Kyo's Kitchen
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Apple Carrot Oat Bites

Three simple ingredients, one bowl, and small bite-sized treats that come out of the oven firm enough to keep in a pocket. Core and deseed the apple first.

A tray of small rustic homemade oat dog treats flecked with grated carrot and apple, cooling on parchment paper
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
25 minutes
Total
40 minutes
Difficulty
Easy

First time giving this? See how to introduce a new food safely.

Kyo's Kitchen recipe card

Apple Carrot Oat Bites

Makes About 20 small bites · 40 minutes total

Ingredients

  • 1 small apple, core and seeds removed, finely grated (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 medium carrot, finely grated (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (blitz half of them to a rough flour if you want a smoother dough)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1-2 tablespoons water, only if the mixture will not hold together

Instructions

  1. 1Heat the oven to 175C / 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. 2Quarter the apple and cut away the core and every seed, then grate the flesh. Discard the core, seeds and stem.
  3. 3Grate the carrot finely so it softens fully during baking.
  4. 4Stir the oats, apple, carrot and egg together in one bowl until the mixture clumps when pressed. Add water a spoonful at a time only if it stays crumbly.
  5. 5Roll or press teaspoon-sized pieces into small flat rounds, roughly 2 cm across, and space them on the tray.
  6. 6Bake 22-25 minutes until firm and lightly golden. Small thin bites dry out faster, so check at 20 minutes.
  7. 7Cool completely on a rack before storing. Warm bites feel soft and firm up as they cool.

Storage

  • These contain fresh fruit or egg and no preservatives, so they belong in the fridge in an airtight container, not on the counter. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking, or within 1 hour if the room is above 32 °C (90 °F), and split a warm batch into shallow containers so it chills quickly.
  • A storage life has not been established for this recipe. Make small batches, and freeze the portions you want for later at −18 °C (0 °F) or below. Thaw in the fridge, never on the counter.
  • Harmful bacteria can be present without any change in smell or appearance, so time and temperature decide, not how a treat looks. Discard anything left in a warm room too long, or kept past these limits — chilling or freezing does not make mishandled food safe.

Sources: Cold food storage chart (FoodSafety.gov) · Food safety basics (USDA FSIS)

Serving considerations

  • Treats of any kind should stay a small part of what your dog eats each day; most guidance puts treats at no more than roughly a tenth of daily calories.
  • Right portion depends on your dog's size, weight and the rest of their diet, so there is no single number that fits every dog.
  • Introduce a new treat with one small piece and wait a day before offering more.
  • Break bites in half for small dogs, and supervise while your dog chews.
  • Skip this recipe if your dog is sensitive to egg or grains, and ask your own vet about treats if your dog has a medical condition or is on a prescribed diet.

Ingredient safety notes

This guide is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. If your dog has eaten something potentially toxic or is showing concerning symptoms, contact a veterinarian promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Apple flesh and skin are the parts to use; the core is a choking and obstruction risk and the seeds contain a compound that releases cyanide when chewed. Quarter the apple, cut the core out, and check for stray seeds before grating.

They are not needed. Grated apple and carrot give the bites plenty of flavour for a dog, and leaving extras out keeps the sugar and fat low. Never use anything sweetened with xylitol.

You can. Without egg the dough is more fragile, so press the bites firmly, make them a little thicker, and expect a crumblier treat. A tablespoon or two of extra water helps the oats bind.

There is no single number. Treats should stay a small share of what your dog eats in a day, so a small dog may have one broken in half while a large dog might have two. Adjust meals on a generous treat day.

Usually extra moisture from juicy apple, or bites shaped too thick. Squeeze excess liquid from the grated apple, flatten the rounds, and give them another 5 minutes in the oven. They also firm up noticeably as they cool.

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