Walkers Squares Salt and Vinegar Snacks, 40g

Walkers Squares are square, ridged potato snacks made from a potato dough, and Salt and Vinegar is the sharp one. This is the 40g grab bag, which the listing says is one serving. The full product name on the pack is salt and vinegar flavour potato snack, and the pack names Walkers Snack Foods Ltd as the maker.

The ingredients

According to the published pack listing, the snacks are made from potato granules, sunflower oil, potato starch, a salt and vinegar flavour (flavouring, citric acid, sugar, flavour enhancers monosodium glutamate and disodium guanylate, and potassium chloride), maltodextrin and salt.

Potato granules

Potato granules are dried, cooked potato, the same thing as instant mash. Mixed with potato starch into a dough and cut into squares, they give Squares their even, crisp bite, with a ridged surface that holds the seasoning.

Vinegar without vinegar

There is no vinegar and no vinegar powder on the list. The sharp taste comes from the flavouring, which leads the seasoning, and citric acid, with a little sugar to round it.

Two flavour enhancers

The flavour enhancers are monosodium glutamate and disodium guanylate, which work together to deepen the savoury side of the seasoning. Anyone who avoids MSG should read the list.

Potassium chloride and the salt figure

Potassium chloride sits in the seasoning beside salt. It tastes salty but contains no sodium, and the salt figure on a UK label is worked out from sodium. The label gives 2.2g of salt per 100g and 0.88g for the bag.

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin, a carbohydrate made from starch, carries the seasoning so it spreads evenly over each square.

Disodium guanylate

Disodium guanylate is a flavour enhancer usually used alongside MSG; together they give a stronger savoury effect than either on its own.

Citric acid and sugar

Citric acid, the acid of lemons, gives the sharp, clean tang, bright rather than pungent without real vinegar. A little sugar rounds it: the label gives 3.5g of sugars per 100g, green.

Fibre and protein

The label gives 5.5g of fibre and 6.5g of protein per 100g, from the potato.

The crunch

The ridges make each square crunch in two stages: the crisp edge first, then the thicker middle.

Numbers for the bag

The label gives 177 kcal, 7.2g of fat, 0.6g of saturates, 24g of carbohydrate, 1.4g of sugars, 2.2g of fibre, 2.6g of protein and 0.88g of salt for the 40g bag. That is about 9% of an average adult's daily energy reference intake, 10% of the fat and 15% of the salt. Per 100g it is 443 kcal (1858 kJ), 18g of fat, 1.5g of saturates, 61g of carbohydrate, 3.5g of sugars, 5.5g of fibre, 6.5g of protein and 2.2g of salt.

Reading the front of the pack

On the UK front of pack scale, per 100g, fat at 18g is red, just over the 17.5g line. Saturates at 1.5g are green, right on the line. Sugars at 3.5g are green. Salt at 2.2g is red.

Allergens and diet

No allergens from the UK list of 14 are highlighted in the published ingredients. The allergy advice says the snacks may contain cereals containing gluten, milk and soya. The pack says they are suitable for vegetarians; there is no vegan statement and no gluten free claim. Recipes and factory arrangements change, so check the allergy advice on the pack you receive.

What the pack leaves out

The pack says there are no artificial colours, and there is no colour on the list at all.

Sunflower oil

Sunflower oil is the only oil on the list. The label gives 1.5g of saturates per 100g.

The shape

The brand describes Squares as potato snacks with angles: flat, ridged squares with crisp edges, sturdy enough to stay whole in a bag.

A grab bag

At 40g, the grab bag holds almost twice a 22g multipack bag, 177 kcal against 97 kcal.

In the variety pack

Salt and Vinegar is one of the three flavours in the twelve bag Squares Variety pack, beside Ready Salted and Cheese and Onion.

The pack

The blue bag carries a red grab bag band, the Walkers logo over the white Squares name, a salt and vinegar flash and a few squares beside the 40g weight.

Who it suits

A sharp, crunchy potato snack in a bag for one suits a journey or an afternoon snack. It is not suitable for anyone avoiding MSG.

Serving ideas

A grab bag goes with a cheese sandwich, a sausage roll or a fish finger sandwich.

In the kitchen

Crushed, the squares make a sharp, crisp crumb for fish goujons or the top of mushy peas.

Storage and packaging

The listing advises a cool, dry place and points you to the Walkers website for how to recycle the packet.

Other Squares

The same recipe comes in a six pack of 22g bags, and Salt and Vinegar is one of the three flavours in the twelve bag Squares Variety pack.

Sizes of Walkers Squares Salt and Vinegar Snacks we stock

Figures as published on each pack's label.

The published listing gives the United Kingdom as the country of origin. The tasting notes on this page are our own editorial assessment against the current pack format and the brand's published description.