Hosts catering for different tastes
When guests can help themselves, an assortment gives them a choice without you having to open several large bags. Just check how many bags of each flavour the box contains.
Who is a multipack useful for?
Hosts who want to keep some bags sealed
You can store individually wrapped portions unopened after the garden party or take them with you another time. A bag that fits easily into a lunchbox isn’t automatically the right choice for every day, though.
Shoppers checking what’s in each variety
Ingredients and allergens can vary between flavours in an assorted pack. Check the label of the variety you want to offer a guest, and compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per serving if you wish.
What should you look for when choosing?
Work out how many guests will want an individual bag, then check the flavour selection and the ingredients of the varieties you plan to serve.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Count the individual bags and compare the weight of each one; a box with more bags doesn’t necessarily contain larger portions. | If lots of guests will help themselves, I want to have enough individual portions to put out. Around 31% of consumers prioritise the number of portions. |
| Flavour selection | Check which flavours are included and how many bags there are of each. | When tastes vary, I want to offer a choice without opening a large bag of every flavour. Flavour variety is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| How much you’ll use | Compare the number of bags with the size of your group, and think about whether you’ll use any unopened bags later. | For a small group, I want to avoid leaving most of the box unused. That’s why around 25% of consumers prioritise a suitable quantity. |
| Ingredients in each variety | Read the ingredients and allergen information for each relevant flavour. If portion sizes differ, compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per bag. | If a guest has an allergy or I want to compare nutritional values, I need to know what’s in the bag I’ve chosen. Around 19% of consumers prioritise this check. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every flavour in an assortment is the same
The snacks in a mixed box may contain different ingredients. Albert Heijn lists milk and soya, among other ingredients, for some items in the Lay's Celebration box.
If someone has an allergy, check the label on the specific bag you plan to offer and keep the varieties separate.
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Looking only at the total weight
The weight of the box alone won’t tell you how many guests can take an individual bag. The weight of each bag may also vary within the same box.
Count the individual packs and compare their portion sizes before choosing a pack size.
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Expecting the same number of bags for every flavour
A pack listing several varieties doesn’t mean there will be the same number of each flavour. For the Lay's Celebration box, Albert Heijn lists three or four bags of each snack variety.
Check the quantities if your guests have a strong preference for a particular flavour.
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Assuming smaller bags have different nutritional values
A smaller bag helps you keep track of portions, but it doesn’t change the ingredients in the crisps. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average 40 g bowl of crisps an energy value of 215 kcal; the value for the product you choose may differ.
Use the nutritional table for the specific variety when comparing products, and note the difference between values per 100 g and per portion.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list Lay's packs containing different numbers of sharing bags. The Lay's, Cheetos and Doritos Celebration box at Albert Heijn contains 30 bags across eight listed snack varieties.
- A mixed selection of individual bags gives guests a choice if they don’t all want the same flavour.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety; the whole box doesn’t have a single set of ingredients.
Pringles
Albert Heijn lists a Pringles Original 12-pack containing twelve 40 g packs, and describes the tubes as resealable.
- Equal portions in tubes may suit you if you want to serve a familiar flavour.
- This Original pack isn’t a flavour assortment. The product information lists wheat and gluten, and says milk and soya may be present.
AH
Albert Heijn lists an AH Robust crisps cheese and jalapeño flavour 3-pack, supplied as separate items.
- A small multipack may suit you if you want to serve this flavour alongside other snacks.
- Three separate items don’t offer the same sharing convenience as a box with lots of individually wrapped party portions.
Snack Day
Lidl also lists a crisps multipack in its Snack Day range, containing fifteen bags of different varieties.
- The stated number of bags helps you plan individual portions.
- Check the pack for the exact flavours, ingredients and nutritional information before serving this assortment to guests.
Crisps multipacks at Joybuy
These boxes and multipacks from Lay's and other named snack brands are worth considering if you’re serving crisps and snacks at a garden party. The number of packs varies; for mixed boxes, check which varieties your guests can eat.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Chips, 2 x 15-pack
If you’re catering for a group and want to put out several small packs, the product name indicates that this box contains two 15-packs. For an assortment, check which flavours and ingredients are in the individual bags.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20-pack
The snack brands listed make this box worth considering for guests with different tastes. The product name states that it contains 20 items; if you need individual portions to hand out, check whether each item is individually wrapped.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Chips, 15-pack
This 15-pack is the smaller option to consider if you want to put out fewer bags than with the 2 x 15 version. When planning portions, check the weight of each bag. If a guest has an allergy, check the ingredients for each relevant variety.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 2 x 12 pieces
With two 12-packs, this is a size worth comparing if you want to put out individual snacks for a group. Check the flavour selection and ingredients for each variety if not every guest can or wants to eat the same things.
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Lay's Family Box, 15 pieces
This box of 15 items may suit a smaller group looking to serve a selection of snacks. Before serving, check which varieties are included and read the individual labels if anyone has dietary requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of crisps do I need for a garden party?
Think about how many guests are likely to want crisps and choose a pack with enough individual portions. Compare the weight of each bag too: Albert Heijn lists 30 bags in different sizes in the Lay's Celebration box, while the Pringles Original 12-pack contains twelve 40 g packs.
Can I take sealed bags with me in a lunchbox after the party?
Yes, sealed individual bags are handy to store and take with you later. Check the nutritional information for the product you choose: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 215 kcal for an average 40 g bowl of crisps, but values vary by variety and portion size.
Should I check every bag in a flavour assortment for allergens?
If someone has an allergy, check the information for every flavour you plan to offer them. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires fourteen allergens to be listed on the label; ingredients may vary between bags in the same mixed box.
When should I choose a mixed box instead of one flavour?
A mixed box is most useful when guests have different tastes and the selection of each variety suits your group. If you already know their preferences, consider a pack containing just one flavour too. With an assortment, you’ll also need to check the ingredients of each variety.
What information on the packaging helps me compare products?
Check the number of bags, the weight per portion, and the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the flavours you plan to serve. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says prepacked foods must clearly state what they contain; use the packaging to check the variety you’ve chosen.