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The best crisps for picnic and BBQ season
Our experts’ favourite summer-ready flavours, from chicken souvlak and mint to classic prawn cocktail
Tested by Callum BlackFood and Drink Testing Manager
When it comes to savoury snacks, you really can’t beat a good bag of crisps. Whether you love a classic pack of salt & vinegar Walkers, a corn-based crisp (hey, Wotsits and Skips) or a ‘proper’ thick-cut option, everyone will have their favourites.
Full disclosure: we haven’t tested the whole back catalogue of crisps, as we’d probably be there for several months. However, to help you discover some of the newest flavours for summer – from both supermarkets and brands – we decided to put a range of the latest releases to the test at the GHI. All are sure to make great additions to your picnic or BBQ spread.
Looking for more summer snacking inspiration? As part of our big BBQ Taste Test, our team of experts have worked their way through hundreds of products so you can get BBQ-ready quicker than it takes those coals to heat. From burgers and sausages to hot sauces and ice cream, we've got the entire menu covered.
Best crisps to buy 2024
If you’re in a rush for a savoury snack, these are our experts’ favourite crisps at a glance but scroll on for their full reviews.
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Best new flavour
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Chicken Souvlaki & Mint Yogurt Hand Cooked Crisps
Read review - 5
How we test crisps
Our tasting panel was looking for crisps that have well-balanced flavours and a proper crunch, making them a great snack for picnic and BBQ season, as well as the perfect accompaniment to a summer aperitif.
This article was updated in June to reflect the latest prices and stock levels.
Score: 81/100
These were a clear favourite with testers thanks to their puffed rather than fried finish. The taste was also a winner – the smokiness of cayenne and chipotle are balanced by a light lentil flavour to create a moreish, melt-in-the-mouth snack. Time to get dipping.
Score: 78/100
Sour and tangy lime dominates with these zingy tortillas. Testers enjoyed the additional flavours of sour cream and earthy beans with well-balanced salt and pepper, resulting in a complex-tasting tortilla chip. With a long oval shape, they’re also perfect for all your favourite summer dips.
Score: 76/100
This is a great “grown-up” crisp for pairing with an aperitif. The thickly cut, crunchy sharing crisps have a nice balance of salt and pepper, with hints of herbs like rosemary adding savoury, umami notes. Be warned – you may not want to share.
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Chicken Souvlaki & Mint Yogurt Hand Cooked Crisps
Score: 76/100
Testers loved the combination of chicken, creamy yoghurt and smoky paprika with these thin and crunchy crisps. They would make a great flavour-packed option with drinks pre-BBQ or added to your picnic hamper.
Score: 76/100
Who doesn’t love a classic prawn cocktail crisp? This sharing bag has flavours of sweet and tangy tomato and prawn, creating a pleasing balance of sweet, salty, acidic and smoky that our testers really enjoyed. Thin and crispy, these hand-cooked crisps would make a delicious addition to any BBQ.
Score: 76/100
These ‘heavenly’ crisps have a wonderfully baked, cheesy aroma that reminded our testers of a loaded baked potato. Golden and hexagonal in shape, they combine flavours of tomato, feta cheese, oregano and rosemary for a moreish Mediterranean-inspired bite. As one of our testers said, they’re “a joy to eat” – need we say more?
Score: 71/100
Strong cheese paired with grassy ham, hints of onion and a good amount of seasoning give a particularly savoury flavour to these crisps. Notably salty, they would go perfectly with a spicy margarita.
Rustle Hand Cooked Potato Crisps with Hot & Spicy Green Jalapeno Chilli
Score: 70/100
The green chilli and spinach flavours give a burst of freshness – unusual when it comes to crisps but something our testers really liked. Salty and acidic with a burst of chilli heat, they’re a great option for anyone who likes an unusual flavour twist.
Score: 70/100
Testers found it hard to identify one specific flavour with these crisps – overall, the well-balanced acidity and salt reminded them of prawn cocktail, with vinegar, smoky paprika and a hint of garlic. Our panel also loved that they were ridged, which helped retain the saucy flavours.
Eleanor was the GHI’s former senior food and drink writer.
Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.
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