Anyone filling several lunchboxes
Individual packets make it easier to prepare a portion for each recipient. First, count how many packets you’ll actually need.
Who are crisps multipacks useful for?
Anyone looking for a particular flavour
If plain, paprika or another flavour is already the favourite, you can compare a multipack of that flavour with a mixed box. That way, you can avoid ending up with a mix that doesn’t suit the recipients.
Anyone who needs to check ingredients
If someone has a food allergy, the label for the exact flavour and variant is what matters. Don’t rely on the ingredients of another packet or on the brand name alone.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the number of lunchboxes and the recipients’ flavour preferences. Then compare the portion size of each packet and check the ingredients of the variants you plan to share.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of individual packets | Count the lunchboxes and compare the total with the number of packets you can use. Also check the weight of each packet. | I’m filling several lunchboxes and want to set aside an individual packet for each recipient; around 31% of consumers prioritise having enough portions. |
| One flavour or a mix | For a mix, check how many packets of each type are included; choose one flavour if you already know what everyone prefers. | If I know the favourite flavour, I don’t want a box with leftovers; around 23% of consumers prefer a predictable flavour. |
| Portion size | Compare the weight in grams per packet and the total weight, not just the number of items. | I’m looking for a smaller portion because a 40 g packet doesn’t suit my lunchbox plan; around 23% of consumers prioritise a suitable portion size. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label for the exact variant, including any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. | If I’m packing for someone with a food allergy, I want to be able to check the ingredients of the packet I’ve chosen; around 23% of consumers prioritise ingredients and allergens. |
Common mistakes
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Counting only the packets
Jumbo lists 15 x 25 g for its sharing bag and 20 x 40 g for Lay’s Ready Salted. So the number of packets doesn’t tell you how many crisps you’ll get for each lunchbox.
Compare the number of packets, the weight of each one and the total weight together.
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Assuming every mix contains the same varieties
For its Lay’s Mega Box, Albert Heijn lists packets of Nibb-it, Lay’s Max, Doritos and Bugles. So a mixed box might not contain only potato crisps.
Check the varieties and the number of packets of each before sharing the box between lunchboxes.
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Guessing allergens from the brand name
Jumbo lists milk in its sharing bag of plain and paprika crisps; Albert Heijn lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for Pringles Original. Ingredients vary from product to product.
Before packing, check the current label for the exact flavour and variant you’ve chosen.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list both mixed boxes of individual snack packets and Lay’s Ready Salted in a multipack of 20 x 40 g.
- You can compare a mixed box with a multipack of one familiar flavour.
- The varieties and quantities differ between mixed boxes, so check what’s inside the pack you choose.
Pringles
Albert Heijn lists Pringles Original as a 12-pack of individual 40 g tubes.
- The tubes provide individual portions of the same variant.
- Albert Heijn lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for Original; check the label of the variant you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a sharing bag containing 15 packets of 25 g, with a mix of plain and paprika crisps.
- The individual packets offer a smaller portion than a 40 g packet.
- The product information lists milk as an allergen; check the current label before sharing the packets.
Snack Day (Lidl)
Lidl describes a Snack Day multipack as a mix of different types of crisps, with 15 packets.
- Fifteen individual packets could suit a plan for several lunchboxes.
- Check the varieties, weight per packet and ingredients on the pack you choose.
Multipacks for different lunchbox plans
These Joybuy products include mixed snack boxes with individual packets and a single-flavour Pringles multipack. Choose based on the number of recipients, how much variety you want and the information on the packaging.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 2 x 15 packets
An option if you want to prepare individual packets from a mix for several lunchboxes. Check the number of each variety and the current label before sharing out the packets.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 items
A mixed box for lunchboxes where you want to offer a variety of snacks. Check how many of each type are included, and make sure to check the label for each recipient.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 15 packets
Ideal if you’re planning to share individual packets from a mix between lunchboxes. Check the packaging to see which varieties are included and read the current label.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 2 x 12 items
A mix for anyone filling several lunchboxes with individual packets. Check the packaging for the quantities of each variety, the weight per packet and the ingredients.
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Pringles Original, 12 x 40 g
For lunchboxes where you want to include individual tubes of the same Original variant. Albert Heijn lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for the Original 12-pack; check the current label on the pack you choose.
Frequently asked questions
How many packets do I need for Father’s Day lunchboxes?
Count the lunchboxes you want to include an individual packet in, and check that you can use all the varieties in the box. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Lidl list packs containing, among other options, 15, 20 or 30 packets; compare the weight of each packet too.
When should I choose a mixed box instead of one flavour?
A mixed box works well when recipients want different flavours or types of snack. If you already know what they prefer, a single-flavour multipack may be a better fit; for a mix, check how many packets of each type are included.
Can I rely on the brand name if someone has a food allergy?
No, check the current label for the exact variant. Jumbo lists milk for its sharing bag of plain and paprika crisps, while Albert Heijn lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for Pringles Original. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label.
How should I assess a 40 g packet for a lunchbox?
Whether 40 g is right depends on how much you want to include. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 214 kcal for a reference portion of 40 g of crisps in various flavours; check the nutritional information on the packaging for your chosen variant, both per 100 g and per portion.
What should I check if I’m buying a multipack in advance?
Check the best-before date and follow the storage instructions on the packaging you buy. Before packing, check again that the packets and their labels are suitable for the recipients.