Hula Hoops have been on British shelves since 1973 and the ring format hasn’t changed once.
That’s over 50 years of the same shape, the same satisfying crunch, and the same habit of fitting them on your fingers before eating them. The Big Hoops range scales everything up, and both core flavours are available in full boxes at One Pound Sweets.
The History of Hula Hoops
Launched in 1973
KP Snacks launched Hula Hoops in 1973. The ring shape was the defining feature from the start: a potato-based snack with a hole in the middle that made it immediately distinctive on a crisp aisle dominated by flat or ridged formats. The name is a reference to the hula hoop toy, which was still culturally relevant in the early 1970s, and the ring shape made the connection obvious.
More than 50 years on the shelf
Very few snacks maintain the same format for over five decades without meaningful change. Hula Hoops have done it by not overthinking the product. The core range has expanded to include different sizes and flavour variations, but the fundamental thing, a ring-shaped potato snack with a solid crunch, has stayed constant. The Big Hoops variant, which One Pound Sweets stocks, is a larger version of the original format that’s become the go-to for sharing and events.
Part of the KP family
KP Snacks makes Hula Hoops alongside Nik Naks, Space Raiders and McCoy’s. It’s a portfolio that covers most of the non-potato-crisp end of the British snack market. Hula Hoops sit in the middle of that range: not as niche as Wheat Crunchies, not as boldly flavoured as Space Raiders, but consistently well liked across a broad range of ages.
Hula Hoops Big Hoops: The Flavours
Big Hoops Original
The Big Hoops Original is the lightly salted version. The flavour is mild and the focus is on the texture: a clean crunch with a satisfying bite that the ring format delivers well. Original is the one to go for if you’re buying for a group where you’re not sure about flavour preferences. It’s the safe choice in the best possible sense.
Big Hoops Salt and Vinegar
The Big Hoops Salt and Vinegar brings a sharper flavour profile. The vinegar hit is well balanced rather than overwhelming, which makes it more broadly appealing than some salt and vinegar crisps that go heavy on the acid. A good choice alongside the Original if you want to offer two options without straying too far from familiar territory.
The Big Hoops format
The Big Hoops range uses a larger ring than the standard Hula Hoops. The surface area is bigger, which means more seasoning contact per bite, and the ring is thick enough to give a proper crunch rather than the more delicate snap of the smaller version. They’re sold in boxes of 20 individual bags, which makes them practical for events, offices and anywhere you need individual portions rather than a single large sharing bag.
Why Hula Hoops Work for Events and Offices
Individual portions, broad appeal
The box of 20 format is one of the main practical reasons Hula Hoops work well for events. Each bag is a single serving, the flavours are familiar and well liked, and the price per bag at bulk rates is considerably lower than buying individual packets from a shop. For a workplace snack supply or a party where you want people to be able to grab something easily, Hula Hoops are a reliable pick.
Mixing with other crisps
Hula Hoops work well alongside bolder flavoured crisps in a snack spread. The Original in particular acts as a palate cleanser between stronger snacks. If you’re putting together a larger crisp selection, the full crisps range at One Pound Sweets has plenty to mix in alongside the Big Hoops.
Buying Hula Hoops in Bulk
Boxes of 20 from £1
Both Big Hoops flavours are available in boxes of 20 bags. Free UK delivery applies to orders over £20. Buying by the box is the most cost-effective way to keep a regular supply, and the individual bag format means nothing goes stale from an opened sharing bag. The Hula Hoops brand page has the current stock.
Fifty years is a long time for any product to stay relevant without a significant format change. Hula Hoops have done it by being consistently good at what they are: a ring-shaped crisp with a reliable crunch that people keep coming back to.
Shop Hula Hoops Big Hoops
Both flavours available in boxes of 20.