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How to Make Dehydrated Sweet Potato Dog Treats

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Susan Gast, Author and Food Preservation Enthusiast
Susan has been dehydrating and preserving foods for over a decade, sharing practical, tested methods that help readers make healthy, long-lasting meals at home.

Got a dog who begs for every bite? These homemade sweet potato treats use one simple ingredient, and you can make them chewy or firmer by adjusting the slice thickness and drying time. Keep your dog’s batch plain; if you’d like some for yourself, season your portion separately.

✅ Quick Answer: How do you make dehydrated sweet potato treats?
Wash and peel the sweet potatoes, then cut them into even slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Steam or blanch the slices until just tender, arrange them in a single layer, and dehydrate at 135°F for approximately 6–12 hours. They are done when they feel dry throughout, with no cool or moist spots. Let them cool completely before storing, and keep any treats intended for your dog plain and unseasoned.

These one-ingredient treats are easy to make, naturally sweet, and much less complicated than many store-bought dog treats.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to prepare and dry sweet potato slices in a food dehydrator or oven. You’ll also learn how the thickness affects the drying time and final texture, whether your dog prefers a chewy treat or a firmer bite.

Keep your dog’s treats completely plain. If you’d like seasoned sweet potato chips for yourself, set aside a separate batch so there’s no chance of mixing them up.

How to Prepare Sweet Potatoes for Dehydrating

The key to evenly dried sweet potato treats is cutting the slices to a consistent thickness. Thinner slices dry faster and become firmer, while thicker slices take longer and usually remain chewier.

Unseasoned dried sweet potato chipsSweet potato slices drying in my Elite Gourmet EFD319 food dehydrator. Learn more in my Elite Gourmet dehydrator review.


Washing and Peeling:

  1. Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water, using a vegetable brush to remove any dirt.
  2. Peel sweet potatoes intended for your dog. The skin can be harder for dogs to chew and digest.
Raw sweet potato evenly sliced and "chips" in two bowlsEvenly sliced raw sweet potatoes ready for cooking before dehydrating.

Cutting:

  1. Cut the sweet potatoes into even slices between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick. Consistent thickness helps all the pieces dry at approximately the same rate.
  2. Use thinner slices for firmer treats or thicker slices for a chewier result. For smaller dogs, cut large rounds into appropriately sized strips or pieces before drying.

Cook the Slices Before Dehydrating

Sweet potatoes intended for dogs should be cooked before dehydrating. Steam or gently boil the slices until a fork can pierce them with light resistance, but remove them before they become soft enough to fall apart. Depending on their thickness, this will generally take approximately 3–6 minutes.

Drain the cooked slices and pat them dry before arranging them on the dehydrator trays. There is no need to soak them in cold water first.


For People Only: Season a Separate Batch

If you’d like seasoned sweet potato chips for yourself, set aside a separate portion after cooking. Keep every slice intended for your dog completely plain and prepare the human batch separately.

Seasonings used on the sweet potato slicesHuman-only sweet potato chips prepared with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic pepper, and salt. Do not give these seasoned chips to dogs.
Seasoned sweet potato chips + friesSeasoned sweet potato chips for people—keep your dog’s treats plain.

For the human-only batch, lightly toss the cooked sweet potato slices with a small amount of olive oil, then add your preferred seasonings. Check seasoning-blend labels carefully, because Italian seasoning and similar mixtures may contain additional ingredients.

Keep these seasoned slices on a separate dehydrator tray and never mix them with the plain treats intended for your dog. Garlic pepper contains garlic and must not be fed to dogs.


Recipe How-To

Dehydrator Method: Sweet Potato Dog Treats

  1. Wash, peel, and slice: Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly, peel them, and cut them into even slices between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick.
  2. Cook the slices: Steam or gently boil the sweet potato slices until a fork can pierce them with light resistance, but remove them before they become soft enough to fall apart. This will generally take approximately 3–6 minutes. Drain and pat them dry.
  3. Arrange the trays: Place the cooked slices in a single layer on your dehydrator trays without overlapping them. Keep every treat intended for your dog plain and unseasoned.
  4. Dehydrate and test: Dehydrate at 135°F for approximately 6–12 hours. Begin checking thinner slices after about 6 hours; thicker slices will take longer. To test them, remove one slice and let it cool. It should feel dry throughout, with no cool or moist spots when bent or torn. Continue drying if necessary, then allow the finished treats to cool completely before storing them.

💡 Outside the United States? Use my quick Fahrenheit-to-Celsius converter to find the equivalent Celsius temperature.

Elite Gourmet dehydrator filledElite Gourmet dehydrator filled
Elite Gourmet dehydrator runningElite Gourmet dehydrator running

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Bottom of Recipe

Recipe How-To

Oven Method: Sweet Potato Dog Treats Without a Dehydrator

You can also make these sweet potato dog treats in a regular oven:

  1. Prepare the oven: Set your oven to its lowest reliable temperature, ideally between 170 and 200°F. If your oven has a convection setting, use it to improve airflow.
  2. Arrange the slices: Place the cooked, plain sweet potato slices in a single layer on oven-safe wire racks set inside rimmed baking sheets. If you don’t have oven-safe racks, place the slices directly on parchment-lined baking sheets.
  3. Dry slowly: Dry the slices for approximately 3–6 hours, turning them over halfway through. Begin checking thin slices after about 3 hours; thicker slices will take longer.
  4. Test and cool: Remove one slice and let it cool before testing it. The treat should feel dry throughout, with no cool or moist area inside. Continue drying as needed, then let the finished treats cool completely before storing them.

Drying time will vary with the thickness and moisture content of the sweet potatoes, your oven’s actual temperature, and the humidity in your kitchen.

