Simple Sweet Potato Chips Save the Day
How and why (far more important) to make sweet potato chips.
PMS, which I like to refer to as Present Monster Syndrome, presents a set of challenges almost every month not the least of which are the cravings. C.R.A.V.I.N.G.S. Cravings, if not managed, will leave unwanted additions to my thighs every month and over time, left unchecked, I could be right back where I started. No thanks. So how do I manage to mostly maintain my weight when the monster comes a clawing?
Plan.
Plan. Plan.
Plan. Plan. Plan.
This weekend, I made a few batches of sweet potato chips in my dehydrator to get ready to fight beast. Love these chips because they are easy, healthy, and satisfying when all I really want to do is eat my weight in Cheetos. Just being honest.
It seems most people will tell you need a mandoline to slice the potatoes. While I’m sure this results in lovely uniform slices that would feed my OCD, I’m trying to simplify my life which means the less stuff the better. I also saw a video where someone suggested slicing the potatoes into nice little strips with a peeler after you peeled them. I’d be able to to the grocery store and back 3 times with a party sized bag of Funyuns (Yeah I used to eat those back in the day, don’t judge.) before that got done.
1. I opted to forgo the peeling altogether and ran those puppies through the food processor. (Hmmm…something about that sentence just sounds wrong.) It took about 3 minutes to slice a few pounds of potatoes. Being the rebel I am, I even used a 4mm instead (that’s the only kind I own) of a 1 or 2 mm blade and it worked fine. Just don’t press too hard or at all on the potatoes to keep the slices on the thinner side.
2. Next, I laid the slices neatly for the picture, the rest I threw on the dehydrator tray, sprayed them with olive oil, sprinkled on sea salt, and turned the dehydrator to about 140º. (While I’ve never done it, I’ve heard an oven can be used in place of a dehydrator if the temperature is able to be set low.) Despite the “do not to overlap pieces” directions on my dehydrator, I’ve found that since the potato slices shrink so quickly they can be overlapped (saving time) and they still dry out evenly.
3. On the second batch I added some cinnamon. Cinnamon has been linked to lowering blood sugar thus reducing the glycemic index.
4. A few minutes hours later.
Has anyone successfully made sweet potato chips in the oven? Do you get cravings? What do you do about them?
Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn
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This is my (almost) sane quest for insane health. Let's 
I haven’t done sweet potato chips in the oven, but if they are anything as yummy as sweet potato fries, you bet I’m down!
It’s a toss up fried and chips are both so good!
Yes, I made sweet potato chips in the oven, and they turned out great. Then I tried to make them again, and I burned them. Took forever to get the smell out. I tried two more times, but it never worked out right…
I guess it would have helped had I written down what exactly I did the first time it worked out…
Your chips sound yummy!!!
And yes, I get cravings. Like you, I try to be prepared, usually with banana soft serve or a baked potato with Greek yogurt and salsa.
If you do them again and it works I’d love to hear about it! Greek yogurt on a potato? Great idea!
I made them in a dehydrator, but I think I sliced them too thick, so they didn’t turn out very good.
I’m surprised that you don’t have a mandolin!! Seems like with all your veggies you would have one of those!!!
Those look tasty. I’ve had a dehydrator in my garage for years that I’ve never opened. This might bring me to get the box down.
I also have a brand new dehydrator in the box that’s over a year old with no time nor desire to bust it open. However, I might do it with these in mind. Helpful to know that you don’t need to worry about overlap. My plastic trays melted (!!) which is why I ended up with a new one. One day. And cravings- yes. I pretty much just give in to the beast but try to pre-empt it with my shakes and protein muffins. I allow myself to have sugar and chocolate and I don’t ever have all that much, so it just is what it is.
Hi Debs! These are super easy. I only know that sweet potatoes are ok to overlap. The fruit and jerky we’ve been making can’t be overlapped. Just wanted to make sure I was clear for you or anyone else who might decided to break out their dehydrator. xoxo
You have all sorts of appliances in your garage! Lucky!
Oh yeah, I’ve made them in the oven before. They mostly turned out well with just a few of the really thin ones getting burned. I’m going to try to food processor to chop them more evenly next time.
I have tried to make them before in the oven, but they don’t taste right to me, they are still a little chewy. I like to cook mine in coconut oil and eat them with hummus!
Coconut oil! Genius! I will give that a try next time!
Yum, those look so delicious! My Mom gave me a dehydrator, but I haven’t been brave enough to try using it yet. I think your post may have inspired me to challenge the fear. 😉
And yes, cravings and me are best friends. I tend to complain about them since I have nothing in the house to satisfy them. And when I complain about them my husband tells me to eat some fruit.
So funny. I wanted one for the longest time but I was afraid! As it turns out it’s really really simple!
Dude are we on the same cycle? Anyhoo, I still occasionally eat both Cheetos and Funyuns b/c I’m still a teenager on the inside.
Sweet potato chips are so smart. I’m going to go w/ SP fries tonight for my PMS sweet tooth. It’s GROWLING.
Yum! I love the fries too!
What? I have to try this.
I have SUCH a craving now!!! Those look amazing. I do not have a food dehydrator. I also can’t do the oven trick since I can’t leave it ajar with so many tiny fingers in the house. Hmmm…
I’m sure you will come up with something. 😉 Maybe during the summer you can build one of those boxes to dehydrate outside? A different type of experiment?
Yes, I have some of the strongest cravings ever! These chips sound fantastic. Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite foods. I need a dehydrator!
Try the oven! I’ve heard it works. If you do let me know how they turn out!