Vegan shopper looking for reassurance
You want to check first whether a particular variety of crisps fits your vegan diet. An explicit vegan label makes it easier to decide, but you should still check the current packaging.
Who are these options relevant to?
Own-brand comparer
You compare plain or ridged crisps from different brands, paying attention to the ingredients and pack size rather than just the look of the packet.
Vegan snack shopper who loves flavour
You’re looking for a particular flavour, shape or multipack and want to know whether every variety included fits your vegan diet.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check whether the exact variety of crisps is suitable. Only then is it worth comparing packs and flavours.
| What to look for | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Vegan label and ingredients | Read the current vegan label and ingredients for the specific flavour. For seasoned crisps, look out for milk, whey and cheese powder. | When I’m looking for vegan crisps, I want to rule out animal-derived ingredients before choosing a flavour. Around 46% of consumers say this reassurance is their top priority. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight of similar crisps and, for a multipack, check how many individual packets it contains. | When choosing between large packets and multipacks, I want to know which quantity suits my needs. Around 36% of consumers put this comparison first. |
| Flavour and sharing | Check which flavours are included in a mix, and look at the ingredients of each variety separately. | If I’m sharing crisps, it matters whether everyone can eat the flavours included. Around 18% of consumers put flavour and sharing first. |
Common mistakes when choosing vegan crisps
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Assuming every crisp from a brand is vegan
Ingredients vary from one variety to another. According to Joybuy product information, Lay's Max Cheddar & Onion contains milk ingredients; Albert Heijn lists milk and cheese ingredients in Smiths Nibb-it rings.
Check the name and ingredients of the specific flavour you’re buying.
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Treating a multipack as a single product
The Lay's Fun Mix described by Joybuy contains a variety of snacks, including cheese-flavoured corn snacks with milk ingredients.
For a multipack, check the ingredients of every snack variety included.
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Comparing different pack formats without checking the contents
A packet, tube and multipack can all have different net weights and numbers of portions. The packaging alone won’t tell you how many crisps you’re getting.
Check the net weight and, for a multipack, the contents of the individual packets.
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Relying on out-of-date product information
Albert Heijn notes that product information can change. Lidl says that the ingredients of food products are listed on the packaging.
Read the current label when you buy, especially if you’re choosing a new flavour or the packaging has changed.
Brands to consider, variety by variety
Albert Heijn
This own-brand is worth considering if you’re looking for a plain variety with an explicit vegan label.
- Albert Heijn labels AH Ribbelchips naturel as suitable for vegans.
- That label applies to this variety; check the current packaging too.
Jumbo
This own-brand offers plain and ridged crisps that you can assess variety by variety.
- Jumbo lists potatoes, sunflower oil and salt as the ingredients in Jumbo Ribbelchips Naturel.
- Don’t assume this ingredients list confirms that other Jumbo varieties are vegan.
Lay's
With Lay's, you can check plain crisps and more strongly flavoured varieties separately.
- The choice between plain and seasoned varieties makes it easy to check each flavour individually.
- According to Joybuy, Lay's Max Cheddar & Onion contains milk ingredients; check the label on other flavours individually.
Pringles
Pringles Original is worth considering if you want to compare crisps in a tube with those in a packet.
- The tube offers a different pack format if you want to enjoy your crisps over more than one occasion.
- For Pringles Original, Albert Heijn lists wheat flour and says the product may contain milk and soya. Check the label if allergens or possible traces matter to you.
Smiths
Smiths is a good example of why a brand name alone won’t tell you whether an individual snack is suitable.
- The ingredients of a specific variety can help you make your choice.
- Albert Heijn lists whey powder, cheese powder and milk protein in Smiths Nibb-it rings; this variety isn’t suitable for a vegan diet.
Lidl
You can check a variety of crisps at Lidl by reading the packaging in store.
- The label tells you which ingredients are in the product you’re actually buying.
- Lidl says it doesn’t provide an online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for individual food products. A vegan range doesn’t tell you whether a particular variety of crisps is vegan.
Crisps and snack mixes at Joybuy
These Joybuy products include a multipack, a plain variety and crisps in a tube. For each product, check the current ingredients and vegan label for the variety you want to buy.
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Croky Sharing Mix 180 g
A multipack for sharing a variety of snacks. Check the ingredients and vegan label for every flavour included on the current packaging.
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Lay's Oven Baked Natural 150 g
A plain oven-baked variety for anyone who wants to check one flavour at a time. Check the current ingredients and vegan label on the packaging when you buy.
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Pringles Original Crisps 165 g
A variety in a tube for anyone looking for this pack format. For Pringles Original, Albert Heijn lists wheat flour and says it may contain milk and soya; check the current ingredients, vegan label and allergen information on this pack before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to check the ingredients in vegan crisps too?
Yes. Check the ingredients of the specific variety, especially for seasoned crisps. Milk, whey and cheese powder feature in the product information for some flavoured varieties; check the allergen information too if it’s relevant to you.
Are vegan crisps automatically gluten-free?
No. Vegan and gluten-free are different labels. Albert Heijn labels AH Ribbelchips naturel as gluten-free, but lists wheat flour in Pringles Original. Check the packaging for each variety.
Where can I find the ingredients in Lidl crisps?
Read the packaging for the specific variety in store. Lidl says it doesn’t offer an online list of ingredients, allergens or nutritional information for individual food products.
How should I store an opened packet of crisps?
Seal the packet securely after opening and follow the storage advice on the packaging. That way, you can check the instructions for the product, whatever the pack format.