Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies are a beloved snack cake that has been around for decades. With their soft oatmeal cookies sandwiching a sweet creme filling, Oatmeal Creme Pies are a tasty treat many grew up enjoying. But who is actually behind these iconic snack cakes? Here’s a closer look at the history and background of Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies.
The History of Little Debbie
Little Debbie is a brand of snack cakes and treats owned by McKee Foods Corporation. McKee Foods was founded in 1934 by O.D. and Ruth McKee in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The company started out selling 5 cent snack cakes under the brand name McKee Baking Company.
In 1960, the McKees decided to name their snack cakes after one of their grandchildren, Debbie. The photo of their granddaughter Debbie graced the packaging and was used in advertising to give the brand a personal touch. The name “Little Debbie” was chosen and the brand began selling treats like oatmeal creme pies, nutty bars, and brownies.
The Little Debbie brand quickly grew in popularity and became a household name across America throughout the 1960s and 70s. The image of Little Debbie on the packaging made the brand feel familiar and connected with consumers.
Today, Little Debbie remains one of the most recognizable snack cake brands on the market and is sold nationwide. McKee Foods continues to manufacture Little Debbie products out of their bakeries in Tennessee and Oklahoma.
Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies
One of Little Debbie’s most beloved and longstanding products is the oatmeal creme pie. Little Debbie first introduced oatmeal creme pies to the market in the 1960s.
The oatmeal cookie sandwiches have a lightly spiced oatmeal cookie outer layer with a sweet creme filling in between. The filling has a vanilla flavor and creamy texture similar to marshmallow. It provides a satisfying contrast to the chewy oatmeal cookies.
Over the years, McKee Foods has offered limited edition flavors of Oatmeal Creme Pies like chocolate and strawberry. However, the original vanilla creme version remains the perennial favorite.
Oatmeal Creme Pies are shipped fresh from Little Debbie bakeries and have a signature softness and taste. Their affordability and nostalgic place in American snacking culture has made them a go-to snack for generations.
Where Little Debbie Products Are Made
While Little Debbie branded products are sold nationwide, they are made in a few company-owned bakeries in the United States.
McKee Foods operates bakeries in the following locations:
- Collegedale, Tennessee
- Gentry, Arkansas
- Stuarts Draft, Virginia
- Kingman, Arizona
The Collegedale, Tennessee bakery is the original McKee Foods bakery and headquarters. It remains the largest facility where the majority of Little Debbie snacks are produced.
The Gentry, Arkansas bakery opened in 1966 to meet increasing demand. Additional plants opened over the following decades as the company grew.
All Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies are produced at one of these company-owned bakeries. This allows McKee Foods to oversee quality control and production directly.
Key Facts About Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies
Here are some key facts about Little Debbie’s iconic Oatmeal Creme Pies:
- Introduced in 1960
- Two soft oatmeal cookies with creme filling
- Sold in packages of 5 or 10 pies
- About 50 calories per pie
- Kosher certified
- Peanut and tree nut free
- From McKee Foods bakeries in the U.S.
Nutrition Information
Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies provide a tasty sweet treat, but how do they stack up nutrition-wise? Here is the nutrition information for a standard Oatmeal Creme Pie:
| Amount Per Serving | Calories |
|---|---|
| Total Fat 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat 0g | – |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 85mg | 4% |
| Total Carbohydrate 24g | 9% |
| – Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
| – Total Sugars 12g | – |
| Protein 1g | – |
A single Oatmeal Creme Pie contains about 50 calories, with 24g of carbohydrates making up a majority of those calories. Each pie also contains 2g of fat, 1g of protein, and 1g of fiber.
So while not the most nutritious snack choice, Oatmeal Creme Pies can be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.
Varieties of Oatmeal Creme Pies
The traditional oatmeal creme pies remain Little Debbie’s most popular, but they have released limited flavors over the years. Special edition Oatmeal Creme Pie varieties have included:
- Peanut butter creme
- Banana creme
- Chocolate creme
- Strawberry creme
- Red Velvet creme
- French Toast creme
- Fudge dipped
These limited flavors are usually available for a short time around holidays or seasons. Little Debbie also has released Banana Twins, which are banana flavored cookies with creme filling.
The novelty flavors give fans something new to try, but most people agree the original oatmeal vanilla creme cookies are hard to beat!
Availability of Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies
The popularity of Oatmeal Creme Pies makes them a grocery store staple across the United States. Little Debbie snacks are carried by almost every major grocery chain, including:
- Walmart
- Target
- Kroger
- Publix
- Aldi
- Piggly Wiggly
- Food Lion
- Safeway
They can be found in the snack or bakery aisle at grocery stores. Oatmeal Creme Pies typically retail around $2-3 for a pack.
They are also common at convenience stores, gas stations, vending machines, and wholesale clubs. Online retailers like Amazon also sell them.
With widespread distribution across stores, Oatmeal Creme Pies are easy to find in all areas of the United States.
Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies Are Made in America
Unlike some brands that manufacture products overseas, Little Debbie snack cakes are proudly made in the United States.
All Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies are baked fresh at McKee Foods plants in Tennessee, Arkansas, Virginia, and Arizona. The company employs thousands of workers at its American bakeries.
Little Debbie uses ingredients sourced from American suppliers. And the brand has maintained a strong U.S. manufacturing presence even as production has moved overseas for many food brands.
Supporters appreciate that Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies are American-made snacks. The iconic treats are a product of the USA.
The Company Behind Little Debbie – McKee Foods
Little Debbie is owned by McKee Foods Corporation, a family bakery business with an All-American story.
McKee Foods was started during the Great Depression by O.D. and Ruth McKee. From humble beginnings, their bakery grew into a household name after the launch of Little Debbie.
Today, McKee Foods is still family-owned and headquartered in Collegedale, Tennessee. It has over 6,000 employees and produces more than 130 varieties of Little Debbie snacks.
McKee Foods makes over 1.4 million snacks per day. Beyond Little Debbie, it also owns the Drake’s and Sunbelt bakery brands.
The company is known for values like quality, value, and customer satisfaction. Its snacks meet high food safety standards as well.
So Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies come from a rootsy American company with decades of baking experience.
The Future of Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies
Oatmeal Creme Pies have been delighting snackers for over 50 years, and don’t show signs of going away any time soon. The nostalgic cookies have proven to be a classic treat generation after generation.
McKee Foods continues releasing updated flavors and variations to keep fans interested. But the original tried-and-true recipe remains a favorite.
As long as McKee Foods keeps baking these cookies fresh, Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies will likely be an American grocery store staple for decades to come.
The brand has become ingrained in American snacking culture. For many, Little Debbie snacks like Oatmeal Creme Pies were a big part of their childhood and represent a taste of nostalgia.
These affordable, tasty cookies seem poised to be enjoyed by generations to come. So Oatmeal Creme Pie lovers can expect to keep enjoying these classic snack cakes into the future.
Conclusion
Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies have been an iconic American snack since first hitting shelves in 1960. These oatmeal cookie sandwiches with sweet creme filling are produced by McKee Foods Corporation.
The story of Little Debbie represents a classic American bakery success story. From humble Depression-era beginnings, the McKee family built their Little Debbie brand into a household name.
Today, Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies and other treats are baked fresh at McKee Foods’ factories across the southern and midwestern U.S. The widespread availability and nostalgic taste make them a go-to snack for generations of satisfied fans.
The original vanilla creme Oatmeal Creme Pie recipe has staying power after more than 50 years. And McKee Foods continues innovating with fun new flavors and variations. But the classic Oatmeal Creme Pie remains a cherished American staple.