Sweet potatoes are among the few nutritious forms of carbohydrates that there is. They contain low levels of sodium, cholesterol, and fat but have increased amounts of vitamin B6, potassium, manganese, vitamin A, and fiber. If you want all of these nutrients in your snack, find out below how to dehydrate sweet potatoes in a food dehydrator. Dehydrated sweet potatoes can also be used to make sweet potato dog treats.
By dehydrating sweet potatoes, you will get to enjoy a healthy, delicious, and fulfilling snack that you can store for long periods of time. Another great thing about dried sweet potatoes is that we are not the only ones who appreciate how appetizing it is, even puppies and dogs enjoy it too. For pet owners, dehydrated sweet potatoes for dogs make a simple, wholesome treat option. These treats are also safe and enjoyable for human consumption, making them a versatile snack for the whole family.
If you have any questions or want to share your experience with dehydrating sweet potatoes, feel free to leave a comment below!
| Recipe Step | Description | Tips & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Wash Sweet Potatoes | Use water and a vegetable scrubber to remove dirt from the skin. Pat dry with a clean towel. | Avoid excessive handling to reduce oil transfer from hands to potatoes. |
| 2. Slice Sweet Potatoes | Cut into thin slices using a sharp knife or mandoline for uniform thickness. | Uniform slices ensure even dehydration. |
| 3. Blanch or Steam | Boil or steam slices until tender and color brightens. For shredded sweet potatoes, blanch only. | Immediately immerse in ice water to stop cooking and prevent discoloration. |
| 4. Dry Slices | Pat slices completely dry with a paper towel before dehydrating. | Removing moisture before drying helps prevent spoilage. |
| 5. Optional Seasoning | Drizzle with olive or coconut oil and add spices like cinnamon, sea salt, or smoked paprika. | Do not add butter or fats as they affect texture and storage. |
| 6. Arrange on Dehydrator Trays | Lay slices in a single layer without overlapping for even drying. | Rearrange trays during dehydration for consistent results. |
| 7. Dehydrate | Set dehydrator to 125°F – 140°F and dry for 8-20 hours depending on thickness and preference. | Check periodically to avoid over or under-drying. |
| 8. Cool Completely | Let dried sweet potatoes cool to room temperature before storing. | Cooling prevents condensation inside storage containers. |
| 9. Store | Place in airtight containers or mason jars; store in a cool, dark, dry place for up to 2 years. | Vacuum seal if storing longer than a year for best quality. |
Dehydrating sweet potatoes is a fantastic way to preserve their natural sweetness and nutritional value for months to come. Whether you prefer your sweet potatoes sliced, diced, shredded, or pureed, the dehydration process is simple and adaptable to your needs. Dehydrated sweet potatoes, also known as dried sweet potatoes, are incredibly versatile—they can be tossed into soups and stews, blended into casseroles, or enjoyed as a healthy snack straight from the jar.
To get started, always wash and peel your potatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue. Depending on your recipe or preference, you can cut the sweet potatoes into thin slices with a sharp knife, use a food processor for uniform pieces, or try a box grater for shredded sweet potatoes. Once prepped, preheat your oven or dehydrator to the recommended temperature for your chosen method. With just a little prep time, you’ll have a batch of dehydrated sweet potatoes ready to enhance your favorite dishes or serve as a nutritious snack.
Drying sweet potatoes is a great way to make sure that a healthy snack is always available in your home. For best results, select raw, fresh sweet potatoes to dehydrate. The skin of sweet potatoes is very nutritious and also adds a little flavor, so opt for ones that are pesticide-free as much as possible. Investing in one of the best vegetable dehydrator machines will also help you achieve consistent results and make the most of your produce.
There are different kinds of food dehydrators, and each one offers a list of benefits and disadvantages that might make or break it for you. In drying sweet potatoes, there are many who have also tried and succeeded in using a conventional oven.
As mentioned above, sweet potato skins are very nutritious, so you can choose not to peel that off if you would like. Depending on your preferences, you can slice or shed or do a mix of both for added variety.
If you prefer to mash your sweet potatoes before dehydrating, you can use a potato masher to achieve a smooth consistency.
When it comes to drying sweet potatoes, some choose to steam or blanch it by briefly immersing it in boiling water, or you can boil shredded or sliced sweet potatoes briefly before it is pat dried and put inside the dehydrator. After boiling or blanching, immediately transfer the sweet potatoes to a bowl of ice water or rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent discoloration. This process is done so as to eliminate certain enzymes that can cause the food to spoil easily.
You can also choose to add oil, pepper, salt, and seasonings for flavor. Incorporating a variety of dehydrated vegetables into your snacks and meals can further boost nutrition and convenience.
Do not add butter or fats to the sweet potatoes before dehydrating, as this can affect the texture and storage.
Tip: For best results, adjust the thickness of your sweet potato slices or rearrange the trays during dehydration to promote even drying.
Once your dried sweet potatoes have finished dehydrating, it’s important to store them properly to maintain their flavor, texture, and nutritional benefits. First, allow the dried sweet potatoes to cool completely—this step helps prevent condensation, which can lead to spoilage. Transfer the cooled sweet potatoes into an airtight container, such as a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid or a sturdy plastic container with a secure seal.
