Crunch time - white bread, cheese and ready salted crisps - the ultimate crisp sandwich

A poll of 2,000 adults found we typically eat 35 crisp sandwiches each per year – amounting to two billion across the country annually.

The combination of a cheese filling and ready salted crisps was favoured by one in three respondents (31 per cent).

This was followed by cheese with cheese and onion (29 per cent) and ham with ready salted (27 per cent).

But that doesn’t stop more unusual crisp flavours sneaking into the top spots, with a simple cheese sandwich plus pickled onion crisps in eighth place, favoured by 19 per cent of people.

And when it comes to the debate of crisps ‘in’ or ‘out’ of a sandwich, 27 per cent prefer to eat them between bread, while 34 per cent opt for having them on the side of the plate.

The research, commissioned by Walkers, also found Brits are pretty fussy about their crisp sarnies, with people insisting on white sliced bread (39 per cent) cut into rectangles (47 per cent).

It emerged nearly nine in 10 have slipped the crunchy snack into their sarnie to improve the texture and flavour, while a third said crisp sandwiches make their lunch more exciting.

And 27 per cent get a feeling of nostalgia from the snack.

A video led by comedian Asim Chaudry - as his character, aerial repairman Jaz - shows some familiar faces having their say on the crisp sandwich debate, including Gary Lineker – who loves a roast chicken and salt and vinegar crisp sandwich.

Chaudry also talks to Michelin star chef, Gordon Ramsay, who is a firm ‘out’ when it comes to crisp sandwiches.

Gordon said: “It’s not even a discussion, first of all, you can’t taste the flavour of the crisps because it’s sandwiched between two layers of bread and secondly, the bread makes your crisps soggy.”

Ramsay later admitted off camera that – perhaps slightly surprisingly - his favourite combination was a humble tuna sweetcorn sandwich with salt and vinegar crisps on the side.

Asim Chaudhry, aka Jaz, said: "The crisp sandwich debate is certainly a crunchy topic and what I’ve learnt from all the people I’ve spoken to is that opinions on the perfect combination of crisps and sandwiches are extremely strong and personal.

“And while I’m not quite sure how I feel about the research suggesting a handful of the population like banana and crisp sandwiches - are you ok? -, clearly there are endless ways to create jazzy lunchtime sandwiches, whether you’re crisp in or crisp out.”

As part of his search to find the answer, the video content sees Asim consult crisp sandwich expert, librarian Ben Taylorson, whose weird and wonderful crisp sandwich creations went viral in February.

The study also found 13 per cent of adults have even served crisp sandwiches at a get together – with men twice as likely to do so as women.

When it comes to actual crisp preferences, classic potato crisps were found to be the go-to (59 per cent), but crinkle cut (14 per cent) and lower-fat alternatives such as baked crisps (8 per cent) also proved popular.

Generally, the most popular crisps to have in a sandwich were found to be cheese and onion (30 per cent), followed by ready salted (19 per cent) and salt and vinegar (14 per cent).

Smoky bacon (seven per cent) and roast chicken (five per cent) also featured.

But flavours Brits think are a no-go in sandwiches include marmite (42 per cent), prawn cocktail (32 per cent) and tomato ketchup (29 per cent).

The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found almost two thirds are most likely to indulge in the British staple for lunch, while 23 per cent see it as an afternoon snack and 13 per cent eat one before bed.

Philippa Pennington at Walkers commented: “We know that a sandwich and a bag of crisps is a British lunchtime staple, but it was clear to us from the survey that people felt very strongly about whether or not the crisps should be eaten in their sandwich or on the side.

“It was truly getting heated. So, we thought we’d try and settle the debate once and for all…’Crisp In’, or ‘Crisp Out’?

“We’re calling on people to head to Twitter to have their say.

"I should probably remain impartial, but it’s a strong ‘Crisp In’ from me - delicious Walkers salt and vinegar flavour crisps with cheese and tomato all the way.”

NATION’S TOP 20 FAVOURITE CRISP SARNIES

1. Cheese sandwich with Ready Salted crisps

2. Cheese sandwich with Cheese & Onion crisps

3. Ham sandwich with Ready Salted crisps

4. Cheese and ham sandwich with Ready Salted crisps

5. Ham sandwich with Cheese & Onion crisps

6. Cheese sandwich with Salt & Vinegar crisps

7. Cheese and ham sandwich with Cheese & Onion crisps

8. Cheese sandwich with Pickled Onion crisps

9. Egg & Cress sandwich with Ready Salted crisps

10. Cheese and pickle sandwich with Ready Salted crisps

11. Cheese sandwich with Smoky Bacon crisps

12. Ham sandwich with Salt & Vinegar crisps13. Ham sandwich with Smoky Bacon crisps

14. Cheese sandwich with Roast Chicken crisps

15. Chicken salad sandwich with Roast Chicken crisps

16. Cheese and pickle sandwich with Cheese & Onion crisps

17. Chicken salad sandwich with Ready Salted crisps

18. Ploughman’s (Cheese, Ham and Pickle) with Ready Salted crisps

19. Ham sandwich with Roast Chicken crisps

20. Cheese sandwich with Marmite crisps

BRITS’ FAVOURITE CRISPS TO PUT IN A SANDWICH:

1. Cheese and onion

2. Ready salted

3. Salt and vinegar

4. Smoky bacon

5. Roast chicken

CRISPS BRITS WOULD MOST AVOID PUTTING IN A SANDWICH:

1. Marmite

2. Prawn cocktail

3. Tomato ketchup

4. Worcester sauce

5. Pickled Onion