An undisputed staple in British snacking culture, crisps hold a special place in our hearts – they're a lunchbox must, a pub favourite and the undisputed star of any party spread. Beyond the classic potato variety, the nation’s favourites include corn snacks, lentil chips and all sorts of other quirky creations. Here, we rank the most iconic flavours ever created, counting down to reveal the greatest British crisps of all time.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover our ultimate ranking of British crisp flavours – did your favourite make the cut?
Our selections and ranking are based on genuine user reviews, popular opinion and the experience of our expert team. This list is unavoidably subjective.
A school playground favourite, Tangy Toms were the snack of choice for many kids growing up in the 1980s and 1990s. These small, seriously crunchy spheres packed a tomato flavour punch that lingered long after they’d melted in your mouth. Adding to their appeal, they were also famously cheap, making them the perfect pocket money purchase. While you don’t spot them on supermarket shelves often these days, fans can still seek out packets on eBay and Amazon.
When Aldi launched its limited-edition Specially Selected Garlic Bread Flavour Crinkle Cut Crisps in 2023, they went down a storm, with fans instantly calling for the item to be made permanent. Thick-cut, with plenty of garlicky, buttery flavour and a seriously satisfying crunch, these cult-favourite crisps proved that a supermarket own-brand can rival the big names when it comes to sensational snacking. Be warned, though: they only tend to appear on shelves sporadically, as part of the chain’s Specialbuys series.
Bold and tangy with a distinctively savoury flavour – and instantly recognisable by their signature purple packet – Walkers Worcester Sauce crisps mimic the taste of the much-loved condiment perfectly. Delicious munched alone or layered inside a cheese sandwich, the crisp brand discontinued the flavour in 2023. Fans were distraught and made their feelings well known – so much so that the flavour made a nationwide return in March 2025. Here’s hoping they’re now here to stay.
While technically more of a baked snack than a crisp, these fish and chip–shaped savoury biscuits, which come in packets complete with a newspaper design, are such a British classic we’re giving them a place on this list. A firm favourite in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, these delightfully savoury salty snacks disappeared for a time but have made a much-warranted return to select supermarket shelves in recent years, meaning that a whole new generation can enjoy a taste of the seaside in snack form.
The flavour of yeast extract (aka Marmite) is controversial at the best of times. Put it on a dry, knobbly snack with a name that conjures up thoughts of twigs, and you have something that's bound to split the room at any party. With their firm snap, hearty crunch and a taste bud–tingling blend of bitter, charred and tangy notes, Twiglets aren’t for the timid. But for those who love them, they’re irresistible. Twiglets were launched in the 1930s by Jacob’s, and they've been provoking passionate debate (and loyal devotion) ever since.
Those mourning the loss of Brannigans Roast Beef and Mustard (more on them later) are constantly looking for a replacement – and some say this cult-favourite offering from Tesco is even better. These crinkle-cut crisps have a firm snap and an intense flavour. Hand cooked in small batches, they’re tumbled in a generous coating of meaty beef and spicy horseradish flavouring.
Crisp connoisseurs name Pipers among the tastiest British brands, and this beef flavour is usually the top pick. The very best beef from grass-fed cattle – raised sustainably on Great Berwick Organic Farm – is dry aged to give these crisps a truly meaty taste. As well as the deep and natural flavour, fans praise the size of the crisps and their balanced texture, saying they have just the right amount of crunch.
Before crisps were salted in the packet, you were expected to season your own. ‘Salt and shake’ flavours are still available from brands like Walkers (formerly Smiths), giving you the option of adding as much or as little of the included packet of salt as you like. The downside is that the salt doesn’t stick to the crisps quite as well as it does when added to hot crisps fresh out of the fryer or oven; however, the fun of shaking the bag makes up for it.
Prawn cocktail is a quintessentially British crisp flavour. It doesn’t really taste of prawns at all; instead, it tastes like tangy Marie Rose cocktail sauce – a mix of ketchup, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. Classic Skips, the melt-on-your-tongue, shell-shaped snacks, have been carrying this flavour since their launch in 1974. Other varieties have come and gone, but for anyone who grew up with them, nothing beats the original – light as air, gone in seconds, and leaving that sweet-savoury tingle that keeps you reaching back into the bag.
