ByHealthy carrot apple dog treats are soft-baked oat cookies made with grated carrot, grated apple, and one egg. They take about 15 minutes to prep and 20 to 25 minutes to bake. The #1 safety step is removing every apple seed, the core, and the stem before you grate.
These are my “clean out the fridge” treats. One carrot, one apple, and some oats turn into a whole tray of soft little cookies. They smell like fall, and my dog knows exactly what the grater sound means.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20 to 25 minutes
- Total time: about 40 minutes (plus cooling)
- Yield: about 28 small cookies (1 tablespoon each)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Storage life: 5 days in the fridge, up to 3 months in the freezer
Key Takeaway: Grate fresh carrot and peeled, cored apple, then mix with plain oats and an egg. No seeds, no sugar, no nutmeg. Keep these soft cookies in the fridge, and keep portions small.
Are Carrot and Apple Dog Treats Healthy?
Yes. Carrots and apples are both safe, low-calorie foods for dogs when you prep them the right way.
The American Kennel Club calls carrots a healthy, low-calorie snack. It says they are an excellent source of vitamin A, potassium, and fiber.
Apples are a good match. The AKC’s apple guide says apples bring vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, antioxidants, and fiber. It also notes one apple has about 19 grams of sugar, so a whole apple is too much for one dog. In this recipe, one apple is spread across about 28 cookies.
Wondering about sweet foods in general? I explain what is okay in can I give my dog sweet treats.
Healthy Carrot and Apple Dog Treats Recipe
This is a no-roll, scoop-and-flatten recipe. Grate, stir, scoop, and bake.
Ingredients
- 1 cup finely grated carrot (about 2 medium carrots, washed and peeled)
- 1 cup finely grated apple (about 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and seeds removed)
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (plain)
- ½ cup oat flour (blend ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons rolled oats)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce (optional, for a softer cookie)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons water, only if needed
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash and peel the carrots.
- Grate the carrots on the small holes of a box grater.
- Peel the apple and cut it into quarters.
- Cut out the core, stem, and every seed.
- Grate the apple pieces on the small holes.
- Add the carrot, apple, oats, and oat flour to a large bowl.
- Crack in the egg and add the applesauce.
- Stir until the mix clumps when you press it.
- Add water one tablespoon at a time only if it stays crumbly.
- Scoop level tablespoons of dough onto the tray, about 1 inch apart.
- Press each one flat with a fork to about ½ inch thick.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until firm and lightly golden.
- Cool fully on a wire rack before serving.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- No apple seeds, core, or stem. The AKC says apple seeds contain a small amount of cyanide, and the core and stem can be a choking risk.
- Unsweetened applesauce only. The AKC notes most applesauce has added sugar, so choose unsweetened.
- Check for xylitol. “Sugar-free” applesauce or peanut butter may use xylitol, which the ASPCA warns can cause low blood sugar in dogs.
- Skip nutmeg and apple pie spice. The AKC explains nutmeg contains a toxin called myristicin.
- Wash your produce. The AKC suggests washing and peeling carrots and apples to remove dirt and pesticides.
Pro Tip: Grate on the small holes, not the big ones. Fine shreds bake soft all the way through, so there are no hard carrot bits for small dogs to choke on.
How Many Carrot Apple Treats Can My Dog Have?
Most dogs can have one to three of these small cookies a day. Toy breeds should stick to one, or even half.
VCA Animal Hospitals recommends that 90% of daily calories come from complete and balanced food, with only 10% from treats and snacks. That is why I keep these cookies small.
For a full breakdown by dog size, see how many treats a dog should have a day. Too many apples can also cause a bellyache or diarrhea, according to the AKC, so stick to the count.
Vet Tip: VCA suggests trying any new treat one small piece at a time, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs. If your dog has allergies or is on a special diet, check with your vet first.
Can Puppies Eat Carrot and Apple Treats?
Yes, in small pieces. The AKC says puppies can eat apples in small amounts, as long as you watch for any tummy trouble.
Break each cookie into tiny bits for little mouths. Because these are soft, they are easier for puppies to chew than hard biscuits.
Are These Treats Good for Training?
They work best as a “good job” reward at the end of a session. They are soft, so they crumble a bit in a pocket.
For fast reps, make mini cookies with a ½ teaspoon scoop. You can also use them to practice impulse control, like in my guide on how to teach a dog to leave it. Want a structured plan? Brain Training for Dogs has fun games that use small treats like these.
Substitutions and Variations
You can tweak this recipe for allergies, dog size, or what’s in your kitchen. These are the swaps I trust.
Allergy Swaps
- Egg-free: Use ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce instead of the egg. The cookies will be a bit more tender.
- Apple swap: Use grated pear, peeled and cored the same way.
- Carrot swap: Use grated zucchini, squeezed dry in a towel.
Grain-Free Option
Replace the oats and oat flour with 1 ½ cups chickpea flour. Drop the dough in spoonfuls and bake a few minutes longer.
Scaling for Dog Size
- Small dogs: Use a 1 teaspoon scoop.
- Medium dogs: Use a 1 tablespoon scoop, like the recipe.
- Large dogs: Use a 2 tablespoon scoop, and give fewer cookies.
More Carrot and Apple Ideas
If your dog loves these, try my easy carrot dog treat bites, these simple apple cinnamon dog treats, or easy homemade dog treats with applesauce. Need more protein? My chicken and carrot dog bites are a big hit.
Want a nutrition boost without changing the treat? Add a vet-made dog supplement to meals instead.
How Do I Store Carrot Apple Dog Treats?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze extras for up to 3 months.
These are soft and full of fresh fruit and veggies, so they spoil faster than dry biscuits. I freeze most of the batch and thaw a few each night. Rather not bake this week? Ready-made fresh dog treats are an easy backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can dogs eat apple peel?
A: The AKC says peels hold a lot of fiber, but peeling makes apples easier to digest. I peel for these treats so the cookies stay soft and smooth.
Q: Are apple seeds dangerous for dogs?
A: Yes, keep them out. The AKC says apple seeds contain a small amount of cyanide, which can harm dogs in large amounts.
Q: Can I use raw or cooked carrots?
A: Both are fine for dogs, says the AKC. In this recipe, finely grated raw carrot softens as it bakes.
Q: Can I use applesauce instead of fresh apple?
A: Yes, use ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce and add a little extra oat flour. Never use sweetened or “sugar-free” applesauce with xylitol.
Q: Why did my cookies turn out mushy?
A: Grated apple and carrot hold water. Squeeze the grated fruit in a paper towel, or bake 5 minutes longer.
Q: Can my dog eat these every day?
A: Yes, a small number daily is fine for most healthy dogs, as long as treats stay within 10% of their daily calories.
Final Thoughts
These healthy carrot apple dog treats are soft, simple, and made with two of the safest fruits and veggies for dogs. Take out every seed, skip the sugar and spice, and keep portions small. Then sit back and enjoy the happy chomps. Away at work? A dog camera lets you check in on your pup anytime.
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