Buying potato crisps: how to choose crunchy flavours without disappointment

A bag of potato crisps seems simple enough to choose, until you have to decide between plain crisps, spicy crisps, Japanese crisps, Chinese crisps, baked crisps and distinctive flavours such as tomato or teriyaki. Packaging marketing does not always tell you what matters for your situation.

So keep an eye out for three common pitfalls:

1. An unusual flavour says little about the ingredients. Teriyaki, tomato or mala may sound appealing, but always check the ingredients and allergens.
2. “Baked” does not automatically mean a lighter choice. The preparation method may differ from traditional frying, but compare the nutritional values per 100 grams before drawing conclusions.
3. A large pack is not always better value. For an evening on your own, 60 to 65 grams is often more practical. For a party or family, bags of 125 to 200 grams make more sense, provided you can seal the pack properly.

What should you look for when buying crisps?

1. Check the ingredients and allergens

The ingredients list gives you more information than the name on the front. Look at the proportion of potato, the oil used, flavourings and any processing aids. Flavoured crisps may contain soya, milk, wheat or celery, among other ingredients.

Examples:

• Koikeya Teriyaki contains, among other things, soya sauce powder with soya and wheat, as well as miso powder.
• Koikeya Karamucho may contain traces of soya, wheat and milk.
• Croky Natural lists potatoes, sunflower oil and 1.1% salt, and according to the product information contains none of the 14 main EU allergens.
• Brets Salted Butter Chips contains milk ingredients and lactose.

If you have an allergy or intolerance, always use the current packaging as your guide. Recipes and labels can change.

2. Compare nutritional values per 100 grams

Nutritional values per serving can give a misleading impression because serving sizes vary between brands. So first compare energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrates and salt per 100 grams.

The values vary across the selection available. For example, Croky Natural lists 527 kcal, 31 grams of fat and 1.1 grams of salt per 100 grams. Koikeya Teriyaki lists 518 kcal, 28.9 grams of fat and 1.2 grams of sodium per 100 grams. In heavily seasoned varieties such as Karamucho, the salt content is listed as 1.5 grams per 100 grams according to the product information.

So use terms such as “baked crisps” as a description of the preparation method, not as an automatic judgement about nutritional value. According to Yan Jin Pu Zi’s product description, the Original Crisps are baked to achieve a crunchy texture. The stated nutritional value is 538 kcal and 32 grams of fat per 100 grams.

3. Choose the size and packaging to suit the occasion

A bag of 60 to 85 grams is handy for taking with you, putting in a lunchbox or enjoying as a snack after lectures. For crisps to share, packs of 125 grams or more are more suitable. Resealable packaging can help the crunchy texture last longer, but always seal the bag immediately after opening.

Also consider the texture:

• Thin crisps offer a light, immediate crunch.
• Ridged crisps often hold more seasoning and offer a firmer bite.
• Crisps in a tube are less likely to get damaged during transport.
• Potato finger snacks and potato sticks offer a different shape from classic slices.

Store crisps somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight. Moisture is a major cause of soggy crisps. If the packaging is damaged, check the product information and do not use the product if the packaging is no longer intact.

Recommended potato crisps for different types of shopper

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Croky Natural Potato Crisps - 200g

Why it suits this profile: Plain crisps are easy to pair with dips and are suitable for a family evening, film night or drinks with friends. According to the product information, the pack contains approximately 6 to 7 servings of 30 grams.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The simple flavour makes it easier to assess the ingredients and salt content without a long list of seasoning powders.

Key benefit & advantages

200 grams, plain flavour, vegan according to the product information and free from the 14 main EU allergens.

Suitable for: Shoppers seeking premium quality

Koikeya Potato Crisps - Teriyaki Flavour 100g

Why it suits this profile: These Japanese crisps are ideal if you are looking for a distinctive sweet-and-savoury flavour rather than ordinary plain crisps.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information lists the flavourings and allergens, including soya and wheat. This allows you to check your choice rather than relying solely on the front of the pack.

Key benefit & advantages

100 grams, teriyaki seasoning and 518 kcal per 100 grams according to the product information.

Suitable for: Specific uses & frequent snackers

Koikeya Karamucho Potato Snack (Ridged) - 60 g

Why it suits this profile: The ridged texture and chilli seasoning are ideal for snack lovers looking for a firm bite and spicy flavour with drinks or during a film night.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The 60-gram pack prevents a large bag from being left open for too long. Do check the warning for young children and the possible traces of allergens.

Key benefit & advantages

Ridged crisps, chilli flavour, 525 kcal and 1.5 grams of salt per 100 grams according to the product information.

Suitable for: Families and individual portions

Yan Jin Pu Zi O-Potao Baked Potato Crisps Original Flavour Snack 62g

Why it suits this profile: The size is suitable for individual snacking, a lunchbox or taking with you. The flavour remains simple, with salt, garlic and onion powder.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The 62-gram pack limits leftovers. Here, the term baked refers to the preparation method; compare the nutritional values with other crisps yourself.

Key benefit & advantages

62 grams, baked potato crisps and 538 kcal per 100 grams according to the product information.

Frequently asked questions about potato crisps

Which potato crisps are suitable for sharing?

Choose a pack of around 125 grams or more, such as Chio Pombar Original Sharing Pack at 130 grams, Pringles Cheese and Onion at 165 grams or Croky Natural at 200 grams. If several people are eating, also check the allergens and transfer the crisps to a bowl after opening; this prevents the bag from being left open unnecessarily.

Are baked crisps a better choice than fried crisps?

“Baked” describes the production method, but on its own it does not tell you enough about the overall nutritional value. Compare energy, fat and salt per 100 grams. For example, Yan Jin Pu Zi Original lists 538 kcal and 32 grams of fat per 100 grams. A direct comparison with other varieties gives you a more reliable picture than looking only at the front of the pack.

How can you keep crunchy potato crisps fresh for longer?

Store the bag somewhere cool and dry, away from sunlight, and seal it as well as possible after opening. Resealable packaging is practical, but you can also close an ordinary bag with a clip. Moisture makes crisps go soggy. Also check the best-before information on the packaging and do not use a product if its packaging is damaged.