💡 Outside the United States? Use my quick Fahrenheit-to-Celsius converter to find the equivalent Celsius temperature.

Bottom of Recipe

Helpful Tools for Slicing Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are firm and can be awkward to cut into uniform slices. A mandoline makes the job faster, but a sharp chef’s knife works well too. Whichever method you choose, take your time and protect your fingers.

PL8 Professional Mandoline

Progressive International Mandoline Slicer

The Progressive International PL8 mandoline makes it easier to create evenly sized slices that will dry at approximately the same rate. Always use its hand guard and keep your fingers well away from the blade.

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- OR -

SupMaKin Upgrade Safe Mandoline Slicer

SUPMAKIN Slicer and Dicer

For rounds, strips, or French fry-style pieces, a multi-function slicer offers several cutting options in one tool. You can also read my full multi-function slicer review before deciding whether it’s right for you.

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or cut carefully with a good sharp knife, like this one:

Cutluxe Chef Knife

Cutluxe Chef Knife

If you prefer cutting by hand, use a sharp, sturdy chef’s knife. This Cutluxe knife has a full tang, meaning the blade extends through the handle for strength and stability.

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Protect Your Fingertips

NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves

NoCry Premium Cut Resistant Gloves - Food-Grade

Mandoline blades are extremely sharp, and sweet potatoes can be difficult to hold securely. Cut-resistant gloves add another layer of protection while slicing or peeling, although you should still use the mandoline’s hand guard whenever possible.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases—this does not affect the price you pay. Read full disclosure.

Should You Season Sweet Potato Dog Treats?

Plain is best for sweet potato dog treats. Dogs don’t need added salt, oil, herbs, or spices to enjoy the natural flavor of sweet potato, and keeping the treats unseasoned makes it easier to avoid unsuitable ingredients.

Never give your dog treats containing garlic, onion, chives, or leeks—including dried or powdered versions found in seasoning blends. Salty or spicy seasonings should also be avoided because they may cause digestive upset or other health problems.

Introduce any new treat in a small amount and watch how your dog responds. If your dog has diabetes, food sensitivities, pancreatitis, or another medical condition, ask your veterinarian whether sweet potato treats are appropriate.

How to Store Dehydrated Sweet Potato Dog Treats

Allow the treats to cool completely before packaging them. Place them in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed bag, label the package with the contents and date, and store it in the refrigerator.

Use refrigerated treats within one week. Freeze any extras in small portions for longer storage, then thaw them in the refrigerator before giving them to your dog.

Check the treats before serving. Discard them if you notice condensation inside the container, mold, an unpleasant odor, or an unexpected change in texture. Vacuum sealing can help protect their quality, but it does not make chewy treats safe for room-temperature storage.

Plain sweet potato chips, vacuum-sealedPlain sweet potato dog treats labeled and vacuum-sealed for refrigerated or frozen storage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sweet Potato Dog Treats

Are dehydrated sweet potato treats safe for dogs?

Plain dehydrated sweet potato treats are suitable for many dogs when the sweet potato has been peeled, cooked, and cut into an appropriate size. Introduce them gradually and ask your veterinarian first if your dog has diabetes, pancreatitis, food sensitivities, or another medical condition.

Should sweet potatoes be cooked before dehydrating them for dogs?

Yes. Cook the slices until they are just tender before dehydrating them. Raw sweet potato can be difficult for dogs to chew and digest, while cooking helps soften it before the drying process begins.

How do I know when sweet potato dog treats are finished drying?

Remove one treat and allow it to cool before testing it. It should feel dry throughout, without any cool or damp area inside when bent or torn. A thicker treat may remain flexible and chewy, but it should not feel wet or sticky.

How long do homemade sweet potato dog treats last?

Store the cooled treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use them within one week. Freeze extra treats in small portions for longer storage, then thaw them in the refrigerator.

How many sweet potato treats can I give my dog?

Start with a small piece that is appropriate for your dog’s size, and supervise your dog while chewing it. As a general guideline, treats and other extras should make up no more than about 10% of a dog’s daily food intake. The appropriate amount varies with your dog’s size, health, activity level, and regular diet, so ask your veterinarian if you’re unsure.

Can people eat these dehydrated sweet potato treats too?

Yes. The plain sweet potato treats are suitable for people too. If you want seasoned chips for yourself, prepare that portion separately and never give your dog chips containing garlic, onion, excessive salt, or spicy seasonings.

Homemade sweet potato dog treats don’t need complicated ingredients. Keep your dog’s batch plain, cook the slices before dehydrating them, dry them thoroughly, and store them in the refrigerator. Once you discover whether your dog prefers thinner, firmer treats or thicker, chewier ones, you can adjust the slicing and drying time to suit them.

For more dog-friendly ideas, visit my Homemade Pet Treats page.

If you’d like more tasty ways to use dried food, don’t miss my free 5 Dried Food Recipes That Actually Taste Great PDF below. Inside you’ll find carrot soup, minestrone, split pea soup, spicy beef jerky, and even banana cinnamon rolls—all proven favorites that make dehydrating fun and delicious!

5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

5 Free Dried Food Recipes
That Actually Taste Great

Put your dried food to delicious use!
Five very different recipes.
Not one dull bite...

← Get your free copy now!

5 Free Dried Food Recipes
That Actually Taste Great

5 Easy Dried Food Recipes free PDF

Put your dried food to delicious use!
Five very different recipes.
Not one dull bite...

Get your free copy now!

More From Easy Food Dehydrating

More From Easy Food Dehydrating


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Test Your Food-Dehydrating
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Save the Harvest food dehydrating game featuring jars of dried bananas, beets, mushrooms, peas, and corn.

Choose a food, make the right preparation, drying, and storage decisions—and see how many stars you can earn!

Play “Save the Harvest”