For a coffee break where several people will be helping themselves at the same time, a 270–400 g bag of plain crisps is a practical starting point. If everyone will be having a portion at a different time, individual smaller bags are a better fit. A flavoured option may suit a known preference, but check the ingredients and allergens for the specific product before serving it to the group. Adjust the quantity to the number of people there, too, so you don’t leave a large bag open unnecessarily.
If everyone is helping themselves around the same table, one bag makes it easy to share the crisps. Choose its weight based on how many people will be there at the same time, rather than catering for the whole afternoon.
A plain recipe avoids imposing a strong flavour on everyone. If you’re considering cheese or onion crisps, check the ingredients list, as recipes vary from product to product.
Before serving crisps to a group, compare the nutritional information and check the allergens on the bag you’ve chosen. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of pre-packed foods.
For a shared coffee break, first work out whether people will be helping themselves together or at different times. That makes it easier to compare the size, flavour and label.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity to share | Compare the net weight of a single bag with the number of people who’ll be there at the same time. | When several people are helping themselves at the same table, I want a suitable quantity without opening several packs. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this shared quantity. |
| Choice of flavour | If you don’t know everyone’s preferences, compare a plain recipe with one or more distinct flavours. | If I don’t know the group’s tastes, I’d rather avoid having one large bag impose a strong flavour on everyone. Around 23% of consumers put finding a flavour everyone can agree on first. |
| Ingredients and labelling | Check the ingredients, allergens and salt per 100 g for each product. | Before putting crisps out for everyone, I need to be able to check exactly what the recipe contains. Around 31% of consumers mainly want to check ingredients and allergens. |
| Leftovers after opening | Check the storage instructions and consider individual bags if the break is spread over time. | If everyone isn’t snacking at the same time, I don’t want to leave a large bag open for a few handfuls. Around 15% of consumers prioritise keeping leftovers fresh. |
A large bag is best suited to people eating at the same time. If it’s left open between visits to the snack table, how well it keeps after opening becomes an important consideration.
For breaks spread over time, compare individual smaller bags and follow the instructions on the packaging.
Vico states that La Gourmande contains milk and may contain peanuts. Pringles states that Cheese & Onion contains wheat and milk, and may contain soya. These details apply to those specific recipes.
Check the label for the flavour and size you’re buying, especially if someone needs to avoid an ingredient.
A cheese or onion recipe may suit some people without appealing to everyone there.
If you don’t know everyone’s preferences, consider a plain recipe or two different flavours rather than one very large bag of flavoured crisps.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for potato crisps in a large bag, particularly with a ridged texture.
A brand with plain crisps available in family-size bags.
An alternative to a classic large bag, with crisps packed in a tube and a range of flavoured recipes.
A supermarket own brand worth checking when comparing the weights of plain crisp bags.
Supermarket own-brand products to compare if you’re choosing between plain crisps and a traditional-style recipe.
These two Lay's family-size bags are suitable for a break where everyone will be having crisps together. The choice between 295 g and 250 g mainly depends on how much you plan to serve.
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A single bag to consider when several people will be having crisps at the same time. It contains 295 g of salted potato crisps. If only a few people are joining the break, check that you’ll use this quantity and read the pack’s storage instructions for after opening.
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A single bag of plain salted crisps if you’re looking for a smaller quantity for your break. At 250 g, this size is below the 270–400 g bags used as a guide for groups. Choose a quantity to suit the number of people and check the label of the product you’re serving.
Choose the bag size based on how many people will be helping themselves at the same time and what other food you’re serving. The examples mentioned include plain crisp bags from 270 to 400 g. For a short break or people dropping by at different times, compare individual smaller bags, too.
Reseal it and follow the instructions on the packaging. For its 300 g family-size bag of plain crisps, Lay's advises storing it away from light and eating it within 7 days of opening. This guidance doesn’t automatically apply to other products.
Read the ingredients list and any statements about possible traces on the exact bag you’re serving. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of pre-packed foods. Don’t assume a recipe has the same ingredients as another flavour from the same brand.
No: the name of the recipe alone isn’t enough to compare them. Check the salt per 100 g in the nutritional information for each product. Santé publique France recommends limiting salty foods and salt.