Since my site is about eliminating foods that can be a precursor to health conditions, and improving health through what we eat, I wanted to include our furry friends and companions. Have you ever read the ingredients of dog bones? If you shop at the pet stores for tasty treats for your dogs, then you likely have seen the ever growing treat aisle. All these trets are laden with "Natural" ingredients like sweet potatoes, claims of real beef, turkey, and chicken. But when you look closer at the ingredients, you might find some words and chemical names that you have never heard of let alone pronounce. If I wouldn't eat it then my dogs won't be made to eat it. My dog bones are tasty, nutritious, and will benefit my dogs health for years to come. Hopefully, increasing their lifespans.
I keep these dog bones in the freezer. The reason for this firstly, I don't have preservatives or those chemicals you can't pronounce. Secondly, I make huge quantities and this is the longest storage method, and thirdly, my dogs love them frozen. They do soften and become chewy rather than crunchy when left to thaw, and it only takes a few minutes if your pup enjoys softer treats.
If there is a nut allergy in the home, it is recommended to use whole wheat flour to replace the blanched almond flour and omit the PBFit2. Amazon has all sorts of fun dog bone cookie cutters but I am sure you can probably find them at Walmart or target as well.
5 cups ground old fashioned oats
5 cups blanched almond flour
1/2 cup PBFit2 (unsweetened)
1/2 cup dried unsweet.. wild blueberries
2 T. chia seeds in 1/2 c hot water
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas
1 lg sweet potato cooked and mashed
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
Step 1: Heat 1/2 c. water in microwave then add 2 T chia seeds and set aside.
Step 2: To a mixer bowl I use my KitchenAid mixer add bananas, mashed sweet potato, applesauce, and chia seed liquid. This is a substitute for eggs. If you do not have chia seeds you can add an egg, and turn on low to mix.
Step 3: Ground old fashioned oats I use Trader Joes organic and use my coffee bean grinder and grind the whole container of oats till fine flour.
Step 4: With mixer on low, add PBFit2 and wild blueberries, allowing it to mix thoroughly.
Step 5: Slowly add ground oats and once combined add almond flour/whole wheat flour one cup at a time until it forms a sticky dough but not too formed it will be too dry and not too moist it will be too wet. If needed, add a little more flour or liquid to correct if one way or the other. This recipe is very forgiving.
Step 6: Laying a large piece of plastic wrap on counter add dough ball on top and wrap to seal completely. Once wrapped you can reshape a little then place in refrigerator overnight or up to three days before cutting and baking.
Chia seed (egg) requires sitting in refrigerator over night. If you use egg you can cut and bake immediately.
Step 7: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove from refrigerator and taking a large butcher knife cut it in the thickness you want bones or close to it. Taking a rolling pin roll out a little, this will smooth the texture but also will get them exactly to the thickness you want for your pup. I tend to roll to 1/4" thick. Too thick and you will need to poke holes in them and possibly bake longer. Cooking times may vary according to thickness so keep an eye on them at first until you are familiar with your oven.
Step 8: Cut bones with cutters then place close together but not touching on cookie sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown, turning halfway through. Cool on cooling racks or leave them to cool on cookie sheets.
Step 9: Once cool place in Freezer Grade gallon size plastic baggies and freeze for up to 3 months. However, they will not last that long. Soon your pup will be sitting by your freezer, or running to you as soon as the freezer door opens.
There is absolutely no waste with these because you are not using any flour to roll out they do not dry out. You can just keep rolling to desired thickness and add more dough. You can also press into the cookie cutters when you get to the last little bit or shape into a ball then smash down with a glass and bake with the rest. Sandra's Pawsitively wholesome dog treats, are tasty and nutritious! bone Appetit!