For hosts who want to identify organic products
You want to choose prepacked crisps whose organic credentials you can verify. Look for the EU organic logo and control code, rather than relying on words such as ‘natural’ on the front of the pack.
Who is this choice relevant for?
For hosts who want to offer a choice of flavours
You’re looking for a bowl of plain crisps alongside a variety with a different flavour or main ingredient. Plain crisps can make a good base, while vegetable crisps and hummus crisps each call for a separate consideration of their flavour and ingredients.
For hosts comparing labels for their guests
You want to know what’s in each bag before filling the bowls. Compare the nutrition information per 100 g, and keep the packaging to hand for guests who want to check the ingredients or allergens.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you’re looking for organic crisps for a Boxing Day buffet, first check the organic label, then decide which flavours, labels and bag sizes will suit your gathering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Easy-to-identify organic credentials | Check the EU organic logo, control code and ingredients list. According to Skal Biocontrole, the logo is mandatory on prepacked organic food produced in the EU and sold as organic. | I want to be able to show my guests why the crisps are labelled organic, rather than relying on the front of the pack alone. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Flavours for the buffet | Consider choosing plain crisps as a base, then see whether vegetable crisps or sweet chilli hummus crisps will suit your guests. | When everyone around the table has different tastes, I don’t want to offer only one strongly flavoured variety. Around 30% of consumers put variety of flavour first. |
| Nutrition information and allergens | Compare the salt and energy per 100 g, and check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. | For guests with specific dietary requirements, I want to be able to check what each variety contains before putting it in a bowl. Checking the label comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
| How much you’ll need for your guests | Check the bag weight and any portion information; the varieties listed don’t all come in the same size. | I want to put out enough crisps without having to guess the quantity based on the number of bags. For around 10% of consumers, quantity is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming organic means different nutritional values
An organic label doesn’t mean crisps contain less salt, fat or energy. So compare the nutrition information for the varieties you’re planning to serve.
Use the organic logo to identify the organic label, and compare the nutrition tables per 100 g to see how the values stack up.
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Thinking vegetable crisps are a substitute for vegetables
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says vegetable crisps are no healthier than regular crisps. Their colour and ingredients make them a different type of crisp, not a bowl of fresh vegetables.
Choose vegetable crisps if you’d like to offer that flavour and colour. If you also want to serve vegetables, put them out separately.
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Overlooking the size of the bags
The products listed come in different bag sizes, so the number of bags alone doesn’t tell you how many crisps you’ll be able to serve.
Check the weight of each bag and any portion information when working out how much you’ll need for your guests.
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Serving hummus crisps without checking the allergens
Bio Today Hummus Chips Sweet Chili, as described by Jumbo, has a distinctive flavour and may contain celery, cereals containing gluten, milk, peanuts and soya, among other allergens.
If you choose this variety, serve it in a separate, clearly labelled bowl and keep the packaging nearby so guests can check the current label.
Brands and supermarket own-label options to consider
Albert Heijn
A supermarket own-label option for organic plain crisps as a neutral base for your buffet.
- For AH Biologisch Chips naturel, 125 g, Albert Heijn lists the EU organic logo and Skal 001920. The product information describes this variety as vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free.
- According to Albert Heijn, this variety contains 1.0 g of salt and 543 kcal per 100 g. Check the pack you buy for the latest ingredients and nutrition information.
Jumbo
A supermarket own-label range with organic plain crisps and organic vegetable crisps for a second flavour on the table.
- Jumbo lists potato, sunflower oil and sea salt as the ingredients in its Biologisch Naturel Chips. According to Jumbo, its vegetable crisps contain beetroot, parsnip, sweet potato and potato.
- Choose the vegetable variety for its flavour and appearance, not for any assumed nutritional benefits: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says vegetable crisps are no healthier than regular crisps.
Lidl
A supermarket option for organic vegetable crisps when you’d like to serve something different alongside potato crisps.
- Lidl describes its 100 g organic vegetable crisps as being fried in sunflower oil.
- Lidl lists this variety as an in-store product. Check availability before buying and read the full information on the packaging.
Bio Today
A chickpea-based option with a sweet chilli flavour for anyone who wants to serve something other than plain crisps.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, Bio Today 100% Organic Hummus Chips Sweet Chili contains 40% chickpea flour.
- Jumbo lists this variety as containing 1.9 g of salt per 100 g, and says it may contain celery, cereals containing gluten, milk, peanuts and soya, among other allergens. If you’re serving guests with allergies, check the label on the bag you buy.
Related products at Joybuy
Related products will be available here soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can I identify prepacked organic crisps?
Look for the EU organic logo and control code on the packaging. According to Skal Biocontrole, the logo is mandatory on prepacked organic food produced in the EU and sold as organic; a word such as ‘natural’ isn’t a substitute.
Are organic vegetable crisps different from regular crisps?
Yes, they can differ in ingredients, flavour and appearance, but that doesn’t make them healthier. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says vegetable crisps are no healthier than regular crisps, so compare the nutrition information per 100 g on the specific bags you’re considering for your buffet.
What should I check for guests with allergies?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re actually serving. For Bio Today Hummus Chips Sweet Chili, as described by Jumbo, the label states that it may contain celery, cereals containing gluten, milk, peanuts and soya, among other allergens.
How should I keep crisps ready for the buffet?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and reseal any opened crisps. For its organic plain crisps, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a sealed container after opening. Transfer them to bowls just before serving.
Should I check in store for Lidl’s vegetable crisps in advance?
Check in-store availability before making a special trip for this variety. Lidl describes its 100 g organic vegetable crisps as an in-store product and says products are available while stocks last.