Apple and carrot dog chew sticks (Print version)

Healthy apple and carrot chews made with whole wheat flour, oats, and natural ingredients for a satisfying dog treat.

# 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 your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the grated apple, grated carrot, flour, and oats. Mix thoroughly.
03 - Add the egg and applesauce to the mixture and stir until a dough forms. If the dough is dry, add water 1 tablespoon at a time until it comes together.
04 - On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into small sticks about 4 inches long and ½ inch thick.
05 - Place the sticks on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
06 - Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the sticks are golden and firm. For extra crunch, turn off the oven and let the sticks cool inside for an additional hour.
07 - Let the chew sticks cool completely before serving to your pup.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • These sticks are dense and satisfying enough to keep even power chewers busy for 20 minutes straight
  • They cost pennies to make compared to store bought chews and you control every ingredient
02 -
  • Dough consistency varies based on apple and carrot moisture, so trust your hands more than exact measurements
  • The cooling in the oven step is crucial for achieving that satisfying chewy texture dogs love
03 -
  • Letting the dough rest for 15 minutes before rolling makes it much easier to work with
  • Using the finer side of your box grater creates a better texture than food processing