Apr 27, 2010

Sweet Potato Dog Treats

The recipe for these dog treats is all over the Internet and seemed simple enough:  Slice up a sweet potato/yam and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper; bake at 250-degrees for 3 hours, turning once halfway through baking; cool completely on a wire rack.

~*~These didn't turn out chewy like I expected and had hoped they would.  Maybe I should have cooked them longer than three hours.  Tomorrow I'm going to make some more and slice them long like spears.  I also plan on cooking them a little longer than three hours.~*~

Chewy or not, Bandit absolutely ♥LOVES♥ them and devoured five in a row once they cooled!  If anyone has made these before and knows the trick to making them truly chewy, I'd love to know what the secret is. I did recheck the recipe and it says that they continue to dry while cooling, so maybe tomorrow morning they'll be more of a chewy texture.

We originally asked Papa to pick up a sweet potato on his way home from work.  He brought home this pale sweet potato.  We forgot to tell him it needed to be an orange sweet potato/yam.
After a quick trip to the grocery store for an orange sweet potato, making dog snacks was underway.
"I think we're on the right track now."
"Are they ready yet? I've been outside twice, pooped once, chased Simba through the house, had my toenails trimmed, and took a good long nap. Three hours is too long!"
All done!  We can store them in the fridge for up to three weeks, and in the freezer for up to four months.

15 comments:

Emma Rose said...

Those look yummy! We have never tried them so we can't help you out with the chewy part!

Kisses,
Emma Rose

Shopgirl said...

This post is adorable..Bandit knows this is just for him. You took some really wonderful pictures. I will try this for my little guy and girl. Mattie has good days and so so days.
Hugs, Mary

Unknown said...

Yum Yum Yum!
Thanks for the recipe. Lucky bandit!! And it looks so healthy too!

Bella/Dodger/Izzie said...

Those are the CUTEST pictures of Bandit watching the process of his treats being made. What a patient guy. I will have to try those for my dogs.

Pat Wahler said...

What a great healthy snack! I'm definitely going to try those. Did you taste them? Just curious!

You asked about the vine on our screened porch. I asked hubby who said it got a start of it from a friend. He doesn't know what it's called, only that it's some variation of honeysuckle. Our hummingbirds love it!

Pat said...

Need to make these for Lucy. Love the photos of a patient Bandit waiting for his treats.

Mini Aussie Ace! said...

Ah! How wonderful looking!! We can't wait to try them! i will be sure to post about it when I do make them!! =)
So you wanted to make them chewy? How did they come out though? Crunchy? or just really soft?

Bandit's Pack said...

I did taste them! They're quite good! I've never had a fondness for sweet potatoes but my Dad sure always loved them. At the holidays he would make some sort of mashed recipe which no one touched but him. I'm actually planning to make some for the family this weekend. They're so healthy, and the sweetness doesn't really need any spicing up or anything.
Thank you, Pat, for letting me know about the vine. Honeysuckle's smell wonderful! It's a really beautiful one you've got growing.

Bandit's Pack said...

I forgot to add that these came out soft. Not melt-in-your-mouth soft but definitely something that you chew just a few times before swallowing.

Reena G said...

wow, I am going to have to try these...I love sweet potatoes myself so what a great treat for the dogs! :)

Thanks for posting about them

Bella/Dodger/Izzie said...

I made these treats for my dogs this evening and they LOVED them. They were a nice chewy texture. Will be making them on a regular basis now as they are a good healthy treat for them. Thanks for the recipe.

Charleybrown said...

Stopping in to say hello...
Your dog is ADORABLE! :)

Ryker said...

Hey, They do look yummy! Maybe mom will make some for me too! She said maybe a dehydrator would work good too? Or just long slow cooking on the lowest setting in the oven?

Audrey the Photographer Dog said...

Yummy! I want some!

Ryker said...

Hey there,
did some research and have a couple ideas on the treats. One said to microwave the tater first till slightly soft before slicing and that this helped to retain the color and increase chewiness. Also if they are to wet inside try salting them after slicing to draw out some of the moisture , then you can rinse and pat them dry them before baking.
Let us know if these ideas are helpful : )