A fixture of corner shops, tuck shops and petrol stations, alien-shaped Space Raiders come in small, pocket money–friendly bags. Their unmistakable pickled onion flavour packs a punch, coating every airy corn puff. Light and crunchy, these 1980s legends are a nostalgic treat – though be warned, they have a knack for turning into a slightly soggy mush that loves to lodge in your teeth.
Only Japanese wagyu beef will do for artisan crisp company Savoursmiths' signature flavour. Paired with honey mustard, it’s a blend that captures the richness of marbled wagyu and the tangy-sweet kick of the condiment in every bite. These finely sliced, perfectly crisp potatoes have a satisfying crunch, and they more than live up to their premium reputation – it's no wonder you’ll find them on shelves at Harrods and Selfridges. Utterly moreish and indulgent, they even come in a vegan version, so no one has to miss out.
Small-batch crisp company Burts hand cooks crisps in classic flavours, including an all-time favourite: cheese and onion. The Devon brand harnesses local ingredients for great quality and flavour, using a mature Cheddar for a supremely cheesy taste. Fans love the crunch level of the crisps; the only complaint is that they can be hard to find outside of the South West of England.
Tyrells may not have been the first brand to offer a sweet chilli crisp, but fans insist its Sweet Chilli & Red Pepper variety is the best around. Packed with cayenne, dried red pepper and a blend of herbs and spices, these hand-cooked crisps deliver an authentic, punchy flavour that keeps you reaching for more. Made from carefully selected British potatoes, they combine quality ingredients with irresistible crunch. Founded in 2002, Tyrells may be a relative newcomer to the crisp scene compared with veterans like Walkers; however, in just a couple of decades, they’ve earned a spot among Britain’s top crisp brands.
Formerly Mackie’s of Scotland, Taylors started out in 2009 with some extraordinarily Scottish flavours, including Lorne Sausage and Brown Sauce and Boxing Day Curry. Now rebranded, only a couple of particularly Scottish varieties remain, including the spectacular Haggis and Cracked Black Pepper flavour. Some feel that the rebrand came with a dip in quality, but others are still in love with the deeply savoury crisps, even if the black pepper can sometimes overwhelm the taste of the haggis.
They might look like chips, and they may even be named after them, but Chipsticks are no potato fry. Made from cornstarch and dried potato granules, these salty little batons have been zapping taste buds since they were launched by Smiths in 1971. Light yet fiercely crunchy, they deliver an unapologetically sharp salt and vinegar hit – the kind that can make your eyes water and your tongue tingle. Other brands may try to imitate them, but loyal fans insist they’re mere pretenders. For the true experience, it has to be Smiths.
They look a little like Styrofoam packaging but, thanks to a dusting of extra cheesy flavouring, they definitely don’t taste like it. Originally produced by Golden Wonder – and now a Walkers brand – Wotsits aren’t as indescribable as their name suggests. They’re puffed corn snacks that are best known for their cheese flavour, although other options are available. Melt-in-the-mouth and the perfect fit for any lunchbox, they may be remembered by 1990s kids for containing collectable Pogs and football stickers.
Do Scampi Fries exist beyond the pub? Legend says yes, but sightings are rare. These fishy treats are sure to bring back memories of sitting beside your dad at his favourite haunt, nursing a bottle of pop. Despite the name, Scampi Fries have little to do with the breaded langoustine tails you’d expect from the local chippy. According to a former Smiths employee, it’s actually Dover sole that gives these golden, crispy pillows their unmistakable taste.
Irregularly shaped and instantly recognisable, Nik Naks come in four flavours (with cheese joining the lineup most recently). However, it’s the Nice ‘N’ Spicy variety that usually steals the show. Sweet, salty and slightly spicy all at once, these snacks have a soft texture, but they still retain a slight bite. Their knobbly appearance is unmistakable, and even spotting a packet can trigger a wave of nostalgia. First produced in 1982, these quirky crisps have remained a beloved snack for generations of crisp lovers.
A party for the taste buds if there ever was one, Discos have been delighting snackers who like their crisps to pack a properly zippy flavour punch since 1979. Produced by KP Snacks, the crunchy, disc-shaped delights were a lunchbox staple across the UK throughout the 1980s and 1990s and come in three iconic flavours: Cheese & Onion, Prawn Cocktail and Salt & Vinegar. While Cheese & Onion is perhaps the most popular of the lot, the previously discontinued Pickled Onion flavour made a triumphant return in summer 2025, some twenty years after it was axed.
