Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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Tater Tots Were Never Supposed to Be Food... Then They Took Over America.
Tater tots are one of America's favorite side dishes, but they were never supposed to exist. They were invented in the 1950s after two Oregon farmers refused to throw away leftover potato scraps from french fry production. What started as an attempt to reduce waste became one of the biggest frozen food success stories in history.
In this episode, we're tracing the surprising history of the tater tot, from the founding of Ore-Ida and the invention of the iconic potato snack to the marketing gamble that made America fall in love with them. Then we're making homemade tater tots from scratch using Kenji LĂłpez-Alt's technique, complete with three homemade dipping sauces to see if they can beat the frozen classic.
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RECIPE: adamwitt.co/allrecipes/homemadetatertots
________________________________________________________
STUFF I USE…
My Cookware Set: amzn.to/3vaWhbG
My Dutch Oven: amzn.to/48MKuhq
Portable Single-burner Stove: amzn.to/3IytyjV
Butane Torch: amzn.to/48TkQra
Deli Containers: amzn.to/49QO635
Large Mason Jars (32oz, wide mouth): amzn.to/49QO635
Rust-proof Mason Jar Lids: amzn.to/49QWlfy
Butane Canisters: amzn.to/3wLUtpM
Coarse Reinforced Strainer: amzn.to/3PePLHK
Fine Mesh Reinforced Strainer: amzn.to/3TxvkYP
Sheet Trays: amzn.to/3IG3zXL
The BEST Smash Burger Spatula: amzn.to/3UdSHab
Cutting Board Scraper: amzn.to/3Jy64fx
Ice Cream Maker: amzn.to/3wd2vIu
My Induction Burner: amzn.to/4dfhJNE
________________________________________________________
TIMESTAMPS…
00:00 The Perfect Bite
00:45 The Grigg Brothers Bet Everything
01:46 The Potato Scrap Problem
03:11 The Birth of the Tater Tot
04:25 How Tater Tots Took Over America
06:16 The Marketing Genius Behind Tater Tots
08:36 Making Homemade Tater Tots
20:52 Three Dipping Sauces
24:31 Tater Tot Taste Test
________________________________________________________
#TaterTots #FoodHistory #Cooking
Disclaimer: I earn commission income with qualifying purchases made through Amazon’s Affiliate program and other affiliate links in this description.
Head to betterhelp.com/AdamWitt to get 10% off your first month with our sponsor, BetterHelp. Therapy can be a meaningful space to reflect, grow, and create positive change in your life.
Tater Tots Were Never Supposed to Be Food... Then They Took Over America.
Tater tots are one of America's favorite side dishes, but they were never supposed to exist. They were invented in the 1950s after two Oregon farmers refused to throw away leftover potato scraps from french fry production. What started as an attempt to reduce waste became one of the biggest frozen food success stories in history.
In this episode, we're tracing the surprising history of the tater tot, from the founding of Ore-Ida and the invention of the iconic potato snack to the marketing gamble that made America fall in love with them. Then we're making homemade tater tots from scratch using Kenji LĂłpez-Alt's technique, complete with three homemade dipping sauces to see if they can beat the frozen classic.
đź‘•SUPPORT THE CHAN, COP SOME MERCH!: https://adamwitt.store/
🫶CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROCERY FUND! (Patreon): patreon.com/adamwitt
đź‘ľDISCORD: discord.com/invite/aFQ4h4BXg4
đź“ťMORE RECIPES: adamwitt.co/allrecipes
đź”—FOLLOW ALONG ON SOCIAL: adamwitt.co/social-links
RECIPE: adamwitt.co/allrecipes/homemadetatertots
________________________________________________________
STUFF I USE…
My Cookware Set: amzn.to/3vaWhbG
My Dutch Oven: amzn.to/48MKuhq
Portable Single-burner Stove: amzn.to/3IytyjV
Butane Torch: amzn.to/48TkQra
Deli Containers: amzn.to/49QO635
Large Mason Jars (32oz, wide mouth): amzn.to/49QO635
Rust-proof Mason Jar Lids: amzn.to/49QWlfy
Butane Canisters: amzn.to/3wLUtpM
Coarse Reinforced Strainer: amzn.to/3PePLHK
Fine Mesh Reinforced Strainer: amzn.to/3TxvkYP
Sheet Trays: amzn.to/3IG3zXL
The BEST Smash Burger Spatula: amzn.to/3UdSHab
Cutting Board Scraper: amzn.to/3Jy64fx
Ice Cream Maker: amzn.to/3wd2vIu
My Induction Burner: amzn.to/4dfhJNE
________________________________________________________
TIMESTAMPS…
00:00 The Perfect Bite
00:45 The Grigg Brothers Bet Everything
01:46 The Potato Scrap Problem
03:11 The Birth of the Tater Tot
04:25 How Tater Tots Took Over America
06:16 The Marketing Genius Behind Tater Tots
08:36 Making Homemade Tater Tots
20:52 Three Dipping Sauces
24:31 Tater Tot Taste Test
________________________________________________________
#TaterTots #FoodHistory #Cooking
Disclaimer: I earn commission income with qualifying purchases made through Amazon’s Affiliate program and other affiliate links in this description.
