Ingredients
1 cup applesauce (plain, unsweetened, without any additives)
1/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter (raw and natural, unsalted and unsweetened, and free of any flavors and xylitol)
2 large eggs
4 cups oat flour (plus 1/2 cup more if necessary and for dusting); To make your own oat flour, use a food processor, to grind up 5 cups of old fashioned oats until your reach a powder like consistency, much like regular flour.
1 cup grated carrots (peeled first)
1/2 cup coconut flakes (unsweetened natural)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
In a large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the applesauce, almond butter, and eggs together until blended.
Add in the oat flour, carrots, and coconut flakes until just incorporated. (If you pinch a piece and it crumbles, add a little water. If it’s really sticky, you’ll need to add a little more oat flour, 1/4 cup at a time and not exceeding 1/2 cup. You want the dough slightly tacky, but not overly.)
Transfer the dough to a surface lightly sprinkled with oat flour and knead 3-4 times until it comes together.
Using a rolling pin sprinkled with oat flour, roll out the dough to a 1/2-inch thickness.
Using 2 1/2 inch cookie cutters, cut out the desired shapes and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
Place in the oven and bake until the treats are dry and edges are golden, about 20 minutes.
Let cool completely. Once cooled, the treats will harden to a crunchy consistency.
Store
These treats can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, the refrigerator for 4 weeks, and in the freezer for up to 4 months. (Always look at the treat before giving it to your dog; if it looks at all soggy, discolored, or moldy, don't feed it to him and throw the remainder out.)
Serving size: 1 treat
*Check with your vet first before introducing a new food to your dog's diet. And if you do begin to give your dog this treat, be sure to start with small quantities. As always with any food, if you see behavioral changes or digestive issues call your vet.