Here in New England, apples are the flavor of fall. Whether you’re enjoying cider or picking fresh apples from the local farm, these crisp, sweet fruits are staples in the kitchen during the autumn months. Why not let your dog enjoy some of the deliciousness? Bake up a batch of Apple Bites with our dog snack recipe below!
Want to go above and beyond? Make your own applesauce from fresh, local apples to use in this recipe, or add some thinly grated pieces of local apple to store-bought applesauce.
APPLE BITES DOG SNACK RECIPE
(makes approximately 6 dozen mini-cookies)
Ingredients:
2 cups brown rice flour
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/8 cup ground flax meal
2 eggs (local or organic, if possible)
¼ cup filtered water
¾ cup applesauce (local or organic if possible)
1 Tbsp blackstrap molasses
1 tsp cinnamon
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease 2 cookie sheets with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, oats, & flax meal.
- In a separate bowl mix the eggs, water, applesauce, molasses, & cinnamon.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Stir until all ingredients are completely mixed and have formed a soft dough.
- Pinch off pieces of dough and roll them into marble-sized balls.
- Place each ball on the baking sheet and use a fork to flatten. The cookies will not spread much, so they can be placed fairly close together on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the cookies are golden and firm.
- Allow to cool before serving or storing. Store cookies in a sealed container in the fridge, or freeze them if you would like them to keep for longer than 10 days.
Need a gift idea for a special pet on his or her birthday? Or perhaps you’ve been invited to a dog-friendly household for an event and want to bring something that will impress your hostess and her furry friends? Make some of these cookies and wrap them up for a sweet treat that is made with a special ingredient: TLC (tender loving care)! Pets and their parents will appreciate your hard work in the kitchen!
Bon Appugtite!
Disclaimer: As always, you should be aware of your pet’s health and consult a vet before making any changes to his or her diet, especially if your dog suffers from a disease or illness or takes medications. I am not a vet or animal nutritionist, nor am I responsible for the decisions you make regarding your pet’s diet. Keep in mind that all pets are different and will respond differently to dietary changes. You should be aware of your pet’s allergies, sensitivities, and medical history. Be sure to take the time to learn the foods that are safe for dogs to consume as well as those that are dangerous for dogs to consume before attempting to cook for your pet.
