British Pub Snacks at Home: A Crisps, Crackers and Cheese Night
A pub snack night needs no cooking at all. Put out a few bowls of crisps, a pile of crackers, something sharp for the cheese and a good dollop of mustard, and you have the kind of relaxed, help-yourself spread British pubs do best. Here is how to build one at home in Spain from ingredients you can actually get hold of.
Start with the crisps
Crisps are the heart of a pub snack night, and the flavour list matters more than you might think. The classics are salt and vinegar, cheese and onion, and plain salted, and a good spread gives people a choice of all three, plus one wildcard.
Real Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar and Real Strong Cheddar & Onion cover the two flavours everybody argues about. Add Real Sea Salt for anyone who likes things simple, and Real Ham & Colman's Mustard as the conversation starter. If you have a spice fan around, Real Jalapeño brings the heat. They are hand cooked in small batches, which gives them a proper crunch.
Crackers for the cheese
Crackers do the hard work on the cheese side of the table. You want something plain enough to let the cheese and pickle speak, and something a bit more fun for snacking.
- Carr's Original Water Crackers are light and crisp, made for cheese, pâté and spreads.
- Jacob's Cream Crackers are a traditional savoury cracker that goes just as well with cheese as with soup.
- Jacob's TUC Sour Cream & Onion and TUC Paprika are made for eating straight from the bowl.
Something sharp: pickle and mustard
This is what turns a bowl of snacks into a proper plate of food. Branston Original Pickle is a chunky, sweet and tangy relish of mixed vegetables, and it is made for cheese, sandwiches and snacks. Spoon it next to your cheddar, or on a cracker with a slice of ham.
For heat, Colman's English Mustard is bold, hot and distinctive, so use a small amount. A little on a slice of ham or a roast meat sandwich goes a long way.
How to put it together
- Set out the crisps first, in separate bowls, with the mild flavours at one end and the spicy ones at the other.
- Put the crackers on a board or wide plate, with a small bowl of pickle and a small pot of mustard beside them. Give each a clean spoon.
- Add whatever cheese and cold meats you like. A mature cheddar and a few slices of ham are all you need.
- Bring out drinks that suit the mood. Our Rubicon sparkling fruit drinks and cold Barr sodas keep it relaxed.
Common mistakes
- Too many flavours. Four or five crisp flavours is plenty; more just leaves half-empty bowls.
- Too much mustard. English mustard is hot. Serve it in a small pot and let people help themselves.
- Soft crackers. Keep packs closed until you need them and refill the board in small batches.
- Everything on one plate. Keep the crisps, the cheese board and the sauces apart, so the table stays easy to share.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of crisps do I need for a get-together?
As a rule of thumb, plan on one 150 g bag between two or three people when crisps are one of several snacks, and add an extra flavour or two for larger groups.
Which crackers go best with cheese?
Carr's Original Water Crackers and Jacob's Cream Crackers are plain and crisp, so they let the cheese stand out. The TUC crackers are better as a snack on their own.
Is English mustard very hot?
It is described as bold and hot, so start with a small amount, especially with guests who have not tried it before.
Can I prepare a pub snack night in advance?
Yes. Everything here is ready to serve, so set out the bowls and board shortly before guests arrive, and keep packs closed until then so the crackers and crisps stay crisp.
What can I use the leftover pickle for?
Branston pickle is made for sandwiches, cheese and snacks, so a ham and cheese sandwich the next day is the obvious answer.
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