Chewy & Sweet! Super Easy Microwave Sweet Potato Jerky
How to Make Chewy Sweet Potato Jerky in Minutes Using the Microwave: Chef’s Secret Recipe
No oven or dehydrator needed! Learn Chef’s secret recipe for making chewy, sweet potato jerky easily at home with just a microwave and one sweet potato. Perfect for snacks or a healthy treat for kids!
Main Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized sweet potato
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The first step to delicious sweet potato jerky! Wash the sweet potato thoroughly. Then, cut it into finger-length strips, about the thickness of your index finger. The size is flexible, so cut it to a size that’s comfortable for you to eat. Cutting them too thin might cause them to burn, while cutting them too thick might prevent them from cooking through evenly. Adjusting the size is key for the perfect texture!
Step 2
Place the cut sweet potato pieces into a zip-top bag or a microwave-safe plastic bag. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water. Press out as much air as possible from the bag and seal it loosely. Now, microwave for about 1 minute. This process gently steams the sweet potato, making it tender and easier to work with. This is crucial for achieving a soft interior.
Step 3
Microwave power levels vary between appliances, so it’s important to adjust the cooking time based on your microwave and the sweet potato’s texture. In my case, microwaving for 1 minute, three times (a total of 3 minutes), yielded a perfectly softened sweet potato. Be careful not to overcook it until it becomes mushy. Cook until it feels slightly softened when touched.
Step 4
Carefully remove the softened sweet potato from the microwave. Spread the pieces out on a rack or plate, ensuring they don’t overlap. Be cautious as they will be hot! Let them cool completely in a well-ventilated area. Allowing the surface moisture to dry and the pieces to firm up slightly is the secret to achieving that chewy texture.
Step 5
Once the sweet potato pieces have cooled and firmed up, arrange them in a microwave-safe container or on a plate. Again, try to avoid overlapping them as much as possible. Laying them in a single layer is preferable to stacking them, as overlapping can lead to uneven heating and inconsistent drying.
Step 6
This is the final stage! Microwave the spread-out sweet potato pieces for about 1-2 minutes. This step helps to dry out the moisture, creating the chewy texture, much like a dehydrating process. Remove from the microwave, let cool completely, and repeat this drying process 2-3 times. The more you repeat it, the chewier your sweet potato jerky will become! Adjust the number of repetitions to achieve your desired chewiness. Enjoy your homemade sweet potato jerky!
