Organisers buying for a group
If you’re sorting out crisps for several people, you’ll want to know how much is in a pack and whether you can portion it out on the day.
Who are these options for?
Groups handing out crisps individually
Individual bags make it easy to see in advance how many portions you can hand out, and mean no one has to reach into the same open bag.
Shoppers with dietary requirements
If allergens, salt or fat matter when you’re choosing, check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific flavour and pack.
What should you look for?
Large sharing bag
Choose this: if the group is sharing crisps in one place and someone can portion them out.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise the serving yourself; one open bag doesn’t give everyone their own portion.
Individual snack packs
Choose this: if you want to hand out pre-counted portions to visitors.
Bear in mind: check that the number of bags, weight per bag and flavours suit your group.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| How much you need for the group | Check the net weight and compare packs of the same type of crisps. | If I’m bringing crisps for several people, I want to be able to estimate whether there’s enough without mistaking a small bag for a large one. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise the amount needed for the group. |
| Handing out individual portions | Check the number of bags and the weight per bag. | I want to be able to give visitors their own portion straight away, without passing around an open bag. For around 20% of consumers, ease of handing them out would be their main concern. |
| Flavour and type of snack | Check which flavours and types are actually included in the pack. | For a group with different preferences, I want to know whether I’m bringing potato crisps, stacked crisps or other snacks too. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this choice. |
| Allergens and nutritional information | Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional values per 100 g on the exact pack. | If someone needs to avoid an allergen, or I want to keep an eye on salt or fat, I need the details for the product I’ve chosen. Around 27% of consumers would check the label first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every type of crisps has the same label
Ingredients and nutritional values can vary between flavours and products. Average nutritional values for crisps don’t describe what’s in every individual pack.
Before buying, read the ingredients, allergen information and nutrition table for the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
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Comparing different snacks as if they were the same product
Ready salted crisps, crinkle-cut crisps, sticks and stacked crisps don’t necessarily have the same ingredients, packaging or serving format.
First decide what type of snack and serving format you’re looking for. Then check the weight, flavours and label of the products that fit the bill.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
This own-brand range includes both large bags of crisps and pre-portioned bags for sharing with a group.
- Jumbo lists a sharing pack containing 15 bags of 25 g each.
- Check that the flavours and portion size suit your group.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes ready salted crisps and a ready salted option in a 20-pack.
- Albert Heijn also offers individual products for shoppers who want to check the nutritional information closely.
- A claim about fat doesn’t tell you anything about the salt content on its own; check the nutrition table for the product you choose.
Lidl / Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s own snack brand, with a range of savoury snacks.
- Lidl’s range includes crisps and other types of snack.
- Check what’s in each pack before buying: not every Snack Day snack is crisps.
Lay's
Lay's offers different types of crisps and pack sizes, including multipacks with small bags.
- Lay's describes the small bags in its multipacks as suitable for sharing.
- Ingredients, flavour and nutritional information vary by product range, so check the product you’ve chosen.
Pringles
Pringles sells stacked crisps in a tube, and also offers packs with individual mini tubes.
- A pack with individual tubes makes it easy to count out portions.
- The information for the Pringles Original multipack on Joybuy lists wheat and gluten. Always check the exact pack if anyone has allergies.
Smiths
If you’re specifically looking for sticks, Jumbo lists Smiths options in paprika and barbecue flavours.
- These sticks offer a different shape from regular potato crisps.
- Don’t automatically treat sticks as a like-for-like alternative to ready salted crisps; check the flavour and ingredients.
Crisps and multipacks on Joybuy
These products are suited to handing out individual portions, sharing a larger bag or offering a variety of snacks. Check the portions and label for each product before choosing one for your group.
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Pringles Original crisps, 12 × 40 g
For a group that wants to hand out crisps individually: this multipack contains twelve individual tubes of 40 g each.
The product information lists wheat and gluten, and mentions possible traces of milk and soya. If anyone has allergies, check the label on the exact pack.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli, 10 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to hand out ten individual portions of one bold flavour; each bag contains 40 g.
The product information lists wheat and soya as allergens. If anyone has allergies, read the label on the pack you’ve chosen.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 snacks
For a group that wants a variety of snacks to share: the box contains potato crisps and corn snacks.
Before handing them out, check which types and how many of each are in the box. The product information lists milk and soya; if anyone has allergies, check the labels on the individual snacks.
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Lay's Oven Baked Barbecue, 150 g
For anyone who’d rather share one bag of barbecue crisps than hand out individual bags.
If fat or salt matters when you’re choosing, read the nutrition table for this product. The product information lists soya as an allergen; check the pack if anyone has allergies.
Frequently asked questions
How can I estimate how many crisps to bring for a group?
Check the net weight of the bag, or the number and weight of the individual portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses a 40 g bowl as a portion when giving average nutritional values for crisps. This is a measure for calculations, not a recommended amount for every visitor.
When are individual snack packs more convenient than a large bag?
Individual snack packs are handy if you want to give everyone their own portion straight away. With a large bag, you’ll need to organise the serving yourself. If you’re buying a multipack, check that the number of bags and the flavours suit your group.
Can I use the average nutritional values for crisps for every bag?
No, average values aren’t the nutritional information for a specific bag. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average values for crisps, but for a particular flavour or product, use the nutrition table on that pack.
How do I check for allergens in crisps?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’re planning to hand out. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods. Don’t rely on the brand name alone, or on another flavour from the same brand.