Blueberry & Banana - Vegan Pet Treats

Photo credit: Vaughn Farris

We all love to spoil our little beasts with affection and treats. Whether rewarding them for good behavior or giving them a little extra attention after a long hike, there is nothing better than seeing their ears perk up and the excitement on their faces when they see their favorite snack.

Though I want to spoil them, I also need to ensure everything they eat, including treats, rewards their behavior and body. I am adamant about reading food labels and looking for simple ingredients to provide them the maximum benefit. Sometimes the best way to know what is in your pet's food is to make it yourself. Below is a favorite recipe for dog treats. These ingredients are alternatives to traditional elements found in most recipes, and I selected them to maximize the health benefits and provide a vegan-friendly option.

Here are a few reasons why I selected these ingredients:

• Oats - Contain a lot of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins E-B, zinc, iron, linoleic acid, and selenium, all of which play an essential role in maintaining or improving pet's liver, skin, and fur. Oats are considered a nervine, an herbal compound that acts as a general nerve tonic, calming the nerves when necessary. (1)

• Bananas - High in potassium, magnesium, vitamins B6 and C, and fiber. The fiber within bananas help the body produce protein and absorb vitamins and aid in gastrointestinal health and promote bone growth. (2)

• Blueberries - Low in calories and high in vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals, blueberries have been shown to improve night vision, help prevent cell damage, and aid brain function in aging animals. (3)

• Chia Seeds - Containing zinc, vitamin B3 (niacin), potassium, vitamin B1 (thiamine), and vitamin B2, chia seeds are a high-fiber immune-system booster and are credited with supporting dogs' electrolyte balance. (4)

• Cinnamon - Used as a spice and medicinal purposes for thousands of years, cinnamon regulates blood sugar and reduces insulin resistance, particularly for overweight dogs. It is an anti-inflammatory, fights infection, repairs tissue damage, and has been proven to improve motor function. (5)

• Olive Oil - Rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids, olive oil aids in promoting healthy digestion, brain function and moisturizes skin and coat. (6)

Tools:

• Food processor/mixer

• Rolling pin

• Cookie-cutter (Used here a 1”x2” inch dog bone shape to maximize yield)

• Parchment paper

• Baking sheet (Pro-tip: a light-colored baking sheet will cause the treats to not brown on the bottom.)

Preparation Notes:

Banana and Blueberry Powder: To maximize flavor and longevity for these treats, I found it best to use freeze-dried fruits. The freeze-drying process removes moisture and protects the nutritional quality of the fruits. The fruits will need to be pulverized in a food processor or in a spice-nut grinder into a powder. It is key to note the process for freeze-drying fruits is different from the dehydration process. Though not always, commercially produced dehydrated fruits contain added sugar, which is not recommended for animals.

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 10-12 mins
Yield: 25 treats

Recipe:

1 cup - Oat flour
2 tablespoons - Banana powder
2 tablespoons - Blueberry powder
1 tablespoon - Chia seeds
½ teaspoon - Cinnamon
3 tablespoons - Olive oil
4 tablespoons - Water

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a small bowl, combine the chia seeds with water and set aside; this will cause the chia seeds to gel and serve as the binder.

In your food processor, blend all dry ingredients – oat flour, banana powder, blueberry powder, and cinnamon by pulsing several times. While continuing to pulse, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Following the olive oil, slowly pour in the chia and water mixture. Pulse until well blended and the dough looks like wet sand.

Remove the dough from the food processor and place it on parchment paper. Roll the dough into a ball and place it in the middle of parchment paper. Place a second piece of parchment on top. Using the rolling pin, work the dough into 1/8 inch thickness.

Using your cookie cutter, cut out treats. Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and place into a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool completely before serving to your favorite little beast.