If you’re sharing a bag
If you’re buying for housemates or people helping with the move, the key thing is whether the pack size suits the group. A larger bag is handy for sharing, but think about what you’ll do with any leftovers, too.
Who are you buying crisps for?
If you’re choosing by flavour and shape
Standard potato crisps, ridged crisps, stackable crisps and sticks all make for a different snacking experience. Choose a shape that works for serving or taking with you, and check whether the pack can be sealed again after opening.
If you’re checking the label for someone else
If you’re sharing crisps with someone who needs to check ingredients or allergens, check each variety separately. A flavour name such as paprika doesn’t tell you which allergens the product contains.
What should you look for when choosing?
Before move-in night, decide how you want to share the crisps. Then compare the flavour and shape, nutritional information and ingredients on the packs you’re actually considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and sharing | Check the weight and decide whether you’d rather share one bag or open several packs. | If I’m putting crisps out for housemates and helpers, I want enough to share without too many leftovers. This is the main consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Flavour and shape | Choose between standard crisps, ridged crisps, stackable crisps or sticks. Check the packaging if you want to carry on snacking later. | If I specifically want ridges or another shape on the table, that preference matters more than the pack size. An estimated 29% of consumers consider this first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare things such as fat and salt per 100 g and, where shown, per serving. | When I want to compare the nutritional values of two bags, I look beyond the wording on the front. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for each specific variety. | If I’m sharing snacks with someone who needs to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the flavour name. For an estimated 14% of consumers, this check is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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The same flavour means the same ingredients
Paprika snacks can vary considerably in their ingredients. Jumbo’s product information lists milk and sulphites in Smiths Sticks Paprika; other products need to be checked individually.
Read the current ingredients list and allergen information on every bag or tube, especially if you’re buying for other people.
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An opened sharing bag will stay crunchy
If you open a large bag when there are still more moving days ahead, you could be left with stale leftovers.
Choose a suitable quantity and seal any leftover crisps properly. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing crisps in a cool, dry, dark place.
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A claim about fat tells you everything
Comparing fat content doesn’t automatically tell you about salt, ingredients or how much you’ll eat.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the specific varieties, and check the serving sizes and allergen information, too.
Brands to consider
Lay's
The range includes options such as standard paprika crisps, MAX Paprika and Oven Baked Roasted Paprika. Choose by shape, then compare the label of the variety you want to buy.
- The different shapes give you a clear starting point when choosing.
- A description of the flavour or fat content is no substitute for checking the current nutritional information.
Pringles
Pringles Paprika is a stackable snack in a resealable tube, making it an option to consider if you want to snack throughout moving day.
- The tube is resealable.
- Check the ingredients in Paprika if wheat, milk or soya are relevant to anyone in your group.
Smiths
Smiths Sticks are stick-shaped snacks rather than standard flat potato crisps. Jumbo lists Paprika and Barbecue as separate varieties.
- The stick shape offers an alternative to a bag of flat crisps.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, Smiths Sticks Paprika contains milk and sulphites.
Albert Heijn
AH Paprika Crisps are potato crisps in a 250 g bag. You can compare this size with the number of people you’re serving.
- The stated bag weight makes it easier to plan for sharing.
- Check the current packaging if ingredients or nutritional values matter to your choice.
Jumbo
Jumbo Paprika Crisps come in a 250 g bag, with nutritional information per 100 g and per serving on the product page.
- The two quantities shown make it easier to understand the nutritional information.
- The product information lists milk as an allergen; check the label on the bag you choose.
Lidl / Snack Day
Lidl describes Snack Day Paprika Crisps as 250 g of potato crisps with paprika flavour.
- The product name and pack size give you a starting point for comparing them with other paprika crisps.
- Check the label in store if ingredients, allergens or nutritional values will affect your choice.
Crisps and snack mixes at Joybuy
These products suit different moments during a student move: a bag of paprika crisps to share, ridged crisps, an oven-baked variety or a mix for a change. Before sharing, check the current packaging for ingredients and nutritional information.
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Lay's Paprika Crisps, 300 g
A bag of paprika crisps to put out for everyone to share. It contains 300 g; check the nutritional information and allergens on the pack if they matter to anyone in your group.
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Croky Paprika Crisps, 200 g
A paprika-flavoured option if you’re looking for a 200 g bag to share. Check the label on this variety when you buy it if ingredients or allergens matter.
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g'woon Ridged Paprika Crisps, 250 g
For anyone looking specifically for ridged paprika crisps. The bag contains 250 g; check the label if anyone you’re sharing with needs to avoid milk.
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Lay's Oven Baked Paprika, 150 g
An oven-baked paprika variety to compare if the cooking method or nutritional information will influence your choice. The bag contains 150 g; compare fat and salt per 100 g with the other crisps you’re considering, and check the label for milk.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A mix for a group who want something other than just paprika crisps. The pack contains 180 g; check the flavours and ingredients of each item, especially if soya is relevant to anyone.
Frequently asked questions
Are paprika crisps always vegan or gluten-free?
No. The paprika flavour alone doesn’t tell you whether they’re vegan or gluten-free. Check the ingredients and claims on the exact pack, especially if you’re sharing the crisps with others.
How should I store crisps left over after move-in night?
Seal opened crisps properly and store them in a cool, dry, dark place. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, opened crisps usually stay in good condition for 2 to 5 days in a kitchen cupboard; after that, they may become less crunchy.
Does oven-baked tell you enough about the nutritional value?
No. The cooking method alone doesn’t tell you how two varieties compare across all nutritional values. Compare information such as fat and salt per 100 g on the packs you’re actually considering.