURE YOU PUT "MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH" ON THE LABEL SO WE ALL KNOW THATS THE ONE WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AND CRAVING FOR ALL THESE YEARS! PLEASE BRING BACK SOME OF OUR OLD MEMORIES OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHERING ON HOLIDAY ENJOYING THESE SPECIAL TREATS! MEMORIES IN A JAR, memories long forgotten magically resurfacing!Memories of family members long on passed on!....PRICELESS!!!!

I read an article last year that the machine they used to make the original AirBons is no longer in service and cannot be fixed. I cannot imagine in this day and age, with 3D printers and all the talented machinists around that they cannot remedy this. There is truly nothing like the original AirBons.

Unbelievable!!!!! I have searched and searched. I have been so upset that my mom didn’t remember the name. The pink ones were my fave and nothing compares on the market now. I’m so glad I found this because I have had no luck anywhere. So sad no longer available.

Oh my word. Like you all, I loved this candy and couldn’t believe they took it off market. I have searched for years and am happy to say I found some puffs that are just as good!! They are made by Anderson’s Crazy Candy. I found them at my local Piggly Wiggly but, I then saw them on Amazon!! Enjoy- sweet people!!

Whitman's Air Bons are now supposedly made by Russell Stover, but they aren't like they used to be. They're just a basic peppermint that more or less melts in your mouth. But they won't do what we used to do with them in the 80s--a golf group went to Pawley's Island and played every day. On the way home we'd buy the ingredients for a churn of ice cream, including a flavor (peppermint was my favorite) of Air Bons. Substituted for some of the sugar in the recipe, these Air Bons would melt during churning and the core would be a little bit of peppermint just the right consistency for crunch. The peppermint would flavor the ice cream. You can't do that with these Air Bons. Russell Stover ruined them for that, though there's nothing wrong with the candy itself.