How to Dehydrate Potatoes

Loose white potatoes - and a bowl of potato soup

It's time to learn how to dehydrate potatoes. They are one of the most versatile veggies out there! Let's get going.

But first, here's a quick potato selector guide: from choosing a cropping type to variety, planting tubers, and how to harvest and enjoy your spuds!

Please check out Sue Sanderson's 'potato selector guide' post then come on back here...

TOP Frequently Asked Questions:

How do you dehydrate sweet potatoes?

Here is an effective method for dehydrating sweet potatoes:

Ingredients:

2 lbs sweet potatoes, washed thoroughly

Instructions:

Peel sweet potatoes if desired, then slice 1⁄4 inch thick uniformly or cut into 1⁄2 inch cubes.

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add sweet potato slices or cubes and blanch for 3 minutes. Drain.

Optional step - toss blanched sweet potatoes with 1⁄2 tbsp oil and preferred spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or chili powder.

Arrange slices/cubes in a single layer without overlapping on dehydrator trays lined with a nonstick mesh sheet or parchment paper.

Dehydrate at 135°F for 8 to 14 hours until sweet potato pieces are completely dried and leathery, with no moisture pockets when squeezed.

Cool fully then transfer the dried sweet potato to an airtight glass jar or plastic freezer bag for storage for up to 1 year.

Enjoy dried sweet potato as a healthy snack! Rehydrate in soups, stews, or gravies too. Adjust drying time based on thickness and preferred final texture.

How to dehydrate potatoes?

Follow the instructions further down this page.

Dehydrate potatoes for mashed potatoes?

This question is ambiguous. How so? Yes, you can dehydrate ready-made mashed potatoes, sure.

But if the question is "How do you dehydrate spuds to MAKE mashed potatoes?" then here's a combined answer to both PLUS #4 and #5 in the instructions below show you how to prepare it for reconstituted mash!

Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs russet potatoes, peeled, chopped
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a pot, boil potatoes until very fork tender, then drain and return to pot. Mash potatoes while heating milk, butter, salt and pepper. Mix well.
  2. Line dehydrator trays with non-stick sheets. Spread a thin, even layer of mashed potatoes, less than 1/4 inch.
  3. Dehydrate at 125°F for 6-10 hours, scraping and flipping as needed, until completely dried and brittle.
  4. Break dried potato flakes into pieces then grind into a fine powder in a blender or food processor.
  5. To reconstitute, mix powder with hot milk until desired consistency is reached. Add extra butter and salt and pepper IF you deem it necessary.

Make a big flavorful batch, dehydrate the leftovers, and have instant mashed potatoes anytime! Adjust milk and butter to rehydrate as needed.

In steps #4 and #5, it's important to note that dehydrated ground powder will contain the butter and milk when you originally made the mash. So it's important to get the powder vacuum-sealed with an oxygen absorber tucked in the bag before drawing out the air. You see, fat goes rancid, so that's why I say to dehydrate your potato flakes/powder as soon as possible.

Potato Nutrition Info.

VITAMINS: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Choline, followed by Niacin, Thiamine, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, and Betaine. There are trace amounts of Vitamin K and Folate.

MINERALS: Potassium, followed by Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Calcium. There are also trace amounts of Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, and Selenium.

Potatoes contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids too.

BIG TIP: How to Slice Potatoes - Easily

Cooked (and chilled) potatoes being sliced

If you want a great way to slice potatoes—cool them off! Either let them cool down naturally in a dish or put them in the refrigerator overnight. Works wonders!

Later on, when you go to slice them, they'll be much firmer—and you won't have to deal with hard-to-cut warm mushy potatoes!

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Begin by Using a Good Sharp Knife!

Check out this great chef's knife with a full tang that means the handle and blade "are one" so they can't come apart when we're slicin' and a dicin'.

I know these Cutluxe Chef knives may be a little expensive, but they do last pretty much a lifetime when you maintain their cutting edges.

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How to Dehydrate Potatoes: Precooked or Frozen

Here's How to Dehydrate Potatoes ~ The EASY Way!

Let's get busy learning how to dehydrate potatoes!

If using frozen hash brown potatoes, simply ignore steps 1, 2, and 3.

  1. Gently scrub and wash potatoes in the sink
  2. Put in a pan of water, NO SALT, and bring to a boil, simmer for 20 minutes
  3. Place potatoes in a bowl, and when cooled off, put them in the refrigerator overnight. This helps tremendously when you slice them tomorrow into 3/8" slices! I leave the skins on, as there are loads of nutrients in the skins too
  4. Arrange the potatoes on your food dehydrator trays, making sure the potatoes don't overlap
  5. Turn on your food dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or per your food dehydrator's instructions).
  • Potatoes will be leathery and/or brittle when fully dried.
  • Drying time for potatoes: between 6-14 hours.
  • Please remember to rotate your trays for even drying.

If Using Frozen: How to De-Clump Frozen Potatoes

If clumps persist, run the clump under cool running water for a few seconds—that should do the trick!

Dehydrated sliced potatoes
Dehydrated sliced potatoes, vacuum sealed with an oxygen absorber

Joan's Dehydrated Potato Journey

Joan, fondly known as the "Case Hardened Lady" wrote in to tell us how she gets ready for dehydrating potatoes. Here it is, straight from Joan:

"Started batch number four of potatoes this morning. Things are running quickly and smoothly now that I have the routine down. Still forgot to start heating the blanching water first, though. It takes about 20 minutes on my stove. I'm making sliced raw potatoes.

Anyway, in my mind it takes longer to peel and slice potatoes than to get the water boiling. In reality, it's only a few minutes of prep, and then the potatoes are ready and the water isn't.

Oh, what a journey these 99-cent bags of potatoes have taken me on!"

~ ~ ~

Joan, thanks for writing in! :-)

Pick the Right Spot for Growing Potatoes

Potatoes growing in a field

Potatoes are a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes.

If you're looking to add potatoes to your garden, you'll want to make sure you have the right conditions for growing this veggie.

According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, potatoes need full sun and well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 4.8 and 5.5.

When it comes to planting, you'll want to start your potato seeds indoors about two weeks before the last spring frost.

Once it's time to transplant the seedlings outdoors, make sure to space them 12 inches apart in rows that are 3 feet apart.

Water Regularly, Especially During Dry Periods...

Water your potatoes regularly, especially during dry periods. The Almanac also recommends adding a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture.

Harvest your potatoes when the tops of the plants start to die back. You can dig up the entire plant at once, or harvest individual potatoes as needed. Be sure to check your plants regularly, as potatoes that are left to mature will produce flowers and eventually go to seed.

Growing potatoes can be a challenge, but if you have the right conditions and take care of your plants, you'll be rewarded with a delicious crop of this versatile vegetable.

I hope you enjoyed learning all about how to dehydrate potatoes!