Author: Easy DIY Sweet Potato Dog Chews are here! After so many dogs (and people apparently) loved my Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Dog Treats, I thought it would be fun to make another one for the pooches. My pet store sells these sweet potato chews which Chickpea dog loves, but they are like $8 for a package!! Which, I swear, is barely 1 potato worth of slices. Seems a bit silly to me when there is only one ingredient.
FEATURED COMMENT:
I made them a couple of weeks ago. I'm about to make them again. So easy and the dogs love them. - jennifer
So after doing a bit of ye ol' internet research, I found out it was super-duper easy to make your own. All I have to do is dry out some sweet potato slices in the oven at very low for a couple of hours. Boom. Done. The result was that some pieces were a bit dry and crunchy, but most pieces had a chewy jerky-like texture. And did Chickpea dog like them? Watch as she discovers the treats. ↓
Yeah, she liked them all right. Really, really went nuts for them and couldn't understand why I was teasing her with it. For photography Chickpea! You're an internet-famous dog, don't you know?
Of course, you could feed these treats to the humans of the household as well. I taste-tested them, and dried out sweet potatoes don't do much for me... But to each their own!
To make Easy DIY Sweet Potato Dog Chews:
Take 2 sweet potatoes. Or you could do just 1, or 7, or however many you like! I found that 1 sweet potato took up about 1 baking sheet, so I did two baking sheets worth.
Slice them up. I sliced mine into coins because Chickpea is only a medium-little dog, but if you have a bigger dog you could slice them lengthwise for larger chews. You don't want the pieces to be too thin or they will just get crispy and not chewy. So make sure they are no thinner than ¼ inch (see above photo for reference).
I use the mandoline attachment on my food processor so it took about 7 seconds to slice the potatoes.
Lay them all out on parchment paper-lined baking sheets in a single layer.
Then just pop the little dudes in the oven for 2 ½ to 3 hours flipping once half way through until they are shrunken, dried out, and some pieces are a bit crispy, while others are a bit chewy. Let cool, then store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.
(click stars to vote)
Easy DIY Sweet Potato Dog Chews
Servings: chews
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Ingredients
- 2 sweet potatoes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250F (130C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Use a knife or mandoline to cut the sweet potato into slices. I sliced mine into coins because my dog is small, but if you have a bigger dog you could slice them lengthwise for larger chews. You don't want the pieces to be too thin, or they will just get crispy and not chewy, so make sure they are no thinner than ¼ inch.
- Arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheets and bake for 2 ½ to 3 hours flipping once halfway through until they are shrunken, dried out, and some pieces are a bit crispy, while others are a bit chewy.
- Let cool, then store in an air-tight container in the fridge for about 3 weeks.
Dianne says
My dog loved the sweet potatoes chews so did my husband 😋
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
We love that! 2 for 1! 🙂
Jamie says
My dog loves these and they are so easy to make! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
I am so happy your dog loves them Jamie!
Ash says
Thanks for sharing this recipe! Would they be okay in a freezer instead of the fridge?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Ash 😊 Yes, you can absolutely freeze them, just let them thaw a bit before giving one to your pup so they’re not too hard on their teeth!
Natalie says
My sweet pup was diagnosed with pancreatitis so she cannot have any store bought dog treats ever again. She loves these!!!
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
We're delighted that your pup can enjoy these treats!
Janice Andrews says
Do you make them with or without the skins? My dog just was diagnosed with pancreatitis. I read that sweet potatoes are good, but the skins can be hard to digest.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Janice, Great question! I usually leave the skins on, but if your pup has digestive concerns, you can definitely peel them first—dogs will still enjoy them just as much. Since every dog’s needs are different (especially with pancreatitis), I’d recommend double-checking with your vet before introducing new treats. Hope your pup is feeling better soon! 🐾💛
Maria T. says
Second time I made these for my 3 dogs. They love these too.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay! So happy they are a hit 🙂
Donna says
what temp should the oven be, I don't know if I just missed it or if it's not mentioned
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
It's a low temperature recipe - the oven needs to be 250F (130C).
