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.
Betsy says
Awesome recipe!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Betsy! 😊
Julie Sova says
Could this been done in an air fryer?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Julie! Yes, that should work, just air fry at the lowest temperature (or if your air fryer has a dehydrate setting) until they’re dried and chewy, checking on them as needed 😊
Tina says
My dog loves these. I sometimes add just a pinch of both turmeric and cinnamon and sprinkle dusting over them. Thank you
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Tina! The turmeric and cinnamon sound like lovely additions 😊
Sarah says
These look brilliant but I've just tried and they ended up quite soggy. I tried to cut bigger strips as my dog is medium/large. I wonder if I cut them too big? I've put them back in to see if they just need longer and will maybe cut them smaller next time. Do you have any thoughts? I will not be defeated!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yes that’s likely it! Thicker cuts will take quite a bit longer to dry out. You can keep baking them longer at a low temperature until they’re fully dried, or slice them thinner next time for a chewier (not soggy) texture. You’ve got this 😊
Donnalee Scealf says
I did make them and I tried different cuts. I made a baggie for each one of my 4 grown kids for all our Grand dogs!
We have little dogs and big dogs. What I found Great about these treats is, We have one dog that takes pills every night, and these treats if you make a good square you can easily slip the pill into it and poof, pill is gone! I have also copied all the other treats listed and am going to try each one. Thank You for posting! I have a picture but I don't see a way to add it.Try it All, dogs Loved them!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
That is such a great tip for hiding pills, love that!! 😊 So happy all the pups enjoyed them, thanks for sharing!
Paula Hake says
Have made these for years and all my dogs have loved them. I keep them in the freezer for longer shelf life.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Love that Paula! Freezing is such a great way to keep them fresh longer 😊
Cre says
Our dog loves sweet potato, but we can't give too much at one time (ahem! dog owners know what I mean). It was hard to buy even a small one and not have it go bad before it was finished. Drying them in slices is a much more economical way to keep them edible longer! I can even piggyback them when I have the oven on for other things!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy this works well for you! 🙂
Todd says
So simple to make, and Buddy loves them! Although time I will read the instructions more carefully. I cut mine a little thin, and I also left them in the over after I turned if off for a little bit, so they are more like crunchy treats than chews. But he doesn't care!!
Looking forward to making them again with thicker slices.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Haha, crunchy chews still count! 😄 Glad Buddy loved them!
Donna R Ellis says
Mine won't eat them chewy, they want the chips! I think they think it's human food. So I do like you, cut them thin and let them get crispy.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Haha I love that, Donna! 😆 Crunchy “chips” definitely feel like human food—glad your pups are fans!
Mark says
Waldo loves 'em.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Haha love that, give Waldo a pat from me! 🐶
Margaret Ridley says
Thanks for the info, especially how thick to slice the sweet potatoes! Going to make some today!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
You’re very welcome, Margaret! Hope they turn out great 🐶✨
W T says
I made these for my dog. And he loves them , so easy. to make. Thank you for the recipe
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Aww, that makes me so happy to hear! 🐶 Thanks for sharing, glad your pup loved them!
Rhonda says
how long in a dehydrator?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Rhonda! Dehydrators can vary, but I’d start around 135°F / 57°C for 8–12 hours, flipping midway, until they’re fully dry and chewy with no soft spots.
Sandra says
Excellent recipe and super easy, thank you so much! We used to spend way too much money on these retail! My dog absolutely loves them, this is my fourth time preparing them and he's already waiting in the kitchen!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Aw I love that, Sandra! So happy they’re a hit — and your pup sounds adorable! 🧡🐶
Gail says
After 3 hours the sweet potatoes are still very sticky. How do you get them dry to store them?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Gail! If they’re still sticky, they just need a little more drying time, you can pop them back in the oven at 200–225°F and let them dehydrate longer until they reach the texture you like. Thicker slices stay chewier, so drying time can vary quite a bit. Hope that helps! 🐾
ROB e says
Both our rough collies absolutely loved them!! Easy fast and certainly cheap!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay!! That's so great Rob 🙂
Shannon says
These are wonderful!! I bought oxygen absorbers to put in the container to keep them fresh!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Shannon! Oh that's a brilliant idea, thanks for sharing 🙂
Sharon Whitman says
do you have a modified version for using a dehydrator?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Sharon! I haven’t tested these in a dehydrator yet, but in theory you could slice them thin and dehydrate at a low temp until dried to your liking. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it goes!
Cate K & Pixie says
We’ve been growing sweet potatoes in the garden and always get a bunch that are tiny. Eatable but, a pain to skin. Your recipe gave me an idea and this year I will be slicing those otherwise too-small-to-fool-with-compost-bound sweet potatoes into dog treats. I will use my food dehydrator instead of the oven and keep them stored in the freezer. I already know our Sheltie will love these as she always gets at least part of a skin when we eat the large baked sweet potatoes.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Aww what a lovely idea! Enjoy!!
Lala Harvey says
I tried to make these in my dehydrator and they seemed to turn out okay. But within 2 weeks the got moldy and super stinky. I stored in a ziplock bag. What went wrong? I did not store in the fridge so I am thinking that was the problem.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Sorry that happened! Yes, they should be stored in the fridge.
Les Scigliano says
Duh’
Gee says
An easy healthy snack recipe.
I found that they become soft when stored in a jar with a lid on in the fridge.
I know I had a few slices that were > 1/2 cm in thickness.
regardless, the dogs loved the snack.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks for your review, Gee!
Kathy says
My sheltie lived these! Thank you!
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Wonderful!
Michael Bahr says
Bella approves!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Love that, Michael! Bella clearly has great taste 🐾
Carol says
I made the sweet potato chips. Hey they are delish! I should have flipped them half time, but missed that part. But they won't last that long as Teddy is crazy about them. Even I munch on them. Will look for slender potatoes, easier to cut/slice. Might make a bunch to give to my doggie friends, nothing like homemade treats. Going to try the other biscuits as well.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Wonderful, so happy you and Teddy loved them Carol!