Walkers Crisps Ingredients
A complete breakdown of the UK's best-selling crisps — Ready Salted, Cheese & Onion, and Salt & Vinegar compared side by side.
Quick Facts
~132 Calories Per 25g Bag
A standard 25g bag of Walkers Crisps contains approximately 132 calories across all three core flavours. This is about 7% of an adult's daily calorie intake.
Simple Base Ingredients
All Walkers Crisps start with the same base: potatoes, vegetable oils (sunflower, rapeseed, and corn oil in varying proportions), and salt. Flavoured varieties add seasonings on top.
Allergens: Milk (Cheese & Onion), May Contain Gluten
Cheese & Onion contains milk (lactose and cheese powder). Ready Salted and Salt & Vinegar do not contain major allergens as ingredients, but Walkers cannot guarantee they are free from cross-contamination.
Full Ingredients List by Flavour
Ready Salted
Potatoes, Vegetable Oils (Sunflower, Rapeseed, Corn in varying proportions), Salt.
Ready Salted is the simplest of the three, with just three ingredients. No flavourings, colours, or other additives are used. The potatoes are sliced, fried in vegetable oil, and seasoned with salt.
Cheese & Onion
Potatoes, Vegetable Oils (Sunflower, Rapeseed, Corn in varying proportions), Cheese & Onion Seasoning [Flavouring (contains Milk), Salt, Onion Powder, Cheese Powder (Milk), Colour (Annatto), Potassium Chloride, Lactose (Milk), Citric Acid].
Cheese & Onion adds a seasoning blend that includes real cheese powder and onion powder for flavour, annatto (E160b) for a warm golden colour, and lactose as a carrier. This flavour contains milk allergens.
Salt & Vinegar
Potatoes, Vegetable Oils (Sunflower, Rapeseed, Corn in varying proportions), Salt & Vinegar Seasoning [Potassium Chloride, Citric Acid, Salt, Dried Vinegar, Sugar, Malic Acid, Flavourings].
Salt & Vinegar uses a combination of dried vinegar and acids (citric and malic) to create the tangy, sharp flavour. A small amount of sugar balances the acidity. This flavour contains no major allergens as ingredients.
Additives Explained
| Additive | E-Number | Found In | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annatto | E160b | Cheese & Onion only | Natural orange-yellow colour derived from annatto seeds. Gives the seasoning its golden hue. Generally considered safe, though some individuals report sensitivity. |
| Citric Acid | E330 | Cheese & Onion, Salt & Vinegar | Naturally occurring acid found in citrus fruits. Adds tartness and acts as a flavour enhancer. Generally considered safe. |
| Malic Acid | E296 | Salt & Vinegar | Naturally found in apples. Provides a sharp, sour taste that complements the vinegar. Generally considered safe. |
| Potassium Chloride | E508 | Cheese & Onion, Salt & Vinegar | Used as a partial salt replacement. Provides salty taste with less sodium than table salt. Generally considered safe. |
Other Notable Points
- Vegetable Oils — Walkers uses a blend of sunflower, rapeseed, and corn oil. The exact proportions vary depending on market availability. These are all unsaturated oils with lower saturated fat than palm oil.
- No Artificial Colours in Most Flavours — Ready Salted and Salt & Vinegar contain no colours at all. Cheese & Onion uses annatto, which is a natural plant-derived colour.
- No MSG — Unlike some crisp brands, Walkers core flavours do not contain added MSG (E621) as a flavour enhancer.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition comparison across the three core Walkers flavours, per 25g bag:
| Nutrient | Ready Salted | Cheese & Onion | Salt & Vinegar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 131 kcal | 131 kcal | 132 kcal |
| Fat | 7.6g | 7.4g | 7.6g |
| - of which saturates | 0.6g | 0.6g | 0.6g |
| Carbohydrate | 13.3g | 13.5g | 13.2g |
| - of which sugars | 0.3g | 0.7g | 0.7g |
| Fibre | 1.1g | 1.1g | 1.1g |
| Protein | 1.5g | 1.6g | 1.4g |
| Salt | 0.4g | 0.5g | 0.6g |
Nutritional Context
All three flavours are nutritionally very similar. The saturated fat content is notably low (0.6g per bag) because Walkers uses sunflower and rapeseed oils rather than palm oil. Salt content ranges from 0.4g (Ready Salted) to 0.6g (Salt & Vinegar). A 25g bag provides about 7% of daily calories — moderate for a snack, though multipacks and sharing bags make it easy to eat more.
Walkers vs Other Crisps
How do Walkers compare to other popular crisp brands in the UK? Values per 100g for a fair comparison:
| Brand (per 100g) | Calories | Fat | Sat. Fat | Salt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walkers Ready Salted | 524 kcal | 30.4g | 2.4g | 1.6g |
| Pringles Original | 520 kcal | 32g | 3.0g | 1.3g |
| Kettle Chips Sea Salt | 503 kcal | 28g | 2.3g | 1.1g |
| Supermarket Own-Brand | 510–530 kcal | 28–33g | 2–4g | 1.0–1.8g |
Per 100g, most crisps are nutritionally quite similar regardless of brand. Walkers sit in the middle of the range for most nutrients. Kettle Chips tend to be slightly lower in fat due to a different cooking process (batch-fried at lower temperatures). The key differences between brands are more about flavour, texture, and ingredient quality than dramatic nutritional variation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Walkers Crisps gluten free?
Walkers Ready Salted are made from potatoes, vegetable oils, and salt — none of which contain gluten. However, Walkers states that they cannot guarantee their products are gluten-free due to manufacturing processes and potential cross-contamination. Some flavoured varieties may contain gluten-containing ingredients. If you have coeliac disease, always check the specific pack for the most current allergen information.
Which Walkers flavour is the healthiest?
All three core flavours have very similar nutritional profiles (around 131–132 calories per 25g bag). Ready Salted has the simplest ingredient list with just three ingredients and no added flavourings or colours. It also avoids milk allergens and has the lowest salt content (0.4g vs 0.5–0.6g). If simplicity of ingredients matters to you, Ready Salted is the most straightforward choice.
Do Walkers Crisps contain acrylamide?
Like all fried or baked starchy foods, Walkers Crisps will contain some acrylamide. Acrylamide forms naturally when starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures (above 120°C). The FSA advises that acrylamide levels in food should be kept as low as reasonably achievable. Walkers, as a major manufacturer, follows industry guidance on managing acrylamide formation during production, which includes careful control of frying temperatures and times.
Are any Walkers Crisps vegan?
Walkers Ready Salted and Salt & Vinegar do not contain any animal-derived ingredients. Walkers has confirmed these flavours are suitable for vegans. Cheese & Onion is not vegan as it contains milk derivatives (lactose and cheese powder). Bear in mind that cross-contamination during manufacturing is possible, so those with severe dairy allergies should exercise caution.
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