If you want to hand out a portion to each viewer
You want to give everyone their own small bag rather than open one large bag. So compare the number of bags with the number of people, and check how much each bag contains.
Who are individual snack packs useful for?
If you want to offer a choice of flavours
You’re organising a film night for people with different tastes. A sharing box could be a good fit, as long as the flavours and snack types listed are ones your group will enjoy.
If you’re comparing pack sizes
You’re buying for a group and want to know how many bags a pack contains and how much crisps it holds altogether. A box with more bags doesn’t necessarily have more in each one.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether individual portions or variety matters most to your group. Then check the contents and label of the specific pack.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Count the bags and check the weight of each one. | If I want to give everyone their own bag, the pack needs to contain enough individual portions. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Flavours and snack types | Check which flavours are included and whether the mix contains other savoury snacks as well as crisps. | If people have different tastes, I want to avoid everyone getting the same flavour. Variety is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Quantity per pack | Compare the total weight and the number of bags; they don’t tell you the same thing about portion size. | When buying for a group, I want to know how much there is to share. This matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Label for each variety | Read the ingredients and allergens, and compare the nutritional information per 100 g or per stated portion. | If someone needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to check the variety I’ve chosen. Label information is the first consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every Family or Mega Box contains the same mix
The number of bags, flavours and balance of crisps to other savoury snacks can vary from box to box. The name doesn’t tell you exactly which portions you’ll be handing out.
Check the contents and flavour selection before buying. Choose a sharing box only if the people you’re serving will enjoy those types of snacks.
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Assuming allergens are the same across different flavours
Ingredients vary by product and flavour. Jumbo lists milk in its Paprika & Naturel individual snack pack; that doesn’t tell you anything about other packs of crisps.
If someone has an allergy, check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging for the exact variety you’re serving.
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Treating average nutritional values as product-specific
The Voedingscentrum gives an average of 215 kcal for 40 g of crisps. The nutritional value of a particular product may differ.
Compare the nutritional information on the packs per 100 g, and check the stated portion size as well.
Brands worth considering
Lay's
Lay's offers sharing boxes and mixed boxes for groups. According to Lay's Benelux, the Mega Box combines snacks from Lay's, Doritos and Cheetos.
- A sharing box offers different types of snacks in individual packs.
- Check the number of bags and exact contents of each box; the box name doesn’t guarantee a set selection of flavours.
Pringles
Pringles is an option if you’re looking for small tubes. The Dutch Pringles product page lists a 40 g size for Original, among other options.
- The tube format is different from a standard bag of crisps.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for the flavour you choose; don’t rely on information for another variety.
Jumbo
Jumbo has its own Paprika & Naturel sharing pack, with 15 bags of 25 g: eight salted and seven paprika.
- For this sharing pack, the number of bags, weight per bag and flavour selection are clearly specified.
- Jumbo lists milk as an allergen for this specific product; check the label on the pack you choose.
Snack Day
Lidl presents Snack Day as its own brand, with crisps and other snacks for occasions such as a film night.
- The range includes several flavours and types of snack.
- Check the pack size and availability of each product; a standard bag isn’t the same as a multipack.
Crisps and snack mixes at Joybuy
These packs suit two choices for a film night: individual portions in one flavour, or a box containing different snacks. With a sharing box, check exactly what’s included.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 packs
For a group that wants to share different types of snacks. The box includes Lay's, Cheetos and Doritos, with 20 packs in total; check the number of each type and the label on the current box.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to hand out individual bags and stick to one flavour. The pack contains ten portions of 40 g; it isn’t a flavour mix. If you have allergies, check the label for this variety.
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Pringles Original, 12 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to hand out twelve individual portions of Pringles and prefers the tube format. Joybuy lists wheat and gluten, and possible traces of milk and soya, for this Original multipack; if you have allergies, check the current packaging.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
For a film night when you want to share a snack mix. The stated total weight is 180 g; check the individual packs if you want to work out portions for each viewer in advance.
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Lay's Family Box, 15 packs
For anyone looking for fifteen individual packs to share with a group. The product description lists Lay's, Cheetos and Bugles; check which types, weights and allergens are listed on the box you choose.
Frequently asked questions
How many individual bags do I need for a film night?
Start with the number of people you want to give their own bag to, then compare it with the number of bags in the pack. Check the weight of each bag, too: Jumbo lists 15 × 25 g for its Paprika & Naturel sharing pack, while the number of bags alone doesn’t tell you the portion size.
When should I choose individual bags instead of a large bag?
Choose individual bags if you want to hand out portions without having to decant them. A large bag works when everyone wants to help themselves from a shared bowl; you can decide how much to serve. In either case, compare the total weight.
Can I rely on allergen information for another flavour from the same brand?
No. If you have an allergy, always check the ingredients and allergens for the flavour and pack you’ve chosen. For example, Jumbo lists milk in its Paprika & Naturel sharing pack; for the Pringles Original multipack mentioned above, Joybuy lists wheat and gluten, and possible traces of milk and soya.
How do I compare the nutritional value of bags in different sizes?
First compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check how many grams are in each bag. This makes it easier to distinguish nutritional value from portion size; an average figure for crisps doesn’t replace the label for the variety you choose.