Chewy and Sweet Homemade Sweet Potato Chews
How to Make Nutritious Sweet Potato Chews at Home
I started making sweet potato chews because I love them, but they were too expensive for the quantity.
Ingredients
- 10 sweet potatoes (medium-sized)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by preparing delicious sweet potato chews! Choose fresh sweet potatoes. Wash them thoroughly and then peel off all the skin. While you can leave the skin on, removing it will give you the signature soft texture of sweet potato chews. Place the prepared sweet potatoes in a steamer basket. Once the water is boiling and steaming, cover the pot and steam for about 20-30 minutes.
Step 2
A simple test to see if they’re cooked: insert a chopstick or skewer into a sweet potato. If it goes in smoothly and easily, they are perfectly cooked. Once steamed, let the sweet potatoes cool down completely. It’s crucial to let them cool thoroughly before cutting; if you cut them while warm, they might lose their shape easily.
Step 3
Now it’s time to shape our sweet potato chews! Once completely cooled, cut the sweet potatoes into stick shapes of your desired size. Aim for a consistent thickness of about 1 to 1.5 cm, as this ensures even drying. Arrange the sweet potato sticks on a food dehydrator tray, making sure they don’t overlap.
Step 4
Set your food dehydrator to around 60-70°C (140-158°F). The drying time will vary depending on your desired texture. For a chewier exterior with a moist interior, dry for a shorter time. If you prefer a firmer, denser chew, extend the drying period. Flipping the sweet potato sticks halfway through the drying process will help them dry more evenly.
Step 5
The chewy and dense texture you see in the photo was achieved after approximately 3 to 4 hours of drying. The ideal texture is when they feel slightly elastic when pressed but aren’t too mushy. Feel free to adjust the drying time to achieve your perfect consistency.
Step 6
Voila! Your healthy and delicious homemade sweet potato chews are ready. Enjoy the natural sweetness and satisfying chewiness of sweet potatoes without any added ingredients. They make a perfect snack for kids and a healthy treat for adults. Enjoy your creation!
