Anyone hosting a get-together for people with different tastes
If you’re not sure what everyone likes, offering a few different flavours is a safer bet than relying on one particularly distinctive recipe.
Who are these crisps for?
Fans of spicy flavours
If some of your group are looking for a bit of heat, check how the recipe is described and serve it separately so everyone can choose.
Anyone who checks food labels
If certain ingredients matter to your guests, check the exact packet. To compare the salt content of different recipes, use the same measure: per 100 g.
What should you look for before buying?
For a Music Day get-together, start with the group’s tastes, then check the ingredients and choose packets suited to how you plan to serve the crisps.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Flavours to share | What you know the group likes, and whether it’s better to buy a few different recipes rather than one large packet. | When you’re not sure what your guests prefer, you’ll want to avoid offering just one particularly distinctive flavour. Around 25% of consumers prioritise choosing something that will suit the group. |
| Heat | Whether the flavour is described as spicy, and whether you can serve it in a separate bowl. | For anyone who enjoys a bit of heat, a spicy packet is a good option without expecting everyone to share it. This is the top priority for around 19% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and salt | The allergens listed on the packet, any relevant ‘may contain’ statements, and the salt figure per 100 g. | If you need to consider specific ingredients before serving the crisps, the flavour name alone isn’t enough. Around 31% of consumers put checking the label first when making their choice. |
| Size and storage | The net weight, how many different flavours you’ll open, and storage instructions once opened. | For an outdoor get-together, it’s better to open packets as you go rather than leave all the crisps out. Sharing and storage come first for around 25% of consumers. |
To compare the salt content of two recipes, the nutrition information per 100 g provides a common basis, as explained by the DGCCRF. Choose the texture to suit the group: ridged crisps, thick-cut crisps and crisps shaped like tiles don’t tell you anything on their own about the ingredients or how spicy they are.
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying on the flavour name alone
‘Barbecue’, ‘spicy’ or ‘mustard’ doesn’t tell you everything about a recipe. The products listed by Vico, Pringles and Carrefour show that ingredients and allergen information vary from one product to another.
Read the ingredients list and check the allergens highlighted on the packet you plan to serve. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that allergens must be identified on food labels.
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Buying only a large quantity of spicy crisps
Pringles describes its HOT Cheese & Chili recipe as very spicy. This flavour suits a particular taste, but that doesn’t mean it will appeal to everyone in the group.
Have another flavour to share and clearly label the bowl of spicy crisps.
Brands to know
These examples highlight flavours and label details worth comparing. The features of one product don’t necessarily apply to other products from the same brand.
Vico
Vico offers, among other options, crisps with a Mild Mustard flavour.
- Vico’s product information identifies mustard in this recipe.
- This product may also contain milk and peanuts, so check the packet you plan to serve to the group.
Lay's
The Lay's Gourmet range includes a Herbes de Provence flavour.
- Lay's describes this product as ridged, which is useful if texture matters to you.
- The shape of the crisps doesn’t tell you their salt content or which allergens they contain.
Pringles
Pringles offers crisps shaped like tiles in a variety of flavours, including HOT Cheese & Chili.
- Pringles describes HOT Cheese & Chili as a very spicy option, so make sure it’s clearly identified when you serve it.
- The recipe lists dairy ingredients and wheat flour, among other things. Check the label on the tube you buy.
Carrefour
Carrefour’s Classic’ range includes flavoured crisps, including a spicy option.
- The product information for the spicy option specifically lists chilli.
- It also lists dairy ingredients, so ‘spicy’ doesn’t tell you everything about what’s in it.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère
The Pom'Lisse range includes barbecue-flavoured crisps in a maxi-size pack.
- The 270 g pack gives you a useful reference when working out how much to buy for sharing.
- E.Leclerc recommends checking availability with the relevant store or Drive service.
Auchan
Auchan offers, among other options, thick-cut flavoured crisps and sour cream and onion crisps shaped like tiles.
- These shapes let you choose the texture you prefer without confusing it with the flavour.
- Instructions for the products concerned say to keep the crisps away from heat and moisture, and to reseal the packet securely after opening.
Flavoured crisps available on Joybuy
These Joybuy packets include spicy barbecue, grilled beef, brie and truffle, and honey and mustard flavours. For a group, choose based on what you know people like and check each packet before serving. A familiar-sounding flavour isn’t necessarily mild.
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Vico Streetfood Spicy Barbecue, 120 g
Worth considering as a spicy option to serve separately if anyone in the group is after a fiery barbecue flavour. The packet contains 120 g; check the ingredients and allergen information on the packet before sharing.
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BRETS Mexican Barbecue, 125 g
A different take on barbecue flavour for a group who are interested, without assuming it will suit everyone’s taste. This 125 g packet is labelled Mexican Barbecue; check the ingredients to see what’s in it.
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BRET’S grilled beef flavour, 125 g
A flavour to consider if your guests enjoy recipes inspired by grilled meat. The packet contains 125 g; the flavour name is no substitute for checking the ingredients.
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BRETS brie and truffle flavour, 125 g
For a group tempted by the combination of brie and truffle, or to serve as one of several different flavours. This packet contains 125 g; check the ingredients list before sharing.
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Bret’s honey and mustard flavour, 125 g
A good choice when the people you’re with enjoy this flavour combination, rather than as the only packet for the whole group. The packet contains 125 g; be sure to check the allergen information on the label.
Frequently asked questions
What should you check on a packet of flavoured crisps?
Check the ingredients list, highlighted allergens, net weight and nutritional information. The DGCCRF says that allergens must be identified; always check the packet of the product you’re going to serve.
How can you compare the salt content of two recipes?
Compare the salt figure per 100 g rather than per serving when serving sizes differ. This gives you a common basis for comparing nutrition information, as explained by the DGCCRF. Then consider how much you’ll actually serve.
Could a flavour that doesn’t mention milk still contain dairy ingredients?
Yes. Carrefour Classic’ spicy crisps, for example, list lactose and dairy ingredients, despite the flavour name. Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packet you buy rather than relying on the name alone.
How can you keep crisps crunchy when eating outdoors?
Keep packets away from heat and moisture, serve the crisps gradually and reseal packets after opening. These precautions follow the instructions given for the Auchan products concerned.