What Replaced the Mars Bar in the U.S.?

November 30, 2025 •

3 min read

Did you know that the American version of the Mars bar was officially discontinued in 2002? For candy lovers left with a nostalgic void, the question of what replaced the Mars bar is more complex than a simple rebrand, hinging on which version of the bar you remember.

Quick Summary

The discontinued US Mars bar, featuring almonds and nougat, was primarily succeeded by the Snickers Almond bar. The popular international version, however, remains widely available.

Key Points

Official U.S. Replacement: The Snickers Almond bar was introduced in 2003 to replace the discontinued American Mars bar, which was phased out in 2002.
Key Ingredient Difference: The main distinction is that the U.S. Mars bar contained almonds, unlike the international version, which is primarily nougat and caramel.
International Mars Bar Equivalent: The US Milky Way bar is the domestic equivalent of the international Mars bar, sharing its caramel and nougat filling.
Not a Rebrand: Unlike the UK Marathon bar becoming Snickers, the American Mars bar was discontinued and replaced by a slightly different product from the same company.
Limited Returns: The U.S. Mars bar saw brief revivals, most recently in 2016 by Ethel M Chocolates, which sold the original recipe without caramel.
DIY Options: For those unsatisfied with commercial alternatives, many recipes are available online for creating a homemade version of the classic candy.

The Story Behind the Discontinuation

For many American consumers, the Mars bar was a beloved chocolate-covered confection featuring a core of nougat, almonds, and later, a layer of caramel. This version differed significantly from the international Mars bar, which contained nougat and caramel, but no almonds. In 2002, citing low sales and potential trademark issues, Mars, Inc. made the tough decision to remove the American Mars bar from store shelves. This created a nostalgic gap for those who grew up with the nutty, chewy candy, sparking a long-running search for its true successor.

The Official Replacement: Snickers Almond

To fill the void left by the discontinued American Mars bar, Mars, Inc. introduced the Snickers Almond in 2003. This new bar closely matched the flavor profile of its predecessor, featuring a combination of nougat, almonds, caramel, and milk chocolate. While the ingredients are nearly identical, some aficionados claim there are slight differences, such as the size of the almond pieces. Despite these minor tweaks, Snickers Almond is widely regarded as the closest thing to the classic American Mars bar and is considered its official replacement.

Finding the Other Mars Bar: The UK vs. US Milky Way

The confusion surrounding the Mars bar is compounded by the fact that the international version is still available in many parts of the world, including the United Kingdom. This version is made with a fluffy nougat and a layer of smooth caramel, covered in milk chocolate—but notably, it contains no almonds. Americans craving this particular combination don't need to look for an imported Mars bar. They can simply reach for a Milky Way bar, which offers the same caramel and nougat experience. This is because the US Milky Way is essentially the same product as the UK Mars bar, a fact stemming from the brand's international history.

A Table of Mars Bar Replacements and Equivalents


Bar Name	Key Ingredients	Regional Availability	Notes
US Mars Bar	Nougat, almonds, caramel, milk chocolate	Discontinued in 2002	Briefly revived in 2010 and 2016 for limited runs.
Snickers Almond	Nougat, almonds, caramel, milk chocolate	United States	Official replacement for the US Mars bar.
UK Mars Bar	Nougat, caramel, milk chocolate	International	Still widely available outside the US.
US Milky Way	Nougat, caramel, milk chocolate	United States	Equivalent to the international Mars bar.

Other Notable Discontinued Mars Inc. Products

Beyond the American Mars bar, the company has discontinued other popular products over the years, further fueling candy nostalgia. Understanding these changes helps complete the story of Mars's evolving product line.

What was the Marathon bar?

In the United Kingdom, what is now known as a Snickers bar was originally called a Marathon. The name was changed in 1990 to standardize the brand globally. Like the Mars bar, the Marathon/Snickers rename initially caused an outcry among loyal fans. Since then, Mars has capitalized on the nostalgia by re-releasing the Marathon bar for limited periods.

The Brief Return of the Mars Bar

The story of the American Mars bar doesn't end with its 2002 discontinuation. The company made two notable attempts at reintroduction. In January 2010, Walmart stores briefly sold the bar. It was then relaunched again in September 2016 by Ethel M Chocolates, a Mars subsidiary, with the original recipe that did not include caramel. These limited-time appearances offered a fleeting taste of the past but did not result in a permanent return.

Recreating the Taste

For those who miss the distinctive flavor of the American Mars bar, the Snickers Almond is the most convenient option. However, dedicated bakers and candy enthusiasts have developed homemade recipes to replicate the experience. These recipes often involve combining nougat, caramel, and chopped almonds, allowing for a personalized revival of the classic confection.

Conclusion: It's All About Which Bar You Missed

The question of what replaced the Mars bar depends entirely on which bar you're asking about. If you are a U.S. consumer missing the nutty, almond version, then the Snickers Almond is your modern-day substitute. If you're reminiscing about the simple caramel and nougat confection, the standard Milky Way is the candy you seek. The international Mars bar continues to thrive, while its American counterpart lives on through limited returns and close approximations. The candy world is full of these regional and historical quirks, making the story of the Mars bar a classic example of candy lore. Read more about the history of the Mars bar on Wikipedia.

Frequently Asked Questions

The American Mars bar was discontinued in 2002 due to low sales figures and potential trademark issues. The decision was part of a larger corporate strategy by Mars, Inc.

It is very similar, as both contain nougat, almonds, caramel, and milk chocolate. However, there are minor differences, such as the size of the almond pieces, that some original fans notice.

The original nutty, caramel-filled Mars bar from the U.S. is not produced for retail. The international version, without almonds, is still widely available, but the best American equivalent is the Snickers Almond.

The American Milky Way bar is the equivalent of the international Mars bar. Both consist of fluffy nougat and caramel covered in milk chocolate.

Yes, there have been limited-run re-releases of the American Mars bar. The gourmet brand Ethel M Chocolates, a subsidiary of Mars, Inc., relaunched the original almond-and-nougat version (without caramel) in 2016.

The main difference was the ingredients. The American Mars bar contained almonds and caramel, while the UK version featured only caramel and nougat.

The Marathon bar was simply a regional name for the Snickers bar in the UK. In 1990, Mars, Inc. rebranded it as Snickers to create a single, global brand name.