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Never mind WW3 breaking out… our intrepid journalist Millie Bull decided to count how many crisps are in popular branded packets to see what we’re really getting
The cost-of-living squeeze has prompted many people to watch their spending more carefully, particularly regarding their grocery shopping. Shrinkflation—the practice of reducing product size or weight whilst maintaining the same price—has grown increasingly widespread lately, with numerous everyday items diminishing even as their costs climb.
Which?, the UK’s leading independent consumer group, disclosed in October that it had spotted multiple recent instances of shrinkflation, where manufacturers cut both quantity and quality to reduce their expenses.
Toothpaste, coffee, chocolate, and heartburn medicine were among the supermarket essentials that decreased in size, yet either retained the same price tag or became pricier still. With this in mind, and clutching a half-empty crisp packet, I chose to embark on an investigation: to tally how many crisps are in packets from well-known brands including Walkers, Quavers, Hula Hoops, Skips, NikNaks, Wotsits, Monster Munch and others.
How I counted
I’ve never been particularly fond of crisps, though I do relish devouring a packet of Hula Hoops or Quavers alongside a sandwich occasionally. I typically purchase the occasional ‘grab bag’ which can generally be located opposite the sandwich aisle in my local supermarket, reports the Express.
For this purpose, I opted to count the crisps in each of these packets instead of buying the smaller packets that can typically be found in multipacks. For comparison, a ‘grab bag’ of ready salted Hula Hoops contains 45g of crisps and costs £1.25 from Sainsbury’s (prices will vary depending on the supermarket), while a multipack of ready salted Hula Hoops contains six 24g bags with the multipack being priced at £2.35 from Sainsbury’s.
I purchased all the crisps from Sainsbury’s and sampled one flavour from each brand. When tallying the crisps, I counted ‘whole’ crisps as one crisp and pieced together broken crisps to create one whole crisp to ensure the results were fair.
I did not count the ‘dusty’ bits of flavouring at the bottom or minuscule crumbs. However, these were included when I weighed the contents of each packet.
After tallying the crisps, I weighed them on a digital kitchen scale to see whether the weight listed on the packet matched the actual weight.
According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), pre-packed foods must display the net quantity in grams, kilograms, millilitres, centilitres or litres, the net weight exclusive of the ice glaze for glazed frozen foods and the drained net weight and net weight for foods packed in a liquid medium.
The website adds: “Solid food must be labelled with net mass (g or kg), and liquid food must be labelled with net volume (ml, cl or l), with certain exceptions such as honey.
“A supplementary net quantity may be provided in an imperial measure but must not have greater prominence than the metric net quantity.”
According to the OPSS, the quantity details on these packets need to be precise, transparent and easy to understand, be labelled in the same field of vision as the name of the food and its alcoholic strength where appropriate, and not be misleading.
The net quantity indicates the weight or volume of a product, minus packaging, wrapping, or containers. It informs shoppers precisely how much of the product they’re receiving.
I relied on just one digital scale, so it’s conceivable that packets falling a gram or so short could be down to my scale’s accuracy. I was also unable to measure the net weight of Skips, as my digital scales lacked sufficient precision.
Pickled Onion Monster Munch, 40g
Crisp count: 17
Net weight: 40g (matches weight stated on packet)
This was genuinely my first experience with pickled onion Monster Munch, and I have to admit, I’m baffled as to why people love them so much. I’d happily choose a packet of cheese and onion instead any time.
Monster Munch are fairly substantial crisps, meaning each bag will probably hold fewer than rival brands, like NikNaks or Skips. Before tearing open the bag, it seemed pleasantly full.
Despite their bulk, I was genuinely quite satisfied with the crisp quantity inside. The majority of the crisps stayed whole, and I wasn’t bombarded with Monster Munch fragments when I upended the bag, which is definitely a bonus.
Doritos Cool Original, 48g
Crisp count: 21
Net weight: 50g (+2g)
I’ve got a real weakness for these crisps. They’re absolutely scrumptious and pair beautifully with sour cream and guacamole.
However, I was somewhat let down by the quantity of crisps in the bag. I had anticipated around 30 crisps in the packet, but this could be attributed to the size of the crisps themselves.
Despite there being a mere 21 crisps in the bag, the actual weight surpassed the weight indicated on the packaging.
Quavers, 34g
Crisp count: 43
Net weight: 34g (identical to weight stated on packet)
Most of the crisps in this Quavers packet were fragmented into smaller bits, which was slightly disheartening. However, having previously worked in a supermarket, I appreciate that this can easily occur when you’re restocking the shelves.
This packet contained a respectable number of crisps, and the net weight corresponded with the declared weight.
Walkers Sensations Thai Sweet Chilli, 40g
Crisp count: 25
Net weight: 40g (identical to weight stated on packet)
These crisps boast a delightful flavour, but there weren’t as many as I’d hoped for, and several were shattered into fragments. However, this could be due to how the crisps have been handled before being stocked on the shelves.
Cheetos Twisted Sweet & Spicy, 38g
Crisp count: 14
Net weight: 37g (-1g)
While bursting with flavour, these proved disappointing across the board. Numerous ‘twists’ arrived broken and there was a significant quantity of what I’d call ‘dust’ lurking at the bottom of the packet.
All told, just 14 crisps occupied the packet, with the net weight sitting 1g shy of the stated amount. I reckon the culprit here is the Cheeto ‘dust’.
At least half an inch accumulated at the bottom, with loads clinging to the packet’s interior, which surely impacted the net weight.
