Impromptu brunch hosts
A 250 to 400 g bag can be handy to put in the middle of the table. The right size depends on how many people are sharing and what you plan to do with the bag once it’s open.
Who are these formats for?
Shoppers who check the ingredients
If you’re choosing between a plain recipe, one with no added salt or oven-baked crisps, compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g on the packaging of the product you’re considering.
Those who care about texture
A ridged recipe or one described as extra-crunchy may help you decide what to serve when sharing. Texture is a separate consideration from a product’s nutritional information.
What should you look for before choosing?
For a quick sharing snack, start by working out how much you’ll actually serve. Then check how to store the crisps after opening and the ingredients in the specific bag.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount to share | Net weight and the number of people you expect. | When several people are helping themselves from the same bag, I want to make sure there are enough crisps without opening far more than we need. Around 33% of consumers prioritise getting the bag size right. |
| After opening | Storage instructions for the product and the recommended time to consume it. | If the bag is likely to be left open, I prefer a size we can finish without too many leftovers. Ease of use comes ahead of other criteria for around 27% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Ingredients, allergens, salt and fat per 100 g; Nutri-Score, if shown on the pack. | When comparing recipes to serve at the same table, I want to check their ingredients and nutritional information first. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Texture and flavour | Whether the selected product is plain or flavoured, and its described texture. | When sharing food with others, I’m mainly looking for a texture or flavour the group will enjoy. It’s the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
What should you watch out for?
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Choosing the biggest bag for one or two people
A sharing-size bag can leave a lot of crisps after the meal. Instructions for storing an opened bag vary by product: Auchan’s listing for the 300 g Lay's Nature family-size bag says to consume it within 7 days.
Choose a size to suit the number of people and follow the storage instructions on the bag you buy.
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Assuming “plain” means unsalted
The recipe name alone doesn’t tell you how much salt or fat a product contains. It also doesn’t rule out an allergen warning.
Before serving, check the ingredients, allergens and values per 100 g for the exact product you’ve chosen.
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Treating Nutri-Score as a verdict on the meal
Manger Bouger describes Nutri-Score as a tool for comparing products in the same category. It doesn’t make crisps a breakfast staple.
If Nutri-Score is displayed, use it to compare like-for-like products, then choose the other foods for your meal separately.
Brands and retailers to know
Vico
Vico offers plain crisps and an Extra Craquante product, among others. Carrefour also lists a 400 g bag of Vico La Classique.
- Vico says its Extra Craquante product is made in France using French potatoes.
- The Extra Craquante listing mentions that the product may contain milk and peanuts. Check the packaging of the product you choose.
Lay's
Several retailers consulted list family-size bags of plain crisps, as well as a separate Cuites au Four range.
- The 300 g Nature bag listed by Auchan is described as containing 10 portions of 30 g.
- Recipes and bag sizes aren’t interchangeable: check the nutritional values and weight of each bag.
Carrefour Classic'
This own-label range includes a 350 g bag of plain crisps listed by Carrefour.
- The stated weight makes it easy to compare with other sharing sizes, based on the number of people.
- Check the listing and the bag’s label for ingredients and storage instructions after opening.
Pom'Lisse / Marque Repère E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc lists 350 g bags of Pom'Lisse Chips Croustillantes Nature.
- The E.Leclerc listing gives this product a Nutri-Score of C and states that it contains 0.6 g of salt per 100 g.
- These details apply to this specific product, not to all Pom'Lisse crisps.
Auchan
Here, Auchan is the retailer listing the 300 g Lay's Nature family-size bag, rather than a separate crisp brand.
- The listing says to consume the crisps within 7 days of opening.
- If you choose a different product, follow the instructions on the bag you actually buy.
Bags to consider on Joybuy
These three bags of potato crisps, each weighing 250 g or more, may be worth considering for an occasional sharing occasion. The first two stand out for their size or recipe; the third is barbecue-flavoured, so it won’t suit anyone looking for plain crisps.
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Lay's Plain Salted, 250 g family-size bag
A 250 g bag to consider if several people want to share salted crisps. Check the ingredients and how much you plan to serve before opening the bag.
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Lay's Country-Style, 295 g
This 295 g bag is a useful size to compare for sharing. If you’re looking for a plain recipe or need to take allergens into account, check the information on the exact packaging.
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Lay's BBQ Maxi, 250 g
This 250 g bag is suited to sharing when your guests enjoy barbecue flavour. It isn’t a substitute for a plain variety: check the ingredients and allergens in this recipe before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Can crisps count as breakfast?
Crisps can be part of a shared brunch now and then, but they aren’t a substitute for foods recommended for a morning meal. For children’s breakfast, Manger Bouger suggests options such as wholemeal or wholegrain bread, a dairy product and fruit. Its recommendations also encourage limiting salty foods.
How can I compare the ingredients in two large bags?
Check the ingredients and compare the nutritional values on the same basis, per 100 g. The DGCCRF explains that this makes comparison easier; if both products display a Nutri-Score, Manger Bouger recommends using it to compare products in the same category.
What should I check on the pack if I have an allergy?
Check the allergens listed on the packaging of the exact product, including any warnings that it may contain certain allergens. The DGCCRF explains that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted in the ingredients list of the relevant food products.
How long can I keep a large bag once it’s open?
Follow the instructions on the bag you buy. As a product-specific example, Auchan says to enjoy the 300 g Lay's Nature family-size crisps within 7 days of opening.