3 No-Fuss Recipes for Homemade Baked Dog Treats

Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM

Baking homemade doggy snacks is a daunting process for pawrents who are testing their skills in the kitchen. Gain some confidence by following these quick and easy recipes for baking dog treats.

1. Shrimp Popcorn Baked Dog Treats

Ingredients

• 1 pound peeled and deveined small shrimp
• 1 cup quinoa flour
• 1½ cup shredded coconut
• ¼ cups ground oats
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1½ teaspoons ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons chopped parsley
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 large eggs

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line a baking sheet with a foil.
3. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel and put them in a large bowl.
4. Combine the ground oats, quinoa flour, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl. Then place the shredded coconut in another bowl.
5. Mix the eggs and almond milk in a different bowl.
6. Line the 4 bowls side-by-side for a smooth shrimp dredging and coating process. Place the bowl with the shrimp first, followed by the flour mixture, then the egg dip, and lastly, the shredded coconut.
7. Dip each shrimp one by one in these bowls. Make sure to follow the sequential order of the bowls so that the shrimp forms a cohesive flour and shredded coconut coating.
8. Place the coated shrimp on the foil-lined baking sheet. Carefully arrange them in a single layer. Ideally, they should be at least half an inch apart to prevent these baked dog treats from sticking to each other in the oven.
9. Bake the shrimp for 7 minutes until they have a golden hue. Flip them over and bake for another 7 minutes.
10. Take them out of the oven and allow them to cool down completely.
11. Garnish these baked dog treats with chopped parsley before serving them to your canine friend.

Notes

• Avoid placing too much shrimp on the baking tray as it will keep them from developing a crispy exterior.
• Remember to gently shake the excess egg mixture off the shrimp or else you will have a hard time coating them with shredded coconut.
• Firmly press into the shredded coconut when coating the shrimp to make it stick properly.
• Get rid of excess coating by tossing the shrimp between your hands. The movement helps any loose crumbs fall off.

2. Cheese Straws Baked Dog Treats

Ingredients

• 1½ cup almond flour
• 1½ cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup cold pumpkin purée
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl, sift the almond flour and salt.
4. Combine the grated cheddar cheese and pumpkin puree in a stand mixer on medium speed.
5. Turn the speed to low when a stretchable dough is formed.
6. Slowly add the almond flour to the mixture and let the stand mixer process the ingredients until they are properly incorporated. Ideally, the dough should clump together.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into about a ⅛-inch thickness. Then slice the flattened dough in half across the middle using a knife.
8. Cut straight down 5-inch-long and ¼-inch-wide strips of dough.
9. Place them on the lined baking sheet with at least ½-inch space apart.
10. Carefully twist the ends in opposite directions to give these baked dog treats a spiral form. Firmly press both of their ends to the parchment paper so they retain their shape.
11. Bake the cheese straws for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
12. Take them out of the oven and wait for them to cool down completely.
13. Once these baked dog treats have cooled down, they should be firm enough to remove from the sheet without drooping. Do this using a spatula to avoid breaking them.

Notes

• When cutting the dough into strips, make sure to have a good estimation of the measurement. Slicing them too thick prevents the baked dog treats from achieving a crispy texture.
• Cheese straws can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days. Just make sure to place them properly in an airtight container. Layer these homemade treats between parchment paper for longer freshness.

Read: Can Dogs Eat Cheese?

3. Coconut Crunch Baked Dog Treats

Ingredients

• 2 cups flaked coconuts
• 1 cup softened cream cheese
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup melted carob chocolate

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Use a non-stick silicone mat to line a baking tray.
3. Mix the flaked coconuts and cream cheese in a large bowl and set aside.
4. Whip the egg whites on high speed using an electric mixer until they form stiff peaks.
5. Use a spatula to gently fold the egg whites into the coconut-cream cheese mixture.
6. Form small mounds from the mixture using a 1-inch diameter ice cream scooper.
7. Place them at least 1 inch apart on the lined baking tray.
8. Bake the coconut crunch treats for approximately 20 to 30 minutes until toasted golden brown.
9. While waiting, put the carob chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat them at 30-second intervals. Make sure to stir in between sessions until you get a smooth and creamy consistency.
10. Take the baked dog treats out of the oven and let them cool down completely.
11.  Dip their bottoms on the melted carob chips. Let the excess drip back into the bowl before placing each coconut crunch on the lined baking sheet.
12. Chill these baked dog treats in the fridge for 30 minutes or until set.

Notes

• If you do not have a silicone mat, use parchment paper to line the baking tray. Avoid using wax paper since the coconut crunch will stick to it.
• Leftover baked dog treats can be placed in a tightly sealed container, separated by parchment paper. Store them in the fridge for up to a week.

FAQs About Homemade Baked Dog Treats

1. What Baked Goods Are Safe for Dogs?

Certain types of baked goods are not safe for dogs. Those that contain ingredients like chocolate, xylitol, and grapes are dangerous because they can cause poisoning in canines.

2. Can Dogs Eat Baked Treats?

Dogs can eat baked treats made for humans, but we do not recommend doing so due to the risk we have mentioned above.

For your pet’s safety, stick to offering him homemade baked dog treats. Only share baked human snacks with him if you can guarantee that they are free from harmful ingredients.

3. Can You Make Dog Treats in the Oven?

Yes, you can make dog treats in the oven. It is an important equipment when recipes require you to bake them. If you do not have one, an air fryer is the closest alternative that you can use.

4. How Long Are Homemade Baked Dog Treats Good For?

Homemade baked dog treats are usually good for 2 to 5 days at room temperature. Some can last for a week, especially if placed in the fridge.

That being said, these are simply estimations, meaning some baked dog treats get spoiled quickly. So always check for signs of spoilage like molds and bad smell before feeding them to your dog.

Conclusion

You do not need to break a sweat when making homemade baked dog treats. The recipes we have shared above are simple and easy to make the baking process a fun experience for you.