What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’ll serve the crisps in one bowl, hand out individual portions or keep them for several snack breaks. Then compare the contents and labels of the packs that suit your plans.
| What to consider |
What to check when buying |
Who it matters to |
| Amount for the group |
Check the net weight and decide how many bags you want to open for everyone to share. |
If I’m putting out a bowl for several people, I want to know whether there’ll be enough. Around 36% of consumers put having enough for a shared snack first. |
| Portioning in advance |
Check the number of bags and the weight of each one; if it’s a multipack, check which flavours are included. |
For children or snacks on the go, I want to have individual portions ready. For around 29% of consumers, portioning in advance is the main priority. |
| Label information |
Compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact flavour, per 100 g and, where stated, per portion. |
If I need to take ingredients or allergens into account, I want to check the label of the product I’m serving. Around 21% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Flavour and pack type |
Check the flavour and choose between a large bag, individual bags or a resealable tube. |
If I want to offer a particular flavour or keep crisps for later, that will determine which pack I choose. This preference is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Brands and supermarket ranges to help you choose
These brands and supermarket ranges can help you compare pack types; always check the contents and label for each individual product.
Lay's
Jumbo lists Lay's products including large bags and a Party Mix with individual bags.
- A large bag is ideal for a bowl; individual bags are handy for portioning in advance.
- Contents, ingredients and nutritional information vary by product and flavour.
Pringles
Jumbo lists Pringles flavours in 165 g tubes.
- A resealable tube is handy if you want to keep crisps for another snack break.
- One 165 g tube contains less than the large sharing bags of 250 g to 335 g featured here.
Smiths
Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks Paprika and Barbecue in 100 g packs.
- Sticks offer a different shape from regular or ridged crisps.
- Check how many 100 g packs you’ll need for a larger group.
Jumbo
The own-brand range includes plain crisps in 250 g packs, ridged crisps in 335 g packs and a multipack with 15 bags of 25 g each.
- You can put a large bag alongside individual portions and choose the pack size that suits the occasion.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for each product.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists products including a 300 g Lay's Naturel value pack and crisp varieties labelled as lower in fat.
- The stated portion size for the Lay's Naturel value pack is 30 g, which can help when planning individual bowls.
- Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging, as ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.
Lidl Snack Day
Lidl’s Snack Day own-brand range includes plain, paprika, bolognese and cheese and onion flavours.
- The flavours shown give you a starting point if you want to serve more than one option.
- Check the size and label of your chosen variety in store.
Crisp packs at Joybuy
These products show three ways to choose crisps for an autumn half-term snack: one large bag for a bowl, individual bags to hand out and tubes for separate snack breaks. Flavours and pack sizes vary by product.
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Lay's Paprika crisps 300 g
A bag of crisps to serve in a bowl for everyone to share.
Contents: 300 g; flavour: paprika. Portion them out yourself if you want to offer individual servings.
Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
View at Joybuy
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili 10 × 40 g
Individual bags are handy if you want to hand out crisps to guests in advance or take them with you.
The pack contains 10 bags of 40 g in Thai Sweet Chili flavour; it isn’t one large sharing bag.
If you have allergies, check the current packaging for this flavour.
View at Joybuy
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Pringles Texas BBQ Sauce 12 × 40 g
Individual bags are a good choice if you want to have portions ready for a group.
The pack contains 12 bags of 40 g in Texas BBQ Sauce flavour; these are individual bags, not a tube.
Check the current packaging if ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.
View at Joybuy
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Pringles Original 3 × 165 g
Three separate tubes are handy if you want to spread your crisps across several snack breaks.
The pack contains three tubes of Pringles Original, each weighing 165 g, rather than one large sharing bag.
Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
View at Joybuy
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Pringles Original 165 g
A resealable tube is handy if you want to keep crisps for another snack break.
This single tube contains 165 g; if you’re serving a larger group, consider whether that’s enough for the occasion.
Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
View at Joybuy
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how many crisps I need for an afternoon?
Use the pack size and any portion information on the packaging to work out how much you want to serve, and remember to allow for other snacks. Albert Heijn lists ten 30 g portions in the 300 g Lay's Naturel value pack; this is the stated portion size for that product, not a set amount per guest.
Should I choose individual bags or a large bag?
Choose individual bags if you want to have portions ready in advance, or a large bag if you’re serving crisps in a bowl for everyone to share. For individual bags, check the number of bags and the amount in each one; with a large bag, you’ll need to portion the crisps out yourself.
Does less fat also mean less salt?
No, a lower fat content doesn’t necessarily mean less salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s average nutritional values show that 40 g of light plain crisps contains 8.8 g of fat and 0.57 g of salt, compared with 13.4 g of fat and 0.45 g of salt in 40 g of regular plain crisps. Before you buy, compare the nutritional information for the exact products.
Where should I look for allergen information on the label?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for the exact flavour. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list; don’t assume the information for another flavour is the same.
Is online product information enough to check the ingredients?
Use online product information to compare packs, but check the label again before serving. Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.