If you want to give every guest an individually wrapped portion of crisps, choose a pack with separate bags or tubes and first work out how many portions you need. A mixed box gives you a choice of flavours or snack types; a multipack with just one flavour is easier to hand out, but offers less variety. Also compare the weight of each pack, and check the ingredients of each variety if any guests have allergies.
If every guest gets one sealed pack, you can set the bags out in advance or hand them out to take away. The Lay’s Party Mix and Jumbo sharing pack shown by Jumbo each contain fifteen individual bags, although the weight per bag varies.
If guests have different preferences, the balance of flavours in the box matters more than the number of bags alone. Jumbo lists three varieties in the Lay’s Party Mix, and plain and paprika flavours in its own-brand mix. Check how many bags of each variety are included.
A mix may contain different ingredients in each flavour. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that prepacked products must show allergen information on the label. So check the packaging of the varieties you plan to serve, and ask the guest concerned if you’re unsure.
First decide whether you want to hand out individual packs or serve crisps in bowls. If you’re choosing individually packed portions, then check the number of portions, the contents of each pack and the mix of varieties.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Count the individual packs and compare the weight of each one with the portion you want to hand out. | If I want to give everyone a sealed bag to take away, the number of packs needs to match the number of guests. Around 29% of consumers put handing out individual portions first. |
| Flavours and snack types | Check which varieties are included and how many packs of each one you’ll get. | When catering for a group with different tastes, I don’t want to find out halfway through handing them out that one variety has run out. For around 29% of consumers, flavour choice is the top priority. |
| Total quantity | Compare the total weight and the number of portions, and decide whether you’ll be serving other snacks too. | Anyone shopping for a larger group will want enough crisps, without mistaking the number of bags for the total quantity. Around 21% of consumers put quantity first. |
| Allergens and labelling | For each relevant variety, read the ingredients and any statements such as ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ on the pack. | If a guest has an allergy, I want to know which specific pack I can and can’t offer them. This is the most important consideration when shopping for around 21% of consumers. |
The same number of packs doesn’t mean the same amount of crisps per guest. Jumbo lists 25 g per bag for its paprika and plain mix, and 27.5 g for the Lay’s Party Mix; Albert Heijn lists 40 g per tube for the Pringles Original 12-pack.
Count the packs you’ll be handing out, then use the weight per pack to decide which portion is right for your party.
Different flavours in the same box may have different allergen information. The Lay’s Party Mix reviewed contains a cheese snack with milk, and may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. The Pringles Original 12-pack reviewed contains wheat and cereals containing gluten, and may contain milk and soya.
Before serving, check the packaging of each relevant variety and set aside any packs that aren’t suitable for a guest’s needs.
These examples show how sharing bags, flavour mixes and mini tubes differ. The details given apply to the specific packs described and not necessarily to a brand or shop’s full range.
The Party Mix shown by Jumbo is an example of a box containing individual bags with a choice of flavours and snack types.
The Original 12-pack shown by Albert Heijn offers individual mini tubes rather than flat sharing bags.
The own-brand range includes a paprika and plain mix in sharing bags; Jumbo also offers larger bags for anyone who wants to serve crisps themselves.
Snack Day is Lidl Netherlands’ crisps and snacks brand. Check the specific pack if you’re choosing a product for a Halloween party.
As a retailer, Albert Heijn offers both a Pringles Original 12-pack and a Lay’s sharing pack for parties.
These packs are worth considering if you want to hand out savoury snacks individually or give them to guests to take away. They vary in the number of items listed, portion size and choice of flavours. Check the specific pack before deciding how many portions you’ll need for your guests.
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For anyone who wants to hand out individual packs and give guests a choice of different snack types.
The product name lists a 15-pack. Check the weight per bag and the number of each variety when planning portions; if anyone has allergies, read the packaging of each variety.
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An option if you want to hand out individual packs and offer a choice of varieties.
The product name lists 12 items. Before buying, check the weight per bag and the number of each flavour, and check the ingredients on the pack you receive if anyone has allergies.
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A good choice if you want to hand out individual tubes and are happy with a single Original flavour.
The product name lists twelve 40 g packs. Each contains more than the 25 g and 27.5 g sharing bags described above, so bear that in mind when planning portions. Check the pack you receive for allergen information.
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A mix to consider if you want to hand out several small portions or serve crisps alongside other snacks.
The product name lists a pack size of 180 g. Check how many individual bags it contains, how they’re divided between the flavours and which allergens are listed on the label.
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For a group that wants to hand out one spicy flavour rather than a mixed box of small sharing bags.
The product name lists eighteen 100 g bags. Compare the amount in each bag with what you want to give each guest, and check the packaging if anyone has allergies.
If you want to give every guest one sealed portion, start with the number of guests and count the individual packs. Then compare the contents of each pack: Jumbo lists 25 g for its paprika and plain sharing bags and 27.5 g for the Lay’s Party Mix, while Albert Heijn lists 40 g per tube for the Pringles Original 12-pack. If you’re serving other snacks too, factor those in when choosing portion sizes.
If any guests have allergies, check the allergen information for each relevant variety, even if the bags are from the same mix. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must appear on the label of prepacked products. Use the pack you receive to decide what you can offer.
Not necessarily: it depends on the specific mix. For the Lay’s Party Mix, Jumbo lists five bags of paprika, five plain and five Bugles Nacho Cheese; the Jumbo own-brand mix described contains eight plain bags and seven paprika.
Use online information to compare packs in advance, but read the label on the product you receive before serving. Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information, among other details, can change when a product is updated.
