Apple And Carrot Chew Sticks (Printer-friendly)
Healthy apple and carrot chews made with oats and flour. Perfect natural treat to keep pups occupied and happy for hours.
# 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 - ½ cup rolled oats
→ Binding Ingredients
05 - 1 large egg
06 - ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
07 - 2 tbsp water (as needed)
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine grated apple, grated carrot, flour, and oats. Mix thoroughly until evenly distributed.
03 - Add egg and applesauce to the mixture. Stir until a dough forms. If dough is too dry, add water 1 tablespoon at a time until it comes together.
04 - On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into small sticks approximately 4 inches long and ½ inch thick.
05 - Place sticks on prepared baking sheet, spacing slightly apart to allow for even cooking.
06 - Bake for 40–45 minutes until sticks are golden brown and firm to the touch. For extra crunch, turn off oven and let sticks cool inside for an additional hour.
07 - Allow chew sticks to cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack before serving to your dog.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Your dog will think they are getting something special while you know they are eating wholesome ingredients
- These chews keep pups occupied longer than any store bought treat I have ever found
02 -
- Every oven bakes differently, so check at 40 minutes and adjust time to get them firm but not rock hard
- The cooling in the oven trick makes them extra crunchy, which dogs seem to prefer over softer textures
03 -
- Grate the apple and carrot right before mixing so they do not oxidize or become watery
- If your dough is too sticky, chill it for 15 minutes before rolling into perfect sticks