When you buy savoury snacks, taste and price are often the first things you consider. But portion size, allergens, preparation method and storage all play a major part in whether a purchase works well in practice. A large bag may seem like good value, but it’s less convenient if you’re snacking on your own. And a frozen product may be attractively priced, but you’ll need enough freezer space and a suitable way to prepare it.
In this guide, we cover the key things to look out for and match different snacks to specific occasions.
A 900g or 1kg pack is ideal for a party, catering-style use or a large household. A smaller pack may be more practical for everyday snacking. Once opened, crunchy snacks lose their texture more quickly if the bag isn’t sealed properly.
So, check:
Some snacks are ready to eat, while others come from the freezer and need to be baked or fried. So, check whether you’re buying a ready-to-eat snack or a product that needs preparing.
For frozen snacks, it’s important to follow the temperature instructions on the pack. For example, a product may be suitable for deep-frying, but not necessarily for the oven or air fryer. Only use an alternative cooking method if the pack or manufacturer says it’s suitable.
Asian snacks may contain wheat, soya, peanuts, sesame, egg or crustaceans. Milk, egg and gluten are also common in cheese snacks and sausage rolls. Always check the current label, especially if you have an allergy or food intolerance.
Product information can change, so the ingredients list on the pack takes precedence over a general online description.
Share bags are handy for drinks and nibbles. Mini spring rolls, mini sausage rolls and crispy pastry snacks are easy to serve on a platter. Smaller bags, such as a 27g portion of seaweed snacks, are more convenient when you’re out and about.
Think about the occasion beforehand:
Don’t just compare the front of the pack. Check:
Nutritional values are particularly useful when comparing different types of crunchy snacks. A smaller portion may be a different choice for one snacking occasion than a large bag you share.
Store dry products such as seaweed snacks, dough twists and bake rolls in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, as directed on the pack. Seal the pack tightly after opening to help keep the snacks crunchy.
Frozen products must stay frozen until you’re ready to prepare them. According to the product information provided, defrosted products must not be refrozen. So, plan how much you’ll actually need.
Why it suits this shopper: The small pack is a handy choice if you’re trying seaweed snacks for the first time or want a portion to enjoy on the go.
The portion size reduces the chance of a large opened bag being left uneaten for too long. According to the product information, it doesn’t contain any of the 14 main EU allergens; still, check the current label before buying.
27g, ready to eat and flavoured with BBQ seasoning. This dry snack doesn’t need freezer space or preparation.
Why it suits this shopper: This snack is a great fit for a sharing platter when you’re after a satisfyingly crunchy texture and a bold garlic and cheese flavour.
The pack lists the ingredients and possible traces of egg, peanuts, nuts, celery and sesame, among other allergens. This lets you check the allergen information in advance rather than relying on the flavour name alone.
150g, oven-baked according to the product description, and ideal to serve on its own or with dips.
Why it suits this shopper: The large pack is practical for parties, larger households or anyone who serves mini spring rolls regularly.
The weight and storage conditions are clearly stated. You’ll know in advance that you need freezer space and will have to prepare the snacks, rather than expecting a ready-to-eat product.
900g, mini size and a vegetarian vegetable filling according to the product information. Cook from frozen.
Why it suits this shopper: This Chinese snack offers something different from crisps or cheese snacks and is made for sharing with drinks.
The pack lists wheat as an allergen and states that it may contain traces of soya, milk, peanuts, nuts and sesame. That makes it easy to check before you buy.
138g, ready to eat and seasoned with ingredients including chilli, Sichuan pepper, cumin and star anise, according to the product description.
We’ve put together a full, up-to-date list of products that meet these strict selection criteria and comply with the applicable European safety regulations.
Choose products that are easy to portion and don’t all need to be prepared at once. Mini sausage rolls, mini spring rolls, cheese rolls and dry dough snacks are practical options. Mix up the textures and flavours, for example by pairing a mild cheese snack with a spicy Asian snack.
Store dry snacks in a cool, dry place and seal them well after use. Keep frozen snacks in the freezer until you’re ready to prepare them. Always follow the temperature, storage-life and other instructions on the pack. If in doubt, follow the current label.
That depends on the price per 100g, the number of portions and any delivery charges. Comparing products online is especially useful when you’re looking for several types at once, such as Thai snacks, Chinese snacks, seaweed snacks and nibbles to serve with drinks. Before checking out, also check the storage conditions, best-before date and allergen information.