Shoppers looking for individual portions
If you want to hand out crisps to each person, it’s worth checking both the number of bags and how much each one contains. That way, you can see how many snack portions you’ll get from a pack.
Who are individual crisp bags useful for?
Commuters and day-trippers
A sealed bag is easy to take with you, with no need to decant crisps at home. Check the weight per bag: Jumbo lists 25 g per bag for the multipack reviewed here and 27,5 g for the Lay's Party Mix reviewed here.
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
Ingredients can vary between flavours or snack types in a mixed pack. Check the information on the packaging for each variety, especially if an allergen is relevant to you.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you need sealed portions. Then compare the amount in each bag and, if you’re choosing a mix, check which snacks and flavours you’ll actually get.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per pack | Check the number of bags, the amount in each bag and the total weight. | When I’m buying crisps for several snack occasions, I want to know how much the box actually contains, not just how many bags are inside. For around 33% of consumers, the quantity is the main consideration. |
| Individual portions for on the go | Check whether the portions are individually wrapped and how many grams are in each bag. | I want to be able to take a sealed bag with me without having to decant anything at home. Around 42% of consumers prioritise portions that are ready to take with them. |
| Flavours and ingredients | Check which varieties are in the mix, and read their ingredients and allergen information. | When handing out snacks, I want to know whether everyone can choose a suitable flavour or snack, and what it contains. This is the deciding factor for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Counting bags and nothing else
Two packs with the same number of bags can still contain different amounts overall. Jumbo’s product pages list 15 bags of 25 g for the Jumbo multipack and 15 bags of 27,5 g for Lay's Party Mix.
As well as the number of bags, compare the weight per portion and the total weight.
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Assuming every bag in a mix contains the same thing
A mix may contain other snacks as well as potato crisps. According to Jumbo’s product page, Lay's Party Mix includes paprika and ready salted crisps, as well as Bugles Nacho Cheese; ingredients and allergens may vary between varieties.
Check how the flavours are divided up and read the current packaging for each variety before buying for a group.
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Confusing a large bag with individual crisp bags
A bag such as AH Chips naturel, weighing 250 g, doesn’t contain individually wrapped portions, even though Albert Heijn lists a portion size of 25 g.
Choose a large bag if you want to portion it out yourself; choose individual bags if each portion needs to be sealed and ready to take with you.
Portioning crisps yourself takes time and won’t give you individually sealed bags.
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Applying an average nutritional value to every flavour
The Voedingscentrum gives an average of 0,53 g of salt per 40 g of crisps. This average doesn’t tell you how much salt is in a bag of a specific flavour.
Read the nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen, and check whether the values are given per 100 g or per portion.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Party Mix is an option if you want individual bags containing different types of snack. Jumbo lists 15 bags of 27,5 g: five paprika, five ready salted and five Bugles Nacho Cheese.
- The pack clearly shows how the three varieties are divided up.
- The mix reviewed here contains milk; cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat are listed as possible allergens. Check the current packaging.
Jumbo
According to Jumbo, the own-brand multipack reviewed here contains 15 bags of 25 g, split between ready salted and paprika.
- Individual portions in two flavours.
- The multipack reviewed here lists milk as an allergen.
Albert Heijn
AH Chips naturel, in a 250 g bag, is a good choice if you’d rather portion out the crisps yourself. Albert Heijn lists a portion size of 25 g.
- Portioning it yourself lets you measure out the amount you want each time.
- The bag doesn’t contain individually sealed portions to take with you.
Pringles
The Pringles varieties reviewed at Jumbo come in 165 g tubes. This is a different format from a box of individual bags.
- A tube may suit you if you’re looking for this particular shape of crisp and a specific flavour.
- The tubes reviewed here don’t contain individually wrapped portions.
Smiths
According to Jumbo’s product page, Smiths Sticks Paprika comes in a 100 g bag, with an average portion listed as 30 g.
- An option if you’re specifically looking for paprika sticks.
- It isn’t a multipack of individual bags; the variety reviewed here contains milk and sulphur dioxide or sulphites.
Lidl Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s own crisps and snacks brand, with a range of different flavours.
- Worth considering if you’re looking for crisps in a Lidl store.
- The crisps shown on the Lidl page reviewed here are only available in store; check the pack to see whether it actually contains individual portions.
Multipacks on Joybuy
These packs are for anyone looking to take or hand out individual portions of crisps or snacks. Compare the number of portions, the weight shown in the product name and the flavours. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Chips, 2 x 15-pack
A mix for anyone looking to take or hand out individual snack bags.
The product name lists two packs, each containing 15 bags. Check the packaging to see which varieties are included and which allergens are listed for each one.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Chips, 15-pack
For anyone looking for a mix of individual bags without choosing the double pack.
The product name lists a 15-pack. Before choosing, check the weight per bag, the contents and the allergens on the packaging.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 x 40 g
For anyone looking to take or portion out ten bags of the same flavour.
The product name lists 10 x 40 g. Check the packaging for the ingredients and allergens in this flavour.
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Pringles Red Pepper Flavoured Potato Chips, 12 x 40 g
For anyone looking for individual portions in a paprika flavour.
The product name lists 12 x 40 g. Check the packaging for the ingredients and allergens in this variety.
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Pringles Texas BBQ Sauce Potato Chips, 12 x 40 g
For anyone looking for twelve individual portions in a Texas BBQ Sauce flavour.
The product name lists 12 x 40 g. Read the packaging for the ingredients and allergens in this variety.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right bag for on the go?
Check the weight of each individual bag, not just how many are in the box. Jumbo lists 15 bags of 25 g for the multipack reviewed here and 15 bags of 27,5 g for the Lay's Party Mix reviewed here. Choose the amount that suits your snack occasion.
What’s the practical difference between a multipack and a large bag?
A multipack gives you individually wrapped portions; with a large bag, you’ll need to portion them out yourself. Albert Heijn lists a 250 g bag and a 25 g portion size for AH Chips naturel, but the portions aren’t individually wrapped.
What should I check if I have an allergy and am buying a crisp mix?
Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings for each variety on the current packaging. According to Jumbo’s product page, the Lay's Party Mix reviewed here contains milk, and cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat are listed as possible allergens. Don’t assume another mix has the same ingredients.
How do I compare the salt content of small bags?
Use the nutritional information for the exact flavour and pack you’re choosing, and check whether the salt content is given per 100 g or per portion. The Voedingscentrum gives 0,53 g of salt per 40 g of crisps as an average, not as a value for every individual product.