Hosts planning to serve a shared bowl
If several guests will be helping themselves from the same bowl, check the bag’s net weight so you can plan how much to put out on the buffet.
Who is this guide for?
Hosts serving guests in different areas
For several tables or smaller groups, individual bags make it easy to bring out portions as you go. Auchan, for example, offers a pack of six 30 g bags.
Shoppers mindful of guests’ ingredients needs
If some guests need to avoid an ingredient, check the label for the exact flavour. Vico’s La Gourmande crisps, for example, contain dairy ingredients and may contain peanuts.
What should you look for?
Decide where you’ll be serving the crisps, then compare the quantities and labels of the formats you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount to share | The net weight of the large bag and the total weight of the individual portions. | If I’m putting out a shared bowl, I want to make sure there are enough crisps without opening lots of bags. Around 40% of shoppers put the amount available to share first. |
| How easy portions are to serve | The number of bags, their individual weight and the storage instructions after opening. | When the party is spread across several areas, I prefer to bring out each portion when it’s needed. Around 30% of shoppers prioritise portion control. |
| Ingredients | The ingredients list, highlighted allergens and the “salt” entry in the nutritional information. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I check the exact recipe rather than relying on its name. Around 30% of shoppers prioritise ingredient suitability. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Going by the word “maxi” alone
Two bags described as family size can contain different amounts. You can also compare multipacks by adding up the weight of their individual portions.
Check the net weight shown on each pack. Six 30 g bags, for example, add up to 180 g.
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Assuming every flavour from a brand has the same ingredients
Ingredients and allergen information vary from one flavour to another. The Vico La Gourmande product information lists dairy ingredients and says it may contain peanuts.
Check the label of each flavour you’re considering for the guests concerned. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on pre-packed foods sold in France.
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Opening every bag at the start
Individual bags let you serve the crisps gradually, but that benefit disappears if you open them all at once.
Bring them out as needed and follow the storage instructions on the packs you haven’t opened yet.
Brands and ranges to compare
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour offers Classic’ salted crisps in a 350 g bag, a format worth considering if you’re serving them in a shared bowl.
- The bag’s weight makes it easy to compare with other large formats you’re considering.
- Check the exact product if you’re looking for a different flavour or pack size.
POM'LISSE / Marque Repère
E.Leclerc offers POM'LISSE crunchy salted crisps in a 350 g bag, among other products.
- This format is worth considering for a party where guests will share from a large bag.
- Check the weight and flavour of the pack you choose, as products in the range can differ.
Auchan
Auchan offers salted crisps in six individual 30 g bags, giving you 180 g in total.
- The individual bags can be shared between different serving areas.
- If you’re planning to serve a shared bowl, compare the total weight with that of a large bag.
Lay's
Auchan and Carrefour list Lay's Salted crisps in 300 g bags and Recette Paysanne Nature crisps in 295 g bags, among other products.
- These two pack sizes offer similar amounts for sharing.
- Check the ingredients and storage instructions for each flavour separately. For Lay's Salted crisps in a 300 g bag, Auchan recommends eating them within seven days of opening.
Vico
Vico offers flavours such as La Gourmande, adding variety to the crisps you serve at your party.
- The product information for this flavour lets you check the ingredients before adding it to the buffet.
- Vico says La Gourmande contains dairy ingredients and may contain peanuts. Check the pack if you’re serving guests who need to avoid these ingredients.
Sharing crisps available on Joybuy
These bags of potato crisps are suitable for sharing at a Christmas party. The weight is shown in each product title. Check the flavour and label before choosing crisps for your guests.
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LAY'S salted potato crisps 250 g
A 250 g bag to consider if guests will be helping themselves from a shared bowl. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack for the flavour you receive.
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LAY'S old-fashioned salted crisps 295 g
This 295 g bag can be served in a shared bowl. Follow the storage instructions on the pack once opened.
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LAY'S country-style crisps 295 g
This 295 g bag is another flavour to consider for sharing. If relevant to your guests, check the pack for information about possible traces of soya and gluten.
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Lay's BBQ Maxi crisps 250 g
This 250 g bag is a BBQ flavour to share. Its ingredients differ from those of salted crisps, so check the ingredients list and information about possible traces of milk, gluten and soya if relevant to your guests.
Frequently asked questions
How do you compare the quantities in two different packs of crisps?
Check the total net weight, rather than relying on terms such as “family size” or “maxi”. For a multipack, add up the weight of the individual bags: Auchan’s pack of six 30 g bags contains 180 g in total.
A large bag or individual portions for a Christmas party?
A large bag works well if guests will be helping themselves from a shared bowl. Individual portions make it easier to serve different areas and let you open only the bags you need. Either way, compare the total weight with the amount you want to serve.
What should you check if a guest needs to avoid an allergen?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack for the exact flavour. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on pre-packed foods in France. Vico’s La Gourmande crisps contain dairy ingredients and may contain peanuts.
How should you store a large bag once it’s open?
Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve bought, as they may vary by product. For Lay's Salted crisps in a 300 g bag, the product information listed by Auchan says to store them away from light and eat them within seven days of opening.