What is the Pop-Tart Bowl mascot and why is it edible?

On December 28, 2024By Littum

When Iowa State football and Miami take the field on Saturday, they will engage in one of the most anticipated bowl games of the 2024 season.

No, it’s not the College Football Playoff. Yes, it was called the best of the 35 non-playoff bowl matchupsbut that’s not the only reason fans are anxiously awaiting the 2:30pm CT kickoff from Orlando, Florida.

Mainly, people are excited because it’s the Pop-Tarts Bowl and well… the Pop-Tarts Bowl is fun.

From an edible mascot to a working toaster in the trophy, there are plenty of curious questions surrounding Saturday’s game between the Hurricanes and Cyclones.

Here’s everything you need to know about one of the craziest bowl games on the 2024 slate.

Does the Pop-Tarts Bowl Really Have an Edible Mascot?

The short answer is… yes. The bowl game, most recently known as the Cheez-It Bowl, switched to its pastry-themed name for the 2023 campaign.

In the first iteration of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Kansas State took down NC State and was rewarded with the mascot lowering himself into a giant toaster, only to come out the other side to make the Wildcats players and staff to devour it.

What flavor is the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot?

In 2023, the edible mascot was frosted strawberries. But for 2024, there are actually three mascots, all with different flavors. These flavors are:

Frosted Wild Berry
Frosted Hot Fudge Sundae
Frosted Cinnamon Rolll

With three mascots, it’s natural to ask, ‘So which one will the winning team eat?’ Well, it’s not decided yet. The game’s MVP gets the final say, choosing to send one of these three pastry mascots into a toaster for their teammates to munch on after a win.

Is it cruel to eat a mascot?

On the contrary, in fact! Pop-Tarts Bowl said in a release that the chosen flavor will “rise to the palate.”

Last year, when reporter Rodger Sherman asked if eating the mascot was sickening, an employee told him “It’s their dream” to be eaten. In fact, when the Frosted Strawberry was lowered into the toaster last year, just before it died, it was holding a sign that said “Dreams really do come true.”

Is the Pop-Tarts Bowl trophy really a toaster?

Last season, the Pop-Tarts Bowl trophy had two slots inside the football to place the cakes, but they didn’t actually work.

But this year the trophy is bigger and better. On top of the trophy sits a soccer ball and on that ball again are the two spaces to house the Pop-Tarts. Except now, thanks to GE, there’s a working toaster inside the hardware.

Take a look: