Air Fryer Dog Treats: Easy Homemade Recipes Your Pup Will Love

Making treats for your dog at home doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort. Air fryers cook dog treats quickly and evenly, creating perfectly crispy or soft textures in just minutes without needing lots of oil or long baking times.

I’ve found that using an air fryer is one of the easiest ways to whip up healthy snacks my dog loves.

You probably already have the ingredients you need in your kitchen. Simple items like peanut butter, pumpkin, banana, and oat flour work great for making homemade dog treats in an air fryer.

These treats are healthier than store-bought options because you control exactly what goes into them. You can adjust the cooking time to make treats soft for older dogs or crispy for pups who like a good crunch.

These homemade snacks store well in containers for weeks, so you can make a big batch and have treats ready whenever your furry friend deserves a reward.

Key Takeaways

• Air fryers make dog treats quickly with simple ingredients you likely have at home.
• You can control the texture and ingredients to match your dog’s age and preferences.
• Homemade air fryer treats are healthier and less expensive than store-bought options.

Benefits of Air Fryer Dog Treats

Making dog treats in an air fryer is a great way to give your pet healthy snacks while saving time. You also get complete control over what goes into each batch.

Health Advantages for Dogs

Air frying uses much less oil than traditional frying methods, which means the treats have less fat and fewer calories. This helps your dog maintain a healthy weight without missing out on tasty snacks.

The cooking method also preserves more nutrients compared to deep frying. Air fryers cook treats evenly and quickly, which helps keep vitamins and minerals intact.

Key health benefits include:

• Lower fat content
• Reduced calorie intake
• Better nutrient retention
• No harmful oils or additives

Air frying gives treats a satisfying crunch without the grease. Your dog gets a reward that tastes great while supporting their overall health and energy.

Convenience for Pet Owners

You can whip up a batch of dog treats in about 20 minutes using an air fryer. The quick cooking time means you don’t have to plan ahead or wait for the oven to preheat.

Cleanup is simple since most air fryer baskets are dishwasher safe. That means less time scrubbing pans and more time with your pet.

The compact size fits easily on your counter. You can make small batches whenever you need them instead of dedicating an entire afternoon to baking.

Ingredient Control and Customization

You know exactly what goes into every treat when you make them at home. This is especially important if your dog has allergies or sensitivities.

You can pick top-notch, dog-friendly ingredients and avoid fillers, artificial colors, and preservatives. Recipes use simple whole foods like sweet potato, pumpkin, and peanut butter.

You can adjust recipes for:

• Food allergies
• Weight management goals
• Age-specific needs
• Flavor preferences

The flexibility lets you create soft treats for older dogs or crunchy ones for puppies who love to chew. You control portion sizes and can make treats as small or large as needed.

Choosing Dog-Safe Ingredients

Start by picking ingredients that give your dog nutrition without any health risks. The right proteins, fruits, and veggies make treats both tasty and safe.

Best Protein Options

Lean proteins are a solid base for most air fryer dog treats. Chicken breast is low in fat and easy for dogs to digest.

Turkey is another great option with similar benefits. Salmon is awesome for omega-3 fatty acids, which help your dog’s coat and skin—just make sure all bones are removed.

Eggs are perfect for binding ingredients together and add protein and vitamins. You can use them whole or just the whites.

Lean beef is fine in small amounts (trim off all visible fat). Pork should be fully cooked and used sparingly since it’s harder for dogs to digest.

Safe Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and veggies boost nutrition and flavor. Pumpkin is a top choice because it’s gentle on stomachs and full of fiber.

Sweet potatoes add vitamins A and C, plus natural sweetness. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and make excellent mix-ins.

Other favorites:

• Bananas – Good source of potassium
• Apples – Remove seeds and core first
• Carrots – Great for crunchy texture
• Green beans – Low calorie filler

Peas add protein and work well in most recipes. Avoid canned veggies because they’re usually high in sodium.

Ingredients to Avoid

Never use ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Chocolate is extremely dangerous and can cause serious health problems.

Onions and garlic damage red blood cells, even in small amounts. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure, so skip them completely.

Xylitol, an artificial sweetener, is deadly and hides in some peanut butters. Also avoid:

• Macadamia nuts
• Avocado
• Raw yeast dough
• Alcohol

Too much salt and sugar aren’t safe either. Always check ingredient labels, especially on peanut butter, to make sure there’s no xylitol or added sweeteners.

