Choose a variety box with individual bags if you want to offer different flavours at your Friday afternoon get-together and hand out portions straight away. A multipack with one flavour is a better fit if you already know what the group likes or want to keep unopened portions for lunchboxes. Compare the number and weight of the portions, and check the ingredients and allergens for each snack in a variety box.
If you want to hand out snacks without much preparation, a box with several flavours gives you more choice than individual bags of just one flavour. Be sure to check which snacks are actually included in the mix.
Individual bags let you set out portions for colleagues or guests. You can also keep unopened bags for another occasion, such as a lunchbox, following the storage information on the packaging.
If allergens or nutritional values matter to you, a variety box needs extra care: the ingredients may differ between the snacks included. So, read the information on the packaging of the option you choose.
First decide whether you mainly want to hand out portions, offer a choice of flavours or serve one familiar snack. Then use the label to assess what’s inside and whether the pack you’ve chosen is suitable.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing out portions | Compare the number of bags or tubes and the weight per portion; check the total weight too. | If I want to hand out crisps and keep unopened portions for later, I need to know how many individual portions are in the pack. An estimated 40% of consumers put portioning first. |
| Flavour variety | Check which flavours and types of snacks are in the mix, rather than looking only at the name of the box. | When I’m hosting a get-together with a range of preferences, I want to give guests a choice without opening a large bag for every flavour. Flavour variety is the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional value | Check the ingredients and allergens for each option; to compare salt, look at the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. | If I need to take ingredients or salt into account, I want to be able to check which snacks are suitable before serving them. This is the top priority for an estimated 30% of consumers. |
The number of bags doesn’t tell you how many crisps are in each one. So, two multipacks with the same number of portions may have different total weights.
Compare the number of bags, total weight and weight per portion before deciding how many packs you’ll need for your group.
Different snacks in the same box may contain different ingredients and allergens. The Joybuy listing for the Lay's Fun Mix Box names milk and the possible presence of cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat.
If anyone has an allergy or intolerance, check the current packaging and the information for each individual snack before serving them.
The ingredients or nutritional information on the pack you buy may differ from information you read online previously.
Use product pages to compare options, then read the label on the actual pack before eating the snacks.
Worth considering if you’re choosing between individual bags of one flavour and a variety box for your get-together.
An option if you want to hand out individual tubes of one flavour rather than a mix of flavours.
Lidl’s own brand, for anyone who also wants to look at other crisps and savoury snacks alongside the variety boxes mentioned here.
Another option if you want to compare sharing bags for your get-together.
These Joybuy products include variety boxes with individual bags and a multipack of one flavour in tubes. Choose between them based on how much variety you want, the number of portions and the information on the packaging.
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A mix for sharing at a get-together where people have different flavour preferences.
The product name states that it contains 20 pieces. Check the packaging for how these are divided between the snacks and for the ingredients in each option.
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A box of individual snacks for anyone who wants to share and mix things up at their get-together.
The product name states that it contains 15 pieces. The Joybuy product information names milk and the possible presence of cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat; check the current label if allergens are a concern.
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A mix to consider if you want to serve a selection of snacks at your get-together.
The product name states 180 g. Check the packaging for the weight of individual portions and the ingredients.
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A variety box for anyone who wants to put individual snacks in different flavours on the table.
The product name states that it contains 12 pieces. Compare the weight of each bag and read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before serving.
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One familiar flavour in individual tubes for anyone who wants to hand out or save clearly defined portions.
According to the product name, the multipack contains 12 tubes of 40 g. The Joybuy product listing names wheat and gluten; check the current label if you have an allergy or intolerance.
It depends on how many people are coming and what else you’re serving. Decide how many individual portions you want to hand out, then compare the number of bags and the weight per bag; for example, Jumbo lists a Lay's Party Mix with 15 bags.
First check the current packaging and the allergen information for every snack included. According to the Joybuy listing for the Lay's Fun Mix Box, the mix contains milk and may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat; don’t assume all variety boxes have the same ingredients.
Follow the storage and best-before information on the packaging. Reseal a tube with a resealable lid after use, and check the instructions for the specific product.
Compare the salt content per 100 g and per portion in the nutritional information for the flavours you’re considering. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 0,45 g of salt for a 40 g bowl of plain crisps; this figure doesn’t automatically apply to other products or flavours.