Kathleen L Hagan says
can these be done in an air fryer
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Kathleen, yes, you can make them in an air fryer! Use the dehydrate setting or set it to 250°F if possible, and cook for 2 to 3 hours, flipping occasionally until they're dried and chewy. Keep a close eye on them so they don't burn 😊
Sharona says
This is awesome, Sam thank you. Your instructions worked whereas the one I had used before did not. even though I made them for my last boy they were never done quite right. I made these ones a little too thin but they cooked perfectly so next time I will make them twice as thick and they will be even better. My boy loves them so much. Thanks so much for posting love all your cookbooks Have the last one and can’t wait to get cracking on it.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks for your review!
Peggy Kozierowski says
do I leave skins on or off want to make for my diabetic pup??
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Peggy, you can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but I leave them on for extra fiber and nutrients.
tenebrae says
Just made these: SO easy! My dogs love them (and I ate a few, too).
Note: my mandoline is 1/8", so 2 hours was enough time in the oven.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Happy dogs make us happy too!
Judi says
Peel?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Judi, you can peel the potatoes if you prefer, but I leave them on for extra fiber and nutrients.
Henry C. says
Thanks for the awesome info. What about the temp?? You mentioned everything but the temp. What temperature is low temp??
Sana says
Under instructions, it says 250°F
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Henry, the temperature is listed in step 1. "Preheat your oven to 250F (130C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper." Enjoy!
Angie says
Thank you for such an easy recipe!! My friend recently rescued a Doberman Pincher puppy, and is very picky about how he raises her, and the treats she is given. I'm on my fifth batch of these treats, and he said she loves them and they have been a great training tool. The first batch got too crispy when I followed the amount of time to bake them. I have found that I need to check on them every 30 minutes, and never bake mine over 1.5 hours at this temperature. I bag them and refrigerated them after they cool down.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Aww lovely! SO happy the new pup enjoys the treats! 🙂
Donna says
love making home made healthy treats for our big dogs. they love them. i’ve made peanut butter and oats a lot but always looking for other ideas. awesome on sweet potatoes! thank you for sharing yours. and Chickpea 😉
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
I'm so happy you enjoyed them Donna!
Ava says
Well for ease in making them, I am giving the recipe 5 stars. I was very excited to give these to my brother-in-law to give to his dog - a small mastiff. Just found out my brother-in-law threw them away as he was afraid they were too fibrous & would give her digestive problems. Oh well.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Oh that's too bad!! Sweet potatoes are super healthy for dogs, and just like humans, dogs need lots of healthy fiber in their diets as well. Thank you for the review!
Jess says
making this right now. I sprinkled cinnamon òn them.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Lovely!
Shellbell says
Cinnamon for a dog?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yes cinnamon is safe for dogs in small amounts 🙂
Joyce Turner says
I too sprinkle cinnamon for the extra anti-inflammatory benefit.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Great idea!
Gwen Antosz says
Our new rescue pup, Rylee, just tasted her first Sweet Potato Dog Chew and seems to want another! Just waiting to see how she handles the fiber, first.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Enjoy Rylee!
Carol says
In the oven baking as I write this! I’m sure our pup will love them! Thanks.
Carol
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Enjoy!
Leslie says
Thanks for putting this on-line for us! it is so simple, yet a little guidance is definitely a big help. I usually spend $20 for a bag of dried slices for my dog that essentially are one large sweet potato! This is so easy & cost-effective and he LOVES them!
It's just hard to not snack on them while they're cooking.
I look forward to trying your PB & pumpkin recipe.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Leslie, I’m so happy you and your pup love the sweet potato chews! They’re such a cost-effective treat, and I agree—it’s hard not to snack on them while they cook. 😉 I hope your pup enjoys the PB & pumpkin treats too! Thanks for your kind words.
Marilyn Bradel says
Tried these and my pup loves them. I did one very small potato and not really sure how many to give my overweight 17 lb pup per day. Do you have any idea what would be best for her?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
HI Marilyn, I am sure 1 or 2 slices a day would be fine, but if you are unsure I would speak with your vet. I hope that helps!
Dan Mikesell (DrDan) says
I love simple, and this is it. I do homemade peanut butter/pumpkin dog treats, but one of my dogs has developed pancreatitis, and I need the lowest fat possible, and this is it.
I know the fat content of sweet potatoes, and you have WPRM rounding up to the nearest whole number—the actual fat is way under one gram. A note in the recipe card or changing the setting might be good.
Again, nice blog, and thanks for keeping it simple.
DrDan
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks for sharing that info!
Kate says
My sisters and my dogs love these! I’m making them every year for Christmas treats! Thanks for a great recipe!
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Very nice Christmas treat idea - thanks for your review!