Planning for a group
You’ll be sharing the chips with several guests. Compare the weight of each pack and think about how many other snacks you’ll be serving before deciding how many packs to buy.
Which option is right for you?
Putting together a dip and nacho spread
You want to serve chips with salsa, guacamole or cheese dip, or make nachos. Plain chips let the dip or topping take centre stage; choose a seasoned flavour if you want the chips themselves to be the main source of flavour.
Keeping an eye on allergens
You’re catering for guests who need to avoid certain ingredients. According to Albert Heijn, its Nacho Cheese flavour contains milk and lactose and may contain soya. Check the allergen information on the pack you’re buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many people will be eating the chips and what else you’re serving. Then choose a flavour to go with your dips, and finally check the pack for ingredients and allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare the weight in grams with the number of guests and the other party snacks. | When I’m putting chips out for a group, I want to know whether the pack size suits the rest of the spread. For around 50% of consumers, quantity comes first. |
| Dips and flavour | Choose plain chips as a base for dips, or a seasoned variety with a flavour that stands out. | With several dips, I want the flavours to work well together; without a dip, the chips can bring more flavour to the table. Around 30% of consumers give this combination top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact flavour and pack. | If any guests have a food allergy, I don’t want to rely on the name ‘tortilla chips’. For around 20% of consumers, checking the ingredients is most important. |
Common mistakes
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Ignoring the weight
A 200 g pack and a 300 g pack don’t contain the same amount of chips. The right pack size also depends on what other snacks you’re serving.
Check the net weight, then decide how many packs you’ll need for your group.
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Assuming plain varieties and flavoured varieties have the same ingredients
Flavoured varieties may contain different ingredients and allergens. According to Albert Heijn, its Nacho Cheese flavour contains milk and lactose and may contain soya.
Check the label for the variety you’ve chosen, especially if a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients.
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Looking for tortilla chips in the freezer aisle
Joybuy advises storing G’woon Tortilla Chips Naturel in a cool, dry place. Look for tortilla chips with ambient snacks, and follow the storage advice on the pack.
Compare the flavours and pack sizes in the crisps or snacks aisle to find one that suits your get-together.
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Choosing based only on the flavour of the chips
Dips and other snacks also shape what you serve. With a strongly seasoned chip, the flavour of the dip may be less prominent.
Plan your combination of chips, dips and other snacks before choosing a flavour; you can also check the nutritional information per 100 g.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
The Jumbo range we looked at includes 300 g packs of plain tortilla chips and flavoured varieties.
- Jumbo describes its 300 g Tortilla Chips Naturel as suitable for dipping.
- A larger pack may not be the best choice if you have only a few guests or are serving lots of other snacks.
Albert Heijn
AH’s own-brand range includes a 200 g plain variety for dips or nachos, as well as flavoured varieties.
- Albert Heijn suggests serving its plain chips with dip or melted cheese.
- The allergen information for the plain variety doesn’t necessarily apply to the Nacho Cheese flavour; according to Albert Heijn, this contains milk and lactose and may contain soya.
Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s snack brand. Its range includes sea salt tortilla chips and flavoured varieties.
- The sea salt variety we looked at comes in a 300 g pack.
- As with any variety, match the pack size and flavour to what else you’re serving.
Doritos
Doritos is an option if your guests are after a distinctive, familiar flavour.
- The Nacho Cheese variety we looked at comes in a 272 g pack.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each flavour; information for one Doritos variety doesn’t apply to the whole range.
Tortilla chips for your get-together
This selection of Joybuy products includes plain-style chips for dips and nachos, as well as a cheese-flavoured variety. Choose a pack size to suit your group, and if anyone has allergies, check the pack for the flavour you’ve chosen.
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Santa Maria Nacho Chips Original – 475 g
For sharing nacho chips and dips at a get-together. The pack contains 475 g; if anyone has allergies, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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Santa Maria Tortilla Chips Salted – 475 g
For serving salted tortilla chips with dips to a group. The pack contains 475 g; check the nutritional information and allergens on the exact pack.
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Doritos Dippers Natural – 185 g
A plain variety for a smaller get-together or a table with several snacks and dips. The pack contains 185 g; if anyone has allergies, check the warnings on the pack too.
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Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips – 185 g
A smaller pack of nacho chips for dips or hot nachos alongside other party snacks. The pack contains 185 g; if you have dietary requirements or allergies, read the label for this variety.
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Doritos Nacho Cheese – 272 g
For a get-together where you want the chips themselves to bring a bold cheese flavour. The pack contains 272 g. The product information lists milk and lactose; check the pack for information about other allergens too.
Frequently asked questions
What pack size should I choose for my birthday get-together?
Choose a pack size based on the number of guests and the other snacks you’re serving. For comparison, the AH Naturel pack we looked at contains 200 g, while Jumbo Naturel contains 300 g. Consider not just the size, but also how the chips will fit in with the rest of the spread.
Are plain tortilla chips a better choice if I’m serving several dips?
Plain chips are a natural choice if you want the flavours of different dips to take centre stage. Albert Heijn suggests serving its plain chips with dip or melted cheese; a seasoned variety is a good fit when the flavour of the chips themselves matters more.
Are cheese-flavoured tortilla chips suitable for guests who avoid milk?
Don’t assume they are: according to Albert Heijn, AH Tortilla chips Nacho Cheese flavour contains milk and lactose and may contain soya. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products, so check the pack for the exact variety.
Should I look for tortilla chips in the freezer aisle?
No, the tortilla chips we looked at aren’t frozen products. Joybuy advises storing G’woon Tortilla Chips Naturel in a cool, dry place; always follow the storage advice on the pack you buy.