Store your container in a cool, dark, and dry place, like a pantry or cupboard, to protect the dried sweet potatoes from heat, light, and moisture. Avoid placing them near stoves, windows, or other heat sources. When stored correctly, dried sweet potatoes can retain their delicious flavor and satisfying texture for up to two years, making them a convenient and long-lasting addition to your pantry.
Bringing dried sweet potatoes back to life is easy and only takes a few simple steps. To rehydrate, place your dried sweet potatoes in a bowl and pour hot water or boiling water over them. The amount of water you use will depend on your recipe and the thickness of your sweet potato pieces, but a good starting point is 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dried sweet potatoes per serving, with about 3/4 cup of hot water.
Cover the bowl and let the sweet potatoes soak—shredded or leather pieces will soften in about 10 to 20 minutes, while thicker slices or diced potatoes may need up to 40 minutes. Once rehydrated, you can cook or heat the sweet potatoes as you would fresh ones, making them perfect for mashed sweet potatoes, soups, stews, or any recipe that calls for tender, flavorful potatoes.
When dehydrating sweet potatoes, a few common mistakes can impact the final result. One frequent error is skipping the blanching or cooking step before dehydration, which can cause the dried sweet potatoes to lose their vibrant color, flavor, and appealing texture. Another pitfall is not allowing the dried sweet potatoes to cool completely before storing them—trapping residual heat can create moisture inside the airtight container, leading to mold and spoilage.
It’s also important to avoid using excessively high temperatures or dehydrating for too long, as this can make your sweet potatoes overly brittle or even burnt, diminishing their flavor and texture. Always store your dried sweet potatoes in an airtight container to preserve their quality and extend their shelf life. By steering clear of these mistakes, you’ll enjoy delicious, long-lasting dried sweet potatoes every time.
If you run into problems while dehydrating sweet potatoes, don’t worry—most issues are easy to fix with a few adjustments. If your dried sweet potatoes turn out too dry or brittle, it’s likely they were dehydrated for too long or at too high a temperature. Next time, try reducing the dehydration time or lowering the temperature to achieve a softer, more pleasant texture.
On the other hand, if your dried sweet potatoes are still moist or sticky after dehydration, they may need more time or a slightly higher temperature to reach the ideal dryness. If you notice any signs of mold or moisture inside your storage container, double-check that your dried sweet potatoes were cooled completely before storing and that your container is truly airtight. With these troubleshooting tips, you’ll be able to perfect your batch and enjoy high-quality dried sweet potatoes every time.
Aside from sweet potatoes, there are tons of other foods that you can dehydrate using your trusted food dehydrator. One such example is fruits, which can then be added to salads, granola dishes, or used as a trail mix. Among the most common dried fruits are peaches, bananas, pears, pineapple, plums, and grapes, and there are many more options when you explore what fruit you can dehydrate at home.
If you prefer the tons of vitamins and nutrients that vegetables offer, you can also choose to dry a wide range of options. Similar to dried fruits, they can be eaten as is or added to soups and stews for an excellent flavor, and you can experiment with dehydrated fruit recipes for delicious snacks to complement your vegetable chips. Tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions, like the sweet potatoes, should be blanched prior to dehydration to prevent discoloration.
Other kinds of vegetables that can be dried using a food dehydrator are beets, carrots, greens, squash, peas, corn, pumpkin, celery, and broccoli. Many of these are among the best vegetables for food dehydration because they retain excellent flavor and nutrients when dried properly. Definitely, meats can also be dehydrated and turned into jerky. Frozen produce can also be preserved by dehydrating frozen vegetables, giving you another way to stock your pantry. Just make sure to use a pre-cooked, lean meat to lessen the risk of food-related illnesses.
You can use dehydrated sweet potatoes in a variety of different dishes, including as a side dish for dinner or incorporated into main dinner recipes. Cooking with dried sweet potatoes is easy. Dehydrated sweet potatoes can be rehydrated using hot water for use in soups, stews, and other meals. Examples of how this can be added to recipes include a side dish or mixed into oatmeal, soups, rice blends, and curries. Breaking sweet potato bark or leather into small pieces makes it easier to rehydrate and use in dishes like oatmeal or soups. Sweet potato bark can be rehydrated to make mashed sweet potatoes, or blended to create sweet potato puree for use in various recipes. Sweet potato powder can be used to make mashed sweet potatoes or added to various recipes. Dehydrating sweet potatoes for backpacking is also a good option because they are lightweight and nutritious, and in general dehydrating food for backpacking and camping offers space-saving, shelf-stable meals on the trail.
Now that you know how to dehydrate sweet potatoes in a food dehydrator, we are confident that you can use this knowledge to explore and try other recipes. If you are making sweet potato bark or mashed sweet potatoes, consider chilling them in the fridge before slicing for better texture and easier handling. Dried food is very tasty and healthy, yet it is still important to indulge in fresh food as dehydration causes the loss of some vitamins in the food. Understanding how dehydration affects nutrients and the overall nutritional value of dehydrated foods can help you balance dried and fresh ingredients in your diet.
Lastly, do not forget to regularly mix up your dried veggies and fruits to evenly spread out any moisture. All dehydrated foods should be stored in an airtight container placed in a dark, dry, and cool area.
We’d love to see your results—share your dehydrated sweet potato creations on Instagram and tag us or use #DehydrateSweetPotatoes for a chance to be featured. Good luck!
