Who is this comparison useful for?

Calorie-conscious buffet hosts

You want to serve crisps and compare varieties using their energy values. Small bowls also help you keep an eye on how much is being served.

Shoppers considering baked crisps

You pay attention to fat content and are considering baked crisps. Check the nutritional information separately to see whether a particular variety is also lower in calories.

Buffet planners catering for different guests

If several guests will be eating, it’s important to check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy, as well as the nutritional values. If your buffet includes other salty foods, it may also be worth comparing the salt content.

What should you look for when buying?

First, compare the energy per 100 g on the same basis. Then think about how you’ll serve the crisps, and check the salt, ingredients and allergens on the pack.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Energy content Compare kcal per 100 g for the specific varieties. A lower fat content alone doesn’t prove that the energy value is lower. I want to serve crisps, but choose between varieties by comparing their calorie information. Around 46% of consumers put energy comparison first when making this choice.
Amount served Compare the stated portion size with the amount that will actually go into the bowls. It’s easy to take more than one stated portion at a self-serve buffet; I want to keep track of the amount by using smaller bowls. Portioning is the priority for around 27% of consumers.
Salt and ingredients Compare salt per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy. When catering for several guests, I need to know what’s in each variety rather than relying on the variety name alone. Ingredients and salt are the main considerations for around 18% of consumers.
Type of crisps Decide whether you want potato crisps; if you’re considering alternatives, compare their nutritional values per 100 g too. I want to keep the familiar potato crisp option on the buffet and would only switch if there’s a suitable alternative. Around 9% of consumers give the type of crisps top priority when making this choice.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming ‘less fat’ means ‘low energy’

    EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 permits the claim ‘low energy’ on solid foods only if they contain no more than 40 kcal per 100 g. Despite being described as reduced-fat potato crisps, Lorenz Naturals Light & Delicately Salted has 476 kcal per 100 g, according to REWE.

    To compare calories, check the kcal per 100 g, including for baked or reduced-fat varieties.

  • Assuming vegetable or pulse crisps are lower in calories without checking

    In its 2025 study of alternative crisps, Verbraucherzentrale NRW found that only a few products actually saved calories. A lower fat content didn’t automatically mean a correspondingly lower energy value.

    Compare the energy, fat and salt per 100 g with the potato crisps you would normally serve.

  • Confusing a pack’s portion size with the amount served at the buffet

    Chio states that a 30 g portion of its Ready Salted crisps contains 162 kcal. The amount someone takes at a self-serve buffet may be different.

    Start by filling small bowls and top them up as needed if you want to keep a closer eye on how much you’re serving.

  • Checking the variety name instead of the pack

    Ingredients and labelling are particularly important for flavoured crisps. Lorenz advises shoppers to check the ingredients list on the relevant pack; EDEKA notes that online information may differ from the packaging.

    Before serving, read the nutritional information and the ingredients and allergen details for the variety you’ve bought.

Brands to help you compare

Lorenz

The energy, fat and salt content of Naturals Light & Delicately Salted can be compared using the information published by REWE.

  • REWE lists 476 kcal and 23 g of fat per 100 g for this variety.
  • At 2.5 g of salt per 100 g, it contains more salt than the Chio Chips Ready Salted variety considered here, at 1.4 g per 100 g. The ingredients in other Lorenz varieties should be checked separately.

funny-frisch

funny-frisch describes its Ofen Chips as baked rather than fried potato crisps.

  • The cooking method is a useful starting point if you’re looking for baked crisps.
  • Check the energy value on the pack to find out whether your chosen variety contains fewer calories than other crisps.

Chio

Chips Ready Salted is a simply salted potato crisp variety with a stated portion size.

  • Chio states that a 30 g portion contains 162 kcal.
  • The stated portion size doesn’t automatically match the amount guests take at a buffet.

REWE Beste Wahl

The nutritional information for Kesselchips BBQ lets you compare it with other specifically named varieties.

  • REWE lists 488 kcal, 25 g of fat and 1.4 g of salt per 100 g for Kesselchips BBQ.
  • These values apply to this variety; for other flavours, check the relevant pack.

EDEKA

EDEKA’s product information for its potato crisps can provide a point of comparison for individual varieties.

  • EDEKA lists 517 kcal and 34 g of fat per 100 g for its organic potato crisps with sea salt.
  • EDEKA notes that online information may differ from the packaging. So check the variety you’ve bought before serving.

Joybuy products on this topic

Relevant products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are reduced-fat potato crisps automatically ‘low energy’?

No. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the claim ‘low energy’ is only permitted on solid foods containing no more than 40 kcal per 100 g. A lower fat content or baking in the oven doesn’t prove that a variety of crisps meets this requirement.

Which nutritional value should I compare first?

When comparing different varieties of potato crisps, start with the energy in kcal per 100 g. You can then compare fat and salt on the same basis; values per portion are most useful when you’re planning the amount to serve accordingly.

Are vegetable or pulse crisps always lower in calories?

No. In its 2025 study of alternative crisps, Verbraucherzentrale NRW found that only a few products saved calories. So compare the nutritional information for the specific alternative with that of your potato crisps, rather than assuming the energy value from the main ingredient.

How can I check allergens in crisps for several guests?

Read the ingredients and allergen information on every pack you buy, particularly for flavoured varieties. Lorenz lists milk ingredients in Crunchips Cheese & Onion; this information doesn’t apply to other varieties.