Snackers looking for a bold flavour
You want to choose between flavours such as barbecue, cheese and onion, or something spicy. You’ll also want to check the ingredients and allergens for your chosen variety.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Snackers who want to keep an eye on their portion
You want to decide in advance how many crisps to have, for example by filling a bowl rather than eating straight from a larger pack.
Shoppers comparing own-brand and branded crisps
You’re looking for a familiar flavour such as paprika and want to know which variety, pack size and nutritional information suit your needs, whatever the brand.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide which feature matters most for your late-night snack. The flavour name can help you find what you’re looking for, but you’ll need to check the chosen pack for its quantity and ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour profile | Compare the flavour description and ingredients for the exact variety. | If I have crisps late in the evening, I want to choose deliberately between flavours such as paprika, barbecue and spicy. For around 27% of consumers, flavour profile comes first. |
| Portion size | Check the net weight and any portion information. If you have a larger bag, put a portion in a bowl before you start. | If you don’t want to keep eating from a larger bag without noticing, you may want to decide in advance how much to put in your bowl. Around 20% of consumers prioritise portion size. |
| Nutritional information | Compare energy and salt per 100 g and per portion. If a product makes a claim, check exactly what it refers to. | I want to know how much energy and salt my chosen crisps contain before deciding on a portion. For around 27% of consumers, nutritional information is the first thing they consider. |
| Own-brand or branded crisps | Check which flavour and pack size you’re comparing, and read the labels on both products. | If paprika crisps appeal to me, I don’t necessarily need a particular brand. I want to know which variety suits my taste. For around 26% of consumers, the choice between own-brand and branded crisps matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Relying on the flavour name instead of checking the label
Ingredients and allergens vary between varieties. For example, the Lay's Texan BBQ 70 g product described by Joybuy lists soya in its seasoning. This doesn’t tell you anything about other barbecue flavours.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact flavour and pack you’re buying.
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Assuming ‘light’ or ‘oven-baked’ tells you everything about the snack
A description of how a product is made or what it contains doesn’t tell you how much you’re eating. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the difference in calories between light crisps and regular crisps is small.
Compare the nutritional information for the varieties you’re considering, then decide separately how much you want to eat.
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Assuming a brand or range listing means a product is in stock
A product featured in a brand or range overview isn’t necessarily available at the shop you want to buy from.
Check the chosen variety and its availability at the relevant shop shortly before buying.
Brands to compare
Lay's
Lay's range includes classic potato crisps, MAX, Sensations and Oven Baked.
- The ranges offer a choice of flavours and textures, including ridged crisps and thicker-cut crisps.
- An Oven Baked label or claim doesn’t automatically apply to other Lay's ranges. Check the label for your chosen flavour.
Pringles
Pringles makes stackable crisps in a tube, with flavours such as Paprika, Sour Cream & Onion, Hot & Spicy and Texas BBQ.
- The flavour names make it easy to look for a familiar or spicy profile.
- The range doesn’t tell you the salt content or allergens for a particular flavour, so check the relevant label.
Smiths
Smiths is also worth considering if you’re looking beyond classic crisps to shaped snacks, such as Nibb-it Happy Ones in paprika flavour.
- This shaped snack offers an alternative for anyone looking for something other than potato crisps.
- Information about Nibb-it Happy Ones doesn’t apply to all Smiths products, so check the exact variety.
Albert Heijn
The AH own-brand range includes paprika-flavoured crisps and stackable varieties.
- You can look for your preferred flavour and shape within the own-brand range.
- Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change. Check the current information for the product you’ve chosen.
Jumbo
The Jumbo own-brand range includes several types of crisps, including paprika and ridged varieties.
- Even within a familiar flavour, you can compare different shapes and pack sizes.
- When choosing between varieties, you’ll still need to check the ingredients and nutritional information on each pack.
Lidl Snack Day
Snack Day is a Lidl range of crisps and snacks, with flavours including paprika, Bolognese and cheese and onion.
- The range offers several flavour options if you’re considering an own-brand product.
- Check which variety is available at the shop you’re buying from, and read the label on that pack.
Crisps and snacks on Joybuy for a late-night snack
These products range from paprika and barbecue crisps to a spicy corn snack. Choose the flavour and type of product you want. The pack size can help if you’d like to decide on a portion in advance.
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Croky paprika crisps 200 g
For anyone looking for a familiar paprika flavour who wants to serve themselves a portion from a larger bag.
The pack contains 200 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose.
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Lay's Sensations Red Sweet Paprika 150 g
Worth a look if you’re specifically after a sweet paprika flavour and want to decide how much to take from the bag.
The bag contains 150 g. Check the current pack for this variety’s nutritional information and allergens.
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Lay's Oven Baked Barbecue 150 g
For anyone looking for a barbecue flavour and wanting to compare the nutritional information for an oven-baked variety with other crisps.
The pack contains 150 g. Read the label for the ingredients and decide how much you’d like to have.
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Pringles Hot & Spicy Crunchy Chips 12 x 40 g
For anyone looking for a spicy flavour and individual packs for snack times.
This variety comes in 12 packs of 40 g. Check the packaging for information on energy and allergens before comparing.
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TAKIS Chili & Lime Fuego corn snack 100 g
For anyone who’d like a corn snack with chilli and lime flavour instead of potato crisps.
The pack contains 100 g. If you like, measure out a portion before you start, and check the ingredients for this variety.
Frequently asked questions
Does the flavour name tell you anything about the nutritional value of crisps?
No. You can’t tell the nutritional value of a specific variety from its flavour, whether it’s paprika, barbecue or ready salted. Check the current label for details such as energy, salt and fat per 100 g and per portion.
Does ‘light’ or oven-baked mean crisps contain less energy?
Not unless you compare the nutritional information for the products you’ve chosen. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the calorie difference between light crisps and regular crisps is small. A label also doesn’t tell you how many crisps you’ll eat.
How do I check for allergens in crisps?
Before buying, read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on the label. Check the current packaging, as recipes can change.
How should I store an opened bag of crisps?
Seal the pack well after opening and store the crisps somewhere dry, away from direct sunlight and heat. Check the storage instructions on the packaging for the product you’ve chosen.