Group shoppers keeping an eye on quantity
You want to take enough crisps for several people without being left with lots of opened crisps. So compare the net weight of the bags and think about which flavours your group would like to share.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Picnickers who want to hand out individual portions
You’d rather not have everyone eating from the same bag, or you expect people to help themselves at different times. Small bags in a multipack suit this way of sharing; Lay's also describes its multipacks as handy for sharing.
Shoppers comparing labels
You check nutritional information, ingredients or allergens before choosing a flavour. Voedingscentrum recommends comparing nutritional information per 100 g; if someone has an allergy, it’s important to check the label on the exact product.
What should you look for when choosing?
Think about how many people will be eating crisps at the same time. This will help you choose between a sharing bag and individual portions. Then consider the flavour and the information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity for the group | Check the net weight and choose a bag size that suits the number of people sharing it. | If we’re sharing one bag as a group, I want to take enough without being left with lots of opened crisps. Around 45% of consumers put quantity for the group first. |
| Handing out individual portions | Check whether it’s one sharing bag or a multipack of individual bags, and see how many bags it contains. | If not everyone is eating at the same time, I want to be able to hand out separate portions. For around 27% of consumers, ease of sharing matters most. |
| Flavour and shape | Choose the flavour you want and check whether the product contains regular crisps, ridged crisps or another type of snack. | If we want a choice of flavours or something to have with a dip, I check what’s actually in the pack. Flavour and shape come first for around 18% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product. | If ingredients or allergens matter to our group, I want to check the label before choosing a flavour. For around 10% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Taking a large bag without thinking about leftovers
A sharing bag is less suitable when people will be eating at different times. Crisps can also lose their crunch after the bag has been opened.
Choose a sharing bag if your group will eat from it at the same time, or individual bags if you want to hand out portions throughout the day.
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Treating ‘lower fat’ as a complete nutritional comparison
That claim doesn’t tell you how the products compare on other nutritional values.
Compare the exact products per 100 g for things like energy, fat and salt, rather than relying on the front of the pack alone.
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Assuming allergens based on another flavour or an old product page
Different varieties don’t necessarily have the same ingredients, and product information can change.
If an allergy is relevant, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re actually buying.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes different crisp sizes to consider for a shared picnic bag.
- Jumbo lists, among other options, 250 g bags of plain and paprika crisps, and 335 g bags of plain ridged crisps.
- A larger net weight only helps if your group will finish the contents.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers both own-brand crisps and varieties labelled ‘lower fat’.
- Its range overview lists 150 g bags of AH plain lower-fat ridged crisps.
- Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging, as product information can change.
Lidl Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s own brand for crisps and other savoury snacks.
- Lidl’s product page lists 250 g bags of Snack Day plain ridged crisps.
- Not every Snack Day snack is the same type of product, so check what you’re choosing for your group.
Lay's
Lay's offers multipacks as well as crisps in different shapes and textures.
- Lay's says the small bags in its multipacks are handy for handing out.
- Check which flavours and types of snacks are in each multipack; not all the contents are regular potato crisps.
Pringles
Pringles Original is an option if you want to take crisps in a tube.
- Pringles Netherlands lists 40 g, 70 g and 165 g sizes for Original.
- Pringles Original contains wheat flour; if you have an allergy, check the label on the variety you choose.
Crisps and multipacks on Joybuy
These products are multipacks with individual bags or tubes to hand out at a park picnic. For mixed boxes, check the types of snacks inside: as well as potato crisps, they may contain other savoury snacks.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Chips, 2 × 15 zakjes
For a picnic where you want to hand out individual bags. Check the packaging to see which types of snacks are in the mix, and read the labels on the bags if anyone has an allergy.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Chips, 15 zakjes
A smaller mixed box for anyone who wants to hand out individual portions. Check which types of snacks the box contains, and check the individual packaging if anyone has an allergy.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box Multipack, 20 stuks
For a group that wants to share different savoury snacks rather than just one type of crisps. Check which products are in the box and how many of each it contains.
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Pringles Red Pepper Flavoured Potato Chips, 12 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to take individual tubes in the same flavour. According to the product name, the multipack contains twelve 40 g tubes; if you have an allergy, check the label on this Red Pepper variety.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box multipack, 12 zakken
For anyone who wants to hand out twelve individual bags containing a mix of savoury snacks. Check the weight and contents of each bag to see if the box suits your group; if anyone has an allergy, read each individual label.
Frequently asked questions
How long can you keep opened oven-baked crisps after a picnic?
Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened oven-baked crisps in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 5 days. They may lose some of their crunch during that time, so bear this in mind if you expect to have an opened bag left over.
How do I compare salt and saturated fat in crisps?
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the exact products. Voedingscentrum points out that manufacturers set their own portion sizes, making values per portion less suitable for a direct comparison.
Where can I check for allergens in crisps?
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging for the exact flavour. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods; don’t rely on information for a different variety when making your choice.