Introduction
Homemade dog treats provide many benefits over store-bought treats. According to AMLI, homemade treats are often healthier, containing natural ingredients that are free of preservatives and chemicals. They can also be tailored to your dog’s nutritional needs. Dehydrated chicken is a nutritious protein source for dogs that can be used to make tasty homemade treats. Chicken provides amino acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin that support joint health and mobility.
Using an air fryer is a convenient way to dehydrate chicken into chewy, crispy treats right at home. Air fryers circulate hot air evenly around food to quickly remove moisture. This allows you to control the dehydration process and make customized treats your dog will love.
Safety Precautions
When dehydrating chicken for dogs, it’s important to take safety precautions to avoid any foodborne illnesses. Here are some tips:
Only use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Bones can splinter and pose a choking hazard, while skin can go rancid. Stick to lean, raw muscle meat only.
Thoroughly clean all equipment and hands that will touch the chicken. Be sure to wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot soapy water before and after handling the raw chicken. This helps prevent any bacteria from contaminating the chicken.
Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken and finished treats. Keep everything that touches raw meat separate from finished dehydrated treats to avoid cross-contamination.
Selecting the Chicken
When making homemade dehydrated chicken treats for dogs, it’s important to start with high-quality chicken. According to The Purposeful Pantry, you’ll want to choose fresh, organic chicken when possible. Organic chicken has not been injected with artificial fillers or solutions. Avoid buying pre-injected chicken breasts, as these are pumped with salt solutions that will make dehydration more difficult.
For the healthiest treats, select chicken that is free of hormones and antibiotics. Thinly sliced chicken breasts or tenders work best, as the slices will dry thoroughly and evenly. You can use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders. Lean dark meat chicken can also be used.
Preparing the Chicken
Proper preparation is crucial for evenly dehydrated chicken that is safe to consume. According to Youradventurecoach.com, start by trimming off any excess fat from the chicken, as the high fat content can lead to spoilage[1]. Next, cut the chicken into thin, uniform strips or cubes. Partially freezing the chicken for 30-60 minutes makes this slicing process easier and yields consistent pieces for even drying[2]. The thinner and more uniform the chicken strips, the faster and more thoroughly they will dehydrate.
Aim for approximately 1⁄4” thick strips or 1⁄2” cubes. Going much thicker may result in under-dried chicken on the inside while the outside appears crispy. It helps to arrange all the chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until semi-firm but not completely frozen through.
Once firm, remove the chicken from the freezer and cut into the desired shapes using a sharp knife or kitchen shears. Keeping the chicken chilled while slicing prevents it from warming up and getting too soft during prep.
[1] https://youradventurecoach.com/how-to-dehydrate-chicken/
[2] https://www.backpackingchef.com/dehydrating-chicken.html
Seasoning
When seasoning dehydrated dog treats made in an air fryer, it’s important to use dog-safe seasonings. Salt, onions, and garlic should always be avoided as they can be dangerous for dogs. Light seasonings are recommended so the natural chicken flavor still shines through.
Some good seasoning options include:
- Parsley
- Turmeric
- Cinnamon
- Pumpkin spice
- Rosemary
You’ll only need a small amount of seasoning. Start with 1/4 teaspoon per pound of chicken and adjust to taste. Mix the seasoning in well with the chicken before dehydrating. Herbs like parsley, rosemary, and turmeric provide flavor without overpowering the natural chicken taste dogs love.
Dehydrating Process
Once the chicken is prepared and seasoned, it’s time to dehydrate it in the air fryer. Arrange the chicken strips or nuggets in a single layer on the air fryer trays, making sure they are not overlapping or stacked on top of each other. This allows for maximum air flow and even drying.
Set the temperature on your particular model of air fryer to around 150-180°F. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific guidance if needed. The optimal dehydrating temperature will vary across models. According to My Life Cookbook, aim for 180°F when using a basic air fryer for about 2 hours [1].
Dehydrating times can range from 2-6 hours on average depending on the thickness of the chicken cuts, the amount being dried, and your particular model settings. Check the chicken periodically through the small perforated openings on the top or front of the air fryer basket. The chicken is fully dehydrated when hardened and leathery with no moist spots remaining.
Testing Doneness
When dehydrating chicken for dogs, it’s important to make sure it is fully dried out before removing it from the air fryer. You want the chicken to be dry and brittle with no moisture remaining.
To test for doneness, check the center of the thickest pieces of chicken jerky. They should crack and snap apart when bent, with no soft or moist areas remaining. You can also try breaking a piece in half – it should shatter rather than bend or tear.
According to this source, the chicken jerky is finished dehydrating when it bends and cracks but doesn’t break. It typically takes 4-6 hours to fully dehydrate chicken in an air fryer. Start checking it around the 3.5 hour mark.
Allowing any moisture to remain can lead to spoilage and food safety issues. Be sure to fully dehydrate the chicken until it is hardened and crispy all the way through before removing from the air fryer and serving to your dog.
Storage
Once chicken dog treats have been dehydrated, be sure to allow them to fully cool before storing (Source 1). Warm treats will continue to dry out and become brittle if not allowed to return to room temperature.
For best preservation, store finished dehydrated chicken dog treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer (Source 2). Tupperware, glass containers, or zip-top bags all work well. Refrigerating treats will allow them to stay fresh for up to 2 weeks, while freezing can keep treats edible for 2-3 months. Just be sure to thaw frozen treats before serving to your dog.
Serving
When serving the dehydrated chicken to your dog, it’s important to break the pieces into bite-size chunks that are appropriate for your dog’s size and breed. Large chunks of dehydrated chicken can present a choking hazard, so break up the pieces into small bites that your dog can comfortably chew and swallow.
It’s also advised to carefully monitor your dog when first introducing dehydrated chicken treats. Observe them closely to ensure they are chewing thoroughly and able to swallow the treats without issue. Pay attention for signs of choking or digestive upset. If your dog seems to have any trouble with the texture or size of the treats, consider breaking them into smaller pieces or rehydrating slightly before serving.
With close supervision the first several times, and taking care to properly size the treats, dehydrated chicken can make a nutritious, yummy, and safe reward for dogs!
Recipes
These simple recipes for chicken jerky are perfect for making tasty and healthy treats for your dog.1 The hot air circulated in the air fryer helps dehydrate the chicken to create chewy, long-lasting treats.
Basic Seasoned Chicken Strips
Slice chicken breasts into 1/4 inch thick strips. Season with a small amount of salt and pepper. Air fry at 180°F for 2 hours, flipping halfway through. Test for doneness.
Chicken Jerky Variations
Try marinating strips in low-sodium soy sauce, garlic powder, or lemon juice before dehydrating for extra flavor. Or coat lightly in flour or cornmeal before air frying for crunch.
Tips for Making in Big Batches
When making large batches, divide chicken strips between multiple air fryer trays, staggering cooking times. Let chicken cool completely before storing to avoid moisture buildup. Store in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.