Homemade Apple Carrot Dog Treats are soft and chewy treats filled with the naturally delicious flavors of fresh apple and carrot. Made with simple ingredients and no peanut butter, they’re a tasty way to spoil your pup with something special.
FYI – This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Fresh apple and carrot make these colorful little treats just as fun to bake as they are to give to your dog. There are plenty of reasons this recipe will become a favorite in your kitchen.
Easy to Make – There’s no rolling or cutting required for the basic recipe. Simply mix the dough, press it into silicone molds, and bake.
Wholesome Ingredients – These treats are made with fresh apple, carrot, applesauce, and other simple, nutritious ingredients. They’re also made without peanut butter, making them a great option when you need a peanut-free treat.
Customizable – There are plenty of easy swaps you can make to suit your dog’s preferences or ingredients you have on hand. You can even change the method to make crunchy cutout biscuits instead of soft and chewy treats.
Budget-Friendly – Making dog treats at home can cost less than buying specialty treats, and this recipe uses familiar ingredients that are easy to find.
Great for Fall Apple Season – When apples are plentiful, these apple and carrot dog treats are a fun way to turn one into something special for your pup. They make a great addition to your fall dog treat baking.
Ingredients and What They Bring to the Treats
Fresh apple and carrot are the stars of these treats, while a handful of other ingredients create their soft, chewy texture. Here’s what each one contributes:
- Apple – Adds fresh apple flavor, natural sweetness, moisture, fiber, and nutrients.
- Carrot – Adds natural sweetness, texture, fiber, and nutrients.
- Unsweetened Applesauce – Provides additional apple flavor and moisture while adding natural sweetness without added sugar.
- Egg – Binds the ingredients together and adds protein and structure.
- Coconut Oil – Adds moisture and richness to the dough.
- Blackstrap Molasses – Adds a touch of sweetness and a rich, distinctive flavor.
- Almond Flour – Gives the treats structure while helping create their tender texture.
- Oat Flour – Works with the almond flour to form the dough and provide structure.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
These applesauce carrot dog treats are easy to customize with a few simple ingredient swaps. Here are some important things to keep in mind:
- Apple – You can substitute the apple with a pear. Be sure to remove the core and seeds before shredding it.
- Carrot – Substitute parsnip for the carrot if desired.
- Applesauce – Use plain, unsweetened applesauce without added sugar or artificial sweeteners. You can substitute it with plain pumpkin puree.
- Almond Flour – You can substitute almond flour with sunflower seed flour.
- Oat Flour – You can make oat flour by blending old-fashioned rolled oats in a blender or food processor until they have a flour consistency. One cup of oats makes approximately ¾ cup of oat flour.
- Flour Substitutions – You can substitute the oat flour with brown rice flour, all-purpose flour, or a 50-50 combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour. Because whole wheat flour is denser, it’s not a good substitute to use by itself. Flour substitutions may affect the consistency of the dough, so start with less and add more as needed.
Equipment Needed
You probably already have most of the kitchen equipment you’ll need to make the treats, including mixing bowls, a grater, and a baking sheet.
You can use any silicone mold you like, but paw and bone shape silicone molds make the treats extra cute. Place the flexible molds on a baking sheet before filling them so they’re easy to transfer to and from the oven.
How to Make Apple Carrot Dog Treats
These soft and chewy carrot apple dog treats are simple to prepare. Here’s what to do:
- Peel the apple and remove and discard the core and seeds. Shred the apple.
- Peel and shred the carrot.
- Place the shredded apple, shredded carrot, applesauce, egg, melted coconut oil, and blackstrap molasses in a large bowl.
- Stir until the wet ingredients are well combined.
- In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour and oat flour.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Place the silicone molds on a baking sheet for stability.
- Press the dough evenly into the mold cavities.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove the treats from the oven and allow them to cool before removing them from the molds. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Alternative Method – Cutout Treats
Don’t have silicone molds or prefer crunchy treats? You can turn this apple carrot dog treat recipe into cutout biscuits instead.
Add the oat flour a little at a time until the dough reaches a good rolling consistency. It should be firm enough to roll without sticking but not so dry that it crumbles.
Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it out with a rolling pin. Cut out the treats with your favorite cookie cutters. These paw and bone shape cutters make adorable biscuits.
Place the cutouts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned and crisp. Allow them to cool completely before serving.
How to Store the Treats and How Long They Last
Store the treats in an airtight container. They will last up to 3 days at room temperature or 1 week in the refrigerator.
Because these treats are made with fresh apple and carrot and contain plenty of moisture, check them for signs of spoilage before serving. Discard the treats if you notice any mold, an unusual odor, or a change in appearance or texture.
For longer storage, place them in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the treats before serving.
Can people eat these treats?
