YouTube is a treasure trove of cooking channels, with everything from the basics of boiling pasta to creating Michelin-star-worthy dishes. But sometimes, it’s fun to get a little out of the box and explore channels that take a unique approach to food and cooking. These channels break the mold and inject creativity, humor, and even a bit of quirkiness into the culinary world, making the cooking experience more enjoyable, engaging, and, at times, downright surprising.
If you’ve found yourself bored with typical cooking shows and want something fresh, we’ve rounded up some unconventional YouTube cooking channels that offer a new perspective on food and how to prepare it.
1. Binging with Babish
While Binging with Babish may not seem “out of the box” at first glance, Andrew Rea, the creator behind the channel, offers something special by bringing a fresh twist to a familiar concept. Babish’s premise is simple: recreate famous dishes from movies, TV shows, and video games. But the magic comes from how he brings these dishes to life with impeccable attention to detail, humor, and a personal touch.
What sets Babish apart from other channels is his meticulous attention to the aesthetics of each dish, making it more than just a cooking show. He doesn’t just replicate food; he explains the cooking process and techniques involved, making even the most intricate recipes approachable for his audience. Whether it’s recreating the infamous “Krabby Patty” from SpongeBob SquarePants or the Pulp Fiction burger or the Fit’z Sandwich, Babish’s creativity knows no bounds.
Additionally, Andrew has expanded his content to include a series called “Basics with Babish”, where he dives into fundamental cooking techniques for beginners. These approachable and fun lessons make this channel great for both newcomers to cooking and those looking to brush up on their skills.
2.Tasty
While Tasty, the massive food channel, may not be exactly “out of the box,” it deserves a mention for its innovative approach to cooking content. Tasty revolutionized the way cooking is presented on YouTube by focusing on short, easy-to-follow recipe videos with stunning visuals and rapid editing.
What makes Tasty stand out is its focus on accessibility and creativity. The channel offers a wide range of recipes, from beginner to advanced, in a visually engaging format that draws people in. The fast-paced editing and vibrant music make the cooking process feel exciting and fun, and many of their videos are designed to be made in under 30 minutes.
Additionally, Tasty has embraced the use of music for cooking to further enhance the energy of its videos. The combination of visuals and carefully chosen music makes following recipes more enjoyable, adding a cinematic touch to each meal preparation. Whether you’re looking for something quick and delicious or want to try a more complex recipe, Tasty always has something to offer.
3. Joshua Weissman
Joshua Weissman is known for bringing a more rebellious edge to cooking. His channel, Joshua Weissman, offers a mix of comedy and genuine cooking advice. What’s unique about Joshua is his approach to making everything from scratch, often challenging his viewers to ditch store-bought items and try making their own versions.
From homemade pizza to his signature fried chicken, Joshua combines humor and creativity with high-level cooking techniques. He also offers his honest opinions about various kitchen gadgets and food trends, making his channel feel more like a conversation than a structured tutorial.
One of the most appealing aspects of Joshua Weissman’s content is his honesty and no-nonsense approach. He’s not afraid to call out some of the more ridiculous aspects of the food world and encourages his audience to get into the kitchen and experiment without fear. Joshua’s content is fun, educational, and a little cheeky, perfect for anyone who loves food and enjoys a bit of humor alongside their cooking lessons.
4. The Try Guys
The Try Guys aren’t strictly a cooking channel, but they have built an entire series around trying out different cooking challenges, and that’s exactly what makes their approach so unique. Known for their fun and often hilarious challenges, the Try Guys dive into cooking with no real experience or expertise, making their cooking videos both entertaining and educational.
Whether they’re attempting to make fancy dishes like sushi or taking on intricate baking challenges, the Try Guys make cooking seem more approachable and, most importantly, fun. Their willingness to fail and laugh at themselves makes their videos feel authentic and enjoyable, showing that cooking doesn’t have to be intimidating. Plus, the humor and camaraderie between the group adds a relatable, human touch to the content.
Their challenges are sometimes ridiculous, but they are always a great time. The Try Guys demonstrate that cooking doesn’t have to be about perfection; it can be about creativity, collaboration, and fun.
5. EmmyMade
If you’re looking for a more offbeat approach to cooking, EmmyMade offers just that. Emmy, the host, is known for her charming personality and willingness to try strange, unusual, or outdated recipes. Whether it’s attempting to make dishes from the 1950s or cooking bizarre snacks from different parts of the world, Emmy’s channel offers a sense of adventure and curiosity in the kitchen.
Her unique take on food includes a variety of recipes that range from historical dishes to modern-day curiosities. For example, she might recreate a vintage recipe found in an old cookbook or review a bizarre food trend. Emmy’s videos are great for people who are curious about food culture and love exploring strange recipes.
While EmmyMade can sometimes veer into the world of “food challenges,” she always keeps it light-hearted, focusing on having fun with cooking, whether or not things go according to plan. This channel is perfect for adventurous foodies who want to see what happens when someone steps out of their culinary comfort zone.
6. Cooking with Dog
Yes, you read that right—Cooking with Dog is one of the quirkiest cooking channels out there. This delightful Japanese cooking show stars Francis, a dog who “narrates” the recipes in a calming voice, while the real star, Chef, does all the cooking. The content is presented in an extremely charming way, making it stand out from your typical cooking show format.
The channel primarily focuses on traditional Japanese dishes, such as sushi, ramen, and tempura, showcasing them in an accessible, step-by-step manner. The twist? Francis, the dog, provides some humorous commentary on each dish, offering a lighthearted vibe throughout. The unique combination of adorable narration and beautiful food preparation has garnered a large fanbase and continues to draw in new viewers who want to learn about Japanese cuisine while enjoying the unexpected doggy narrator.
The channel is a perfect example of how unconventional formats can breathe new life into something as universal as cooking. If you love cooking and want a little humor with your recipes, Cooking with Dog is a must-watch.
7. Salty Seattle
For those who are obsessed with baking and pastry, Salty Seattle is a fantastic channel to check out. Chef Michelle Lopez creates stunning dessert masterpieces, from intricate macarons to show-stopping wedding cakes. What’s unique about her approach is her combination of high-level pastry techniques with a down-to-earth, relatable vibe.
She makes baking seem approachable by explaining complicated processes clearly while still leaving room for creativity. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, Salty Seattle offers inspiration, tips, and tutorials that will help you take your dessert game to the next level.
Her content is not just instructional—it’s visually stunning. The designs and craftsmanship involved in her desserts are nothing short of impressive, and Michelle’s passion for the art of baking shines through in every video.
8. Tasty 101
Tasty 101 is a sub-channel of Tasty that focuses on teaching viewers fundamental cooking techniques. It’s out of the box because it blends traditional cooking with modern, practical advice, helping people of all skill levels understand the basics of cooking and become more confident in the kitchen. This channel has a cool, instructional approach that breaks things down into easy-to-digest tips and lessons, making it accessible for everyone.
Conclusion
If you’re tired of the same old cooking content, YouTube offers plenty of channels that take cooking to the next level, whether through humor, creativity, or unexpected formats. These out-of-the-box cooking channels show that there’s no single right way to cook or enjoy food—sometimes, it’s about breaking the mold and embracing new, fun approaches.
So next time you’re looking for a cooking show that feels different, check out these unique creators who are doing more than just teaching recipes—they’re making cooking an adventure.