Planning snacks for a group over the holidays
You want to stock up on enough crisps for several snack breaks. Check the total weight in grams and decide whether you’ll portion out a large bag into bowls or hand out individual portions.
Which pack works best for you?
Hosting guests with different snack preferences
For a film night, overnight guests or drinks with friends, you’ll want to offer more than one flavour or shape. Jumbo’s own-brand range includes ready salted, paprika, ridged and tortilla crisps; Lidl lists several flavours under its Snack Day brand. If you’re buying a variety box, check which items are potato crisps and which are other snacks.
Checking labels before you buy
You want to check ingredients, allergens, portion sizes or nutritional information before handing snacks out. Read the label for every variant you choose, even if you already know the brand.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need a share bag or individual portions. Then choose the flavours and check the label on the specific pack.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Enough for everyone | Compare the total weight in grams and check whether it’s one large bag or several smaller bags. | If I’m serving crisps at different times, I want to know in advance how much I can portion out. Around 50% of consumers put having enough for everyone first. |
| Flavour and type of snack | Check the flavours and the difference between potato crisps, tortilla crisps and other savoury snacks. | When catering for guests with different preferences, I don’t want to assume a variety box contains only crisps. For around 30% of consumers, the range of flavours and snack types is the main consideration. |
| Labels and portions | Read the ingredients and allergen information; compare the nutritional information per 100 g or per portion. | Before handing out snacks, I want to be able to read the labels for the variants I’ve chosen. This is the top concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all ready salted crisps are the same
Ingredients and allergens vary from one product to another. For example, Jumbo lists wheat as an allergen for Pringles Original 165 g and notes that it may contain milk and soya. This doesn’t apply automatically to every other ready salted variety.
Check the ingredients list on every pack you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens which must be declared have to be clearly indicated in the ingredients list on prepacked foods.
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Not thinking about serving portions from a large bag
You’ll need to portion out a large bag yourself, while individual bags are already packed as separate portions. This can make a difference if you’re planning several snack breaks or catering for a group.
Think about how you want to serve the crisps before buying, and check how many bags are in a multipack.
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Assuming a variety box contains only potato crisps
According to their product information, the selected variety boxes combine potato crisps with other savoury snacks. So the contents may not be what you’d expect from the word ‘crisps’ alone.
Check the types of snacks and their labels before choosing a variety box for your guests.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The AH own-brand range is an option if you’re looking for a standard bag of ready salted crisps.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Ready Salted Crisps in a 250 g pack.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the pack you buy, as these details can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes different crisp flavours and shapes to mix and match for a group.
- Jumbo offers, among other options, 250 g bags of ready salted crisps, as well as other flavours and shapes.
- Check the weight and label for each variant; details for the ready salted crisps don’t necessarily apply to the others.
Lidl Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s own snack brand, with a range of crisp flavours for shoppers buying in store.
- Lidl lists ready salted, paprika, bolognese and cheese and onion, among other flavours; the ready salted variant shown weighs 250 g.
- According to Lidl, the ready salted variant is only available in store. Check which flavours are in stock at your local branch.
Lay's
Lay’s is worth considering if you’re looking for a particular crisp variant or a selection of different snacks.
- The product selection includes a 300 g bag of Lay’s Ready Salted, as well as variety boxes with several smaller bags.
- A variety box may also contain other types of snacks. Check the contents rather than assuming everything in the box is potato crisps.
Pringles
Pringles Original is an option if you specifically want stackable crisps in a tube.
- A pack of three tubes of Pringles Original, each weighing 165 g, has been selected.
- Jumbo lists wheat as an allergen for Pringles Original 165 g and notes that it may contain milk and soya. Check the current label on the pack you choose.
Packs at Joybuy
These packs are suited to snack breaks with several people: four variety boxes and one pack of three tubes of Pringles Original. Choose a variety box for more choice, or the tubes if you want to serve the same variant at different times.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Crisps 2 x 15-pack
For handing out individual bags over several snack breaks. The pack contains 2 x 15 bags; check which snacks and allergens are included in the mix.
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Lay's Family Box, 15 pieces
For a group who’d like a selection of individual bags. This box contains 15 items; check the contents and label for each snack.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Crisps 15-pack
For anyone who wants to spread a mix of individual snacks across several occasions. The box contains 15 bags; read the labels on the different items before handing them out.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box Multipack 20-pack
For a snack table where you want to offer a range of different snacks. The selection contains 20 items; check the total weight and how the items are packed before dividing them across snack breaks.
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Pringles Original Crisps 3 x 165 g
For several snack breaks when you want to serve the same variant. This pack contains three tubes of 165 g each; if you have allergies, check the current label.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep crisps from an opened bag crunchy?
Seal the pack tightly after use and follow the storage advice on the label. Albert Heijn says to store AH Ready Salted Crisps in a cool, dry place; Jumbo gives the same advice for its ready salted crisps.
Where can I check which allergens are in crisps?
Read the ingredients list on the pack for the variant you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens which must be declared have to be clearly indicated on prepacked foods. For Pringles Original 165 g, Jumbo lists wheat as an allergen and notes that the product may contain milk and soya.
Do all crisps have the same nutritional value?
No, nutritional values can vary from one product to another. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides figures for crisps on average, but for your choice, the nutritional information for the specific variant per 100 g or per portion is what matters.
Can I buy Lidl Snack Day ready salted crisps in store?
Lidl lists its 250 g Snack Day ready salted crisps as an in-store-only product. Check whether your preferred variant is available at your local branch.