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34 Phonebox Magazine | December 2025They%u2019re the perfect accompaniment to predinner drinks. And the big stores have all launched festive fl avoured versions. Phonebox Foodie discovers the latest Christmas crisps.Try this recipe that uses unwanted broken crisps.Tuna Noodle CasseroleIngredients:1 (16 oz) package uncooked pasta shells2 (5 oz) cans tuna, drained1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of celery soup12 oz milk1 tsp salt%u00bc tsp ground black pepper1 teaspoon crushed garlic4 slices processed cheese12 oz crushed crispsMethod:Boil pasta in lightly salted water for 10 minutes, drain well, then return to its pot. Preheat oven to 350F / 175 C. Spray your casserole dish with cooking spray. Mix tuna with cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, milk, salt, black pepper, and garlic in a medium saucepan. Heat through gently on medium setting or warm up in the microwave.Mix tuna mixture with pasta. Spread 1/2 of the noodles into the prepared dish. Arrange the cheese slices over the noodles, then spread the remaining noodle mixture over the cheese. Top with crushed potato chips. Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes until hot, and the crisps begin to brown. What%u2019s the use of some lovely pre-dinner drinks and aperitifs if there are no snacks and nibbles to go with them?The big stores know this, and each year they release a tempting array of festive crisps and snacks for all the family to enjoy. Latest research has revealed that crisps and dips are among the most popular party foods available, with 39% saying they are top of their list. And more than half of those questioned (52%) said they enjoyed trying new and unexpected festive fl avours at Christmas-time. From turkey fl avoured tortillas to Pigs in Blankets crisps, Bucks Fizz popcorn to pickled onion balls, there is a wide range of tasty new snacks to try this year.And, since the crisp manufacturers have been able to recreate flavours authentically and add them to their products, the popularity of these potato snacks has grown hugely. Popular in wartime, crisps became a staple of the British diet in peace time and have been an ever-present in shops, hotels and restaurants ever since. They came about in the 1850s when a New York restaurant customer asked for his %u2018mushy%u2019 fried potatoes to be re-cooked. Chef George Crum fl ew into a rage and crisped them in oil adding a pinch of salt as he went. The result was amazing and soon caught on. In Britain, Smith%u2019s Crisps were founded in 1922, Golden Wonder launched in 1932 and Walkers was formed in 1954.From traditional fl avours like Ready Salted and Cheese and Onion to more adventurous fl avour seasonings from around the world (Nduja Sausage, Sweet Chilli and Cheese Pizza), there is always something new to try in the potato crisp department. And Christmas gives us a wonderful opportunity to do just that.This year, for example, Tesco is off ering Pigs in Blankets, Roast Rib of Beef and Turkey and Sage Butter crisps along with Turkey Tikka tortillas and Bucks Fizz popcorn. Morrison%u2019s has festive delights including Pigs in Blankets ridge crisps, Truffl e & Italian Cheese crisps and Spicy Prawn Cocktail skin-on crisps. Aldi is giving a nod to the festive season with their Beechwood Smoked Pigs in Blankets Hand Cooked Crisps, Angus Beef Wellington Crinkle Crisps and Camembert, Chilli & Honey Crinkle Crisps. And Co-op has Roast Duck & Spiced Clementine, Pigs in Blankets and Black Garlic & Camembert crisps, along with a Chocolate and Orange Nut Mix on its shelves.Phonebox FoodieMerry Crisp-mas!