How to Dehydrate Sweet Potatoes for Dog Treats, Soups, and Snacks

Sweet potatoes are one of those magical ingredients that bridge the gap between healthy human food and pup-approved snacks. They’re naturally sweet, packed with nutrients, and—best of all—super easy to dehydrate. Whether you’re making treats for your dog or prepping ingredients for hearty stews, dehydrated sweet potatoes are a pantry staple you’ll never regret having on hand.

Let’s break down exactly how I prepare, slice, dehydrate, and store my sweet potatoes—with tips for both human and dog-friendly uses.

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Why Dehydrate Sweet Potatoes?
Dehydrating sweet potatoes helps reduce waste, stretch your grocery budget, and create shelf-stable snacks and ingredients. Plus, dogs go nuts for them. My pups, Magnus and Phoenix, will literally do tricks for a single slice. And let’s be honest—knowing exactly what’s in your pet’s treats feels pretty great.

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What You’ll Need:

Sweet potatoes (any variety)

Vegetable peeler

Sharp knife (or cube slicer)

Cutting board (the bigger, the better)

Dehydrator (mine is a 5-tray Hamilton Beach model—budget-friendly and reliable)

Optional: turmeric powder for added dog-health benefits

Optional: mason jars or airtight containers for storage

Dehydrator Cheat Sheet Magnet (affiliate link) – I keep mine on the fridge for quick temp checks!

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How I Prep My Sweet Potatoes:

Step 1: Peel or Don’t Peel (Your Call!)
I personally prefer to peel my sweet potatoes—it just makes the slices come out cleaner and the texture nicer for both humans and dogs. If you decide to keep the peel on, make sure you wash them thoroughly first.

Step 2: Slice ‘Em Up
For chips or chews: I slice them into round discs, about ¼ inch thick or thinner. You don’t want them too thick—they’ll take forever to dry and won’t crisp up properly.
For soup cubes: I use a cube slicer (affiliate link) to dice them up quickly and evenly. Game-changer.

Optional Dog-Friendly Boost:
If you’re making these just for your dog, sprinkle on a little turmeric powder before dehydrating. It’s great for inflammation and joint health—and most dogs love the flavor.

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Dehydrating Instructions:

Lay the slices or cubes evenly on your dehydrator trays. Make sure there’s space between each piece.

Set your dehydrator to 125°F for vegetables.

Dehydrate for 8 to 12 hours, checking periodically. Timing depends on your home’s humidity and your dehydrator model. I usually just set mine for 48 hours (its max) and check back as needed.

Shelf-Stable Tip:
If your sweet potatoes still feel chewy or soft when you remove them, they are not shelf-stable. To store them in jars or the pantry long-term, they should be fully dry and crisp. If you’re planning to use them soon or for quick snacks, a little chewiness is okay—but keep them in the fridge or freezer to avoid mold.

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Conditioning for Storage:
I store mine in Ball mason jars in three sizes: 8oz, 16oz, and 32oz depending on the batch size.
Once dehydrated, I “condition” the sweet potatoes for 5 days:

Shake the jars gently twice a day (morning and evening) to check for sticking or moisture.

If any condensation appears—back to the dehydrator they go.

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Ways I Use Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes:

Dog treats: Healthy, affordable, and single-ingredient—what more could you want?

Soups and stews: The diced cubes are perfect for tossing into boiling broths.

Snack time: For me? Sometimes I dip the chips in hummus.

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Final Thoughts:
Dehydrating sweet potatoes is one of the easiest ways to dip your toes into food preservation—for both you and your pets. With just a few tools and a bit of patience, you’ll have a stockpile of healthy, tasty treats that last for months. Whether you’re a dog mom like me or just looking to waste less in the kitchen, sweet potatoes are the perfect place to start.