Comparing Cheetos against Monster Munch, you’d reasonably expect perhaps a couple more crisps inside, despite the net weight being 2g lighter. Ultimately, while the flavour proved decent, the packet’s contents fell short for me.
Squares Salt & Vinegar, 40g
Crisp count: 35
Net weight: 40g (same as weight listed on packet)
This packet seemed rather sparse, leaving me hoping for additional crisps. Plenty arrived broken, though the salt and vinegar taste delivered a pleasant tanginess.
That said, there weren’t too many crumbs at the bottom.
Wotsits, 36g
Crisp count: 63
Net weight: 34g (-2g)
This packet appeared extremely full, without masses of broken crisps, which was brilliant. Nobody fancies a crumbly Wotsit.
Yet upon weighing the crisps, I was surprised to learn they measured 2g lighter than the packet indicated. I’d estimate this equals perhaps one or two crisps, so I wasn’t heartbroken, but I did expect better.
Skips, 35g
Crisp count: 106
Net weight: N/A
As I mentioned earlier, weighing the Skips accurately proved impossible given how light they are. The phrase ‘light as a feather’ couldn’t be more apt when describing Skips.
That said, judging by the sheer number of crisps crammed into the packet, they’ve absolutely smashed it. Tallying them up was tedious work, but I managed to clock an astonishing 106 crisps – genuinely impressive stuff.
Mini Cheddars, 45g
Crisp count: 23
Net weight: 45g (same as weight listed on packet)
Mini Cheddars are considerably heftier than other branded crisps, which probably explains why you get fewer in the packet. I’m a big fan of Mini Cheddars; their salty, cheesy punch is seriously moreish and works brilliantly alongside a chunk of cheese or a dollop of chutney.
That said, I felt the packet contained fewer crisps than I’d expected.
Pipers Anglesey Sea Salt Crisps, 40g
Crisp count: 23
Net weight: 38g (-2g)
These were the priciest packet I picked up (£1.45), so my expectations were sky-high. While the taste and crunch were decent, most of the crisps had broken, and there were just 23 crisps in the whole bag.
The net weight also came in 2g short of what it should’ve been, according to my digital kitchen scales, though this might be down to them not being accurate.
Hula Hoops Original, 45g
Crisp count: 32
Net weight: 45g (same as weight listed on packet)
Hula Hoops rank among my all-time favourite crisps, and these absolutely delivered. The majority of the crisps were unbroken, and the net weight matched exactly what was printed on the packet.
Walkers Max Punchy Paprika, 50g
Crisp tally: 24
Net weight: 50g (matches packet’s listed weight)
It had been a while since I’d sampled Walkers Max Paprika crisps, and I was chuffed to rediscover them. They’re packed with flavour without being excessively spicy or overpowering.
I was also pleasantly surprised to find the majority of the crisps in one piece.
I clocked that most of the crisps were on the larger side, which probably explains why I counted 24 in the 50g packet. The net weight tallied up with the figure stated on the packet.
Walkers Oven-Baked, Seasalt, 37.5g
Crisp tally: 19
Net weight: 38g (+0.5g likely due to digital scales)
The Walkers Oven-Baked crisps were a bit of a letdown, with just 19 crisps in the whole bag. Whilst most were large, unbroken crisps, I couldn’t shake the feeling my packet was a few short.
Walkers Ready Salted, 45g
Crisp tally: 28
Net weight: 44g (-1g)
Walkers Ready Salted are a timeless favourite for good reason. I confess, it had been ages since I’d tucked into a packet of these, so getting my crunch on was a real delight.
The bag contained 28 crisps, although many were broken. My scales also indicated the net weight was 1g shy of the figure quoted on the packet, but this is negligible and likely down to my kitchen scales.
McCoy’s Salt & Vinegar, 45g
Crisp count: 30
Net weight: 45g (same as weight listed on packet)
I was pretty chuffed with these. They delivered a delightful zingy taste and boasted brilliant crunchiness.
I was also pleased with how many crisps were crammed into the bag, as it seemed like a proper-sized serving.
NikNaks, Nice ‘N’ Spicy 45g
Crisp count: 91
Net weight: 44g (-1g)
I saved these for the end as they weren’t the easiest to count. Since NikNaks lack a consistent shape or size, these required the most time to count but also delivered a rather generous portion.
My scales also revealed the net weight came in 1g lighter than what the packet claimed, which caught me off guard as the bag appeared fairly stuffed.
All in all, the taste was nothing special. I recall these packing far more of a punch when I was younger, while the flavour nowadays leans more towards peppery rather than ‘Nice ‘N’ Spicy’.
The verdict
The packet containing the smallest number of crisps was Cheetos, with Monster Munch and Oven-Baked Walkers and Doritos following behind. Considering the bulk of Cheetos and Monster Munch, you can potentially see why there aren’t as many individual crisps in your typical packet versus brands like NikNaks, which feature a more irregular shape.
That said, I was probably most let down by Walkers Oven-Baked crisps and Doritos, which, whilst boasting delicious seasonings, felt somewhat disappointing when you tore open the packet due to the quantity inside. Mind you, both varieties weighed more in total, though this might come down to my kitchen scales.
It’s important to mention that crisp packets require air filling to stop them getting squashed during transportation, explaining why the bag appears considerably larger than what’s inside. This accounts for why most packets likely aren’t crammed full with crisps.
Regarding net weight, I felt most let down by Cheetos, Pipers, McCoy’s, Wotsits and NikNaks. Naturally, my digital kitchen scales won’t match the precision or accuracy of industrial weighing equipment, so this needs to be taken into account.
Will I carry on buying crisps? Absolutely, though occasionally, I might just grab my scales to check I’m getting what I paid for.
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