How to Dehydrate Sweet Potatoes
This is our step-by-step guide on how to dehydrate frozen sweet potatoes. Frozen sweet potatoes are some of the best foods to dehydrate for long-term storage. They’re already processed and, with a few easy steps, ready to dehydrate, making the process quick and easy while ensuring consistent results. Once dehydrated, sweet potatoes become lightweight, compact, and shelf-stable, perfect for homemade dehydrated camping meals. Properly dehydrated and stored, they should keep at least a year in the pantry.
Equipment
- Removable fruit roll sheet insert (one for each dehydrator tray)
- Common kitchen tools (including cutting boards, chef’s knife, spatula, steamer, colander, etc.)
- Canning jars with tight-fitting lids
- Desiccant packets for moisture control (optional)
Ingredients
- several packages frozen diced sweet potatoes
Instructions
Process the Frozen Sweet Potatoes
- Working in batches, steam the frozen sweet potatoes for approximately eight minutes until they are just tender.several packages frozen diced sweet potatoes
- Plunge the steamed sweet potatoes into an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Then drain.
Prepare the Dehydrator
- Layer the sweet potato pieces onto the removable fruit roll sheet inserts; one 10-ounce package will fill one Nesco 13.5-inch round dehydrator tray.
- Inspect the sweet potatoes as you layer them on the trays; remove anything that shouldn't be there.
Dehydrate the Diced Sweet Potatoes
- Set the dehydrator thermostat temperature to 135 °F (57 °C). Dry for 18 to 24 hours until done.
When are the Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes Done
- When done, the dehydrated sweet potato pieces should be hard, little square nuggets. There should be no wet or mushy pieces.
Equalizing and Conditioning Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes
- After a short cooling period, loosely pack the dehydrated sweet potato pieces into a clean, dry canning jar with a tight-fitting lid, leaving some headspace.
- Every day, for 7 to 10 days, check the jar for moisture. Roll the jar contents around and note any clumping or sticking. If seen, put it all back on the dehydrator for several more hours.
- If you notice any mold at all, even the slightest bit, throw it all out.
Storing the Dehydrated Potatoes
- Use appropriate-sized canning jars for storage. Depending on how well you dehydrate them and your pantry storage conditions, the dehydrated sweet potato pieces should keep for at least 12 months.
- An optional food-safe desiccant packet will aid with moisture control.
- Attach or include a label describing the jar contents and the date the product was dehydrated. The label identifies the canning jar contents, and the date helps with the rotation schedule. A first-in, first-out rotation helps us to use items that have been on the shelf the longest, so we're using the oldest food first.
Notes
Drying times will vary depending on your dehydrator and environmental conditions. Refer to your dehydrator owner’s manual for recommended temperatures and times for dehydrating specific foods. Remember to use drying times as a guide.
The product’s ingredient list may include added salt. It is assumed that some, but not all, of the sodium content would be drained away with the canning liquid, so the actual sodium may be less than shown above.
Nutrition
Serving: 22gCalories: 90kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gSodium: 60mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g
Nutrition information is only an estimate and may differ depending on the ingredients you use.
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