Shoppers stocking a large snack table
You want enough crisps for a group without being left with lots of unopened packs. Decide how many bowls you’ll fill and check the net weight per bag.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Hosts who want to offer variety
You want to serve more than just ready salted, with a range of flavours or textures. Lay's and Lidl Snack Day, for example, offer different varieties; check the contents and ingredients of each bag you choose.
Shoppers with labelling or portion requirements
You want to check ingredients and allergens, or hand out crisps individually. The packaging and label for the exact variety matter more than the brand name alone.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a Christmas market or get-together, first decide how much you want to serve and whether it’ll be in one bowl or in individual portions. Then choose the flavours and check the labels on the packs you’re actually taking with you.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity for a group | Check the net weight per pack and decide how many bowls you want to fill. | If I’m putting out a bowl for several people, I want enough crisps without opening more bags than necessary. Around 40% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Variety of flavours | Choose how many ready salted and flavoured varieties you want to offer, and read the label for each flavour. | When people have different preferences, I don’t want to serve only ready salted crisps. Around 30% of consumers put the choice of flavours first. |
| Packaging and portions | Check the number of packs, the amount in each one and whether the pack you’ve chosen is resealable. | When I’m handing out crisps on the go or to individual guests, I want manageable portions. Around 20% of consumers put convenience first. |
| Ingredients and nutrition information | Read the allergen information for the exact variety; if you like, compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion. | If I need to take a food allergy or dietary requirement into account, I want to be able to check the right label before serving. Around 10% of consumers say this information is their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all ready salted crisps have the same ingredients
Albert Heijn’s product page describes AH Chips Naturel 250 g as gluten-free and suitable for vegans. According to Albert Heijn, Pringles Original contains wheat and cereals containing gluten, and may contain milk and soya. Information for one variety doesn’t necessarily apply to another.
If you have allergies, read the label on the exact flavour and pack before buying or serving the crisps.
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Choosing packs without planning how you’ll serve them
A large bag for a bowl and individual packs for handing out serve different purposes. If you don’t decide in advance how you’ll serve the crisps, you may open more than you need.
Decide how many bowls or individual portions you need, and seal opened packs carefully. Albert Heijn recommends storing AH Chips Naturel in a cool, dry, dark place.
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Treating private serving and selling at a market as the same thing
If you sell crisps at a market or offer them unpackaged, food safety and information about allergens present are also important. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out requirements for markets and events, as well as for unpackaged food.
Before the event, decide how you’ll offer the crisps. If you’re selling them, make sure you meet the applicable hygiene and allergen information requirements.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo offers own-brand ready salted crisps and ready salted ridged crisps. These are two options to consider if you’re filling a sharing bowl.
- The packs mentioned are Jumbo Chips Naturel 250 g and Jumbo Ribbelchips Naturel 335 g.
- Check the flavour, ingredients and allergens on the pack for each variety.
Albert Heijn
AH Chips Naturel 250 g is an own-brand variety with product information for anyone who wants to check the label in advance.
- Albert Heijn describes this specific ready salted variety as gluten-free and suitable for vegans.
- These claims don’t automatically apply to other AH crisps or flavours.
Lay's
Lay's is an option if you want to serve a variety of flavours and textures.
- Jumbo offers ready salted crisps, as well as varieties from the MAX, Sensations, Oven Baked and Gourmet ranges.
- Pack sizes and ingredients vary by variety, so choose the specific packs that suit your guests.
Pringles
Albert Heijn sells Pringles Original 165 g in a resealable tube, which could be useful if you’re not serving everything at once.
- The tube offers a different way to carry and serve crisps compared with a bag.
- Albert Heijn states that Pringles Original contains wheat and cereals containing gluten; it may also contain milk and soya.
Smiths
Smiths Sticks are shaped crisps you could serve as a small addition to a mixed snack table.
- Jumbo offers Sticks Paprika and Sticks Barbecue in 100 g bags.
- A 100 g bag serves a different purpose from a larger bag for a shared bowl.
Lidl Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s own brand for crisps and other savoury snacks.
- Lidl lists a range of crisp flavours in its selection.
- Check the contents, ingredients and allergens on the bag you choose, as these can vary by flavour.
Crisps and snack mixes on Joybuy
These Joybuy products are multipacks from Lay's and Pringles, for anyone who wants to take several packs along or hand them out. Compare the total contents, and check the labels of the individual snacks in mixed boxes.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Chips, 15-pack
This mix is ideal for occasions when you want to hand out a variety of snacks. The product name lists 15 packs; check the contents and allergens for each variety.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20-pack
This snack mix is ideal for a group who want to try different varieties. The product name lists 20 pieces; check the ingredients for each snack and the total net weight of the box.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 12-pack
This multipack is a good choice if you want to put out individual snacks for a group. The product name lists 12 pieces; check the labels for each variety if ingredients or allergens are important to you.
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Pringles Original, 3 × 165 g
Three tubes could work well if you want to serve crisps in more than one place. The product name lists 3 × 165 g; if you have allergies, check the label on this exact multipack.
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Pringles Original, 12 × 40 g
This variety is ideal for handing out or taking with you. The product name lists 12 tubes of 40 g; check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Are ready salted crisps always suitable if you want to avoid gluten or lactose?
No, you can’t tell from the flavour name alone. Albert Heijn describes AH Chips Naturel 250 g as gluten-free, while according to its product page, Pringles Original contains wheat and cereals containing gluten, and may contain milk and soya. Always read the label on the exact pack.
How do I work out how many crisps I need for a group?
First decide whether you’ll fill bowls or hand out individual packs, then adjust the total amount to suit what else you’re serving. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses a 40 g bowl as a reference for average nutritional information about crisps; it isn’t a standard portion for every guest.
How should I store crisps once the pack has been opened?
Seal the pack well and store the crisps somewhere dry. Albert Heijn also recommends keeping AH Chips Naturel in a dark place; for other varieties, follow the storage instructions on the pack.
What should I consider if I’m selling crisps at a Christmas market?
If you’re selling at a market, you also need to think about offering the crisps safely and hygienically. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority also sets out requirements for providing information about allergens in unpackaged food. Before the event, check which requirements apply to the way you plan to offer the crisps.