Air Fryer Dog Treats: A Healthy, Quick Treat For Your Pup

Air fryers are a great way to make healthy treats for your dog. They can be used to make treats with a variety of ingredients, including chicken, sweet potato, and peanut butter. Air fryers are essentially smaller versions of convection ovens, using a fan to circulate hot air and cook food without the need for oil. This makes it a healthier option for preparing treats for your furry friend, as it reduces the added fat and calories.

There are many benefits to making your own dog treats. Firstly, you know exactly what ingredients are going into them, so you can ensure they are nutritious and safe for your pet. You can also make treats that cater to your dog's preferences, such as making them soft or crunchy. Additionally, making your own treats can be more cost-effective than buying store-bought ones, and they can be made in larger quantities and stored for later.

Chicken dog treats

Ingredients:

• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (preferably frozen)
• Non-stick cooking spray

Instructions:

• Slice the chicken breast into thin, uniform pieces. For a chewier texture, cut the chicken with the grain.
• Spray the air fryer basket or trays with non-stick cooking spray.
• Place the chicken slices in a single layer on the basket or trays, making sure they don't overlap.
• Preheat the air fryer to 280°F and cook the chicken for about 9 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 165°F, which is important to ward off bacteria.
• Set the air fryer to 170°F and cook the chicken for about 1 ½ - 2 hours, or until the chicken is hard and not spongy to the touch. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken slices.
• Let the chicken cool and then store the treats in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Tips:

• It is easier to slice the chicken when it is partially frozen, so let it thaw for about 10 minutes before slicing.
• You can also use a food dehydrator to make these treats, but the air fryer method is faster.
• If you want to add some flavour to the treats, you can use a marinade or spices. However, make sure that any ingredients you use are safe for dogs to consume.

Pumpkin and peanut butter dog treats

These pumpkin and peanut butter dog treats are a tasty and healthy snack for your furry friend. They are easy to make and only require a handful of ingredients. Here is a detailed recipe for you to try!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of whole wheat flour
• 1/4-1/3 cup of canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 2-3 tablespoons of natural peanut butter (with no added sugar or xylitol)
• 1-2 eggs
• A pinch of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1-3 tablespoons of water (optional)

Utensils:

• Mixing bowl
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters or a knife
• Air fryer
• Parchment paper
• Airtight container for storage

Instructions:

Start by preheating your air fryer to 370°F for 5 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, pumpkin puree, peanut butter, eggs, and any optional ingredients. Mix until all the ingredients are fully incorporated and a dough starts to form. If the mixture is too dry, slowly add water until it reaches a soft and workable consistency.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll it out to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use cookie cutters or a knife to cut the dough into your desired shapes. Bone-shaped cookie cutters are especially fun for dog treats!

Place the cut-out treats onto a piece of parchment paper, making sure they are not overlapping. Carefully transfer the parchment paper into the preheated air fryer, cooking in batches if needed.

Air fry the treats for 4-7 minutes, keeping a close eye on them. You'll know they're done when they turn a light golden brown.

Let the treats cool completely before serving them to your dog. These treats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week or frozen for up to three months.

Your furry friend is sure to love these delicious and nutritious pumpkin and peanut butter treats!

Chicken jerky

Ingredients:

You will need just one boneless, skinless chicken breast. Preferably, use a frozen chicken breast as it is easier to slice.

Preparation:

Slice the chicken breast into thin, uniform pieces. For a chewier jerky, cut the chicken with the grain. If your slices are uneven, you can pound them out with the flat side of a meat mallet.

Cooking Instructions:

• Spray your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil.
• Place the chicken slices in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap.
• Pre-cook the chicken at 280°F for about 9 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 165°F, which is important to ward off bacteria.
• Now, dehydrate the chicken by setting your air fryer to 170°F and cook for about 1 ½ - 2 hours. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your slices. You'll know they're done when they are hard and not spongy to the touch.
• Once done, let the chicken jerky cool down.

Storage:

Store the chicken jerky treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should last for about a week.

Notes:

This recipe is a healthier alternative to store-bought treats as it doesn't contain any preservatives, artificial ingredients, or added spices. It's also a great source of protein for your furry friend!

You can also experiment with different meats, such as beef or salmon, but the cooking times may vary. Additionally, if you don't have an air fryer, you can use a convection oven or a dehydrator to make chicken jerky treats.

Sweet potato treats

Sweet potatoes are a great source of nutrients for your dog, and they can be easily turned into treats with the help of an air fryer. Here is a simple recipe for sweet potato treats that your dog will surely enjoy:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sweet potato puree
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1 egg

Optional:

Ground cinnamon

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes, following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Peel and mash or puree the sweet potatoes.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweet potato puree, egg, and coconut flour. Mix well to form a dough.
• Roll out the dough between two layers of parchment paper to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
• Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes from the dough. Bone shapes and circular cutters work well.
• Place a layer of parchment paper in the air fryer basket and arrange the cookies on it in a single layer. You may need to cook them in batches to maintain the single layer.
• Cook the cookies at 190°C/350°F for 5 minutes, then turn them over and cook for an additional 3 minutes for an even cook.
• Remove the cookies from the air fryer and allow them to cool before serving them to your dog.

Storage:

These sweet potato treats can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you want to save some for later, you can freeze them in a zip lock bag for up to 3 months.

Benefits of Sweet Potato Treats:

Sweet potatoes are a healthy and tasty treat for your dog. They are full of fiber, low in fat, and rich in vitamins like Beta-Carotene and Vitamin C. They are also a good source of potassium, which helps regulate your dog's blood pressure.

Tips:

• It is recommended to consult your veterinarian before feeding your dog any new food or treats.
• The serving size may vary depending on your dog's size and their daily calorie intake.
• If your dog has allergies, be sure to check with your veterinarian about the ingredients you are using.

Human food for dogs

Dogs have different digestive systems than humans, so some foods that are safe for people may be harmful to dogs. It's important to feed human foods to dogs in moderation, as larger quantities can lead to health issues.

Foods Dogs Can Eat

• Apples (in moderation)
• Bananas (in moderation)
• Blueberries
• Bread (plain, in small amounts)
• Carrots
• Cashews (unsalted, in small amounts)
• Cheese (in small to moderate quantities)
• Chicken (cooked, unseasoned)
• Coconut
• Cooked eggs
• Cooked fish (fully cooked, unseasoned, deboned)
• Corn
• Cooked green beans
• Honey (in small amounts)
• Milk (some dogs are lactose intolerant)
• Natural peanut butter (unsalted, in moderation)
• Plain popcorn (unsalted, unbuttered, air-popped, in moderation)
• Pork (unseasoned, cooked)
• Quinoa
• Salmon (fully cooked)
• Shrimp (fully cooked, deboned)
• Cooked turkey (plain, unseasoned)
• Tuna (in small amounts)
• Watermelon (remove seeds and rind)
• Yogurt (plain)

Foods Dogs Can't Eat

• Almonds
• Avocados
• Bread dough
• Caffeine
• Cherries
• Chocolate
• Cinnamon
• Citrus fruits (in large quantities)
• Garlic
• Grapes
• Ham (due to high sodium and fat content)
• Ice cream
• Macadamia nuts
• Onions
• Raw eggs
• Raw meat
• Raisins
• Salt
• Sultanas
• Sugar
• Xylitol

Frequently asked questions