People hosting a group with varied tastes
If you don’t know everyone’s preferences, offer a familiar flavour before adding a bolder option. That way, your whole spread won’t depend on spicy crisps.
Who is this guide for?
Fans of trying new flavours
Vico’s Street Food range, Lay’s Gourmet range and Pringles HOT range each offer distinct flavour profiles, according to their respective product ranges. For a tasting, pair an unusual recipe with another flavour.
Shoppers who pay attention to ingredients
If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, check the label on the specific product rather than relying on the flavour name alone. The ingredients list, allergen information and nutritional values can also help you compare two packets.
What should you look for?
First, decide what role each packet will play in your selection: a flavour for everyone to share, something new to try alongside it, or a recipe chosen after checking its ingredients.
| What matters | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| A flavour for the group | The flavour described on the pack, such as paprika or sour cream and onion, and any wording such as “HOT” or “spicy”. | When I don’t know what the guests like, I want to start with a flavour that isn’t noticeably hot. Around 40% of consumers prioritise choosing a flavour for the group. |
| Something new to try | The seasoning description and whether the recipe is explicitly described as spicy. | When I want guests to try a new flavour, I prefer to add a distinctive packet without making it the only option. Around 30% of consumers put trying something new first. |
| Ingredients and storage | The ingredients and allergens in the specific packet, salt per 100 g and storage instructions after opening. | If I’m preparing snacks for guests with dietary requirements, I need to check each product before serving it. Checking the ingredients is the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming all “spicy” flavours are the same
Lay’s describes its paprika flavour as mild and spicy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it has the same heat as a HOT recipe. Pringles describes Cheese & Chili as the spiciest product in its HOT range.
If you don’t know what your guests like, serve clearly spicy crisps separately and offer another flavour alongside them.
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Guessing the allergens from the flavour name
A barbecue, paprika or cheese recipe can have different ingredients from one product to another. In France, the DGCCRF advises that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of pre-packed foods.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of every product you buy, both before purchasing and before serving.
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Opening all the large packets too early
A large pack makes it easier to serve several portions, but an opened packet that isn’t properly resealed may lose its crunch. Auchan notes, for example, that its spicy-flavoured crinkle-cut crisps should be kept away from heat and humidity.
Open packets when you’re ready to serve, top up the bowls as needed and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
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Comparing packets by size alone
Weight doesn’t tell you what the ingredients are or how many portions the pack is said to contain. For example, Auchan’s product listing for its 270 g barbecue crisps specifies nine portions for that particular product.
Compare the net weight, stated portions, ingredients and availability of the product you’re interested in.
Brands to know for their flavoured crisps
Vico
Vico’s range includes paprika, barbecue and roast chicken crisps, as well as Street Food recipes such as Cheese Naan, Tzatziki and Spicy BBQ.
- Makes it easy to pair a familiar flavour with something more unusual in the same selection.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each recipe.
Lay’s
Lay’s offers paprika, sour cream and onion, barbecue and salt and vinegar flavours, as well as Ondulées and Gourmet ranges.
- A range of flavour profiles makes it easy to put together a varied selection.
- The brand describes its Ondulées paprika crisps as mild and spicy; check the packet if you’re looking for a flavour with no heat.
Pringles
Pringles offers stackable crisps in a tube, including Paprika, Sour Cream & Onion and products from the HOT range.
- The HOT range makes it easy to spot an option for guests who enjoy a bit of heat.
- According to Pringles, HOT Cheese & Chili is its spiciest HOT product; this recipe contains dairy ingredients and may contain soya.
Carrefour Sensation
Carrefour Sensation offers paprika-flavoured stackable crisps in a 170 g tube.
- A stackable format to consider if you’d like to vary the way you serve your crisps.
- Carrefour’s product listing for this item mentions wheat starches and possible traces of milk.
Auchan
Auchan offers barbecue crisps in 135 g and 270 g packs, as well as 135 g packs of spicy-flavoured crinkle-cut crisps.
- The product listing for its 270 g barbecue crisps states that the pack contains nine portions, which can help you plan how much to serve.
- For this barbecue product, the listing notes possible traces of gluten, milk, celery and mustard. Check the specific packet.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère
The Marque Repère range includes POM’LISSE barbecue, roast chicken and salt and vinegar crisps, as well as a 270 g barbecue pack.
- The choice of flavours and pack sizes can suit a selection for several guests.
- E.Leclerc advises contacting the relevant store to check the availability of some products.
Crisps to consider on Joybuy
These products let you build a spread around paprika and sour cream and onion, then add cheddar, spiced barbecue or an explicitly spicy flavour to suit your guests. Doritos tortilla chips are a separate category from the potato crisps in this selection.
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Doritos Paprika Flavour Tortilla Chips, 160 g
Consider these if you’d like to add a paprika flavour in a tortilla chip format. If you want to avoid any heat or need to take allergens into account, check the seasoning and information on the packet.
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Monster Munch Crazy Cream Onion, 150 g
A sour cream and onion flavour to offer guests who’d rather avoid an explicitly spicy option. Check the ingredients on the packet for any dietary requirements relating to milk, gluten or peanuts, and follow the storage instructions after opening.
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Vico Street Food Nachos Cheddar, 120 g
A cheddar flavour to add if you’d like guests to try something different from paprika or sour cream and onion. Have another option ready for anyone who doesn’t like cheddar, and check the packet for milk and peanut information.
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Brets Mexican Barbecue, 125 g
Offer these as a twist on barbecue flavour, rather than as the only choice for a group with varied tastes. Check that the heat level suits your guests and read the ingredients on the specific product; this recipe lists chicken, so it isn’t suitable for vegetarians.
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Vico Streetfood Spicy Barbecue, 120 g
Save this spicy barbecue flavour for guests who enjoy a bit of heat, and serve it alongside a milder option. Before offering it to anyone with dietary requirements, check the packet for information about milk and peanuts.
Frequently asked questions
How can I avoid serving crisps that are too spicy for my guests?
Look for terms such as “HOT”, “spicy”, “chili” or “chilli”, and offer these recipes alongside another flavour. Lay’s describes its Ondulées Paprika crisps as mild and spicy, while Pringles calls Cheese & Chili the spiciest product in its HOT range. These descriptions shouldn’t be confused.
What should I check if a guest needs to avoid an allergen?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the specific packet before serving. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients in pre-packed foods must be highlighted; two brands using the same flavour name don’t necessarily have identical ingredients.
Is the Nutri-Score enough to compare two packets?
No. Check the nutritional information too, particularly the salt per 100 g, as well as the ingredients list and the stated portion size, if shown on the packaging. A score doesn’t replace checking for allergens or choosing a flavour that suits your guests.
How should I store crisps bought before the birthday party?
Keep the packets sealed and follow the storage instructions on each one. After opening, reseal the packet carefully if you’re not serving it all; Auchan notes, for example, that its spicy-flavoured crinkle-cut crisps should be kept away from heat and humidity.
Should I serve anything other than crisps?
Yes, if you’d like to give your guests more choice. Flavoured crisps can be part of a selection without being the only savoury option. Manger Bouger recommends limiting snacks that are high in salt, so you could also serve other foods with your drinks.