Apple Carrot Dog Chew Sticks (Printable version)
Crunchy baked sticks made with fresh apples and carrots for happy, occupied pups.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fruits & Vegetables
01 - 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and grated
02 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
→ Dry Ingredients
03 - 2 cups whole wheat flour (or gluten-free oat flour)
04 - 1/2 cup rolled oats
→ Binding Ingredients
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
07 - 2 tbsp water (as needed)
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated apple, grated carrot, flour, and oats. Mix thoroughly until evenly distributed.
03 - Add the egg and applesauce to the mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms. If the dough feels dry, incorporate water 1 tablespoon at a time until proper consistency is achieved.
04 - On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough into sticks approximately 4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick.
05 - Place the shaped sticks on the prepared baking sheet, leaving slight spacing between each piece.
06 - Bake for 40-45 minutes until the sticks are golden brown and firm. For extra crunch, turn off the oven and allow the sticks to cool inside for an additional hour.
07 - Let the chew sticks cool completely on the baking sheet before serving to your dog.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- These sticks keep your pup occupied without the guilt of mystery ingredients from commercial treats.
- The crunch satisfies their chewing instinct while sneaking in real vegetables theyd normally ignore.
02 -
- Moisture content varies in fresh produce, so trust your hands more than the recipe when deciding if you need that extra water.
- Completely cooled treats last a week at room temperature or freeze beautifully for months.
03 -
- Grate the apple and carrot directly onto a clean kitchen towel, then squeeze out excess moisture for a more consistent dough.
- Make double batches because your dog owning friends will absolutely beg for some to take home.