Hosts entertaining a group
If you’re serving an ice cream dessert with your crêpes, count how many people will want one and check the flavour mix in any assortments. Auchan’s range includes a box of ten Magnum mini ice cream sticks.
Who are these formats suitable for?
Parents planning snacks to take out and about
Pre-portioned ice lolly sticks can be easy to share between children, as long as the packaging and transport allow you to keep them frozen. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that the cold chain needs to be maintained on the journey home, too.
Shoppers who check the ingredients
If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, check the exact box, including any warnings about possible traces. A fruit flavour or small portion size doesn’t tell you whether a product contains allergens.
What should you look for?
Start by working out how many portions you need, then compare the number of lollies with the net weight and flavours on offer. Before choosing a box, check its ingredients and the storage instructions on the packaging, too.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and flavours | Count the lollies and check which flavours are actually included in the assortment. | If my guests don’t all like the same flavour, I want to give them a choice without running short on portions; around 36% of shoppers would prioritise this need for sharing and variety. |
| Size and quantity | Compare the net weight and number of lollies, particularly between minis and standard-size sticks. | To plan how much to serve and how much room I’ll need in the freezer for leftovers, I need to know what’s in each box; this would be the priority for around 29% of shoppers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings about traces for the flavour you’ve chosen. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I can’t rely on the flavour name; around 21% of shoppers would put checking the ingredients first. |
| Snacks and storage | Check how the portions are wrapped, how much freezer space you have and the storage instructions. | If I’m keeping some lollies for snacks on the go, I need to be able to share them out and keep them cold until they’re eaten; around 14% of shoppers would make this their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Looking only at the number of ice lolly sticks
Twelve mini lollies and twelve standard-size lollies won’t necessarily be the same quantity. The number of lollies also won’t tell you whether your guests will like the flavours.
Check the number of lollies, net weight and assortment together before planning what to serve.
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Assuming a fruit flavour is dairy-free or allergen-free
Auchan’s product information for fruit ice lollies warns that they may contain traces of several allergens. Information can vary from one recipe to another, even within the same range.
If someone has an allergy, read the ingredients and warnings on the box you’ve bought. If you can’t confirm that it’s suitable for your guest from this information, don’t serve it as an appropriate option.
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Packing an ice lolly without a way to keep it cold
A portioned ice lolly is still a frozen product. The DGCCRF stresses that the cold chain must be maintained during transport, not just at home.
For a snack to take out and about, make sure you can maintain the temperature stated on the packaging until it’s eaten. Put the boxes back in the freezer promptly after shopping.
Brands to know
These products show the range of ice lolly formats available. Check the ingredients and storage instructions on each box.
Magnum
Magnum offers classic and mini ice cream sticks. Auchan’s range includes an assortment of ten mini sticks, ideal for sharing.
- An assortment lets you serve several flavours without opening multiple products.
- The flavour mix and allergens depend on the box you choose; Magnum’s Mini Double Caramel, for example, contains milk.
Carrefour Extra
The range includes vanilla, chocolate and almond ice cream sticks in boxes of eight. It’s a format to consider if you want to count the portions before the party.
- Knowing the number of sticks makes it easier to plan what to serve.
- Check the product information or packaging for its ingredients and allergens.
Trium / Smicy
These E.Leclerc Marque Repère brands offer a range of recipes and formats. E.Leclerc’s range includes Smicy vanilla and chocolate ice cream sticks, with 12 sticks weighing 456 g.
- The 12-piece Smicy pack can make it easier to count portions for a group.
- Don’t assume the ingredients, allergens or portion size of one Trium or Smicy product are the same as another.
Auchan
Auchan offers fruit ice lollies in boxes of eight, weighing 300 g—an option if you’d like to serve a fruity flavour with your crêpes.
- The product information gives the net weight and details about ingredients and possible traces.
- A fruit flavour alone doesn’t mean a product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
Mucci
ALDI’s range includes a box of twelve Mucci mini ice cream sticks, weighing 429 g, as well as other ice lolly formats.
- The number of sticks and the weight help you compare this format with other boxes you’re considering for sharing.
- Check which product is available when you shop before counting on a particular assortment for your party.
Multipacks to consider on Joybuy
These boxes contain ice lolly sticks in different portion counts, with a range of flavours to choose from. For your party, start with the number of guests; for snacks to take out and about, check how the lollies are wrapped and how you’ll keep them cold, too.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 pieces, 1 200 g
Worth considering if your guests would like to choose from five flavours across twelve ice lollies.
If a guest has an allergy, check the ingredients and allergens on the box before serving. Also check how the lollies are wrapped if you’re keeping some for snacks to take out and about.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
The 12-piece box makes it easy to plan one ice lolly each for several guests who like orange and cherry.
Check the allergen information on the box if any guests have allergies, and keep the lollies frozen during transport.
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MAGNUM Classic, 8 ice cream sticks, 600 g
This pack of eight ice cream sticks is a good option for a group who want to count their portions and choose the Classic recipe.
If you’re planning to serve several flavours or save some for snacks on the go, check exactly what’s in the box and how the sticks are wrapped. Check the label for allergens.
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Binggrae Melona Coconut, 8 sticks of 70 ml
Eight coconut-flavoured portions could be a good choice if everyone wants the same flavour after their crêpes.
Check the ingredients and allergens for this product before choosing it for anyone with an allergy, and check how it’s wrapped if you plan to take some portions out and about.
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Solero Berry, 4 sticks of 90 ml
This box of four portions is worth considering for a small group who’d like a red berry flavour.
Plan for extra portions if more guests want an ice lolly. Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the box you buy.
Frequently asked questions
How many ice lollies should I buy for a crêpe party?
First, count the guests who’d like an ice cream dessert, then choose a box with enough lollies for everyone. If you choose an assortment, check how many of each flavour it contains, too. Having several flavours doesn’t guarantee that everyone will be able to choose their favourite.
Is a fruit-flavoured ice lolly always suitable for someone with a milk or nut allergy?
No. A fruit flavour doesn’t mean that the product is free from these allergens. ANSES advises that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list; also check the warnings about possible traces on the specific box you’re going to serve.
Can you take an ice lolly out for a snack?
Yes, but only if you can keep it frozen until it’s eaten, following the product’s storage instructions. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that the cold chain also applies during transport: individual wrapping is no substitute for a way to keep the product cold.