Chips? Crisps?
Let’s get this out of the way first: I call them crisps. I grew up calling them crisps, buying crisps, arguing about crisps. I’ve muttered “they’re not chips, mate” under my breath more times than I care to count. I’m born Australian, but grown up English. I know the rules. But when it came time to name this website — a sprawling, salty archive of everything snackable, snackish, and unreasonably crinkly — “Crispopedia” just didn’t resonate. Don’t get me wrong, “crisp” is a fine word. It does what it says on the packet: sharp, clean, unambiguous. But “Chipopedia”? It has……
How crisps are made
There’s something almost alchemical about the process of turning a humble potato into a crisp. One moment, it’s a lump of root veg pulled from British soil; the next, it’s a golden sliver of joy, crackling in your mouth and dusted with smoky bacon or a whisper of sea salt.…
What crisps are made without seed oils?
Are there crisps made without seed oils? Yes. And if, like me, you’ve ever muttered “beef dripping” under your breath in Waitrose, then this guide is for you.…
Are all crisps vegan?
On the face of it, crisps feel like one of the safest snacks for a vegan. Potatoes. Oil. A bit of salt. How complicated could it possibly be? As it turns out... very…
What crisps are reliably gluten free?
Crisps are one of those snacks that almost everyone loves. But if you have gluten intolerance or celiac disease, choosing the right ones can feel like a bit of a minefield. Luckily, these days, it’s easier to find crisps that you can trust. The trick is knowing which ones to…
Who invented crisps, and where were they invented?
If you’ve ever crunched into a perfectly salted crisp and wondered where it all began, you’re not alone. I’ve often found myself, a few beers in, staring at the potato shard in my hand, and thought – Who came up with this genius idea? It turns out, the story of…
Why are crisps called ‘Ready Salted’
It’s one of those phrases you hear so often, you stop questioning it. Ready Salted. It rolls off the tongue like an old friend — familiar, unassuming, quietly comforting. But if you pause for a moment and actually ask, “Why are they called that?” or “What are they ready for?”…
When is a crisp, not a crisp?
Let’s begin with a confession: I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about crisps. Not just eating them — though I’ve done that with admirable consistency since childhood — but truly contemplating them. Pondering their boundaries. Questioning their form. Examining their soul, if such a thing exists in a…
Wotsits: Cheese
Let’s not pretend Wotsits are a crisp in the traditional sense. They’re not potatoes, they don’t crunch, and they leave your fingers looking like you’ve done battle with a cheese dust tornado. But they are beloved — and rightly so. Texture and structure Wotsits aren’t crisps. They’re snacks. Corn-based puffs…
Walkers: Squares Cheese & Onion
If Salt & Vinegar Squares are the brash frontman of the Walkers Squares trio, Cheese & Onion Squares are the curious rhythm guitarist: less explosive, more mysterious, but still very much part of the band. They’re not shouting for attention, but they leave an impression. Texture and crunch As ever…
Walkers: Squares Salt & Vinegar
Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar aren’t your average crisp — they’re a geometric intervention in a world of curls, puffs and ridges. These little pillows of fried potato starch are square in name, shape and spirit. You don’t eat them so much as crunch through them like a biscuit you…
Walkers: Wotsits Crispy Bacon
Wotsits have always been the airy, cheesy snack that’s more about fun than substance. Adding crispy bacon flavour to the mix sounds promising, but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite land as well as you might hope. Flavour leans one-dimensional The bacon seasoning is smoky and salty enough, but it feels a…
Walkers: Wotsits Cheese Toastie
If you’re not a fan of cheese snacks — especially the airy, cheesy puff style of Wotsits — then Walkers’ Cheese Toastie flavour isn’t going to win you over. It tries to channel the warmth of a toasted cheese sandwich but ends up feeling more like an artificial cheese powder…
Walkers: Wotsits Giants Flamin’ Hot
The name alone is a lot — Giants and Flamin’ Hot — suggesting a bold, fiery snack with plenty of presence. But as with much in the world of puffed snacks, the promise tends to outweigh the delivery. If you’re not already on board the Wotsits train, these probably won’t…
Walkers: MAX KFC Zinger
Walkers teamed up with KFC for a snack meta-mashup: a crisp that tastes like a spicy Zinger burger… if that burger had been pulverised into croutons. It’s loud. It’s unapologetic. It’s the kind of chip that arrives with industrial ambition. Texture and crunch True to the MAX name, these are…
Walkers: Coronation Chicken
Walkers’ Coronation Chicken crisps aim to capture a classic British flavour with its creamy curry notes and subtle sweetness. On paper, it’s a promising concept, and the seasoning itself is fairly well balanced — mild mustard, a touch of mango chutney sweetness, and gentle spice all come through without overpowering…
Walkers: Ready Salted
The classic that never quite thrills. Let’s be honest—Walkers Ready Salted are the beige wallpaper of the crisp world. Iconic? Sure. But exciting? Not a chance. From the moment you open the bag, there’s no drama, no aromatic punch, just a faint whiff of something… familiar but forgettable. Texture and…
