For hosts with a shared snack table
You want to put crisps in bowls so guests can help themselves. The amount in each bag matters, along with the number of guests and the other snacks on the table.
Which option works best for you?
For hosts serving dips
You’re looking for crisps to serve with dips. Tortilla chips are a different choice from potato crisps for a regular bowl of crisps.
For organisers who want to hand out portions in advance
You want to offer individual portions or a choice of flavours, for example if not everyone will be helping themselves from the same bowl.
What should you look for when choosing?
Large bag of potato crisps
Choose this: if guests will help themselves to crisps from one or more bowls.
Bear in mind: each bag contains one flavour, with no portions separated in advance.
Tortilla chips
Choose these: if dips are an important part of your snack table.
Bear in mind: tortilla chips are made from corn, so they’re not a direct substitute for potato crisps.
Individual bags
Choose these: if you want to portion snacks out in advance or offer a choice of flavours.
Bear in mind: the total contents may differ from those of a large sharing bag.
Consider the number of guests and the other snacks when working out how much you need. Then choose a serving style that suits your party.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Most relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Amount for the bowl | Net weight per bag and the number of bags, compared with the other snacks. | If lots of guests will be helping themselves from the same bowl, I want to know whether I’m putting out enough crisps. Around 40% of consumers give this shared quantity top priority. |
| Flavours and portions | Flavours, number of bags and amount in each bag in a multipack. | If people have different preferences, I want to be able to offer more than one flavour or hand out portions in advance. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Crisps to serve with dips | The type of crisps, the amount in each bag and the ingredients in both the crisps and the dip. | If I’m serving dips, I want to choose crisps that suit the occasion. Dipping is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | The current ingredients list, allergen information and nutritional values per 100 g on the packaging. | If I need to take ingredients into account or compare fat and salt levels, I read the label for each flavour I choose. Around 10% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing one flavour for guests with different preferences
A large bag fills a shared bowl, but it doesn’t offer a choice of flavours or individual portions.
Consider putting out two flavours if you’re serving bowls, or choose individual bags if you want to portion them out in advance.
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Treating tortilla chips like regular potato crisps
Tortilla chips are made from corn. Jumbo describes its 300 g tortilla chips as suitable for dipping, but that doesn’t automatically make them the right choice for a regular bowl of crisps.
Match the type of crisps to what you’re serving, and put out potato crisps too if you like.
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Assuming the flavour name tells you about allergens or nutritional value
Ingredients and nutritional values can vary by product and flavour. Online product information can also change.
Check the ingredients, allergen information and nutrition table on the current packaging for both the crisps and any dips.
Brands and ranges to consider
Lay's
Jumbo lists Lay's Plain in a 300 g bag; there’s also a ridged MAX version.
- The 300 g bag of plain crisps is an option for a shared bowl.
- One bag gives you one flavour; choose extra flavours if that matters to your guests.
Pringles
Jumbo lists 165 g tubes of Pringles in several flavours.
- A choice of flavours makes it easy to offer variety.
- A 165 g tube contains fewer crisps than the 250 g to 335 g sharing bags mentioned here. Check the ingredients for each flavour.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes larger bags of plain and ridged crisps, as well as 300 g tortilla chips.
- You can choose potato crisps for a bowl or tortilla chips to serve with dips.
- Tortilla chips don’t taste the same as plain potato crisps; check the packaging for each product separately.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists multipacks of individual bags and has a separate category for crisps with less fat or salt.
- Individual bags can be useful if you want to portion snacks out in advance.
- To compare fat and salt, check the nutrition table for the specific product; a category name doesn’t tell you how much it contains.
Lidl Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s range of crisps and snacks, including plain and paprika flavours.
- The different flavours give you options for a varied snack table.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the packaging for the flavour you choose.
Crisps to share or hand out at Joybuy
These two products suit different ways of serving: a mix to hand out and a bag of plain ridged crisps for a shared bowl. The main thing to compare is the total amount against the number of guests and the other snacks.
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Croky Sharing Mix 180 g
An option if you’d rather hand out crisps than put out one large bowl.
Total contents: 180 g. Check the number of bags and the flavours on the current packaging. Read the allergen information before handing them out to guests.
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g'woon plain ridged crisps 250 g
A bag for anyone who wants to put plain crisps in a shared bowl.
Contents: 250 g. These are ridged potato crisps in one flavour, with no individual portions; bear that in mind if you want to offer a choice of flavours.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how many crisps I need for a birthday party?
Start with the number of guests, the other savoury snacks and the net weight of the bags you’re considering. For example, Jumbo lists large bags of plain and ridged crisps weighing between 250 g and 335 g. The right amount depends on what else you’re serving.
Should I choose tortilla chips or potato crisps if I’m serving dips?
Tortilla chips are a good choice for serving with dips: Jumbo describes its 300 g corn chips as suitable for dipping. Put out potato crisps too if you also want to offer a regular bowl of crisps.
Should I check the label for every flavour if anyone has allergies?
Yes. Check the current allergen information on every pack you choose, as well as on any dips. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that specified allergens must be listed on the label, so don’t rely on the brand or flavour name alone.
How do I compare the salt and fat content of crisps?
Read the nutritional values per 100 g on the packaging you’re comparing, and consider how much you plan to serve. A category for products with less fat or salt is no substitute for checking the values for the specific product and flavour.
When are individual bags useful?
Individual bags are useful if you want to portion snacks out in advance or offer a choice of flavours, whatever the age of your guests. Check how many bags are in the pack and the total weight, so you can make sure there’s enough for everyone.