Seven in ten Brits (69%) admit to unconventional eating habits when it comes to snacking on crisps – including crushing them to a powder to “drink” them out of the bag, and mixing multiple flavours at once.
More than a quarter of crisp lovers (28%) will lick their fingers to enjoy every last crumb in the packet, while 13% even dip them into a cup of tea or a milkshake.
The top way to enjoy the salty snack is the traditional method of eating them one by one – but others chomp multiple crisps at once, and some even use cutlery or chopsticks to keep their fingers clean.
And 71%, of the 2,000 adults polled, believe that crisps taste better if they are eaten in a specific way.
The research was commissioned by Doritos after hundreds went online to reveal the “secret” ways they snack – including submerging chips in dip to make them soggy, and chomping them as loudly as possible.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/dieting/recipes/article29223662.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Doritos_Feast-Beast_Still_06.jpg)
Taste expert Natalie Alibrandi, who has collaborated with the snack brand, explained the science behind why adults may choose an unusual eating method.
She said: “Lots of the secret snacking styles are proven by science to increase enjoyment.
“For example, eating lots of crisps together achieves a concentrated flavour burst, and nibbling prolongs flavour exposure.”
The study also found the North West was the “finger-licking capital”, with 34% licking their fingers to mop up the last few crumbs at the bottom of each packet.
And London was the city of shy snackers, with 19% eating theirs as quietly as possible so they can enjoy them on their own.
Residents of the West Midlands were a group of unsubtle snackers, as a third have been caught red-handed when unleashing their favourite ways to munch.
And Gen Z was found to be the age group which is the most experimental, with 21% dipping their chips while holding it in their mouth, and 21% opting to warm their crisps up in the oven before eating them.
Nearly a quarter (23%) even admitted to eating their tortilla chips with chocolate for that salty sweet hit.
As the social media generation, 44% of the younger age group have also been inspired by Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook to try a new snack.
Alex Nicholas, from Doritos, which commissioned the research to launch its new “Doritos Devour” ad campaign, said: “There’s no doubt that we’re a nation with bold snacking styles – and while some of us feel confident to air them in social situations, many of us only feel confident unleashing them behind closed doors.
“We celebrate individuality, and we want people to enjoy our bold flavours and crunch in fun and unique ways, however and wherever they choose.
“That’s why we have teamed up with flavour expert Natalie Alibrandi, to empower snackers to embrace their own ways to enjoy tortilla chips.
“Natalie reminds us that while the habits of licking the flavour off, chomping through a few at a time, or nibbling each chip bit by bit may not be everyone’s cup of tea, they can maximise the taste experience – and so we say just go for it.”
TOP WAYS CRISPS ARE EATEN BY BRITS:
- Eating them one by one
- Licking your fingers to pick up the last few crumbs
- Chomping multiple crisps at once
- Nibbling them bit by bit to make them last longer
- “Drinking” them straight out of the bag
- Eating half a dozen crisps in one go for a massive flavour blast
- Sucking them
- Licking them before eating them
- Eating them with cheese crumbled on top
- Eating as quietly as possible so you don't have to share
- Crushing crisps up and pouring them into your mouth
- Mixing up multiple flavours
- Warming them in the oven before eating
- Putting them on top of a savoury dish i.e. a pie
- Closing your eyes so you can taste the flavour more
- Pairing them with something sweet i.e. a piece of chocolate
- Chomping them as loudly as possible
- Chucking them up in the air and catching them in your mouth
- Covering them in chilli sauce
- Dipping a crisp into a dip while holding it in your mouth
- Smashing them all up into a powder, than eating them
- Putting the dip in your mouth first before eating the crisp
- Leaving tortilla chips in a dip or salsa to go soggy
- Using chopsticks to avoid getting seasoning on your fingers
- Using cutlery to avoid getting crisp grease on your hands