Easy Homemade Air Fryer Dog Treat Recipes

Making treats in an air fryer is faster than traditional baking and creates the perfect texture every time. Simple ingredients from your pantry work well for most recipes, and you can adjust cooking times to make them soft or crunchy.

Single-Ingredient Treats

Sweet potato slices are my go-to single-ingredient treat. Wash the sweet potato, cut it into thin rounds about 1/4 inch thick, and cook them at 360°F for 12-15 minutes.

No oil or seasoning needed. Flip them halfway through cooking to get both sides crispy.

Banana chips are another easy option. Slice bananas into rounds and air fry at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until they reach your dog’s preferred texture.

Apple slices work well too. Core the apple, slice it thin, and cook at 350°F for 10 minutes. Remember to remove all seeds before cooking.

Meaty Bites

Chicken jerky strips are easy with boneless chicken breast. Slice the chicken into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick, and cook at 360°F for 15-20 minutes.

Flip the strips once during cooking. Make sure they’re fully dried and cooked through.

Ground turkey meatballs are another favorite. Mix one pound of ground turkey with one egg, form small balls, and cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes.

Beef liver treats have a strong smell but dogs go crazy for them. Slice fresh liver into small pieces and air fry at 350°F for 12-15 minutes until crispy.

Vegetable Snacks

Carrot chips are crunchy and packed with vitamins. Peel carrots, cut them into thin rounds, and cook at 360°F for 12-15 minutes.

Green bean fries make a low-calorie training treat. Trim fresh green beans and cook them whole at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.

Zucchini rounds are great for dogs watching their weight. Slice zucchini into 1/4 inch rounds and air fry at 350°F for 10 minutes until lightly browned.

Pumpkin bites combine mashed pumpkin with a bit of flour. Mix 1 cup pure pumpkin with 2 cups flour, roll the dough flat, cut shapes, and cook at 350°F for 15 minutes.

Grain-Free Options

Peanut butter and coconut flour treats are perfect for dogs with grain allergies. Mix 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (no xylitol) with 1/4 cup coconut flour and one egg. Form small balls, flatten them, and cook at 320°F for 10 minutes.

Sweet potato and egg treats use just two ingredients. Mash one cooked sweet potato with one egg, spoon small portions onto parchment paper, and cook at 350°F for 12 minutes.

Chickpea flour biscuits hold together well without grains. Combine 2 cups chickpea flour with 1/2 cup water and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Roll and cut shapes, then cook at 350°F for 15 minutes.

These grain-free options store in an airtight container for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Dog Treats

Getting the right texture and flavor in your homemade treats is all about a few key steps. Proper ingredient prep, the right temperature, and smart storage can make all the difference in creating crunchy homemade snacks your dog will love.

Prepping Ingredients

Measure your ingredients carefully. Too much liquid makes dough sticky, while too little makes crumbly treats.

Room temperature ingredients mix better than cold ones. Take eggs and peanut butter out of the fridge 30 minutes before you start.

When rolling out dough, aim for 1/4 inch thickness. Thinner treats get crispier, while thicker ones stay softer inside.

Use cookie cutters or a pizza cutter to make uniform shapes so everything cooks evenly. Double-check that your peanut butter doesn’t contain xylitol—natural peanut butter with just peanuts and maybe salt is safest.

Recommended Air Fryer Settings

Set your air fryer to 320°F for most dog treat recipes. This cooks treats through without burning the edges.

Cooking time depends on thickness and how crunchy you want the treats. Bake for 8-10 minutes for a soft texture or 12-15 minutes for crispy textures.

Flip treats halfway through for even browning. Don’t overcrowd the basket—leave space for air to circulate and cook in batches if needed.

For extra crunch, turn off the air fryer after cooking and let treats sit inside for 10 more minutes. This helps dry them out even more.

Storage and Shelf Life

I always let treats cool completely before storing them. Warm treats can create condensation and cause mold.

Soft treats go in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Crunchy treats last longer at room temperature in a sealed container—up to two weeks.

For longer storage, I freeze treats in freezer bags for up to three months. I label each bag with the date so I know when they were made.

I check treats for any signs of mold or funky smells. If anything seems off, I just toss them and whip up a new batch.

