Store-bought sweet potato chews are basically one ingredient with a big price tag. You can make a whole jar for the cost of two potatoes.

These dehydrated sweet potato dog treats work in a regular oven or a food dehydrator. No flour, no oil, no seasoning. Just sliced sweet potato, dried until it’s chewy or crisp.

Why sweet potato works for dogs

Plain, cooked sweet potato is a common, dog-safe food. It shows up in lots of commercial dog foods for a reason.

One ingredient, so it’s easy to check against your dog’s diet.
Fiber and vitamin A, plus a natural sweetness most dogs love.
No grain or meat, handy for dogs on a limited ingredient plan (ask your vet first).
Long-lasting chew when sliced thick, which keeps busy jaws happy.

One honest note: sweet potato is starchy. It’s a treat, not a meal, and dogs with diabetes or weight issues should get a vet’s okay first.

Whole raw sweet potatoes on a kitchen counter

What you’ll need

2 or 3 medium sweet potatoes (firm, no soft or moldy spots)
A sharp knife or a mandoline with a hand guard
Baking sheets and parchment paper, or a dehydrator
A steamer basket or pot (optional, see below)
An airtight container for storage

That’s it. Don’t add oil, salt, sugar, honey or spices. Your dog doesn’t need them, and some seasonings, like garlic or onion powder, are toxic to dogs.

Step 1: Scrub and decide on the skin

Wash the potatoes well under running water and scrub off any dirt.

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Leave the skin on if it’s smooth and clean. It adds fiber.
Peel it if there are cuts, sprouts, green patches or soft spots, or if your dog has a sensitive stomach.

Thin slices of sweet potato on a cutting board

Step 2: Slice for the texture you want

Even slices dry evenly. This is where a mandoline really helps.

1/8 inch: crispy chips that snap. Good for small dogs and seniors.
1/4 inch: leathery, chewy strips. The classic “chew.”
Lengthwise strips: longer chews for medium and large dogs.
Rounds: easy to break into training-size pieces.

Skip very thick wedges. They stay soft in the middle and spoil faster.

Step 3: Steam first (optional but kind)

You can dry sweet potato straight from raw, and lots of people do. Steaming first for about 10 minutes softens the starch, which many dogs digest more easily.

Steam until just barely tender, not mushy.
Pat the slices dry with a clean towel.
Expect a slightly shorter drying time afterward.
Using a dehydrator? Steam first. Its low heat dries the potato but doesn’t really cook it.

Dehydrated Sweet Potato Dog Chews (Oven or Dehydrator)

Step 4: Dry them low and slow

Low heat dries the potato instead of cooking it. Lay the slices in a single layer with a little space between them.

Oven method

Heat the oven to 250°F and line the sheets with parchment.
Bake for about 2.5 to 3 hours, flipping halfway.
Thin slices finish sooner, so check from the 2-hour mark.
For extra-dry chews, turn the oven off and leave them inside with the door cracked for an hour.

Dehydrator method

Set it to about 135°F.
Dry for 8 to 12 hours, depending on thickness and your machine.
Rotate the trays once or twice if your dehydrator heats unevenly.

A dog waiting politely for a treat in the kitchen

Step 5: Check that they’re really done

Moisture is what makes homemade treats go moldy. Let a few slices cool, then test them.

Chewy style: bendy and leathery, with no wet or squishy spots.
Crispy style: snaps cleanly in half.
Tear one open. If the middle looks damp, put the batch back in.

Cool them completely before you store them. Warm treats sealed in a jar sweat, and that’s how mold starts.

Step 6: Store them the right way

No preservatives means a shorter shelf life than store-bought chews. Plan for it.

Counter: about a week in an airtight container, if they’re very dry.
Fridge: up to about 2 weeks.
Freezer: about 3 months. Thaw a handful at a time.

Any fuzz, white spots or musty smell means the whole batch goes in the trash. For more on keeping food and treats fresh, see these dog food storage ideas.

A dog chewing a treat while lying on the floor

How many can your dog have?

The usual rule of thumb is that treats stay under 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Sweet potato isn’t low-calorie, so go easy.

Small dogs: one or two thin chips a day.
Medium dogs: one chewy strip or a few chips.
Large dogs: one or two strips.
First time: start with a small piece and watch for loose stools for a day.

Too much fiber at once can mean an upset tummy. Slow and steady wins here.

Chew safety: size and supervision

Dried chews get hard. A dog who gulps can try to swallow a big piece whole.

Match the size to the dog. A strip should be too long to swallow in one go.
Supervise the first few times, and take the last small nub away.
Gulpers do better with thin, crispy chips that break apart.
Puppies under about four months are better off with soft treats.

If your dog ever coughs, gags or vomits after a chew, call your vet.

Easy variations

Once you’ve got the basic method, try a few dog-safe twists.

Training bites: dice into small cubes before drying.
Mixed tray: add thin apple rings with the core and seeds removed.
Pumpkin swap: fresh pumpkin or butternut squash slices dry the same way.
Frozen version: mash steamed sweet potato into ice cube trays. More ideas in these frozen pupsicle recipes.

Please don’t swap in regular white potatoes. Raw or green potato contains solanine, which isn’t good for dogs.

Common questions

Are dehydrated sweet potatoes safe for dogs?

Yes, plain sweet potato with nothing added is safe for most dogs in small amounts. Ask your vet if your dog has diabetes or a sensitive stomach.

Do I have to cook sweet potato before dehydrating it?

No, but a quick 10-minute steam makes the chews easier for many dogs to digest.

How long do homemade sweet potato chews last?

About a week airtight on the counter, two weeks in the fridge and three months in the freezer.

Can puppies have sweet potato chews?

Older puppies can have small, thin pieces. Very young puppies are better off with soft treats.

Why did my sweet potato chews get moldy?

They weren’t dry enough in the middle, or they were sealed while still warm. Dry longer and cool completely next time.