Oh my gosh, I have to tell you about the absolute game-changer I brought into my kitchen for my picky pup, Gus. You know how hard it is to trust what’s actually *in* that big bag of store-bought stuff? I got tired of reading labels full of fillers and weird numbers, so I started researching, and boom—I discovered the joy of making my own dry food. Trust me, once you start, you won’t go back!
These **Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles** are my absolute pride and joy. They’re so simple—seriously, mixing happens faster than I can clean up the counters! The best part? They are baked dry, meaning they last, and that little flaxseed addition gives Gus the most glorious, shiny coat you’ve ever seen. I first made these because Gus had a little patch of dry skin that just wouldn’t clear up, and within two weeks of switching, the difference was incredible. You are going to love how easy this recipe is!
Why You Need to Make Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles
Honestly, the biggest reason I switched was control. Suddenly, I knew every single thing going into Gus’s bowl. There’s such peace of mind knowing exactly what flavors he’s tasting and what nutrition he’s getting!
- You get that fantastic omega boost from the flaxseed—it seriously works wonders for keeping coats soft and reducing itchiness.
- No more mystery meats or ingredients you can’t pronounce. It’s all wholesome chicken and simple goodness.
- These bake up completely dry, which means you don’t have to worry about rushing to keep them fresh in the fridge like with soft treats. They’re shelf-stable, which is a huge win for busy days!
If you’re already making some tasty jerky, perhaps like my salmon and spinach jerky, adding this dry kibble to your rotation is just the next logical step. It’s healthy fuel that tastes great!
Gathering Ingredients for Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles
Okay, let’s look at what you need for this batch. It’s shockingly short on the list, which I adore! We’re using a full pound of ground chicken, so make sure you get good quality stuff—that’s the cornerstone of these kibbles.
Next up, we need whole wheat flour and the secret weapon: flaxseed. Listen, if you buy whole flaxseeds, you absolutely must grind them yourself before adding them in. Whole seeds just pass right through the dog—we need that omega goodness, remember? So grind that flaxseed until it’s powdery!
We just need a tiny bit of water and one egg to bring it all together into a nice, workable dough. That’s it! Four simple baking ingredients plus the chicken. While you’re gathering these, maybe check out how I use chicken in these chicken and pumpkin digestive jerkies for a different kind of treat!
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles
This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it’s not hard at all! Think of it less like baking bread and more like making a very thick, meaty cracker dough. Remember, we are aiming for *dry* in the end, so pay attention to the final cooling step—that’s crucial for getting actual kibble consistency.
First things first, get that oven warming up to 350°F (175°C). Prep about two baking sheets with parchment paper; trust me, you want parchment here to make cleanup a snap later. Now, let’s talk dough!
Preparing the Dough for Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles
Grab your biggest bowl! Toss in that ground chicken, the flour, the ground flaxseed, your egg, and the water. Now, you need to mix this really well. Use sturdy hands or a big wooden spoon because this stops being a batter quickly and turns into a stiff, cohesive mass. You want a dough that pulls cleanly away from the sides of the bowl. If it seems too dry and crumbly, add just a tiny splash more water—maybe a teaspoon at a time—until you can actually press it into one solid lump. That even mixing ensures every piece gets its omega boost!
Cutting and Baking Your Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles
Time to roll! Flour your counter lightly and roll that tough dough out until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. Don’t go too thick, or they won’t dry out properly! Use a small cookie cutter or even just a butter knife to cut out cute little squares or circles—we want these small, like actual commercially sold kibbles. Get them spread onto those lined baking sheets. Pop them into the preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. If you’re looking for other simple recipes, definitely browse my larger collection of treats!
Once they look golden and feel hard on the edges—that’s step one complete. But we aren’t done yet for perfect **Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles**!
Here’s my favorite trick for maximum dryness: Turn the oven OFF completely. Prop the door slightly ajar with a wooden spoon, and just leave them in there to cool down and dehydrate gently for another half hour. This slow drying guarantees these chicken kibbles are ready for storage!
Tips for Perfect Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles
Making these **Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles** successfully really comes down to the final crunch. They have to be completely dry, or you’re inviting trouble into that airtight jar!
The most important thing, which I hinted at above, is that slow cooling process—don’t skip turning the oven off and leaving the door cracked. That residual heat pulls out the last bits of moisture. If you try to store them and they feel even slightly soft in the middle when they cool, throw them back in the oven for another 10 minutes at 300°F until they are rock hard. Soggy kibble is moldy kibble, and we want our pups happy and healthy!
Also, remember that ingredient note about sizing? If you have a tiny teacup dog, they won’t manage a big chunk, so make sure you are using a small cutter, maybe even the cap end of a beverage bottle if you don’t have cute cookie cutters. For my big guy Gus, I cut mine into little squares about the size of a thumbnail. If you’re making other great supplements, like my homemade golden paste, you know that quality ingredients in small doses make a massive impact!
Ingredient Spotlight: The Omega Boost in Your Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Kibbles
We can’t talk about these **Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles** without giving a shout-out to the flaxseed! I added it specifically because I love seeing Gus’s coat shine, and it totally delivers.
