How Many Calories in a Bag of Walkers Crisps

Walkers’ crisps are a staple of British lunchboxes and snack cupboards. Whether you reach for Ready Salted, Cheese & Onion or Salt & Vinegar, they’re among the UK’s most recognised savoury snacks. But how many calories are packed into a standard bag of Walkers crisps, and how do those numbers stack up when it comes to your daily intake?

Calories in Walkers Crisps by Bag Size and Flavour

A standard 32.5g bag of Walkers crisps contains between 165 and 173 calories, depending on the flavour. For example, Ready Salted tends to be around 168 calories, Cheese & Onion about 169, and Salt & Vinegar roughly 171. The calorie difference between flavours is minor but can edge slightly higher for more heavily seasoned varieties.

Smaller multipack bags, typically 25g, contain 130 to 135 calories, while larger grab bags of 50g can have 260 to 270 calories per bag.

Although calorie count varies slightly, the energy density remains consistent: Walkers crisps deliver about 530 to 550 calories per 100g, meaning they’re calorie-rich relative to volume.

Nutritional Breakdown of a Bag of Walkers Crisps

A standard 32.5g bag of Walkers Ready Salted crisps contains roughly 10g of fat, of which 0.8g is saturated fat, along with 15g of carbohydrates, almost all from starch with around 0.2g of sugar. The bag also contains 1.2g of protein, 0.7g of fibre, and 0.4g of salt.

Most of the calories come from fat and carbohydrates, with very little in the way of protein, vitamins or minerals. Walkers’ crisps are made from potatoes, sunflower oil and seasoning blends, making them high in refined carbs and processed fat with minimal nutritional value.

Health Benefits of Walkers Crisps

From a nutritional standpoint, Walkers crisps don’t offer many direct health benefits. They do provide fast energy from carbohydrates and some unsaturated fats from the sunflower oil used in cooking. However, the benefits are limited and heavily outweighed by their salt, fat and energy density.

For people needing quick fuel such as hikers or manual labourers, a small bag of crisps can help restore energy quickly. But for the average person, they’re more of a convenience food than a source of functional nutrition.

Downsides of Eating Walkers Crisps

Walkers’ crisps are high in calories, fat and sodium, making them a poor choice for regular snacking if you’re aiming to lose weight, manage blood pressure or eat clean. The refined carbs and lack of fibre mean they digest quickly and won’t keep you full for long, which can lead to overeating later.

The salt content, while within regulatory limits, contributes to daily sodium intake and can raise blood pressure over time when consumed frequently. The combination of salt and fat also triggers reward pathways in the brain, making crisps easy to overconsume, especially in social settings or when mindlessly snacking.

Walkers’ crisps are also ultra-processed, which means they contain additives, flavourings and stabilisers that offer no nutritional benefit and can lead to poor overall diet quality when eaten frequently.

Impact on Your Diet

A single 32.5g bag of Walkers crisps fits into most calorie-controlled diets, but it offers little nutritional payoff. It’s a quick hit of carbs and salt without any substantial protein, fibre or micronutrients. If eaten occasionally, it won’t derail your goals but regular consumption can crowd out healthier snacks and push your calorie intake beyond target, especially when paired with sandwiches or fizzy drinks.

For those managing weight or cholesterol, Walkers crisps should be viewed as an occasional indulgence, not a daily snack.

Glycaemic Index (GI) Position

Walkers’ crisps are made from white potatoes, which have a high glycaemic index. Once fried and salted, the GI is somewhat reduced by the fat content, but they still raise blood sugar levels relatively quickly compared to low-GI foods.

This makes them less suitable for people trying to stabilise energy levels or manage diabetes. The rapid digestion and low fibre content also mean they have poor satiety, which can encourage further snacking soon after.

How Walkers Crisps Are Made and What’s in Them

Walkers’ crisps are made by thinly slicing white potatoes, frying them in sunflower oil, and coating them in seasoning blends. The core ingredients are simple: potatoes, vegetable oil (usually 100% sunflower oil), and various flavourings including salt, onion powder, sugar, and flavour enhancers like monosodium glutamate (MSG) depending on the variety.

They are then cooled, packaged and sealed to preserve crunch and shelf life. The production process removes nearly all moisture, concentrating calories and reducing volume which is why a small bag can contain so many calories.

There are no fresh or whole ingredients beyond the original potato, making them a highly processed snack food.

A Healthier Alternative to Walkers Crisps

If you’re looking for a better snack option, try air-popped popcorn, roasted chickpeas, rice cakes or vegetable sticks with hummus. These options offer fibre, protein, and significantly fewer calories per gram, helping you feel fuller for longer.

If you still want something crunchy and salty, baked vegetable crisps or low-fat crisp alternatives with fewer additives may satisfy the craving without the calorie and salt load of standard Walkers crisps.

Summary

A 32.5g bag of Walkers crisps contains around 165 to 173 calories, mostly from fat and refined carbs. It’s high in salt and low in fibre, protein and essential nutrients, making it a poor daily snack choice. With a high glycaemic index and minimal satiety, crisps are easy to overeat and offer little dietary value. While fine in moderation, healthier alternatives like popcorn, roasted legumes or veggie sticks offer more nutrition with fewer downsides.