Buzz
When you're without a bowl, there are a couple of techniques to open a snack bag–the fold-under bowl or the puncture-and-twist method. However, not all snacks are chips, and some come in smaller packages that may not be suited for these methods. If you’re sharing snacks in a setting without a bowl, mastering these two snack bag opening methods is essential for maximum shareability.
If you've ever cracked open a bag of chips, gummy bears, or Cheez-Its at a bar, you know how it feels to be the snack hero. The problem is, the typical top-side opening is narrow, and with friends eager for free food, things can get messy. There are many hands diving into the bag, covered in flavor powder, and gummy bears getting grabbed before anyone can pick one. The trick to successful snack sharing is to make the bag opening as wide as possible, presenting the snacks in a way that’s easy to reach, without the risk of spilling or losing any.
The Picnic Blanket Approach
I've discovered that the picnic blanket method creates the most appealing presentation, allowing people to easily locate their desired pretzel and grab it from the pile, even if they've had a few drinks. The key is to open the bag along all three seams and unfold the flaps to create a ‘blanket,’ with the snacks resting neatly in the center.
Start by opening the top seam, just like you would with any regular bag of chips. Open it fully.
Along the back of the bag, there’s a vertical seam, which could either be a flap or a pressed seam. Make sure the front of the bag is resting on a flat surface. From the point where you’ve already opened the bag, start splitting the back seam. If it’s a pressed seam, like the one on my bag of Bambas, rip it and follow the seam down the middle.
Tear apart the final bottom seam, and the two flaps will unfold into the picnic blanket, laying flat and revealing the snacks inside. As long as the surface beneath is stable, this method provides the most access to the goodies within.
The Simple Side Bowl
The side bowl is a great choice if you want easy access while still maintaining a bit of structure. This method offers a wide opening and shallow depth, much like the picnic blanket technique, but with the added benefit of having sides. Rather than opening the top seam, which creates a narrow, deep opening, you’ll tear a strip down the side of the bag from top to bottom to create a wide opening and a shallow ‘bowl.’
Most snack bags feature a rippled edge seam or a notch meant for tearing open. Hold the bag sideways and start at one of the ends. Rip down one of the edge ripples or the provided notch. Tearing closer to the center will make the bag shallower.
Instead of angling off to create a hand hole, continue ripping straight down to the other end. Once you’ve torn off the strip completely, shake the bag a bit, and it will stand on its own. Now, grab a few Chex Mix bagel chips and enjoy your newfound status as a snack hero, solidifying your place among the legends.
