Fruit Leather Dog Treats (2024)

Homemade Fruit Leather Dog Treats are a tasty fruity treat for your furry friend. These DIY dehydrated dog treats made with fruit are less expensive than store-bought and have simple ingredients. You can make these fruit roll ups with different fruits and veggies.

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Why You’ll Love This Fruit Leather Dog Treats Recipe

As a dog owner, you’re always looking for healthy, delicious treats for your furry friend. That’s where homemade fruit leather dog treats come in! Not only are they scrumptious and nutritious, but they also boast a variety of features that make them an ideal choice for your pet. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:

Versatile and Tailored to Taste: The recipe shines with its versatility. Whether your dog loves strawberries and apples or blueberries and sweet potatoes, this recipe caters to all tastes. And the best part? You can get creative with various dog-safe fruit and vegetable combinations, ensuring a new, exciting treat every time!

Packed with Nutrition: You care about your dog’s health and these treats are loaded with essential nutrients. Ingredients like strawberries and blueberries are rich in vitamins, while flaxseeds add a dose of Omega-3, promoting a shiny coat and healthy skin. Plus, the liver sprinkles? They’re a protein-packed bonus that your dog will adore.

Oven or Dehydrator? You Choose! Whether you have a dehydrator or just a simple oven, this recipe is for you. There are instructions for both methods, making these treats accessible to everyone. It’s all about convenience and flexibility, allowing you to make these delightful snacks easily.

Customizable Chewiness: Does your pup prefer a softer chew or something with a bit more bite? No problem! You can adjust the baking or dehydrating time to get the perfect texture, making these treats suitable for dogs of all ages and dental sensitivities.

A Joy to Make: Not only are these treats a hit with dogs, but they’re also incredibly fun to make. The simple process of blending, pouring, and smoothing is almost therapeutic, and it’s a wonderful way to get the whole family involved in pet care.

Economical and Homemade: Skip the expensive store-bought treats. This recipe is budget-friendly, using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Plus, there’s something special about homemade treats – they’re made with love, and your dog can taste the difference.

Natural and Safe: With no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors, these treats are as wholesome as they come. Store-bought boxes of fruit leather have added sugar like corn syrup which isn’t good for dogs. You’ll have peace of mind knowing exactly what’s going into your dog’s snacks – only the good stuff!

Homemade fruit leather for dogs is not just a treat for your dog, but a delightful, nutritious, and versatile choice that you’ll feel great about making. Give them a try, and watch your dog’s tail wag with joy!

Why the Drying Process is so Great

The drying process used in making fruit leather helps preserve many of the food’s nutrients. Here’s a brief overview:

• Retention of Vitamins and Minerals: Drying at low temperatures is effective in retaining most of the vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables. While some vitamin loss, especially water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C, can occur, a significant portion of these nutrients remains intact. This is particularly true for minerals and fat-soluble vitamins (like vitamins A, D, E, and K), which are more stable during the drying process.
• Impact on Enzymes and Antioxidants: Drying can deactivate some enzymes that may cause spoilage or loss of nutrients in fresh foods. Moreover, it can also help concentrate certain antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables, potentially enhancing the antioxidant capacity of the treats.
• Preservation of Fiber: The fiber content is well-preserved during the drying process. This is beneficial for a dog’s digestion and overall health.
• Low-Heat Drying: The low-heat drying process is gentle enough to preserve nutrients better than high-temperature drying. This is important because excessive heat can degrade some nutrients.
• Reduction of Water Content: The drying process removes water, which inhibits the growth of microorganisms and enzymes that would otherwise break down the nutrients. This not only preserves nutrients but also extends the shelf life of the treats.

In summary, while some nutrient loss can occur during the drying process, a significant amount of the nutrients, especially minerals, fiber, and fat-soluble vitamins, are retained. This makes homemade fruit leather dog treats a nutritious option for pets.

Ingredients

Here’s a list of the simple ingredients I used to make the recipe in two flavors. The exact measurements can be found in the printable recipe card below.

For strawberry apple fruit leather:

• Strawberries
• Applesauce – Unsweetened store-bought or homemade applesauce for dogs
• Flaxseed
• Liver Sprinkles

For blueberry sweet potato fruit leather:

• Blueberries
• Cooked Sweet Potato
• Flaxseed
• Liver Sprinkles

There’s one key ingredient that isn’t in the list of ingredients and it is patience. It takes a while for them to dehydrate so, as Tom Petty says, “the waiting is the hardest part.”

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

You can find liver sprinkles at some pet stores or purchase liver sprinkles on Amazon. If you can’t find it you can either make the leather without it or crush freeze-dried meat into powder and use it instead.

You can substitute the flaxseed with chia seeds.

See the Recipe Variations section below for more ideas of fruit and veggie combinations.

