Hula Hoops have been a fixture of British snacking since 1973. They are the ring-shaped crisps made by KP, loved by everyone from primary school kids putting them on their fingers to adults buying the oversized Big Hoops grab bags. Over 50 years on from their launch, they are worth an estimated £83 million a year in the UK, which puts them well into the top tier of British crisp brands.
This is everything you need to know about Hula Hoops: the history, all the formats and flavours, whether they are vegan or gluten free, and where to buy them in bulk.
Hula Hoops are a British crisp created in 1973 by KP Snacks in Rotherham. The standard range comes in Original, Salt and Vinegar, Cheese and Onion, Barbecue Beef, and Bacon Sizzler. Big Hoops launched in 2011 as a larger adult format. Most flavours are vegan but not all. Standard Hula Hoops are not certified gluten free.
History
Created in Rotherham in 1973
Hula Hoops were launched in 1973 by KP Snacks, a company with roots in Rotherham going back to 1853. For the full KP history, including what KP stands for, the KP Crisps guide covers it in detail. The name was a natural fit for the ring shape, borrowed loosely from the hula hoop toy that had been a cultural phenomenon since the late 1950s. The two have no connection beyond the shape: the crisp was invented in Rotherham, not America.
The basic design has not changed in 50 years. A potato and corn mixture is formed into a dough, pushed through an extruder to create hollow cylinders, cut to length, fried in sunflower oil, and seasoned while still warm. The result is the light, hollow ring with a satisfying crunch that has sold hundreds of millions of bags since 1973.
KP and Intersnack
KP Snacks, which makes Hula Hoops, was acquired by German company Intersnack in 2012. KP remains based in the UK and manufactures at several British factories, including a facility in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. The Hula Hoops brand has stayed in continuous production throughout and is now described by KP as worth £83 million annually in the UK market.
For a full breakdown of whether Hula Hoops count as a British crisp, the are Hula Hoops British guide covers that question in detail.
The formats: standard, Big Hoops, Puft, and Flavarings
Standard Hula Hoops
The original format. A 34g single bag contains around 170 calories. The standard range is available in Original (red bag), Salt and Vinegar, Cheese and Onion, Barbecue Beef, and Bacon Sizzler. Original is the most iconic and the top seller.
Big Hoops
Big Hoops launched in 2011, designed as a larger format for adults who, as KP put it, could no longer fit regular Hoops on their fingers. The rings are bigger and the bags heavier, typically 70g or 87g. Available in Original, BBQ Beef, and Salt and Vinegar.
Hula Hoops Puft
Puft launched in 2015 as a lighter, lower-calorie version. The puffed format uses a different production method that gives a crispier, less dense texture. A 20g bag contains around 72 calories. Available in Salted, Salt and Vinegar, and Beef.
Hula Hoops Flavarings
Flavarings launched in 2018 and are maize-based rather than potato, giving them a texture closer to Monster Munch than a traditional Hula Hoop. They are described on the packet as “big crispy bursts of flavour” and come in Tangy Cheese and Salt and Vinegar.
Are Hula Hoops vegan?
Most Hula Hoops flavours are vegan, but not all. Original and Salt and Vinegar are vegan. Cheese and Onion flavour is not, as it contains milk ingredients. Barbecue Beef and Bacon Sizzler also need checking individually, as some beef and bacon flavourings contain milk derivatives. For the full flavour-by-flavour breakdown, the are Hula Hoops vegan guide covers every variety.
Are Hula Hoops gluten free?
Standard Hula Hoops do not list wheat as a named ingredient, but KP flags potential cross-contamination with gluten in the manufacturing process. They are not certified gluten free and are not recommended for people with coeliac disease. For anyone with a serious gluten sensitivity, the are Hula Hoops gluten free guide goes through every format and flavour with the full allergen detail.
Buy Hula Hoops in bulk
Single bags, grab bags, multipacks, and Big Hoops are all available at One Pound Crisps. Buying by the box works out considerably cheaper per bag than picking them up individually in a supermarket.
When were Hula Hoops invented?
Hula Hoops were created in 1973 by KP Snacks in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. They have been in continuous production since then and are one of the UK’s most recognised crisp brands, now worth an estimated £83 million annually.
What flavours do Hula Hoops come in?
The standard range includes Original, Salt and Vinegar, Cheese and Onion, Barbecue Beef, and Bacon Sizzler. Big Hoops come in Original, BBQ Beef, and Salt and Vinegar. Puft comes in Salted, Salt and Vinegar, and Beef. Flavarings are available in Tangy Cheese and Salt and Vinegar.
Are Hula Hoops vegan?
Original and Salt and Vinegar Hula Hoops are vegan. Cheese and Onion is not, as it contains milk. Other flavours vary, so check the individual packaging or the dedicated vegan guide on this site for the full breakdown.
Are Hula Hoops gluten free?
Standard Hula Hoops are not certified gluten free. KP flags potential cross-contamination with gluten in the production environment. They are not recommended for people with coeliac disease. Check the current packaging for the most up-to-date allergen information.
What are Big Hoops?
Big Hoops launched in 2011 as a larger format Hula Hoop aimed at adults. The rings are bigger than standard Hula Hoops and come in heavier bags, typically 70g or 87g. Available in Original, BBQ Beef, and Salt and Vinegar.
Who makes Hula Hoops?
Hula Hoops are made by KP Snacks, which has been owned by German company Intersnack since 2012. KP Snacks also makes McCoy’s, Skips, Nik Naks, Space Raiders, and several other UK crisp brands. The crisps are manufactured in the UK.