DIY Training Treats
Making homemade treats has become a passion of mine. This method produces treats that are the perfect size and shape for food puzzles and treat dispensing toys as well as training. Making your treats gives you full control over the ingredients, and will save you money with minimal effort. First, let's go through the process, then you can explore my list of recipes.
Supplies:
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16" x 11" Silicone Pyramid Pan (Here's a 2 pack for $16.99 on Amazon.com)
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Each tray makes 500 treats, and each recipe yields approximately 3 trays.
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2 cookie sheets/baking pans to support the pyramid pan during baking and avoid spillage.
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Blender
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Oven (Set to 350℉ or 180℃)
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Silicone Spatula (Here's a 2 pack for $5.52 on Amazon.com)
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Ingredients (See below for different flavors & combinations, please take note of the nutritional info provided to ensure that the recipe suits your pets unique needs.)
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Optional: Olive Oil Cooking Spray
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This should be used very sparingly but can preserve your sanity when removing treats from the tray. Do not use if your pet is on a low-fat diet.
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Instructions
01
Preheat Oven
Set to bake at 350℉ or 180℃.
02
Oil Pyramid Pans (Optional)
Gently spray a mist of olive oil into the pyramid pan in a very thin layer to prevent sticking when it is time to remove the treats. Skip this step if your pet requires a low-fat diet, although a minimal amount, it is not worth risking GI upset.
03
Blend Ingredients
Place the ingredients into the blender and blend until you achieve a texture similar to pancake batter as shown. If it is too thin add flour one tablespoon at a time, if it is too thick add water one tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired thickness.
04
Pour and Spread in Pan
Use the silicone spatula to push the batter into all of the caverns, smoothing off the top so that you can see the lines between each. This ensures that the treats will pop out individually.
05
Bake
Baking time may differ depending on the recipe, but often takes approximately 30-45 minutes. At 30 minutes treats will be softer, and 45 they will be crisper. You should begin to see cracks forming between the batter and the edge where the treats are separating from the pan. This will ensure they come out of the pan well. Keep baking, and check back every 5-10 minutes until most of the treats have separated on at least one side.
06
Allow to Cool Fully
Allow the treats to cool completely before you attempt to remove them, or they will likely crumble and be difficult to remove. When cool, you should be able to flip it over, stretch it slightly and have them fall right out as shown.
07
Store in Freezer
Seal the treats in a freezer safe bag and store in the freezer for best results. Don't worry about defrosting before giving to your pet, they often love them cold, and they thaw very fast when put into a toy or given by hand.
Flavors
You can substitute nearly any ingredient, you simply need one or more flavoring ingredients, starch and moisture to create a batter.
Liver
Ingredients
1 lb Chicken Livers
2 Eggs
2 tsp Thyme
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 ¾ Cup Water
Cost of Ingredients $2.87
Makes approx. 1500 Treats
0.90 cal./Treat
Pork Roast
Ingredients
1 Boneless Pork Chop (cooked)
1 Tbsp Rosemary
2 Eggs
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 ¾ Cup Water
Cost of Ingredients $3.87
Makes approx. 1500 Treats
0.49 cal./Treat
Salmon Roll
Ingredients
5 Sheets Nori (Seaweed)
2 Cups Rice Flour
1 (5 oz.) Can Salmon in Water
1 ¾ Cup Water
Cost of Ingredients $5.94
Makes approx. 1500 Treats
0.93 cal./Treat
Tuna Casserole
Ingredients
1 (5 oz.) Can Tuna in Water
2 Eggs
5 oz. Parmesan Cheese
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 ¾ Cup Water
Cost of Ingredients $5.36
Makes approx. 1500 Treats
0.94 cal./Treat
Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients
1 Chicken Breast (cooked)
2 Eggs
2 Large Carrots
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 Tbsp Sage
Cost of Ingredients $4.30
Makes approx. 1500 Treats
0.55 cal./Treat
Cheeze-Itz
Ingredients
8 oz. Sharp Cheddar
2 Eggs
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 ¾ Cup Water
Cost of Ingredients $3.38
1.02 cal./Treat
Banana Bread
Ingredients
2 Bananas
2 Eggs
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 ¾ Cup Water
Cost of Ingredients $1.35
Makes approx. 1500 Treats
0.53 cal./Treat
Apple Bacon
Ingredients
3 Strips Bacon
1 Large or 2 Small Apples
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 Egg
1 ¾ Cup Water
Cost of Ingredients $4.47
Makes approx. 1500 Treats
0.63 cal./Treat
Substitutions
Egg Substitutions
2 Tbsp. Ground Flax Seed Meal
Soak in 2 Tbsp Warm Water Until Gelatinous (5-10 min.)
Flour Substitutions
Oat Flour
Potato Starch
Coconut Flour
Rice Flour
Quinoa Flour
Sorghum Flour