Potato crisps might seem easy to choose, but an appealing packet doesn’t always tell the whole story. When buying crisps online, people often focus mainly on flavour and brand. But portion size, allergen information, cooking method and ease of storage can make a big difference.
Three common pitfalls:
For a snack on the go, a lunchbox or an individual snack break, a bag of around 30 to 70 grams is often easier to manage. A crisps multipack with small bags is ideal for a party, school break or film night when you want to offer a choice of flavours.
Larger packs make more sense when you’re putting crisps out to share. Check how they close, too. A resealable tub, such as a Pringles crisps tube, helps keep the contents covered between servings. Once opened, fold an ordinary bag tightly closed and eat the crisps soon to help keep them crunchy.
“Original”, “paprika” and “barbecue” aren’t standardised flavour descriptions. One brand’s original crisps may contain only potatoes, oil and salt, while another version may include extra seasonings or flavour enhancers. Paprika crisps may contain ingredients such as onion, garlic, milk or mustard in the seasoning mix.
Unusual international flavours call for extra care. Teriyaki crisps, for example, may contain soya sauce powder and wheat. Allergens may also be present in the seasoning mix in tomato crisps or crisps with chicken or barbecue flavouring. Always check the current packaging, especially if you have an allergy or food intolerance.
The product page or packaging will usually show the nutritional information per 100 grams. This makes it easier to compare different types of snack crisps fairly. Pay particular attention to:
You can identify a baked version by its cooking method, but that doesn’t make it a general nutritional claim. According to the product description, Yan Jin Pu Zi’s O’Potato varieties are made using baking technology. The BBQ and tomato varieties, for example, state that they contain 24 grams of fat per 100 grams. The original variety states that it contains 32 grams of fat per 100 grams. Use figures like these for comparison, not as a guarantee of a particular effect.
Why it suits this shopper: The 62-gram bag is ideal for a single snack break and offers a distinctive tomato flavour without making you buy a large quantity.
The pack size is clearly stated, and the product information explicitly gives the cooking method and nutritional values per 100 grams.
62 grams, tomato powder in the seasoning mix and a baked cooking method according to the product description.
Why it suits this shopper: This variety is made for fans of bold international flavours, with sweet, savoury and spicy teriyaki notes.
The ingredients list shows that the flavour comes from ingredients including soya sauce powder, miso, garlic and flavourings. Check the packaging for the latest allergen information.
100 grams, 518 kcal and 28.9 grams of fat per 100 grams according to the product information provided.
Why it suits this shopper: The mix includes small bags of paprika crisps, original crisps and cheesy corn snacks, making it a handy choice for parties and groups.
The small packs mean you don’t have to open one large bag, and give you a choice of flavours without needing to buy separate products.
15 packs, a variety of snack types and a box that’s easy to carry and store, according to the product description.
Why it suits this shopper: This set is ideal for stocking up, film nights and occasions when you want to offer a familiar original flavour in several tubs.
The three individual tubs are resealable, so you don’t have to open three large bags at once.
3 x 165 grams, resealable packaging and a simple original flavour; the ingredients list includes wheat and may contain traces of milk and soya.
We’ve put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that meet these strict selection criteria and current European safety regulations.
Choose a crisps multipack with small portions if your guests want to try different flavours. A larger bag or tub is more practical when everyone wants the same flavour. For mixed boxes, check the individual varieties for milk, soya, gluten and other allergens.
Store potato crisps in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. Seal the bag as tightly as possible. If you’re using a resealable tub, replace the lid after each serving. Once opened, a pack will generally lose its crunch more quickly than an unopened one.
No. “Baked” describes the cooking method, but doesn’t tell you by itself how much energy, fat or salt the product contains. Compare the nutritional information per 100 grams instead. Check the ingredients and portion size before making your choice, too.