I swear, keeping my little buddy fed well sometimes feels like a full-time second job! You want the best for them, right? But honestly, finding snacks that aren’t packed with questionable fillers when you’re running out the door? Impossible. That’s why I dove headfirst into making my own, and let me tell you, these Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles have been an absolute game-changer. They are so simple—really just five ingredients—but they pack a serious punch of clean energy.
Last week I completely spaced on buying his usual training treats. Total panic! But I whipped up a batch of these kibbles in about 20 minutes of active time, and they were perfect for his afternoon walk. They’re bite-sized, they hold their shape, and knowing exactly what went into them makes me feel so much better. These are my secret weapon for quick rewards and boosting those midday energy dips!
Why You Will Love Making Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles
Seriously, these come together faster than driving to the pet store! You get amazing quality control. I know exactly what my dog is eating, which is a huge relief. Plus, buying plain chicken breast and quinoa in bulk saves me a bunch of money compared to those fancy store-bought bags.
- You control every single ingredient—no weird preservatives!
- Super cost-effective when you make big batches at home.
- The protein from the chicken and fiber from the quinoa give real staying power.
We all want the best fuel for our best friends, and this is it!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles
Okay, let’s talk about what goes into these amazing little bites. The list is beautifully short, which is exactly what I need on a busy weekday! The star here is definitely the combination of protein and fiber that makes them true energy kibbles.
You’ll need:
- One whole cup of cooked, shredded chicken breast. Make sure it’s just plain chicken, no salt or seasoning—we want totally clean protein here!
- One cup of cooked quinoa. This is the backbone for texture and nutrition.
- Half a cup of rolled oats, but you absolutely must grind them up first until they look like flour. That’s how they bind everything together nicely.
- One lonely large egg—our binder!
- And finally, just a tablespoon of melted coconut oil. It keeps things smooth during the mix.
Seriously, focus on good quality chicken and really fluffy quinoa, and your job is basically done. These ingredients work together perfectly!
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles
This part is almost like playdough, but way healthier! Since these are energy kibbles, we really want them baked right so they keep that satisfying little crunch. First things first, get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) and lay down some parchment paper on your baking sheet. Don’t skip the parchment, trust me—we don’t want anything sticking.
The actual process is super fast. We mix it all up, roll it flat, cut the shapes, and bake. If you take the time now to make the kibbles all the same size, they bake much more evenly, which is the secret to getting the brownness just right across the whole batch. You can check out how I make my chicken jerky treats for general mixing tips, but this dough needs a bit more binding!
Mixing the Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles Dough
In your biggest bowl, toss in that shredded chicken, the cooked quinoa, the ground oats, the single egg, and the melted coconut oil. I usually start with a big wooden spoon, but honestly, once it gets thick, my hands work best. You need to really squish everything together until it feels like a cohesive, uniform dough—no dry spots of oats hiding around the edges!
Shaping and Baking Your Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles
Once the dough is mixed, turn it out! Roll it thin—about 1/4 inch thick is what you’re aiming for if you want that classic kibble feel. Use a tiny cookie cutter or just a knife to cut out bite-sized shapes. Place them carefully on your lined sheet. Pop them in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until they look lightly golden. The most important part? Once they’re done, turn the oven OFF and leave them inside with the door cracked open a bit. That slow cooling is what dries them out perfectly!
Expert Tips for Making the Best Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles
I’ve made this recipe probably twenty times now, and I’ve learned a thing or two about tweaking it for perfect results. If you have tiny dogs or just want super crisp little training rewards, definitely try the piping bag trick mentioned in the notes! It takes longer, but the shape is so uniform.
Also, texture is everything, right? I always test the texture before they go into the oven. The dough should feel firm in your hand, not sticky or wet. If it seems a little too mushy, just press in another tablespoon of that ground oat flour. A little extra baking time, maybe five minutes past the standard timer, really drives out the moisture if you prefer that hard crunch. It’s how I make my chicken carrot fitness jerky, and it works wonders here too!
Storing Your Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles Properly
This is where you prove you’re a pro planner! Making a big batch of these kibbles is amazing, but you have to store them right so they don’t go soft or spoil. Since these only have meat and grain, they don’t last like the store-bought stuff—and that’s just fine because it means they are fresh!
