Homemade Apple Crisps for Dogs
Homemade apple crisps for dogs are a great way of making use of surplus autumn apples to make your dog healthy and natural treats that will keep for weeks and even months if stored properly.
Method
To make single-ingredient dehydrated apple crisps for your dog, you only need fresh apples and an oven or food dehydrator.
Method 1: The Oven Method
This is the most common method, utilising low heat over several hours to slowly draw out moisture.
- 1. Preheat: set your oven to its lowest possible temperature, ideally 170°F to 200°F (75°C to 95°C).
- 2. Prep the apples: wash the apples thoroughly. Use an apple corer to completely remove the centre. Leave the skin on (it contains beneficial fibre).
- 3. Slice thinly: slice the apples horizontally into rings about 1/8-inch thick. Keeping the thickness uniform ensures they dry at the same rate.
- 4. Arrange: line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the apple slices in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap.
- 5. Bake: place your apple slices in the oven for 2 to 3 hours, flipping them over at the halfway mark.
- 6. Test for crispness: remove a slice and let it cool for a minute. If it snaps cleanly, it is done. If it feels spongy or bendy, leave them in for another 30 to 60 minutes.
Method 2: The Dehydrator Method
If you own a food dehydrator, this method uses less energy and yields a perfectly even crunch.
- 1. Prep and slice: wash, core and slice the apples into uniform 1/8-inch rings.
- 2. Load trays: arrange the slices on your dehydrator trays in a single layer, leaving space between them for air circulation.
- 3. Set temperature: set your dehydrator to 135°F (57°C), which is the standard setting for fruits.
- 4. Dehydrate: let the machine run for 6 to 12 hours. The exact time depends on the humidity in your home and the moisture content of the apples. Check them periodically after 6 hours.
Storage and shelf life
- Cool completely: let the crisps cool entirely to room temperature before packing them away. Storing them while warm creates condensation, which causes mould.
- Air-tight container: store them in a glass jar or airtight silicone bag.
- Shelf life: properly dried crisps will last 1 to 2 weeks at room temperature, or up to several months in the freezer.
I bag mine using a vacuum sealer and they last a whole year. They don’t maintain their crispness for that length of time so you wouldn’t want to be eating them yourself perhaps, but they are not mouldy and my dogs still enjoy eating them even if they are not as crispy as they started out.
The Dog Chef Guide to Homemade Dog Food
Looking to supercharge your dog's diet with fresh food?
Our Canine Nutritionist says…
I just love getting the opportunity to show off my knowledge of the history of homemade dog food.
The first documented mention of apple crisps occurred in September 1915 in an issue of Good Housekeeping magazine. They called it a dessert at the time, and it later appeared widely in 1924 when it was published in Isabel Ely Lord‘s cookbook, Everybody’s Cook Book: A Comprehensive Manual of Home Cookery.
Apple crisps surged significantly in popularity during World War II as a simpler, lower-ration alternative to traditional double-crust apple pies.
Disclaimer:
Important note: this recipe is intended as supplemental feeding for healthy dogs unless specifically formulated as part of a complete diet by a dog nutritionist. It should not replace your dog's regular, balanced daily meals. Treats and toppers should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s total daily calorie intake. Every dog has unique nutritional needs. Always consult your vet before introducing new foods or changing your dog's diet, especially if it has underlying health conditions.
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