Buying potato snacks and chips online: how to choose crisps, chips and party snacks

If you want to buy potato snacks and chips online, you’ll soon come across dozens of options: potato crisps, frozen chips, sweet potato fries and snacks for parties. Packaging often highlights flavour, crunch or convenience. But it’s the details in the product information that really help you make the right choice.

Look out for these three common pitfalls:

1. A large pack isn’t always better value. A family pack can be handy for a party, but individual bags may be a better fit for a small household or limited storage space.
2. “Crispy” doesn’t automatically tell you how to cook them. Some chips are designed for the air fryer, while others work better in a deep-fat fryer or oven. Always check the cooking instructions on the packaging.
3. A distinctive flavour may contain allergens. Crisps in a range of flavours often contain milk, soya, wheat or flavourings. Check the current ingredients list before ordering, especially if you have an allergy or intolerance.

What to look for in crisps and potato snacks

1. Pack size and portion size

For an individual snack, bags of around 60 to 70 grams are handy. Lay's Potato Chips Texas BBQ Flavor 70g and ChaCha Fresh-Cut Honey Butter Potato Sticks 60g are both in this category. They’re ready to eat straight from the bag.

For a family or a get-together, a larger pack is more convenient. Lay's Potato Chips Cucumber flavour 135g contains more to share. A variety box with small bags, such as the Lay's Fun Mix Box Chips 15 Pack, makes it easier to cater for different tastes without opening several large bags.

Crisps lose their crunch quickly once opened. Seal the bag tightly and store dry snacks in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Always check the storage and use-by information on the label.

2. Cooking method and texture

With frozen chips, shape, thickness and coating all matter. Thin chips generally heat through more quickly, while thicker chips can have a more robust potato flavour and a softer centre. Ridged chips have a larger surface area in contact with hot air or oil.

For air fryer chips, choose products that the packaging says are suitable for this appliance. g'woon Air Fryer French Fries - 750g contains 92% potatoes, sunflower oil and a coating that includes potato starch and rice flour. According to its product description, Aviko Super Crunch Airfryer Thin Fries - 750 g has been specially developed for the air fryer.

If you prefer to serve extra-thick chips, consider Aviko Friet Van 't Huis Oma's Smulfriet - 750g. These are thick-cut and, according to the product information, suitable for a deep-fat fryer, oven and air fryer. Always check the temperature, cooking time and quantity on the packaging before cooking. Overfilling the basket can make it harder to get evenly crispy chips.

3. Ingredients, allergens and nutritional information

Don’t just compare the front of the pack. Also check:

• the percentage of potato;
• the oils used and any coating;
• salt, sugar, fat and saturated fat per 100 grams;
• allergens such as milk, soya and cereals containing gluten;
• the net weight and storage instructions.

Soya is listed as an allergen in Lay's Texas BBQ crisps. Lay's Cucumber flavour contains milk from whey powder. Lay's Fun Mix Box contains milk and may contain soya and wheat. The Yan Jin Pu Zi O'Potato varieties state that they may contain traces of soya and milk.

It’s also worth interpreting “baked” as a factual description: it refers to the production method, but isn’t a general health claim. According to Yan Jin Pu Zi’s product description, O'Potato crisps are baked rather than fried. Compare the nutritional values per 100 grams and base your choice on the label, not just the marketing language.

Which potato snack is right for you?

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

g'woon Mini French Fries - 1000g

Why it’s a good fit: The 1000-gram pack is ideal for households that cook chips regularly and don’t want to buy a new bag every time.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The pack size is clearly stated and the ingredients are simple: 96% potatoes and 4% sunflower oil.

Key benefit & highlights

1000 grams, mini size and, according to the product information, free from the 14 main EU allergens.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for premium quality

Aviko Supercrunch Curl Fries - 750 g

Why it’s a good fit: The ridged shape and coating are ideal if you value a distinctive texture in your chips or kapsalon.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information clearly lists the suitable cooking methods: deep-fat fryer, oven and air fryer.

Key benefit & highlights

750 grams, ridged shape, coating and, according to the description, suitability for three cooking methods.

Suitable for: Specific needs & frequent users

Aviko Super Crunch Airfryer Thin Fries - 750 g

Why it’s a good fit: Designed for people who often cook with an air fryer and want thin chips that cook quickly.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product name and description make the intended use clear: thin chips, specially made for the air fryer.

Key benefit & highlights

750 grams, thin cut, coating and cooking instructions for the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions about buying potato snacks and chips online

Which chips are suitable for the air fryer?

Choose a variety that clearly states it has been developed for, or is suitable for, the air fryer. Also check the thickness and coating. Examples include g'woon Air Fryer French Fries and Aviko Super Crunch Airfryer Thin Fries. Always follow the temperature, cooking time and portion size on the packaging.

How should I store frozen chips after delivery?

Put frozen chips in the freezer as soon as they arrive, at the temperature stated on the packaging. Don’t leave them to thaw unnecessarily, and don’t refreeze them once thawed. When ordering online, it’s a good idea to check the delivery information and instructions for chilled or frozen products.

Which crisps are handy for parties?

Small bags or a variety box are handy for parties. Lay's Fun Mix Box contains 15 portions, including paprika-flavoured potato crisps, cheese-flavoured corn crisps and plain crisps. If you’d rather serve one distinctive flavour, you could choose Lay's Texas BBQ, Lay's Cucumber flavour or another variety. If you’re serving several guests, always check the allergen information for each product.