Equipment Needed

The only special equipment you may need is afood dehydrator. But you can make it in the oven so it’s not necessary to have one. Other than that, you’ll need:

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Blender or food processor
• Baking sheet

How to Make Fruit Leather for Dogs

There are two ways you can dehydrate food to make fruit leather roll ups. One is in the oven and the other is in a dehydrator.

With either method, you want the fruit mixture to be dried and pliable so you can bend and roll it. You do not want it completely dried out and crunchy. Check it during the last hour or so of dehydrating to make sure it doesn’t get too hard and brittle.

Here are the basic preparation steps and photos to help you with making the recipe:

1. The first step is to place the fruit and seeds in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.

1. Pour the fruit mixture on a baking sheet or cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. If using a food dehydrator, pour it onto a dehydrator tray lined with parchment. Some dehydrators have fruit leather trays that you can use instead.
2. Spread the mixture to a thin layer, about 1/8-inch thick, with an offset spatula or spoon.
3. Sprinkle the liver sprinkles lightly over the top.
4. Dehydrate in the oven at 170°F for 6 to 7 hours. Dehydrate in a dehydrator at 145°F for 6 to 8 hours.
5. Let the dehydrated fruit roll sheets cool to room temperature.
6. Cut the fruit leather sheets into strips with a knife or pizza cutter and roll up the strips.

Note the amount of time it takes to dehydrate can vary depending on the method and food used to make the leather.

Recipe Variations

Here are some enticing recipe variations for your Homemade Fruit Leather Dog Treats, featuring a blend of fresh fruits, berries, and vegetables. Each combination is designed to be both delicious and nutritious for your furry friend. Next time you make your own fruit leather, try these different fruit combinations:

• Pumpkin Apple: Perfect for the fall season when it’s the time of year for all things pumpkin and apples, this pumpkin leather variation combines those cozy flavors. Mix one cup of pumpkin puree with half a cup of unsweetened applesauce.
• Berry-Banana: Blend one cup of mixed fresh berries (like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries) with half a cup of mashed banana. This combo is a powerhouse of antioxidants and potassium, offering a sweet treat for your pup.
• Carrot Apple: Combine one cup of pureed cooked carrots with half a cup of apple sauce. Carrots are a fantastic source of beta-carotene and fiber, while apples provide a sweet, familiar taste that dogs love.
• Sweet Potato Pear: Mix one cup of pureed cooked sweet potato with half a cup of pear puree. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, and pears add a touch of natural sweetness and fiber.
• Green Goodness: Blend one cup of pureed spinach or kale with half a cup of unsweetened applesauce. This green veggie mix is loaded with vitamins and is perfect for health-conscious pet owners.
• Peachy Pumpkin: Combine one cup of peach puree with half a cup of pumpkin puree. Peaches add a summer freshness, and when mixed with pumpkin, create a delightful treat.
• Blueberry Beet: Mix one cup of blueberries with half a cup of pureed cooked beets. This combo offers antioxidants from the blueberries and additional nutrients from the beets.
• Mango Carrot: Blend one cup of mango puree with half a cup of pureed cooked carrots. Mangoes are a tropical treat rich in vitamins, and when paired with carrots, make a deliciously sweet and healthy snack.

Remember, when creating these variations, ensure that all fruits and vegetables are dog-safe and free from seeds, pits, and harmful substances. Also, always use unsweetened and unseasoned purees to maintain the healthiness of the treats.

Serving Size

The nutrition information in the recipe card below is based on making 8 homemade fruit roll-ups and 1 being a serving. Use your judgment on how much you give your dog.

Small pieces are best for smaller dogs and large pieces are fine for larger dogs.

When giving any new food or treats to your dog, start with smaller pieces and watch for any adverse reactions.

Consult with your dog’s vet especially if your dog is on a special diet. While fruit is nutritious, it can cause upset stomachs and other issues with certain health conditions.

How to Store Homemade Fruit Leather

Store fruit leather in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature. Storing it in a cool, dark place is best. You can also store it in the refrigerator or freeze it to lengthen the shelf life.

How long does homemade fruit leather last? It will last up to 1 month when stored at room temperature, up to 6 months in the fridge, or up to 1 year in the freezer.

Always check the leather and discard it if it is showing any signs of mold.

Can people eat this fruit leather?

Yes, absolutely. All of the ingredients are safe for human consumption. However, I doubt folks would enjoy them with the liver sprinkles. So make a batch without the liver sprinkles to enjoy yourself or share.

More Fruity Dog Treat Recipes

• Apple Peanut Butter Dog Treats
• Banana Strawberry Ice Cream for Dogs
• Cranberry Dog Treats
• Mixed Berry Dog Popsicles
• Pineapple Dog Treats
• Strawberry Dog Treats

Find lots of easy recipes for dog treats with fruit right here on Spoiled Hounds!