Anyone preparing lunchboxes or portions
Individual bags are easy to pack and take with you. Check how many bags are in the box and how many grams each one contains.
Who are these multipacks for?
Anyone handing out snacks to a group
An assorted box can cater for different preferences. Check which crisps and other snacks are included so you know what you’re handing out.
Anyone buying supplies for others
Check the ingredients, allergens, best-before date and storage advice on each pack you receive. With an assortment, the details may vary between snack types.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you mainly want to hand out snacks, pack set portions or offer a choice of flavours. Then compare the number of bags with their weight, and check the contents of each snack type in an assorted box.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Choice of flavours | Check which flavours and snack types are in the box; the number of bags doesn’t tell you how many different flavours there are. | When I’m handing snacks out to a group, I don’t want to offer just one flavour, but I do need to know what’s in each bag. Around 31% of consumers put variety first. |
| Consistent portions | Compare the number of bags and the weight of each one, such as Jumbo’s 15 x 25 g pack with the 20 x 40 g Lay’s pack listed by Jumbo. | For a lunchbox, I want to know in advance how much is in each individual bag. Portion size is the main consideration for around 31% of consumers. |
| Size of the stock-up | Compare how many times you can hand out a bag and the total weight; also check the best-before date on the box you receive. | For regular snack breaks, I want to stock up on enough bags without storing more than I expect to use. Around 23% of consumers prioritise planning their supplies. |
| Label and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging; for an assorted box, check each snack type. | When I’m buying for others, I need to be able to check what they’ll be getting from the box. Around 15% of consumers give checking the label top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing only the number of bags
More bags doesn’t automatically mean more crisps per portion. For example, Jumbo lists a sharing bag with 15 bags of 25 g, and Lay’s packs with 20 bags of 40 g.
Before choosing a size, compare the number of bags, the weight of each bag and the total weight together.
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Assuming every bag in an assortment contains the same thing
According to Albert Heijn, the Lay’s Mega Box includes Nibbit, Lay’s MAX, Doritos and Bugles, among other snacks. It isn’t a box containing only the same type of potato crisps.
Read the full contents and check the allergens for each snack type when handing them out to others.
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Treating online product information as the definitive label
Ingredients and packaging information can change. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked foods must appear on the label.
Check the packaging you actually receive before handing out or using the bags.
Using brands to help you choose
Lay's
Jumbo and Albert Heijn offer Lay’s packs in a single flavour as well as larger assorted boxes.
- Jumbo lists Lay’s Ready Salted and Paprika as separate packs of 20 x 40 g.
- According to Albert Heijn, the Celebration Box and Mega Box also contain other snack brands or types. Check the contents of the box you choose.
Pringles
Pringles Original 12 x 40 g is an option if you’re looking for individual packs of one specified variety.
- Joybuy’s product information lists twelve 40 g packs.
- For this variety, Joybuy lists wheat and gluten, and possible traces of milk and soya. Check the label if allergens are a concern.
Jumbo
The Jumbo Paprika & Ready Salted Crisps Sharing Bag contains 15 individual bags of 25 g.
- Jumbo specifies a mix of eight salted and seven paprika bags.
- The product information for this sharing bag lists milk as an allergen; check the current packaging before use.
Product examples by number of bags
These examples are listed in descending order by the number of individual bags, not by quality or suitability for every recipient. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Joybuy describe the pack sizes shown; where the number of bags is the same, the order shown simply reflects the examples.
| Position | Product | Pack | When to consider it | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lay's Celebration Box 30-pack | 30 bags of Lay’s, Cheetos and Doritos snacks. | Albert Heijn describes an assorted box for anyone wanting lots of individual bags to hand out. Check which snacks are in the pack. | Albert Heijn |
| 2 | Lay's Mega Box 20-pack | 20 bags: 3 Nibbit, 4 Lay’s MAX Paprika, 4 Lay’s MAX Ready Salted, 5 Doritos and 4 Bugles. | The assortment described by Albert Heijn is suited to handing out a variety of snacks, rather than stocking up on just one type of crisps. | Albert Heijn |
| 3 | Lay's Ready Salted 20 x 40 g | 20 individual bags of 40 g, ready salted. | Jumbo lists this size for anyone wanting to plan for equal-sized bags in one specified flavour. | Jumbo |
| 4 | Jumbo Paprika & Ready Salted Crisps Sharing Bag 15 x 25 g | 15 bags of 25 g: 8 salted and 7 paprika. | This pack size, described by Jumbo, offers smaller individual portions and two flavours. The product information lists milk as an allergen. | Jumbo |
| 5 | Pringles Original 12 x 40 g | 12 individual packs of 40 g, Original. | Joybuy describes one consistent variety; the product information lists wheat and gluten, and possible traces of milk and soya. | Joybuy |
Multipacks of crisps at Joybuy
These products include assorted boxes for handing out, a smaller sharing pack and Pringles Original as a single variety. Compare the number of bags and, for an assortment, check what each snack contains.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box 20-pack
Worth considering if you want to hand out a variety of individual snacks. The product name lists 20 items; according to Joybuy, the box contains different flavours. Check the ingredients and allergens for each snack type on the packaging you receive.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box 15-pack
Worth considering if you want to be able to pack or hand out fifteen individual bags and are happy with an assortment. Check the weight and contents of the bags on the packaging, especially if you’re buying for others.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box 2 x 15-pack
Worth considering if you’re looking for a larger assorted stock for handing out on several occasions. The product name lists two packs of fifteen; check which snack types are included and read the allergen information for each type before handing them out.
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Pringles Original 12 x 40 g
For anyone looking for twelve individual packs of the same specified variety rather than an assortment of flavours. For this variety, Joybuy lists wheat and gluten, and possible traces of milk and soya; check the packaging you receive before use.
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Croky Sharing Mix 180 g
Worth considering as a smaller top-up if you want to hand out an assortment. The product name lists 180 g in total; check the packaging for the number of individual bags, their weight and the allergens before planning portions.
Frequently asked questions
Which multipack of crisps is right for lunchboxes?
Choose based on the weight of each individual bag and the portion you want to pack. Jumbo lists a sharing bag of 15 x 25 g, and Lay’s Ready Salted and Paprika in packs of 20 x 40 g. Also consider whether the flavours will suit the people receiving them.
When should I choose an assorted box instead of one flavour?
An assorted box is a good choice when you’re handing out snacks to several people and want to offer different flavours or snack types. Choose a single variety if equal portions of the same specified flavour matter more. With an assortment, you’ll need to check the contents of each snack type.
Should I check every snack type in a multipack for allergens?
Yes, especially if the box contains different products and you’re buying for others. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked foods appears on the label, so check the information on the packaging you receive.
Does Pringles Original 12 x 40 g contain wheat or gluten?
Yes. For this specific variety, Joybuy lists wheat and gluten, as well as possible traces of milk and soya. Also check the label on the packaging you receive before use.
How should I store multipacks of crisps for handing out later?
Follow the storage advice and check the best-before date on the packaging. Jumbo says its Paprika & Ready Salted Crisps Sharing Bag should be stored in a cool, dry place, with the best-before date shown on the back.