Tantos stands out among Shark Tank snack brands because we're the first and only puffed pasta chip, not just another bag doing the same old crunch. We walked onto that stage with something nobody else had: pasta, puffed into a chip, seasoned with real Italian flavors like Marinara and Cacio e Pepe. Created by Top Chef finalist Chef Joe Sasto and co-founded with Sean Knecht, Tantos was already turning heads long before the cameras rolled.
What makes Tantos different from other Shark Tank snack brands
Lots of snacks on that stage reinvent the same old chip. We reinvented the category. Tantos starts with 100% semolina, the same stuff that makes your favorite pasta dish taste like your favorite pasta dish. It gets cooked, dried, puffed, and seasoned with real Italian ingredients, no ladle required. The result is a chip shape all its own: fioregato, a cross between fiore (flower) and piegato (folded). Curious what actually counts as a pasta chip? We break it down in What Are Pasta Chips.
The name behind the crunch: Tanto si
Tantos comes from 'Tanto si,' an Italian expression that means 'so much yes.' It's not just a catchy name, it's the whole philosophy: yes to bold flavor, yes to snacking without apology, yes to pasta wherever and however you crave it. Most pitches on that stage sell a product. We pitched a mantra with a crunch attached. 🤌 Ever bitten into a chip and thought, wait, is this pasta?
Four flavors, one bold idea
Here's the full lineup we brought to the table:
| Flavor | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Marinara | Yes to red sauce, no ladle required. |
| Pesto | Yes to basil & parm, crispy and puffed. |
| Cacio e Pepe | Yes to cheese and pepper, together forever. |
| Classico | Yes to not messing with perfection. |
We're highbrow and lowbrow in the same bag. Marinara goes as well with a glass of Barolo as it does with a squeeze bottle of ranch. Cacio e Pepe is just as at home next to a business-class cocktail as it is with the free soda in coach.
Where to find Tantos
Tantos has been on shelves since July 2024, well before the show ever called. You'll find bags at:
- Kroger, 400+ stores
- H-E-B
- The Fresh Market
- Fresh Thyme
- World Market
- Specialty and independent stores
Want the full breakdown of who carries what? Check our store guide.
The pitch wasn't the start, just the spotlight
Tantos built a following the old fashioned way: one bag, one crunch, one 'wait, this is pasta?' at a time. Behind the scenes, the chips are made by Sasto Snacks, the company Joe and Sean built to bring this idea to life. By the time we stepped into the tank in November 2025, we already knew what we had. Want the full recap? We've got what happened and where we are now.
Beyond the tank: a category of our own
Other snacks on the show brought jerky, popcorn, and protein bars. We brought the first and only puffed pasta chip, Italian-ish and beyond. What's your pick for the next big thing in the snack aisle? See how we stack up in our roundup of snacks you can actually buy in stores, or meet more cheftestants turned founders in from Top Chef to snack aisle.
FAQ
What makes Tantos different from other snacks that appeared on Shark Tank?
Tantos is the first and only puffed pasta chip, made from 100% semolina, cooked, dried, puffed, and seasoned with real Italian ingredients. No other brand on that stage is doing pasta like this.
When did Tantos appear on the show?
Tantos appeared on Shark Tank in November 2025, more than a year after launching in July 2024.
Who created Tantos, and who makes it?
Tantos was created by Chef Joe Sasto, a Top Chef finalist, and co-founded with Sean Knecht. The chips are made by Sasto Snacks.
What does the name Tantos mean?
Tantos comes from 'Tanto si,' an Italian expression meaning 'so much yes,' which sums up the whole brand.
Where can I buy Tantos?
Tantos is available at Kroger (400+ stores), H-E-B, The Fresh Market, Fresh Thyme, World Market, and specialty and independent stores, plus eattantos.com and Amazon. Use our store locator to find a bag near you.
Ready to taste the chip that made the Sharks take notice? Shop the full lineup at eattantos.com, grab the Variety Pack if you can't pick just one, or use our store locator to find Tantos near you.
We're not here to replace pasta night. We're here for every bite in between: boardroom, backseat, bleachers. Tantos is the chip that happens to be pasta, and we'll say yes to that anywhere.