Flaxseed is just packed with those amazing Omega-3 fatty acids. These are superstars for supporting healthy skin—reducing that itchy annoyance that sometimes plagues our dogs—and keeping that fur looking like velvet. It’s a simple, natural way to boost the nutrition way beyond just plain chicken and flour. It’s what makes this recipe active nourishment, not just a snack!
It’s a fantastic addition, just like how adding different grains can help with sensitivity, like in my chicken and millet digestive mix. Healthy fats do wonders!
Storing Your Homemade Dog Food Kibbles Safely
Okay, you’ve baked them until they look like little wooden pebbles—that’s perfect! Now we have to treat these homemade morsels right so they don’t go bad. Remember, because we aren’t using artificial preservatives, storage is all about keeping them *bone dry*.
The second they are completely cooled—and I mean totally room temperature, not even slightly warm—you need to get them into an airtight container. Glass jars with tight-sealing lids or heavy-duty plastic storage containers work best. Don’t just toss them in a regular plastic zip-top bag; those leak air too easily and you’ll end up with soft spots.
If you followed the baking instructions perfectly and did that final slow-dry in the turned-off oven, these should last a good few weeks sitting right there in your pantry. Seriously, if you’re worried at all about how well they dried, you can toss a couple of those food-safe silica gel packs in the jar, but honestly, if they snap when you break them, you’re usually fine for 3 to 4 weeks.
If you happen to make a massive batch and know you won’t get through them that fast, pop the rest into a freezer-safe bag. They freeze beautifully for months! If you ever need to reach out for cooking support or have a question about keeping my recipes fresh, feel free to use my contact page!
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles
It’s funny how making something this simple still brings up a ton of questions! People always want to make sure they are doing the absolute best for their furry family members, and that’s exactly what these FAQs are for. Don’t worry if you have concerns about texture or how long these last—we’ve covered the most common things I hear.
Can I substitute the whole wheat flour in these Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles?
Yes, you absolutely can, but you need to know that texture will change a bit! Whole wheat gives it a nice sturdy structure. If you swap it for something like oat flour or even chickpea flour, the process still works, but the resulting **Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles** might be slightly more crumbly once they are totally dry. Brown rice flour works well too if wheat is a concern for your pup.
How long do these homemade kibbles typically last?
This is all down to how dry you get them! If you follow that final oven-cooling step perfectly so they snap when you break them, you should easily get three to four weeks stored airtight on the counter. If you make a huge batch and store them in the freezer, they’re good for nearly three months. Seriously, completely dry is the magic phrase here.
What is the best way to reintroduce dry kibble to a dog used to wet food?
Oh, Gus was tricky with transitions! Don’t just swap it all out at once. For the first few days, I just sprinkled about a quarter cup of the new kibble over his usual wet meal, just to get him sniffing and trying the texture. Then, over the next week, I slowly increased the ratio of kibble to wet food until it was 100% dry. A little warm water sprinkled on top can also help them initially if they are being stubborn!
If you want to learn more about why I love making food for my dogs from scratch, check out my About Page!
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Kibbles
So, I know some of you are as obsessed with numbers as I am! Knowing exactly what’s going into our dogs’ bowls is super important, right? Here is the estimated nutritional breakdown for about a quarter cup serving of these **Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles**.
Again, I always want to be clear here: these are estimates based on standard averages for things like ground chicken and whole wheat flour. The exact brands you buy—like if you choose leaner ground chicken or a specific type of flaxseed—will shift these numbers slightly. But this gives you a fantastic, wholesome baseline that’s way better than anything off the shelf, in my opinion!
- Serving Size: About 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 8g (With 5.5g being the great unsaturated fat from our flaxseed!)
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 55mg
See that good protein amount? That’s all that lean chicken doing the heavy lifting! It’s a fantastic, balanced dry food base. If you’re also looking at other wholesome recipes, you might enjoy my lighter option, the turkey and sweet pea light jerky. Always feel good about what you’re feeding!
Share Your Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles Success
I have given you all my best tips for making these fantastic **Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles**, but now I want to hear from *you*!
Did your dog go absolutely wild for their new omega-packed dinner? Please drop a comment below and let me know how the texture turned out in your oven. If you snapped a picture of your first successful batch of **Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles**, tag us! We absolutely love seeing your happy pups.
If you have any questions about privacy or ingredient sourcing, don’t hesitate to check out my privacy policy, but otherwise, happy baking!
Print
Homemade Chicken and Flaxseed Omega Boost Kibbles
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: Approximately 4 cups 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Simple recipe for making nutritious, homemade dry dog food kibbles featuring chicken and flaxseed.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, whole wheat flour, ground flaxseed, water, and egg. Mix until a stiff dough forms.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use a small cookie cutter or knife to cut the dough into small, kibble-sized pieces.
- Place the pieces on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the kibbles are hard and dry throughout.
- Turn off the oven and leave the kibbles inside with the door slightly ajar for another 30 minutes to fully dry them out.
- Store cooled kibbles in an airtight container.
Notes
- Adjust water slightly if the dough is too dry or too sticky to handle.
- For smaller dogs, cut the pieces smaller.
- Ensure the kibbles are completely dry before storing to prevent mold.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Pet Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 55
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
- Cholesterol: 45
Keywords: homemade dog food, chicken kibble, flaxseed dog treats, omega boost, healthy dog food