Creative Air Fryer Treat Ideas

I love getting creative with my air fryer to make special treats that go beyond the basics. You can switch up ingredients and shapes for holidays, seasons, or just for fun training rewards.

Seasonal and Holiday-Themed Treats

During fall, I make pumpkin treats with canned pumpkin puree, whole wheat flour, and a dash of cinnamon. These air fryer pumpkin dog treats are perfect for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

For summer, I freeze banana and peanut butter treats before air frying for a cool, refreshing bite. In winter, I go for apple and sweet potato combos that warm up nicely in the air fryer.

Holiday Shape Ideas:

• Heart shapes for Valentine’s Day
• Bone shapes for National Dog Day
• Star shapes for Fourth of July
• Paw prints for birthdays

Cookie cutters make it easy to create festive shapes. At Christmas, I add a little carob powder for brown “gingerbread” style treats that look festive but are safe for dogs.

Training Treat Variations

For training, I cut the dough into extra small pieces—about a quarter-inch—before air frying. These mini bites cook fast (just 3-4 minutes) and let me reward my dog often without overdoing it.

My favorite peanut butter and banana training treats use oat flour for a softer, chewy texture. I keep them slightly undercooked so they’re easy for quick snacking during training.

When I need high-value rewards, I make chicken jerky strips by slicing chicken breast thin and air frying at 180°F for 12-15 minutes. Dogs go wild for these protein-packed treats.

Training treats stay fresh in small containers in the fridge for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for three months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Making dog treats in an air fryer is pretty simple, but you might have some questions about recipes, ingredients, or techniques. Here are answers to the most common ones.

What are some simple recipes for making dog treats in an air fryer?

I like to keep it easy with three-ingredient recipes. Just mix one cup of whole wheat flour, one egg, and half a cup of peanut butter for basic treats dogs love.

Another quick option is mashed banana with oats and a little honey. Shape into small balls, flatten, and air fry at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.

For meat-based treats, slice chicken breast into thin strips and cook at 360°F for 12-15 minutes. These come out crispy and protein-packed.

How can I make healthy treats for my dog using an air fryer?

I stick to whole, natural ingredients for healthy air fryer treats. Fresh veggies like carrots, green beans, or zucchini make a great base and add nutrients.

I skip salt, sugar, and artificial sweeteners in my recipes. Air fryers need little or no oil, which helps keep treats low in fat.

For a nutrition boost, I toss in ground flaxseed, chia seeds, or plain Greek yogurt. These add omega-3s and probiotics for extra health benefits.

Can I prepare air fryer dog treats without using flour?

Absolutely! I often use rolled oats or mashed sweet potato as a base for flourless dog treats. Ground oats work well as a binder with eggs and other wet ingredients.

I also make simple dehydrated treats with no flour at all. Sliced apples, carrots, or lean meats can be dried in the air fryer at low temps for a few hours.

Chickpea flour or coconut flour are great grain-free options if your dog can’t have wheat. They work in most recipes that call for regular flour.

What’s a good recipe for sweet potato dog treats in the air fryer?

For easy sweet potato dog treats, I slice sweet potatoes into quarter-inch rounds or strips. Cook at 250°F for about 20-30 minutes for a chewy texture.

If you want them crunchier, just cook the slices longer at the same temp. Add another 30-60 minutes if they’re still soft, checking often.

Sometimes I mix mashed sweet potato with oat flour and an egg to make shaped treats. Bake these at 320°F for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

What are considered the best homemade dog treats you can make with an air fryer?

The best treats really depend on your dog’s tastes and needs. Many pups love peanut butter and banana biscuits made with whole wheat flour and cooked until crispy.

Chicken jerky is always a hit. Just slice boneless chicken breast thinly and air fry at 360°F until chewy and dehydrated.

For dogs with sensitive stomachs, I go with simple pumpkin and oat treats. They’re easy to digest and packed with fiber and nutrients.

Are there any air fryer dog treat recipes that don’t use pumpkin?

I make plenty of delicious treats without pumpkin.

Apple and cinnamon biscuits use unsweetened applesauce as the wet ingredient mixed with flour and oats.

Carrot and cheese treats are another option. Just combine grated carrots with a bit of shredded cheddar and whole wheat flour.

Bake these at 350°F for about 10 minutes.

Blueberry treats are fun to make too. Mash fresh or frozen blueberries and mix them with oat flour and a beaten egg for a tasty, antioxidant-rich snack.