Start with clean hands, equipment, and countertops.
Peel the sweet potatoes, then wash under cold water.
Cut up the sweet potatoes—For cubes, dice into cubes no larger than ½" inch.For slices, cut into discs ¼" thickFor shreds, use the large holes of a box grater and shred the sweet potatoes
Blanch or bake the sweet potatoes—To blanch: Add the sweet potatoes to boiling water (or set them in a steamer basket over boiling water) for 2-3 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.To bake: Spread the sweet potatoes onto a lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (177°C) for 20 minutes.
Arrange the sweet potatoes on dehydrator trays, utilizing a mesh liner to prevent the sweet potatoes from falling through the holes as it shrinks.
Dehydrate at 125ºF (52ºC) for 8-12 hours until the sweet potato is dry and hard (see note 2).
Storage Tips
Let the dried sweet potato cool completely before storing.
Short-term storage: If sweet potato will be consumed within a few weeks, store in a ziptop bag or sealed container on the counter or in a pantry.
Long-term storage: Condition by loosely packing the dried sweet potato in a transparent, airtight container. Leave it on the counter for a week and check it daily for signs of moisture. If condensation appears, return the sweet potato to the dehydrator (unless there are signs of mold—then, throw out the whole batch). Shake occasionally to keep the pieces from sticking together.
After conditioning, store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Vacuum sealing will help extend the shelf life and quality of the sweet potato.
Notes
Note 1: You can use any amount of sweet potato that will fit in your dehydrator. 1 lb (fresh) = approx. 2 medium potatoes = 100g driedNote 2: Total time will depend on your machine, total dehydrator load, humidity in the air, air temperature. 8-12 hours is a range and you should rely primarily on the feel and texture of the sweet potatoes to determine doneness.Sweet potato pieces should be dry and hard and shreds will be brittle in texture when properly dried. To test, remove a piece and let it completely cool. There should be no soft spots and shreds should easily break in half. If there are any signs of remaining moisture, put them back into the dehydrator or oven to dry longer.