Student buying snacks for several study evenings
Wants to match the contents of each bag to the number of breaks and avoid leaving an opened bag uneaten for too long.
Who is this for?
Student looking to keep snack breaks in check
Wants something crunchy while studying, but chooses a bag size or serves themselves a portion in advance to suit the break.
Student serving crisps with dip or as nachos
Checks how the chips are intended to be used and, if they have an allergy or other dietary requirement, checks the ingredients and allergen information on the pack they choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing tortilla chips for a study break, first decide how much you want to open and whether you’ll eat them on their own or serve them with dip. Then compare the nutritional information and label for the specific variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and storage | Compare the weight in grams with the number of breaks or people; seal an opened bag tightly. | If I’m buying chips for several study evenings or to share, I want to know whether I’ll use the bag in time. For around 38% of consumers, choosing the right pack size is the top priority. |
| Portion and nutritional information | Check the portion size and nutritional values per 100 g and per portion on the label. | For a short break, I want to decide in advance how much to put in a bowl. Having a set portion is the top priority for around 37% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and how you’ll use them | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose; if you’re serving dip or making nachos, check that the chips are suitable for this. | If I’m serving chips with dip or need to check for allergens, I want to make sure the bag I choose is suitable. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Opening a large bag for one short break
A larger pack won’t necessarily match how much you want to eat at that moment. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 216 kcal and 0,45 g salt for a 40 g bowl of plain crisps; the values for tortilla chips vary by product.
If you like, put some chips in a bowl beforehand and seal the rest of the bag.
-
Assuming ‘plain’ tells you nothing about allergens
‘Plain’ describes the flavour, not the allergen information. Albert Heijn says AH Tortilla Chips Naturel may contain soya; for Doritos Naturel, Jumbo lists possible traces of cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat.
If you have an allergy, read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re actually buying.
-
Treating tortilla chips like frozen food
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises that the freezer is not the best place to store crisps.
Keep tortilla chips in a cool, dry, dark place in the cupboard, in a tightly sealed bag.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo sells plain tortilla chips in several pack sizes, including 170 g and 300 g.
- The different pack sizes give you a choice between a smaller bag and one to spread across several occasions.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information for each variety; Jumbo lists 0,90 g salt per 100 g for Jumbo Tortilla Naturel 170 g.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells its own tortilla chips in plain and other varieties.
- AH Tortilla Chips Naturel comes in a 200 g pack.
- For this plain variety, Albert Heijn lists 470 kcal, 20 g fat and 0,9 g salt per 100 g, and says the product may contain soya. Check the label on the variety you choose.
SUN SNACKS
ALDI lists 300 g bags of SUN SNACKS tortilla chips in plain, cheese and sweet chilli flavours.
- These flavours offer a choice between plain and seasoned chips.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack for your chosen flavour.
Doritos
Doritos sells tortilla chips in a range of flavours. The brand suggests serving its Naturel variety with dip or using it to make loaded nachos.
- If you want to serve chips with dip or as nachos, the suggested use for the specific variety is a useful guide.
- For Doritos Naturel, Jumbo lists possible traces of cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. Check the label separately for other Doritos varieties.
Mission
Mission Foods Europe describes tortilla chips in flavours including salted, chilli, cheese, BBQ/paprika and cool/ranch.
- The brand page describes both plain and seasoned flavours for snacks and dips.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and pack size on the specific product you’re considering.
Tortilla chips for different breaks
This selection of Joybuy products includes smaller bags for a snack break and a larger pack to share or enjoy over several occasions. Choose according to flavour, pack size and how you plan to use them. If you have an allergy, always check the packaging.
Image unavailable
Doritos Nacho Cheese tortilla chips, 170 g
A bag for anyone who fancies nacho cheese flavour during a snack break or wants to serve chips with dip.
Pack size: 170 g. The product information lists milk as an ingredient and possible traces of cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. If you have an allergy, check the label.
Image unavailable
Santa Maria Tortilla Chips Salted, 475 g
The larger bag is an option if you want to share salted chips with others or open them for several occasions.
Pack size: 475 g. The product information suggests serving them with dips and lists soya as an allergen and 1,2 g salt per 100 g. Check the label on the pack.
Image unavailable
Doritos Dippers Naturel, 185 g
A plain variety to consider if you want to serve tortilla chips with dip or as nachos.
Pack size: 185 g. The product information lists possible traces of cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. If you have an allergy, check the packaging.
Image unavailable
Doritos Sweet Chilli Pepper tortilla chips, 170 g
For a study break when you’d prefer a sweet and spicy flavour to plain chips; the product information also suggests serving them with dip.
Pack size: 170 g. The allergen information lists wheat gluten and soya. Check the packaging if this is relevant to your choice.
Image unavailable
Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips, 185 g
A smaller bag from Santa Maria for anyone who wants to use the chips for nachos or serve them with salsa or dip.
Pack size: 185 g. The product information lists soya as an allergen. If you have an allergy, check the label on the bag you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Should you keep tortilla chips in the freezer when stocking up?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing crisps in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed pack; the freezer is not as suitable. Seal an opened bag before putting it in the cupboard.
Do I need to check allergens in plain tortilla chips?
Yes. ‘Plain’ doesn’t mean a product is free from allergens. Albert Heijn says AH Tortilla Chips Naturel may contain soya, while Jumbo lists possible traces of cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat for Doritos Naturel. So always check the allergen information on the actual pack.
How should I store an opened bag of tortilla chips?
Keep the bag tightly sealed in a cool, dry, dark place. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened crisps will usually keep for 2 to 5 days in a kitchen cupboard. Before serving the rest, check their smell, appearance and crunch.
What nutritional information can help me choose a portion?
Check the portion size and compare the nutritional values per portion with those per 100 g on the pack you choose. For guidance, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 216 kcal, 13,4 g fat and 0,45 g salt for a 40 g bowl of plain crisps; values for tortilla chips depend on the product.