Players keeping an eye on calories
You want to put crisps out for everyone, so you compare the energy per 100 g as well as how much you actually put in each bowl.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hosts sharing out portions
You want to divide the crisps between players in advance, so an open bag doesn’t end up determining portion sizes over several rounds of play.
Guests checking the label
As well as calories, you want to be able to check the salt, ingredients and allergens, especially if your guests have different dietary needs.
What should you look for when choosing?
When comparing packaged crisps for game night, start with the values per 100 g, then choose a portion per person and check the label if salt or allergens are a consideration. The percentages below indicate the proportion of consumers who might consider each point their main priority.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and portion size | Compare the kcal per 100 g on the label and work out the energy for the amount you plan to serve. | If I want to keep an eye on calories, I need to be able to compare both the varieties and the portion in my bowl. Around 42% of consumers might consider energy content their main priority. |
| Sharing at the table | Decide on the amount per player in advance and divide the crisps between bowls. | When we’re playing several rounds, I want to know in advance how much everyone will have. Portion planning might be the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Salt and allergens | Check the salt per 100 g, ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. | If guests need to watch their salt intake or avoid certain ingredients, I want to know whether the crisps I’ve chosen are suitable for them. Checking the label might be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
A lower fat content doesn’t, by itself, tell you how many kcal are in a portion. Lay's says Oven Baked contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. Before choosing, compare the nutritional information for the specific flavour and pack.
Common mistakes
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Focusing only on ‘less fat’
A fat claim doesn’t automatically tell you which variety contains fewer kcal per 100 g or per portion served. It also says nothing about salt.
Compare energy, fat and salt on the same basis—per 100 g—then decide on your portion size.
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Counting the whole bag as one portion
When there’s an open bag on the table, it’s hard to keep track of how much each player takes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 215 kcal for a 40 g bowl of average crisps; your crisps may have a different value.
Fill the bowls in advance and use the nutritional information on the bag you’ve chosen to work out the amount you serve.
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Adding an old light variety to your shopping list
Albert Heijn marks AH Light chips naturel as discontinued on its product page. So, just because a product page exists doesn’t mean the variety is still available to buy.
Check the current shop listing and compare the packaging of an alternative before making your choice.
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Guessing allergens from the flavour name
A flavour name doesn’t tell you everything about the ingredients. Pringles Netherlands lists wheat flour for Pringles Original and says it may contain milk and soya.
If allergens are a concern for any of your guests, ask them to check the current ingredients and warnings on the packaging.
Brands compared
Lay's
The Oven Baked range is worth considering if you want to compare oven-baked crisps with regular crisps.
- Albert Heijn lists 428 kcal, 13 g fat and 0,85 g salt per 100 g for Lay's Oven Baked Naturel.
- According to Lay's, Oven Baked contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. This brand claim is about fat, not the kcal or salt in every flavour.
Pringles
Original is a stackable crisp sold in a tube, with nutritional information per 100 g and per portion.
- Pringles Netherlands lists 528 kcal per 100 g for Original and 158 kcal per 30 g portion.
- The listed ingredients include wheat flour; the product information also says it may contain milk and soya. Check the current packaging if this matters to a guest.
Albert Heijn
A supermarket own-brand light variety is only useful for comparing products if you can check its current availability and nutritional information.
- Albert Heijn marks AH Light chips naturel as discontinued on its product page, so don’t treat this specific variety as a regular buying option.
Oven-baked crisps for game night
These Joybuy options are two oven-baked crisp varieties to consider if you’re planning to share crisps on game night. Compare the nutritional information for each flavour separately; the values for Lay's Oven Baked Naturel don’t automatically apply to Mediterranean Herbs.
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Lay's Oven Baked Mediterranean Herbs 150 g
You can divide this oven-baked crisp variety between bowls in advance for game night.
150 g bag. Check the kcal per 100 g and the ingredients for Mediterranean Herbs on the current packaging; don’t use the values for the Naturel variety.
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Chio Oven Chips Sea Salt 125 g
These oven-baked crisps with sea salt can be served in measured bowls if you want to control portions at the table.
125 g bag. Check the kcal and salt per 100 g on the current packaging, then work out the values for the portion you serve.
Frequently asked questions
Are oven-baked crisps automatically low in kcal?
No. ‘Oven-baked’ doesn’t, by itself, tell you how many kcal crisps contain. Albert Heijn lists 428 kcal per 100 g for Lay's Oven Baked Naturel, while Pringles Netherlands lists 528 kcal per 100 g for Pringles Original. Check the label for each flavour separately.
How do I decide how many crisps to serve each player?
Decide in advance how many grams you want to serve per person and fill the bowls before the game starts. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 215 kcal for a 40 g bowl of average crisps, but use the nutritional information for your chosen variety to work out the value for your bowl.
What should I check if a guest has a food allergy?
Before serving, check the current ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the packaging. For example, Pringles Netherlands lists wheat flour and possible milk and soya in Pringles Original; don’t rely on the flavour name alone.
Can I use an old product page for my shopping list?
First check whether the variety is still available, then read the current packaging. Albert Heijn marks AH Light chips naturel as discontinued on its product page; this listing doesn’t make it a regular buying option.