Flavour and texture enthusiasts
For your morning break, you might be looking for a particular paprika flavour or another seasoned variety. Texture matters too: classic potato crisps, ridged crisps and stackable crisps all offer something different.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Those who plan their portions
You want to decide in advance how many crisps to have, so you compare pack sizes and nutritional information, including energy, fat, saturated fat and salt.
Those who check the label
If you have an allergy or dietary requirement, check the ingredients and allergens for the exact flavour. A brand name or the word ‘paprika’ alone won’t tell you what you need to know.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide which flavour and quantity will suit your break. Then compare the nutritional information and check the label if the ingredients or allergens are important to you.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and texture | Check the flavour description and choose between, for example, classic, ridged or stackable crisps. | If I’m craving a bold paprika flavour or a particular crunch, I start by looking at the variety itself. Flavour and texture come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Nutrition and portion size | Compare energy, fat, saturated fat and salt per 100 g, then decide how much you want to eat. | When I have a mid-morning snack, I want to know what the amount I choose means for my decision. Nutrition and portion size are the main considerations for around 36% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Check the net weight and whether the crisps come in one bag or individual packs. | If you want to take crisps with you without opening a large bag, a pack size that suits your planned portion can be especially useful. Pack size is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current pack of the exact flavour. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, a similar flavour from another product may still not be suitable. Ingredients and allergen information are decisive for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating lower fat content as a verdict on the whole snack
Lay's says that Oven Baked Roasted Paprika contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. This brand claim alone tells you nothing about the salt, energy or how much you eat.
Use fat as one point of comparison, and also check the nutritional information per 100 g and your planned portion.
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Assuming every paprika flavour contains the same allergens
According to Jumbo’s product information, Jumbo Paprika Chips contains milk. For Classic Paprika, Pringles lists wheat and milk, among other ingredients, and says that it may contain soya. So you’ll need to check the label for each variety separately.
If you have an allergy, read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before eating the crisps.
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Relying on online product details instead of checking the label
If you’re choosing based on nutritional information, ingredients or allergens, the information on the pack you actually buy is what counts.
Use online product information to compare varieties, then check the label again when you buy.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Lay's offers several varieties, including classic Paprika, MAX Paprika and Oven Baked Roasted Paprika.
- Lay's describes Paprika as mildly sweet and seasoned, while MAX Paprika is positioned as more intense in flavour.
- The 50% less fat claim for Oven Baked Roasted Paprika compares it with regular potato crisps. It says nothing about salt or the overall nutritional value.
Pringles
Pringles Classic Paprika is a stackable crisp, available from the brand in 40 g, 70 g and 165 g packs.
- The different pack sizes give you options when planning how much to snack on.
- For Classic Paprika, Pringles lists wheat and milk as ingredients and says it may contain soya. If you have an allergy, check the current pack.
Albert Heijn
AH Chips paprika is a specific own-brand variety whose label you can compare with those of other paprika crisps.
- Albert Heijn describes this variety as gluten-free, vegan and lactose-free.
- These claims apply to AH Chips paprika and not automatically to other Albert Heijn crisps.
Jumbo
Jumbo stocks both its own-brand paprika crisps and paprika varieties from other brands.
- This gives you the chance to compare different flavours and pack sizes.
- According to Jumbo, its specific product Jumbo Paprika Chips contains milk; don’t assume the same applies to other varieties.
Snack Day (Lidl)
Snack Day is Lidl’s crisp range, which includes a 250 g paprika variety.
- As well as paprika, Lidl lists other flavours in the Snack Day range.
- Check the nutritional information and allergens on the pack of your chosen variety.
Crisps to suit different preferences
This selection of Joybuy products includes paprika crisps in bags, an oven-baked variety, individual tubs and tortilla chips. Choose based on flavour and pack size, and always compare the nutritional information and allergens on the pack of the variety you select.
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Farmhouse Biscuits Paprika Crisps – 150 g
A good option if you’re looking for paprika crisps with a seasoned flavour. The product information lists paprika, smoked paprika and black pepper, and provides nutritional information per 100 g and per 30 g serving. If you have an allergy, check the current pack.
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Lay's Oven Baked Paprika – 150 g
If you want to compare an oven-baked paprika variety with regular paprika crisps, this could be one to consider. The product information says there are 5–6 servings per 150 g bag and lists milk as an allergen. Compare fat, salt and energy on the same basis using the current label.
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Pringles Red Pepper Flavoured Potato Crisps – 12 × 40 g
A handy option if you want to take individual tubs with you instead of opening a large bag. This pack contains 12 tubs of 40 g each. The product information lists wheat and milk and says it may contain soya. If you have an allergy, check the current pack.
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Doritos Pure Paprika Tortilla Chips – 170 g
If you’re after tortilla chips rather than potato crisps with a paprika flavour, this could be a good choice. The product information lists maize as an ingredient and says it may contain wheat containing gluten and soya. Decide how much you want to eat, and check the label if you have an allergy.
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Lay's Paprika Crisps – 100 g
If you’re looking for classic potato crisps with a paprika flavour in a 100 g bag, this is one to consider. Decide on your portion in advance and compare salt, fat and energy per 100 g on the current pack. Check the ingredients there too if you need to avoid anything.
Frequently asked questions
Are flavoured crisps suitable as a regular snack for every morning break?
Don’t automatically consider crisps an everyday snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that many snacks contain a lot of energy, salt or saturated fat. If you choose crisps, decide how much to have and consider how they fit in with what else you eat during the day.
How do I compare two crisp flavours?
First, compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the exact varieties. Then consider how much you want to eat and read the ingredients list; different flavours from the same brand may have different ingredients.
Do I need to check the allergens again for paprika crisps from every brand?
Yes. If you have an allergy or relevant sensitivity, check the current pack of each specific variety. For example, Jumbo lists milk for Jumbo Paprika Chips, while Pringles lists wheat and milk for Classic Paprika and says it may contain soya.
Can I skip checking the portion size with oven-baked crisps?
No. The cooking method doesn’t mean you can ignore portion size. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and decide how much you want to eat during your break; a claim about fat alone tells you nothing about the other nutritional values.
How should I store crisps from an opened bag?
Seal the bag tightly and follow the storage instructions on the pack. Store the crisps in a cool, dry place; they may lose their crunch once opened.