Hosting a larger group
If you want to give each guest their own bag, knowing exactly how many come in a box makes planning easier. Check the weight of each bag too: the number alone doesn’t tell you how many crisps you’ll be serving.
Who are multipacks useful for?
Looking to offer a mix of flavours
If you want to serve ready salted, paprika or other snacks, check which varieties are actually in the box and how many bags of each you’ll get.
Checking portions and labels
Individual bags can be handed out or kept unopened for another snack break. With a mixed box, it’s still important to check the ingredients, allergens, weight and nutritional information for each variety.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide how many individual portions you need and whether your guests would like different flavours. Then check the weight and, especially with mixed boxes, the labels for each snack variety.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Count the bags and check the weight of each one against the number of guests. | If I want to give everyone their own bag, the quantity needs to suit my group. Having enough individual portions is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Flavour selection | Check which flavours and snack varieties are included and how many bags of each you’ll get. | When guests have different preferences, I want to offer more than one flavour. Flavour variety is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Contents and stock | Compare the total weight of the packs and check the best-before date if you want to keep bags for later. | I want to buy enough without leaving bags uneaten. Having the right amount in stock matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
| Label information | Check the ingredients and allergens for each snack variety; compare nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in each bag before handing it out. Checking the label is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing only the number of bags
A box with more bags doesn’t automatically contain more crisps. Albert Heijn lists 20 bags and 534 g for the Lay’s Mega Box, and 30 bags and 753 g for the Celebration Box.
Check both the number of bags and the total weight. If individual portions matter, check the weight of each bag too.
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Assuming all the bags have the same ingredients
A mixed box may contain different types of snacks. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be listed on the label of prepacked foods.
Read the allergen information on the exact pack and check each variety before serving crisps to someone with an allergy or intolerance.
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Choosing a wide-ranging mix when guests want one flavour
Having plenty of choice is less useful if bags in other flavours are left uneaten. Jumbo lists 8 bags of ready salted and 7 bags of paprika in its sharing bag.
Choose based on the flavour selection: a limited mix works when you know what people like, while a wider mix caters for different tastes.
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Assuming individual portions are a nutritional benefit
A multipack divides crisps into separate packs, but that doesn’t change their nutritional value.
Compare the nutritional information for the exact varieties, including salt and fat per 100 g and per portion.
Brands to consider
Lay’s
Lay’s offers multipacks of individual bags and mixed snack boxes. Albert Heijn lists, among others, a Celebration Box with 30 items and a Mega Box with 20.
- The boxes mentioned combine several snack varieties and state how many bags they contain.
- Ingredients and allergens can vary between snack varieties, so check the contents of the exact box.
Pringles
For individual tubes, Albert Heijn lists a 12-pack of Pringles Paprika, with 12 × 40 g.
- The number of tubes and the weight per tube are clearly stated.
- This pack contains one flavour. According to the product information, it contains wheat and milk and may contain soya.
Jumbo huismerk
Jumbo offers a sharing bag with 15 bags of 25 g: 8 ready salted and 7 paprika.
- The set mix makes it easier to work out in advance how many bags of each flavour are included.
- There are only two flavours to choose from. According to Jumbo, this pack contains milk.
Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s own brand of savoury snacks, including crisps in a range of flavours.
- The flavours available can help if you have a particular variety in mind.
- For a specific pack, check the number of portions, ingredients and nutritional information on the label.
Crisps multipacks on Joybuy
These packs offer individual bags or tubes to hand out. Choose between a selection of flavours and a single flavour, and check the number of items and the quantity stated per pack.
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Lay’s Fun Mix Box Crisps, 2 x 15-pack
An option if you want to hand out individual bags to a group and are looking for a mix. The pack is listed as 2 x 15-pack; check the number of bags per flavour and the labels for each snack if these are important to your choice.
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Lay’s Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20-pack
For a group looking for individual bags and a range of snack varieties. The product name lists 20 items; check the quantities of each variety and the weight of the bags before deciding whether the contents will suit your group.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A mix to consider if you want to share different flavours and compare the total weight. The product name lists 180 g; check the number of bags and the flavour selection before planning your portions.
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Pringles Red Pepper, 12 x 40 g
A good fit if you prefer individual tubes in one flavour rather than a mix. The product name lists 12 packs of 40 g; check the label for this variety if ingredients or allergens are a consideration.
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Takis Blue Heat corn chips, 100 g x 18
For a group who all want the same Blue Heat variety. The product name lists 18 bags of 100 g; consider whether that size and single flavour suit the portions you need.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose individual bags instead of a large sharing pack?
Choose individual bags if you want to count and hand them out in advance, or keep unopened portions for later. If you’d rather serve crisps from a bowl and don’t need individual portions, a large pack or snack box may be more suitable.
How can I tell if a mixed box suits everyone’s flavour preferences?
Check how many bags of each flavour or snack variety are in the box; the word ‘mix’ doesn’t tell you how the contents are divided. For example, Jumbo lists 8 bags of ready salted and 7 of paprika in its sharing bag.
Should I check each snack in a crisps multipack for allergens?
Yes. If it’s a mixed box, check the allergen information for every snack variety you plan to serve. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be listed on the label of prepacked foods, so don’t assume every bag has the same ingredients.
What should I check if I want to keep bags for later?
Check the best-before date and follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. This will help you decide whether the number of unopened bags is right for what you plan to use later.
Does a multipack change the nutritional value of crisps?
No. Splitting crisps into individual packs doesn’t change their nutritional value. For the varieties you’re considering, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion rather than judging by the pack size.