Yes, they sure can! All the ingredients are safe for human consumption. They’re a fun cookie option for those watching their sugar intake. Give one a try and see if you like it.
Popular Apple Dog Treat Recipes
Want to make more apple treats for your dog? Try these recipes:
- Apple Cheddar Dog Treats
- Apple Bacon Dog Treats
- Apple Dog Donuts
- Apple Oat Dog Treats
- Apple Peanut Butter Dog Treats
- Applesauce Cake for Dogs
- Frozen Apple Dog Treats
Find more easy-to-make fruity dog treat recipes right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Apple Carrot Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 Apple
- 1 Carrot
- ½ cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 Egg
- 1 tablespoon Melted Coconut Oil
- 1 tablespoon Blackstrap Molasses or Maple Syrup
- 2 cups Almond Flour
- 1 cup Oat Flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Peel the apple, remove and discard the core, and shred the apple.
- Peel and shred the carrot.
- Place the shredded apple, shredded carrot, applesauce, egg, melted coconut oil, and molasses in a large bowl.
- Stir to combine the wet ingredients.
- Mix the almond flour and oat flour together in a bowl.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and combine well.
- Place silicone mold on a baking sheet and fill in the cups with the dough.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove the treats from the oven and cool them on a wire rack.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Amount
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Consult your vet if you are unsure of the appropriate portion size for your dog.
If your dog hasn’t had any of these ingredients before, start with a small piece to make sure they don’t have any allergies, sensitivities, or adverse reactions.
Renee’…Do you have a dog treat recipe that has carrots, unsweetened applesauce, oat flour, eggs in them? Optional ingredients of coconut flour and coconut oil are fine. I also need the GA for it. I have looked everywhere and can’t find the right recipe. I’m hoping you can help! I love your recipes.
Thanks,
Kim
Sorry Kim, I do not have a dog treat recipe with those ingredients. I will put it on my list of ideas for new treats.
Can I substitute Whole Wheat Flour to Almond Flour? Thank you!
Whole wheat flour is much denser than almond flour and not a good substitute for it alone. You can substitute the 2 cups of almond flour with 1/2 cup whole wheat flour and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour.
All I am allowed are
Barley
Mash potato
Egg
Some vegetables
Can you suggest a nice doggy biscuits please lots of woofs rusty 🐾🐾🐾🐾
Sorry, I don’t have any dog treat recipes with barley or regular mashed potato. I add them to my list of treats to make.
Hi,
Suggested storage? Just made them, cannot wait for my pups to enjoy.
They should be stored in an airtight container. They can be stored on the countertop, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer. Leave them on the counter for up to three days, in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to six months.
Can I use gluten free flour in lieu of the oat and almond flour?
Yes you can. Gluten-free flour is safe for dogs to eat.
Hi,
your proportions are way off. I ended up with a extremely dry mixture. I should have known, since 1 egg, e tbls molassed and 1 tablespoon oil most certainly is not enough of moisture for 3 cups of flour. Apple and carrot do not contain much moisture. Will not make this again.
Thank you and respectfully, Irene Martens
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I checked the recipe and I had missed listing the applesauce (½ cup) in the ingredients and instructions. The recipe has been updated. now.
Does this recipe need to be refrigerated for storage or can it be in an airtight container/baggie?
The treats can be stored in an airtight container or plastic bag and stored at room temperature.
Can I substitute olive oil for coconut oil?
Yes you can.
These are tasty…I tried them myself…I would have liked something a bit more sweet but …my border terrier loves these…I did make couple substitutions…didn’t have applesauce…used a couple tablespoons of pumpkin puree instead…and instead of an egg…I made a flax egg…to make a flax egg…the ratio is 1:3….so I ground up 1 teaspoon of flax seed…mixed with 3 teaspoons of hot water…let that sit for 5 minutes…and the mixture has the consistency of a beaten egg. I also made only a half recipe as and this still makes a lot of treats…as I rolled out the dough and used cookie cutters…my border terrier does not like peanut butter…insane right ? So many dog treats call for peanut butter…but this one doesn’t and it has become my pups favorite homemade treat…I also did the research and ground flax seeds are acceptable for dogs plus there are health benefits that come along with it
I’m so glad your dog enjoys the treats. Its not insane that your dog doesn’t like peanut butter, there are lots of dogs out there that don’t care for it. And a great idea to use flaxseed instead of egg, especially for dogs allergic to eggs.
Can I substitute the almond flour for just all oat flour? Or should I change almond to all purpose?
Thank you in advance!!
Melissa
Yes, you can use oat flour in place of the almond flour. Oat flour absorbs more moisture than almond flour, though, so I recommend adding it gradually rather than substituting it cup-for-cup. Add enough until you have a soft dough that’s easy to press into the silicone molds. All-purpose flour would also work, but I’d choose oat flour if you already have it.