ByHealthy sweet potato dog treats are crunchy baked biscuits made from cooked sweet potato, oat flour, and one egg. They take about 20 minutes to prep and 35 to 40 minutes to bake. The #1 safety rule is simple: always cook and peel the sweet potato first, never use it raw.
These are the biscuits I bake when I want a real crunch. Sweet potato gives them a warm orange color and a natural sweet taste. Dogs think they are fancy. You and I know they are just three plain foods.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep time: 20 minutes (plus time to cook the sweet potato)
- Cook time: 35 to 40 minutes, plus 1 hour drying in the warm oven
- Total time: about 2 hours (mostly hands-off)
- Yield: about 24 biscuits (2.5-inch bone cutter)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Storage life: up to 2 weeks in the fridge, up to 3 months in the freezer
Key Takeaway: Cook and peel the sweet potato, use plain oats, and dry the biscuits in a warm oven for extra crunch. No sugar, butter, salt, or spices. Treats stay a small part of the day, never the main meal.
Are Sweet Potato Dog Treats Healthy?
Yes, when the sweet potato is cooked, peeled, and served in small amounts. It is a whole food with fiber and vitamins.
The American Kennel Club says sweet potatoes are a great source of dietary fiber and are low in fat. They also bring vitamins A, B6, and C, plus calcium, potassium, and iron.
The same AKC article adds two cautions I take seriously. First, a vet warns that too much can mean too much vitamin A. Second, sweet potatoes have a high glycemic index, so dogs with diabetes should only get a little. The AKC also notes an FDA alert about heart disease (DCM) in dogs eating foods where potatoes are a main ingredient. That is one more reason to keep these as a treat, not a meal.
Want to see how this fits with other picks? I share my favorites in I found the healthiest treats for dogs.
Healthy Sweet Potato and Oat Dog Biscuits Recipe
This is a firm, roll-and-cut dough. You mash the sweet potato, mix in oat flour and egg, then bake low and slow.
Ingredients
- 1 medium sweet potato (about 1 cup cooked and mashed), peeled
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, blended into flour (about 2 ½ cups oat flour)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted (optional, for a richer biscuit)
- 2 to 4 tablespoons water, as needed
- 2 tablespoons extra oat flour for rolling
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Peel the sweet potato and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
- Boil or steam the cubes for 12 to 15 minutes, until a fork slides in easily.
- Drain and mash the sweet potato until smooth.
- Let the mash cool for 10 minutes so it doesn’t cook the egg.
- Heat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Blend the rolled oats into a fine flour.
- In a large bowl, stir the mash, egg, and coconut oil together.
- Add the oat flour one cup at a time and stir well.
- Add water one tablespoon at a time until the dough holds together.
- Roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick on a lightly floured counter.
- Cut out biscuits with a bone-shaped cutter.
- Place them on the tray about ½ inch apart.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping once halfway.
- Turn off the oven and leave the biscuits inside for 1 hour to dry and crisp.
- Cool fully on a wire rack before serving.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- Never raw sweet potato. The AKC says raw sweet potato is hard to chew, can upset the stomach, and may cause an intestinal blockage.
- Peel it. The AKC notes the skin makes sweet potato harder for dogs to digest.
- No candied yams or casserole leftovers. Those have butter, sugar, and sometimes marshmallows.
- Plain oats only. The AKC oatmeal guide warns flavored oatmeal may contain sweeteners like xylitol.
- Know the toxic list. The ASPCA lists xylitol, grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts among foods to keep away from pets. Don’t add them as “mix-ins.”
Pro Tip: The 1-hour rest in the warm oven is the secret. It dries the middle so the biscuits snap. Dry biscuits also keep longer than soft ones.
How Many Sweet Potato Biscuits Can My Dog Eat?
Most dogs do well with one or two biscuits a day, depending on size. Small dogs should get half a biscuit.
VCA Animal Hospitals says 90% of your dog’s daily calories should come from complete and balanced food. Only 10% should come from treats and snacks. VCA also suggests making a daily “treat budget” with your vet.
I learned this rule the hard way, and I share what went wrong in why I failed the 90/10 rule for my dog’s diet at first. If your dog needs to slim down, see how many calories a dog should eat to lose weight.
Want to track how active your dog is while you adjust treats? A dog health tracker makes it easy to see activity and rest.
Vet Tip: If your dog has diabetes, is overweight, or is not very active, the AKC suggests giving only a small amount of sweet potato. Ask your vet before adding these to their routine.
Are Sweet Potato Biscuits Good for Puppies?
Yes, in tiny pieces. Puppies can try a small bit once they eat solid food well.
Break biscuits into crumbs or small chunks, since crunchy treats can be tough for puppy teeth. Start with one piece and watch their stool the next day.
Can I Use These as Training Treats?
Yes, if you cut them small. Use a knife to cut the rolled dough into ½-inch squares before baking.
Small crunchy rewards work well for short sessions, like clicker training for dogs. For more everyday ideas, see what treats dogs can eat every day.
Substitutions and Variations
This recipe is easy to change for allergies, size, or diet. Here are my favorite swaps.
Allergy Swaps
- Egg-free: Skip the egg and add 2 more tablespoons of mashed sweet potato.
- Coconut-free: Leave out the coconut oil. The biscuits will be a little drier, which is fine.
- Flour swap: Use brown rice flour in place of half the oat flour.
Grain-Free Option
Swap the oat flour for 2 cups chickpea flour. Add water slowly, and bake a few extra minutes.
Scaling for Dog Size
- Toy and small dogs: Use a 1-inch cutter, or snap biscuits in half.
- Medium dogs: A 2-inch cutter works well.
- Large dogs: Use the 2.5-inch bone, and stick to one or two a day.
Flavor Twists
Love sweet potato? My easy homemade sweet potato dog treats are a softer version. For a classic flavor, try peanut butter oat dog treats or my homemade oatmeal dog cookies.
Looking to support joints or coat? A vet-made dog supplement can go into meals, so your treats stay simple.
How Do I Store Sweet Potato Dog Biscuits?
Store fully dried biscuits in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Freeze extras for up to 3 months.
Make sure they are cool before you seal the jar, or steam will soften them. If they ever smell sour or show spots, throw them out. No time to bake? Keep a bag of ready-made fresh dog treats on hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can dogs eat sweet potato skin?
A: It is best to peel it. The AKC says the skin makes sweet potato harder for dogs to digest.
Q: Is sweet potato better than regular potato for dogs?
A: Sweet potato brings fiber and vitamins and is a common carb in dog foods. Either way, serve it cooked, plain, and in small amounts.
Q: Can I use canned sweet potato?
A: Only if it is plain with no syrup, sugar, or salt. Most canned “yams” are packed in syrup, so check the label.
Q: Why are my biscuits soft?
A: They need more drying time. Roll them thinner and leave them in the warm, turned-off oven for the full hour.
Q: Are sweet potato treats okay for dogs with diabetes?
A: Ask your vet first. The AKC notes sweet potatoes have a high glycemic index and should be given with caution to diabetic dogs.
Q: Can I make these without oats?
A: Yes. Use chickpea flour or brown rice flour instead. The texture changes a bit, but dogs don’t mind.
Final Thoughts
These healthy sweet potato dog treats are crunchy, simple, and easy to make in a big batch. Cook and peel the sweet potato, keep the oats plain, and give the biscuits time to dry. Keep portions small and your dog’s main food doing the heavy lifting. A fun bonus: a dog camera lets you check in and watch the crunch from anywhere.
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