Hosts who want to offer a choice
If several guests will be having crisps, a mix lets you hand out individual bags without filling bowls. If you’re catering for allergies, make sure you check the ingredients of each variety.
Who are individual bags handy for?
People taking snacks with them
For lunch, a journey or an event, an individual bag is easier to take with you or hand out than a large bag once it’s been opened. Lay's Nederland describes its multipacks as small bags to share or enjoy as a snack.
Label-conscious shoppers
If you’re buying for guests with different dietary requirements, look beyond the brand name: each bag in a mixed box may have different ingredients. Compare the portion size and nutritional information for the flavours you plan to serve, too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether each guest needs their own bag. Then choose a suitable mix of flavours and, for mixed packs, check the labels of the individual products.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Count the bags and compare the weight of each one with the number of guests. | If I want to take crisps with me or hand them out without using bowls, I want everyone to be able to take their own portion. This is the top priority for around 43% of consumers. |
| Flavour selection | Check which flavours are in the box and how many bags there are of each one. | When sharing snacks, I don’t want all my guests to have to choose from the same flavour. Having a choice of flavours for the group is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the ingredients and allergen information for each variety; compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion if needed. | If I’m buying for guests with different dietary requirements, I want to be able to check what’s in each bag. Around 28% of consumers give checking the label top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all the bags have the same ingredients
A mixed box may contain potato crisps as well as other types of snacks. This means the ingredients and allergens can vary between varieties.
If you’re catering for someone with an allergy, read the label on each individual product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on labels.
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Choosing a sharing bag when everyone needs their own portion
You’ll need to portion out crisps from a large bag or tube yourself; individual bags are ready to hand out or take with you.
Choose a sharing pack if you want to fill bowls yourself, and individual bags if you want to serve separate portions.
With a sharing pack, you’ll also need bowls or other containers to serve individual portions.
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Assuming the same nutritional information applies to every flavour
Nutritional information for crisps as a product category won’t necessarily describe what’s in a specific bag in a mixed pack.
Compare the nutrition table for the specific flavour and note the difference between values per 100 g and per portion.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Lay's Nederland lists multipacks with small bags to share. Jumbo and Albert Heijn also show Lay's boxes with different numbers of bags and flavours.
- Individual bags make sharing and taking crisps with you easy.
- For mixed boxes, you’ll need to check the ingredients of each variety separately.
Pringles
Jumbo lists 165 g Pringles tubes in flavours including Original, Paprika and Sour Cream & Onion.
- A tube is a good fit for a get-together where you’re serving a flavour of your choice.
- A tube doesn’t divide the contents into individual portions for guests.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists own-brand crisps in larger bags, including 250 g and 335 g varieties.
- Larger bags are an option if you’re filling bowls yourself.
- These sharing bags don’t come in pre-portioned servings.
Snack Day
Lidl presents Snack Day as its own range, with a selection of savoury snacks and crisp flavours.
- The range is worth considering if you want to choose and serve crisps yourself.
- Check each pack to see whether you’re buying a sharing bag or individual portions.
Multipacks on Joybuy
These multipacks are for anyone who wants to hand out individual bags or take them with them. When choosing, consider the number of bags, the types of snacks included and the labels for each variety.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Crisps, 2 x 15 bags
For handing out individual portions at a get-together or on the go. The pack contains two sets of fifteen bags. If it matters to your guests, check the flavour selection and the label on each variety.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Crisps, 15 bags
For a get-together where you want to hand out fifteen individual bags. See which flavours are included in the mix, and if anyone has an allergy, read the labels on the specific bags.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 pieces
For anyone who wants to offer a variety of snacks when sharing. The multipack contains twenty pieces and includes Lay's, Cheetos and Doritos. Check the selection and ingredients of each variety.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 2 x 12 pieces
For handing out bags at several snack times or to a group. This pack contains two sets of twelve pieces. Check the portion size, flavour selection and ingredients for each variety.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 12 pieces
For a snack occasion where you want twelve individual portions. Compare the flavours and portion sizes in the box, and if anyone has an allergy, check each label individually.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how many bags I need for a get-together?
Start with the number of guests who’ll each get their own bag, then check the weight per bag. Jumbo lists Lay's Party Mix as fifteen bags of 27,5 g. When choosing, also consider whether crisps are just one part of the food you’ll be serving.
Why should I check every label on a mixed box of crisps?
The flavours and types of snacks in one box may contain different ingredients and allergens. If anyone has an allergy, check the information for the specific varieties. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on food labels.
When are individual bags more convenient than a large bag?
Individual bags are a better choice if you want to hand out crisps to each person or take them with you. With a large bag or tube, you can fill bowls yourself, but you’ll also need to portion out the crisps.
Can I use general salt information for every crisp flavour?
No. For a specific flavour, use the nutrition table on the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 0,59 g of salt for a 40 g bowl of crisps, various flavours; this isn’t a product-specific value for every bag in a mix.