How to Freeze Dry Chicken for Dog Treats

As a dog owner, I’m always looking for homemade treats that are good for my pet. Freeze-drying chicken at home is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to make dog treats. Freeze drying treats keeps more nutrients than baking or drying them the old-fashioned way, and dogs love the texture and taste! In this article, I’ll show you how to make tasty, healthy treats for your dog by freeze drying chicken.

What is Freeze Drying?

Freeze drying, also known as lyophilization, is a dehydration process that works by freezing food and then reducing the pressure and adding heat to allow the frozen water to sublimate directly from solid phase to gas phase. This results in a dry, porous structure that retains most of the original shape, nutrients, color, taste and texture of the food.

Compared to other drying methods, freeze drying better preserves heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants It also maintains the natural flavor much better. Commercial freeze dried foods and treats have a very light, crunchy texture that most dogs find irresistible

Why Make Homemade Freeze Dried Treats?

There are several benefits to DIY freeze dried dog treats:

• Cost Savings: Commercial freeze dried treats can be expensive. Making them at home is very affordable.

• Control Ingredients: You can choose what goes into the treats and stay away from things like artificial colors, preservatives, and more. found in store-bought treats.

• Nutrition: Treats made at home with good ingredients are much better for you than most store-bought treats that are full of fillers and additives. Freeze drying locks in nutrients.

• Customize for Your Dog: Tailor flavors, shapes and sizes of treats to suit your individual dog’s preferences.

• Storage and Shelf Life: Freeze dried treats keep for months without refrigeration. Just store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

How to Freeze Dry Chicken at Home

Freeze drying equipment is expensive and not practical for home use. However, you can approximate the process at home by leveraging your freezer’s natural ability to remove moisture from items over an extended period. Here is a simple technique for DIY freeze dried chicken dog treats:

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Cooking oil or nonstick cooking spray (optional)

Equipment:

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Airtight container for storage

Steps:

1. Prepare the chicken: Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry. Trim off any excess fat or membranes.

2. Cook the chicken: Lightly coat chicken with oil or cooking spray (or skip this step for fat-free treats). Bake at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Let cool.

3. Cut the chicken: Slice cooked chicken into thin, uniform strips or small cubes no more than 1/4″ thick. This ensures even drying.

4. Arrange on baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer without overcrowding.

5. Freeze the chicken: Place baking sheet in freezer overnight or until chicken pieces are completely frozen solid.

6. Dry the chicken: Transfer frozen chicken pieces to an airtight container. Return to freezer for 1-2 weeks. The freezer’s naturally dry air will dehydrate the chicken over time.

7. Check for dryness: After 1-2 weeks, check a piece of chicken. It should be hardened and dried through. If not, return to freezer for another week.

8. Store the treats: Once fully dried, seal chicken pieces in an airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 2-3 months.

And that’s it! With just your freezer, you can make batches of homemade freeze dried chicken treats for your dog to enjoy. Customize them by adding or substituting ingredients like turkey, beef, liver or sweet potato. Your pup will love the crunchy texture and you’ll love providing healthy, affordable homemade treats. Freeze drying really locks in nutrients while preserving the flavors dogs crave. I highly recommend giving it a try for your canine companion.

Troubleshooting Homemade Freeze Dried Treats

While the basic technique for DIY freeze dried treats is simple, you may encounter some issues on your first few attempts. Here are some common problems and how to avoid them:

Chicken pieces are not fully dehydrated: Be sure to slice chicken very thin (less than 1/4″ thick) before freezing to ensure thorough drying. Allow several weeks in the freezer for complete dehydration. Check pieces periodically until hardened and dried through. Consider a second round in the freezer if needed.

Chicken pieces are too hard/crunchy: If your homemade treats turn out overly hard or crunchy, try slicing the chicken a bit thicker next time prior to freeze drying. Leaving more moisture in the pieces typically results in a more tender texture when dried.

Treats get freezer burn: Use an airtight container rather than plastic bags for storing treats in the freezer. