Have you ever made treats from scratch for your dog? Dehydrated fruit treats are naturally sweet, packed with vitamins, and Chiffon loves them. Making your own dog treats is an amazing way to ensure your pup is getting high-quality, single-ingredient nutrition without any added sugars, fillers, or artificial preservatives. Link to my dehydrator đź”—
Here is our step-by-step guide to making these delicious treats right in your own kitchen.
👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Dehydrating Instructions
Step 1: Wash and Prepare the Fruit
Thoroughly wash all of your fruit to remove any dirt or residue. For fruits with tough or non-digestible skins (like bananas), remove the peel entirely. The most critical step is to completely remove all seeds, pits, and cores—especially from apples—as apple seeds contain compounds that are toxic to dogs.
Step 2: Slice Evenly and Thinly
To achieve that perfect, crisp texture, use a sharp knife or a mandoline to slice the fruit into even pieces, roughly ÂĽ-inch thick.
Note* If the slices are too thick, they will remain chewy rather than crunchy and will require a much longer drying time.
Step 3: Arrange on Dehydrator Trays
Lay the fruit slices flat across your dehydrator trays, ensuring that none of the pieces are overlapping or touching. This allows warm air to circulate evenly around each slice.
Step 4: Dehydrate
Set your food dehydrator to the appropriate temperature (typically 145°F) and allow it to run for the recommended time. Meanwhile, your house will smell wonderful while it dries and your dog might get excited with the delicious aroma!
Step 5: Cool and Store Properly
Once the timer goes off, let the fruit cool completely to room temperature. This allows them to crisp up fully. Store the finished treats in an airtight glass jar or container to keep moisture out and preserve their freshness. I like to drop a moisture absorbing desiccant pack inside to prevent mold.
🍓 Recommended Fruits, Temperatures, & Drying Times
Different fruits have varying water contents, meaning their total drying times will differ slightly. You can follow my cheat sheet below for total dehydrating time at 145°F (63°C):
| Fruit | Prep Tip | Total Dehydrating Time |
| Apples | Peel and core; slice into rings or slices. | 5 – 6 Hours (Pliable), 12 Hours (Crisp) |
| Bananas | Peel and slice into 1/4 inch thick slices. | 10-16 Hours (Crisp) |
| Strawberries | Remove the green tops and slice into 3/8 inch slices. | 8 – 14 Hours (Pliable) |
| Blueberries | Slice them in half first so the moisture can escape. | 12-24 Hours (Crisp) |
These treats make excellent rewards for training or simple everyday snacks. If you decide to try making these at home, be sure to tag @ChiffonTheMaltipoo on Instagram and TikTok so we can see your pup enjoying their homemade treats!
Safety tips:
- If straying from my list, make sure the fruits you choose are safe for dogs. (Ex: NO grapes)
- The dried fruit should be leathery, pliable, and not sticky.
- Cool completely before storing. If you notice any condensation or stickiness, it needs to be dried more to prevent mold.
After finding out Chiffon is sensitive to mixed tocopherols, which are in most of the store-bought options, we have been experimenting with many different recipes at home! For more information on my allergies and food sensitivity testing, check out this post: Figuring Out Dog Food Allergies: What Actually Worked for Us
Want to check out more dog friendly recipes?
– 5 Ingredient Dog Birthday Cake
– Dog Friendly Strawberry Popsicles
– Healthy One Pot Meal for Dogs
– 2 Ingredient Poached Chicken
