Sweet Potato Dog Treats

The dehydrated sweet potato dog treats can be dried in the oven or a food dehydrator. Both options work great!  The timing will vary depending on how thick the potatoes are cut and if you prefer softer or crunchier treats.  When baking in the oven, start checking at the two-hour mark to see if they're done, then every 15 minutes until they reach your desired crispness.

One or two sweet potatoes can easily be made at a time.  I prefer to make two at once for easy clean-up, but I also have two large sweethearts who will gobble them up.

Recipe features

• One ingredient!
• Cheaper than store-bought dog treats!
• Oven and dehydrator instructions!

How long to dehydrate sweet potatoes for dogs

These treats are easy and have just one ingredient, but they take a while in the oven and even longer in a food dehydrator.  The oven will take 2  ½-3 hours; in a food dehydrator set at 135 F, it will take about 6-7 hours.  So they’re not quick, but besides slicing, it’s a hands-off recipe.

Tips for dehydrating

• I use a mandoline slicer for my potatoes so they are all the same thickness, but they can also be sliced with a knife.  I use the medium setting for my mandoline, which cuts the potatoes ½ cm thick.  
• Cut the potatoes width-wise for small pieces and length-wise for larger pieces.  I also cook the little bites from the end of the sweet potato.  The small pieces get crunchy, and the big pieces will be softer.
• The time will vary depending on how thick the sweet potato slices are and your personal preference.  Some dogs prefer a softer sweet potato, and some prefer them crispier.  Also, if you slice them too thin, they will cook faster and get too crispy, resulting in sweet potato chips.  If they’re too thick, the potatoes may be more rubbery or take longer to cook.
• For smaller dogs, the potatoes can be sliced into rounds.  Larger dogs that want larger treats can be accommodated by slicing the potatoes lengthwise.   
• I’ve read conflicting information about leaving sweet potato peels on for dogs. I’m not a vet, so if you have concerns, I suggest asking your veterinarian.  I leave the skin on, and my pups haven’t had any issues.  

How to cook sweet potatoes for dogs in the oven

Preheat the oven to 250˚ F, wash the sweet potatoes, and slice the potatoes at least ½ cm thick. Place the sweet potato rounds on a baking tray lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper.

Cook the sliced potatoes for 2½-3 hours, turning them halfway through. Check at the two-hour mark to see if they're done, then every 15 minutes until they reach your desired crispness.  Some dogs prefer them softer, and some prefer them a little crisper.

How to dehydrate sweet potatoes in a food dehydrator

Wash the sweet potato, slice the potatoes ½ cm thick, and place the slices on the food dehydrator racks. Set the dehydrator to 135˚ F and dry for 6-7 hours, depending on how crunchy you (or your dog) prefer the treats to be.

Storing dried sweet potato dog treats

Let cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.  If you want to store them at room temperature, how long they last will vary.  

Factors that influence their longevity are moisture left in the sweet potatoes,  humidity where you live, and how often the container is opened.  With that in mind, I’ve stored them on the counter in an airtight container for a couple of days and had no issues.  If your dog prefers them softer, they may not last long on the counter because of the moisture content left in the treats after cooking.