Often more smoky than meaty, bacon-flavoured snacks are a British institution, from potato crisps to the iconic corn-based Frazzles. Launched by Smiths in 1975, these crunchy orange rectangles remain a firm favourite, especially in multipack form. Each little 18g bag packs in bold bacon flavour without overdoing it – and at just 87 calories, they’re a smart snack for anyone trying not to overindulge. Even better, despite that unmistakable smoky punch, Frazzles are suitable for vegetarians, showing you can enjoy the taste of bacon without the actual bacon.
Another childhood classic, Hula Hoops have been delighting snack lovers since KP Snacks launched them in 1973. Their iconic ring shape and perfectly balanced crunch make the Original variety a timeless favourite, delivering just the right hit of salty satisfaction. While flavours like Cheese & Onion and Salt & Vinegar have their fans, it’s the simplicity of this old-school variety that keeps people coming back. And, of course, part of the fun is slipping them onto your fingers and eating them one by one.
It’s apt that these square crisps were once advertised as ‘the crisp that isn’t a crisp’ – they’re technically potato snacks, rather than pure potato crisps. Fans of Squares don’t mind that they’re more processed, though, especially as they’ve always been lower in fat than traditional crisps. Notorious for the finger-licking residue of intense flavour that can be found at the bottom of the packet, the Salt & Vinegar flavour is the pick of the lot. However, some crisp fans say the packs contain less of the flavouring than they used to.
A favourite since 1968, Quavers have been bringing cheesy joy to packed lunches for generations. Originally made by Smiths, they’re now part of the Walkers family of brands. Unlike traditional potato crisps, these light, curly bites are made from the potato starch left over from making regular crisps; they're shaped into strips, deep fried and coated in a super-cheesy flavour. Their name is said to come from the curl of a quaver musical note – a fitting nod to their playful, twirling shape that melts delightfully on the tongue.
Some say Wheat Crunchies are the ultimate post-swim vending machine snack – best enjoyed with damp hair, a whiff of chlorine and the satisfaction of conquering the deep end. Nostalgia might play a part in their enduring place in British hearts, but their appeal runs deeper. The Crispy Bacon variety, in particular, wins praise for its smoky, savoury punch, and those tube-shaped bites deliver exactly what their name promises: a loud, satisfying crunch, even if the packet never seems quite big enough.
Ask any Brit which snacks you shouldn’t miss (or what to send a homesick expat), and Pickled Onion Monster Munch will almost certainly top the list. This quintessentially British flavour transforms the iconic claw-shaped corn snacks into tangy, crunchy bites that make your lips pucker in delight. With their airy texture and eye-watering tang, they’re packed with nostalgia. Created by Smiths in 1977 and now made by Walkers, Monster Munch remain a firm favourite with kids and adults alike.
Chicken-flavoured crisps may be rarer than their meaty cousins, beef and bacon; however, when done well, they capture both the irresistible crunch of chicken skin and the savoury comfort of roast potatoes smothered in gravy. These crisps are cut thicker than standard Walkers, crafted from specially selected potatoes to deliver a truly premium bite. The roasted chicken flavour is elevated with subtle hints of lemon and thyme, creating a taste so authentic it could almost stand in for a real Sunday roast.
A supermarket offering that’s gained cult status, Co-op’s refined take on classic salt and vinegar crisps ramps up the flavour. These hand-cooked crisps are made in small batches, using potatoes specially selected in Herefordshire. The Chardonnay wine vinegar turns up the dial on the tang, which is perfectly balanced out by a scattering of sea salt. Fans say they’re the salt and vinegar crisps to buy if you want something punchy and a bit posh.
Gone but definitely not forgotten, Brannigans Roast Beef and Mustard crisps live on in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts. They're regularly voted the most-missed discontinued potato crisps, and many are still looking for a replacement to help scratch the itch. The whole Brannigans range was ditched by KP Snacks in 2020 due to a fall in demand, but people are still mourning this strong flavour – so much so that petitions have even been started to bring it back.
This classic flavour consistently tops polls of the nation’s favourites. Crisp lovers swear by its perfect balance of tang and deep savoury notes – a combination that seems impossible to beat. Almost every brand offers a version, from simple cheese and onion to more inventive takes, but it’s Walkers that continues to hold the crown. And for the record, its packets have always been blue – not green, as urban legend would have it.
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Last updated by Emily Shardlow-Price.