Party host catering for guests with different tastes
You don’t want everyone to be stuck with just one very spicy, sour or creamy flavour. Offering a familiar flavour alongside a stronger option gives guests more choice.
Who is this choice for?
Fan of bold party flavours
You’re looking for an extra bowl of something like chilli, barbecue or cheese and onion to go with the other nibbles on the table. Check whether there’s also a milder option for guests who might not fancy that flavour.
Shopper who needs to check ingredients
If guests have a food allergy or dietary requirement, the flavour name alone isn’t enough to assess a product. Read the ingredients and highlighted allergens on every pack you’re serving.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide which flavour will be your crowd-pleasing option, then add a stronger variety if you like. Check the individual packs before putting the crisps on the table.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Familiar flavour to start with | Choose a flavour such as paprika before adding a stronger option. Decide whether a sharing bag or individual bags would work better for serving. | If guests are sharing a bowl, I don’t want one strong flavour to be their only choice. Around 45% of consumers prioritise a familiar flavour to start with. |
| Bold flavour | Read the flavour description on chilli, HOT or cheese and onion varieties, and serve them alongside a more accessible option. | I want to add a distinctive flavour to the party table without imposing it on everyone. A bold variety is the first priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the ingredients and highlighted allergens on the pack you’ve bought. Compare salt per 100 g and per intended serving if a guest needs to watch their salt intake. | If I need to consider an allergy or salt intake, I want to know what’s in the crisps before I serve them. This check is a priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Buying only a very spicy, sour or creamy flavour
A bold flavour can be a nice extra, but guests with different tastes won’t have an alternative if that’s the only option available.
Serve it alongside a familiar or milder flavoured variety, especially if the crisps are for sharing.
-
Treating online allergen information as definitive
Albert Heijn says that ingredients and allergy information can change. If someone has a food allergy, relying on a product page could therefore be risky.
Before serving, read the ingredients list and highlighted allergens on every bag or tube you’ve bought, including multipacks.
-
Assuming the cooking method means the crisps are low in salt
Information about baking or fat content doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much salt a particular flavour contains.
If salt is a consideration, compare the nutrition information per 100 g and bear in mind the portion you’re serving.
Brands and ranges to consider
Lay's
Lay's has several crisp and savoury snack ranges, including MAX, Sensations, Bugles and multipacks.
- The range of flavours and pack formats gives you options for both a sharing bowl and handing out smaller bags.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each flavour and pack; the ingredients in one range won’t necessarily apply to another.
Pringles
The Dutch Pringles range includes Paprika, Sour Cream & Onion, Salt & Vinegar and HOT varieties.
- The choice of flavours makes it easy to serve a bold option alongside one that’s more accessible.
- Don’t assume all guests will like sour, creamy or spicy flavours, or that they’ll suit everyone’s dietary needs; check the individual pack.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s crisp range includes both own-brand varieties and products from other brands.
- The range includes flavours such as sour cream & onion, bolognese, jalapeño and nacho cheese, as well as other crisps.
- A flavour name doesn’t tell you which ingredients or allergens are in the pack, so check the label.
Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s crisp and snack range, which includes Ready Salted, paprika, bolognese and cheese onion varieties.
- The different flavours give you the option to combine a milder choice with a bolder one.
- Lidl advises checking the pack for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values; check this information for each product.
Crisps for your Christmas get-together on Joybuy
These products offer paprika as a possible crowd-pleasing option, a multipack with different flavours, and individual creamy or spicy choices. Choose a combination to suit your guests, and check the labels before serving.
Image unavailable
Lay's Paprika crisps, 300 g
A paprika flavour to serve as a crowd-pleasing option alongside a bolder variety.
300 g bag. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack before serving.
Image unavailable
Lay's Doritos Chill Box multipack, 12 bags
A multipack for guests who would rather choose individual bags than share one flavour.
Contains 12 bags. If anyone has dietary requirements or allergies, check the label for the flavour they choose.
Image unavailable
Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 150 g
A sweet chilli flavour to offer alongside milder crisps.
150 g bag. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack.
Image unavailable
Lay's Max Roasted Onion Sour, 185 g
A roasted onion and sour cream flavour for guests who fancy a creamy option.
185 g bag. If you have a milk allergy or other dietary requirements, check the label before serving these crisps.
Image unavailable
Pringles Hot & Spicy Crunchy Chips, 12 × 40 g
A spicy extra option for guests who enjoy a bit of heat, in individual bags for sharing.
Multipack with 12 × 40 g bags. Serve a milder flavour alongside it, and check the labels for allergens.
Frequently asked questions
How many different crisp flavours should I serve at a Christmas party?
Start with a familiar flavoured variety and add one bolder option if you like. Mild crisps with a dip can offer another choice. The number of packs you need will depend on how many guests you’re hosting and what other nibbles you’re serving.
Are paprika crisps suitable for every guest?
No. A familiar flavour isn’t automatically suitable for someone with an allergy or dietary requirement. Check the ingredients list and highlighted allergens on the specific pack before serving the crisps.
Which allergens need to be listed on food labels in the Netherlands?
For prepacked foods, allergens specified by law must be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out this requirement for 14 allergens. Always check the label of the specific product you’re serving to your guests.
Do lower-fat crisps also contain less salt?
No. Information about fat content doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much salt a flavour contains. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the packs, and consider the portion you plan to serve.
Can I rely on an online product page for allergen information?
Use a product page to help you prepare, but check the pack you’ve bought before serving. Albert Heijn says product information can change; Lidl also advises checking the label for ingredients and allergens.