Who is this guide for?

Anyone organising a Father’s Day get-together

You’re looking for crisps to serve to a group. A familiar flavour can be your starting point, with a spicy, tangy or other bolder variety added only if people are keen to try it.

Buyers shopping for someone who loves bold flavours

You know what the recipient likes and are deliberately looking for something beyond Ready Salted or standard paprika, such as a spicy, smoky or tangy flavour.

Buyers who want to compare labels

Ingredients, allergens, nutritional values or portion size all factor into your choice. You want to check the exact flavour variety rather than relying on the flavour name alone.

What should you look for when choosing?

For your Father’s Day get-together, first decide whose flavour preference matters most. If anyone needs to avoid allergens, checking the packaging comes before flavour and pack size.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
A flavour for the group Compare familiar flavours such as Ready Salted and paprika with bolder varieties. Adjust the amount of each flavour to suit what your guests enjoy. If several people are sharing, I don’t want all the crisps to have one bold flavour. A mix of flavours to share would be the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
A favourite bold flavour Check whether the recipient particularly likes spicy, smoky, tangy or onion and cheese flavours. If you’re unsure, don’t choose that flavour alone. If I know the recipient has a particular taste for a bold flavour, I want to choose something to suit them, even if not everyone is joining in. That personal preference would come first for around 29% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the exact variety, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination. If someone needs to avoid certain ingredients, the flavour name isn’t enough information for me. Checking ingredients and allergens would be the main consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Nutritional values and portions Compare nutritional information per 100 g and think about how much you want to serve. If a reduced-content claim is made, check what it is being compared with. If I want to portion out the crisps in advance or compare nutritional values, the packaging format matters as well as the flavour. That would be the most important consideration for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Relying on the flavour name when someone has an allergy

    The same flavour name doesn’t tell you which ingredients a brand or variety uses. For example, Jumbo’s product information lists milk and sulphites in Smiths Sticks Paprika, while Pringles lists wheat and milk for its Paprika variety.

    Read the current packaging for the exact variety, even if you already know the flavour or brand.

  • Taking a fat claim as a verdict on the whole snack

    Lay’s says its Oven Baked range contains 50% less fat than standard potato crisps. That brand claim, on its own, says nothing about the other nutritional values or the portion you serve.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, consider the portion you plan to serve and check exactly what the claim is comparing.

  • Assuming a range you’ve seen before is still available

    A flavour or pack format you’ve seen before may not be available when you’re ready to buy. Planning a Father’s Day get-together around one specific multipack could therefore be impractical.

    Check the exact variety and pack size before buying, and have another suitable flavour combination in mind.

  • Confusing pack size with portion size

    You can share a large bag in a bowl, while individual packs make it easier to hand out portions in advance. Pack size alone doesn’t change the nutritional values per 100 g.

    First decide how you want to serve the crisps, then compare pack sizes and nutritional information on the same basis.

Brands to consider

Lay’s

Lay’s offers standard crisps as well as MAX, Sensations and Oven Baked varieties. This gives you the option to consider the shape and preparation as well as the flavour.

  • According to Lay’s, MAX crisps have extra ridges and Sensations crisps are thicker.
  • Lay’s reduced-fat claim for Oven Baked applies to that product range and the comparison stated. Check the nutritional information and allergens for each variety.

Pringles

Pringles offers stackable crisps in flavours including Paprika, Sour Cream & Onion, Hot & Spicy, Texas BBQ and Salt & Vinegar.

  • The range of flavours can help you choose if you know what the recipient likes.
  • Ingredients vary by variety; the product information for Pringles Paprika lists wheat and milk, among other ingredients.

Smiths

Smiths Sticks Paprika is a potato and corn snack in stick form, offering an alternative to standard potato crisps.

  • The stick shape can add variety to a bowl of different snacks.
  • Don’t treat sticks as the same type of product as standard potato crisps. Jumbo lists milk and sulphites as allergens in Smiths Sticks Paprika.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn is one place to browse a range of crisps and other snacks, including own-brand products.

  • Product pages can help you compare ingredients and nutritional information in advance.
  • Albert Heijn says online product information can change. Check the current packaging for allergen information.

Jumbo

At Jumbo, you can compare own-brand paprika varieties with those from other brands.

  • Different pack sizes make it possible to find a format for sharing in a bowl or handing out individually.
  • Check the exact flavour, pack size and availability before buying. A variety shown previously may not be part of the current range.

Lidl (Snack Day)

Lidl’s Snack Day range includes Ready Salted, paprika, bolognese and cheese and onion crisps.

  • These flavours give you options for combining a familiar choice with something a little different.
  • If you need to check ingredients, allergens or nutritional values, refer to the information on the packaging for the exact variety.

Crisps for a Father’s Day get-together on Joybuy

These products offer options for sharing: a mix, individual paprika varieties and flavours for anyone looking for something a little different. Check each pack to make sure the flavour, size and ingredients are right for the people you’re buying for.

Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g

Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g

A mix to consider if you’re buying for several people. Check which flavours are included on the pack, and read the current label if anyone has an allergy.

View on Joybuy
Lay’s Chips Paprika, 300 g

Lay’s Chips Paprika, 300 g

A single paprika flavour for a get-together where you know it’ll go down well. The bag contains 300 g. Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

View on Joybuy
Pringles Red Pepper Flavoured Potato Chips, 12 × 40 g

Pringles Red Pepper Flavoured Potato Chips, 12 × 40 g

A paprika variety you can hand out in individual tubes when you want one flavour for the group. The pack contains 12 tubes of 40 g. Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety.

View on Joybuy
Lay’s Oven Baked Barbecue, 150 g

Lay’s Oven Baked Barbecue, 150 g

An option if the recipient likes barbecue flavour and you want to compare oven-baked crisps. The bag contains 150 g. Consider any fat claim alongside the current nutritional information and portion size.

View on Joybuy
Lay’s MAX Smoky Paprika, 185 g

Lay’s MAX Smoky Paprika, 185 g

A choice for someone who enjoys smoky paprika and ridged crisps. Lay’s says the MAX range has extra ridges; this bag contains 185 g. Check the current packaging for ingredients and nutritional information.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Which crisps should I choose if not everyone likes the same flavour?

Start with a familiar flavour such as Ready Salted or paprika, and only add a bolder variety if you know someone will enjoy it. That way, the whole get-together won’t depend on one spicy, tangy or heavily seasoned flavour.

Do crisps with the same flavour name contain the same allergens?

No. Ingredients and allergens can vary by brand and variety. If someone has an allergy, read the current packaging for the exact crisps, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination. Don’t assume a product is suitable based on its flavour name.

Can I rely on the ingredients listed on an online product page?

Use a product page to help narrow down your options, but check the current packaging before anyone eats the crisps. Albert Heijn says online product information can change, while Pringles says recipes are sometimes updated.

Are oven-baked crisps automatically the right choice if I’m watching my fat intake?

No. Compare the nutritional information for the exact products and the portion you plan to serve. Lay’s says its Oven Baked range contains 50% less fat than standard potato crisps. That’s a brand claim for that specific comparison, not a judgement on every nutritional value.