A multipack of individual bags is a good fit for Friday afternoon drinks if you want to hand them out without portioning them yourself. Compare the number of bags, the mix of flavours and the allergens in each variety. If you’d rather serve crisps in bowls, a large sharing bag may be enough, but you’ll need to organise the portions and serving yourself.
At the office or on the go, individual bags are handy if you don’t want to set out bowls. Multipacks with 15, 20 or 30 bags are available from retailers such as Joybuy, Jumbo and Albert Heijn. Compare the number of bags with your guest list, and check how much is in each one.
A mix box gives guests more choice than a single bag of one flavour. Check which varieties it contains and how many bags there are of each; ingredients and allergens can vary from one snack to another.
If guests will help themselves, you can share a large bag between a few bowls. AH Natural Crisps, 250 g, and Jumbo Natural Crisps, 250 g, are examples of this type of pack. Think about how much you put out and whether you might have leftovers.
First decide whether everyone will get their own bag or whether you’ll serve crisps in bowls. Then consider which flavours and how many portions will suit your group.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Count the individual bags and check how much is in each one. | If I want to quickly give everyone at the office a portion, I need to know whether there are enough individual bags. Around 42% of consumers prioritise convenience when handing out snacks. |
| Flavour mix | Check the types of snacks and the number of bags of each variety. If guests have dietary requirements, check the labels for each variety. | When people have different preferences, I want to offer a choice without running out of a popular flavour straight away. Around 33% of consumers prioritise flavour choice. |
| Quantity and serving | Compare the net weight and stated number of portions with the size of your group. | If guests are helping themselves from bowls, I want to put out enough without having lots of opened bags left over. Around 25% of consumers say getting the quantity right matters most. |
A single box may contain both traditional potato crisps and snacks made with different ingredients. So the name of the mix doesn’t tell you whether every bag is suitable for every guest.
Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific box before buying. If someone needs to avoid certain ingredients, choose individual varieties whose labels you can check.
A sharing bag and a multipack may have a similar total weight, but only the multipack comes with portions already divided into individual bags.
If you’re handing out snacks, compare the number of bags first, then check how much is in each one. Choose a sharing bag if you specifically want to serve crisps in bowls.
Worth considering for multipacks of individual portions; the Mega Box and Celebration Box reviewed list 20 and 30 bags respectively.
An alternative if you want to set out individual tubes in the same flavour.
A good addition if you want to offer a shaped snack alongside traditional potato crisps.
A supermarket own-brand option if you want to serve a large bag of plain crisps in bowls.
A supermarket own-brand option if you want to combine different large bags for serving in bowls.
A supermarket own-brand option for a selection of crisps and savoury snacks at your get-together.
These packs are worth considering if you want to hand out individual bags at your Friday afternoon get-together. Compare the number of items and check the ingredients of the pack you choose.
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For a get-together where you want to offer guests individual snacks. Check the mix of flavours if several guests might want the same variety, and read the allergen information on the box.
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An option if you want to hand out individual snacks and think the flavour mix in this box will suit your guests. Check how much is in each bag and check the allergens for the pack you choose.
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If you want to put a mix of individual bags on the table, this is one to consider. Compare the mix of flavours with your guests’ preferences, and check the box label if anyone has allergies.
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Worth considering if you want to put out individual bags. For the version you choose, compare the flavours and the amount in each bag, and check the allergens on the packaging.
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A mix to consider if you’re looking for individual snacks for a smaller group. The pack contains 180 g in total; check the number of bags and the allergens before deciding whether it’s right for your guest list.
Allow one bag per guest if everyone is getting their own portion and crisps are just one part of the get-together. If you want to have extra portions ready, compare the number of bags in the box with your guest list; the Lidl, Jumbo and Albert Heijn mix boxes reviewed contain between 15 and 30 bags.
Don’t assume that every bag in a mix will be suitable. The Lay's Mega Box and Family Box reviewed list varieties containing milk, lactose or soya. Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact pack and for each individual variety.
No. Check these claims for each product and variety. Albert Heijn lists them for AH Natural Crisps, but that doesn’t tell you anything about other plain crisps or other flavours.
Check the ingredients information on the packaging of the specific mix box and review the varieties individually. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that the 14 mandatory allergens must be listed on food labels.
