ByHealthy oat carrot dog treats are soft, tot-shaped bites made with steamed mashed carrot, oat flour, rolled oats, and one egg. They take about 20 minutes to prep and 20 to 24 minutes to bake. The #1 rule is to keep them plain: no salt, butter, sugar, or flavored oatmeal.
My nephew calls these “dog tater tots,” and the name stuck. They look like the real thing, but they’re made with carrots and oats. They come out a little crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. My dog thinks they’re the best thing to ever leave the oven.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep time: 20 minutes (including steaming the carrots)
- Cook time: 20 to 24 minutes
- Total time: about 1 hour (including cooling)
- Yield: about 30 tots
- Difficulty: Easy
- Storage life: up to 1 week in the fridge, up to 3 months in the freezer
Key Takeaway: Steam and mash two carrots. Mix them with an egg, oat flour, and rolled oats. Roll small tot shapes and bake until golden, turning once. Use plain oats only, and keep treats to a small part of your dog’s day.
Are Carrots and Oats Good for Dogs?
Yes. Both are safe, simple foods for most dogs when served plain.
The American Kennel Club calls carrots a healthy, low-calorie snack. It says carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. The AKC adds that raw and cooked carrots are both healthy options.
Oats are a great partner. The AKC’s oatmeal guide quotes a vet who calls oatmeal a great alternative carb for dogs that may be sensitive to wheat. The same guide says oats should be cooked, since serving them raw makes them harder to digest. Baking takes care of that.
Why Steam the Carrots First?
Steamed carrots mash smooth, so they hold the dough together. That’s what gives these tots their soft middle.
Raw grated carrot works in crunchy cookies, but it won’t bind a soft dough. Steaming for 10 minutes makes the carrots fork-tender and easy to mash. It also brings out a little natural sweetness that dogs love.
Healthy Oat and Carrot Dog Bites Recipe
Let the mashed carrot cool before you add the egg. Hot carrot can start to cook it.
Ingredients
- 2 medium carrots, washed, peeled, and cut into chunks (about 1 cup)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup oat flour (blend about 1 ¼ cups plain rolled oats)
- ½ cup plain rolled oats
- 1 to 2 tablespoons water, if needed
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Steam the carrot chunks for about 10 minutes, until a fork slides in easily.
- Mash the carrots with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth.
- Let them cool for 10 minutes.
- Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Whisk the egg into the mashed carrots.
- Stir in the oat flour and rolled oats.
- Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, only if the dough is too dry to shape.
- Scoop 1 level tablespoon of dough.
- Roll it into a short log about 1 inch long.
- Press the ends flat so it looks like a little tot.
- Set the tots on the tray, ½ inch apart.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- Turn each tot over with tongs.
- Bake 8 to 12 more minutes, until golden and firm.
- Cool completely on the tray.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- Plain oats only. The AKC says to never feed dogs flavored oatmeal, which often has extra sugar. It also warns that add-ins like salt, butter, chocolate, raisins, or grapes can be harmful.
- Wash and peel the carrots. The AKC says to wash or peel carrots to remove dirt and pesticides.
- No salt or butter in the steaming water. Plain water is all you need.
- No raisins. They look cute in “carrot cake,” but the ASPCA says grapes and raisins can lead to kidney damage.
- Bite-size pieces. The ASPCA says it’s best to cut veggies into small bite-size pieces to avoid choking. Break tots in half for small dogs.
Pro Tip: Dip your fingers in a little oat flour before rolling each tot. The dough won’t stick, and every tot gets a light, crisp coating in the oven.
How Many Carrot Oat Tots Can My Dog Have?
Two tots a day is plenty for a medium dog. Small dogs should get one, and large dogs can have three.
VCA Animal Hospitals says the general rule is that 90% of your dog’s daily calories should come from complete and balanced food. The other 10% can come from treats and snacks.
For a simple chart, see how many treats a dog should have a day. A dog health tracker can help you see if treat days line up with weight or activity changes.
Vet Tip: The AKC suggests talking to your vet about how many carrots your dog should have each day. That’s extra smart if your dog has diabetes, a weight issue, or a sensitive stomach.
Are These Good for Training?
Yes. They are soft, easy to break, and not greasy, so they’re great in a treat pouch.
Break each tot into 3 or 4 pieces for practice. Want to know what pros reach for? See what treats professional dog trainers use. For fun games that use small rewards, I like this brain training program for dogs.
Substitutions and Variations
You can tweak these tots for allergies or what’s in your fridge.
Allergy Swaps
- Egg-free: Use 3 tablespoons of plain pumpkin puree instead of the egg. Add 1 more tablespoon of oat flour.
- Carrot swap: Use the same amount of steamed, mashed butternut squash (no seeds or skin).
Grain-Free Option
Use ¾ cup chickpea flour and skip the rolled oats. The tots will be a little denser.
Protein Version
Stir in ¼ cup finely shredded plain cooked chicken. Store these in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Scaling for Dog Size
- Small dogs: Use 1 teaspoon of dough per tot. Bake about 15 minutes total.
- Medium dogs: 1 tablespoon per tot, like the recipe.
- Large dogs: Use 2 tablespoons and shape thick logs. Bake about 28 minutes total.
More Carrot and Oat Ideas
Want other ways to use carrots and oats? Try my carrot dog treat bites, chicken and carrot dog bites, or homemade oatmeal dog cookies. Curious whether homemade is better? Read whether homemade dog treats are healthier.
Love raw carrot sticks too? They’re a crunchy chew option. See my guide to the healthiest things for a dog to chew. For complete meals on busy weeks, try this variety dog meal plan.
How Do I Store Carrot Oat Dog Treats?
Store cooled tots in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Freeze extras for up to 3 months.
Freeze them on a tray first so they don’t stick together, then bag them. Thaw a few in the fridge overnight. Throw out any that smell sour or show spots. On busy weeks, keep ready-made fresh dog treats as a backup.
For more ideas like this, see my healthy treats I bake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can dogs eat raw carrots?
A: Yes. The AKC says raw and cooked carrots are both healthy. Cut whole carrots into bite-size chunks to prevent choking.
Q: Can I use quick oats?
A: Yes, as long as they’re plain. Skip flavored instant packets.
Q: Can I use baby carrots?
A: Yes. Use about 1 cup of baby carrots and steam them the same way.
Q: Why are my tots mushy inside?
A: The carrots were too wet. Drain them well after steaming, or add 1 more tablespoon of oat flour.
Q: Can I make these crunchy?
A: Yes. Flatten them into coins and bake 5 to 10 minutes longer, then leave them in the turned-off oven for 30 minutes.
Q: Can puppies eat these?
A: Ask your vet first. If they say yes, offer small soft pieces.
Final Thoughts
These healthy oat carrot dog treats are soft, fun to shape, and made with four plain foods. Steam the carrots, use plain oats, and roll little tots. Then bake, flip, and share. Want to watch the happy chewing while you’re out? A dog camera lets you peek in anytime.
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