Here’s my system: Once your energy kibbles are completely cool—and I mean stone cold—toss them into an airtight container. If you are going to use them up within a week, the fridge is your best friend. But wow, if you want to make them last longer, pop half the batch into a freezer-safe bag.
They easily last up to two months frozen! It’s just like freezing muffins; you just grab what you need the night before. I always try to do this right after baking to keep them super crisp.
Ingredient Substitutions for Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles
Because we mix things up sometimes, knowing what swaps work is key, right? The magic of these kibbles is that they bind so well with the egg and the slightly pasty texture of the cooked quinoa. If you run out of chicken, cooked, shredded turkey breast works beautifully as a one-to-one replacement since it’s also really lean.
For the grain side, if you don’t have quinoa on hand, you can use cooked brown rice, but you might need just a little extra melted coconut oil to keep that moisture up. If you’re swapping out the oats, finely ground flaxseed or almond flour can work, but start slow! Too much change in the binder can make the dough crumbly instead of doughy. You can see how using beef and quinoa works in jerky, and the principles carry over here: keep it lean and keep it bound tight!
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles
You guys always ask the best questions about these little homemade snacks! It shows you really care about what you’re feeding your pals. Here are a few things I hear pretty often when people start making these low-fat energy bites.
Are these Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles suitable for puppies?
This really depends on how big your puppy is and how old they are! Since these kibbles are made from whole foods, they are nutritionally sound, but you must watch the size. If you have a tiny thing, you need to use a tiny cutter or even that piping bag I mentioned, because those oat-and-chicken bits are too big for very young mouths to handle safely. Always ask your vet, but for older puppies, they are a fantastic, healthy training treat!
Can I make these kibbles softer for older dogs?
That’s a great consideration for senior dogs! The standard recipe bakes them until they are firm, which gives them a good crunch. If you want softer energy kibbles, skip the final step of turning the oven off and leaving them inside to cool. Just pull them out right at the 15-minute mark, or even slightly earlier, when they seem set but still slightly pliable. They won’t get that rock-hard snap, which is usually easier on older teeth. You’ll want to store those softer ones in the fridge, though!
If you have any other tricky questions about swapping ingredients or anything else, feel free to reach out; you can always contact me right here on the site. Happy cooking!
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles
Okay, so since these are purely homemade, you know these are clean, but I always run the numbers just for peace of mind! Keep in mind this is an estimate based on using plain ingredients and the serving size specified—which is about 1/4 cup of these little nuggets.
For that 1/4 cup serving, you’re looking at around 180 calories. The protein is fantastic, hitting about 15 grams per serving, making them super filling for training sessions. Fat is low, around 6 grams total, and you get a nice boost of carbs (18 grams) from the quinoa and oats to keep that energy high!
Share Your Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles Results
Now it’s your turn! I really want to know how these Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles went over at your house. Did your dog leave you any crumbs? Leave a comment below with a rating—I love seeing those stars light up!
And if you snapped a picture of your happy dog enjoying these new healthy bites, tag me! It absolutely makes my day to see my recipes in action. You can read a little more about why I love sharing these simple, clean recipes with you all here. Go bake something great!
Print
Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Energy Kibbles
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: About 2 cups 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Simple recipe for making nutritious, small energy kibbles using chicken and quinoa for pets.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken breast
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup finely ground rolled oats
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cooked quinoa, ground oats, egg, and melted coconut oil.
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly until a uniform dough forms.
- Roll the mixture out onto a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use a small cookie cutter or knife to cut the dough into small, bite-sized kibble shapes.
- Place the cut pieces onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the kibbles are firm and lightly golden brown.
- Turn off the oven and allow the kibbles to cool completely inside the oven with the door slightly ajar for extra crispness.
- Store cooled kibbles in an airtight container.
Notes
- For smaller pets, you can use a piping bag to create very small, uniform pieces before baking.
- If you prefer a crunchier texture, bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- These kibbles are best stored in the refrigerator for up to one week or frozen for up to two months.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Pet Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: General
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 60
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
- Cholesterol: 50
Keywords: chicken, quinoa, pet food, homemade dog food, energy bites, low fat kibble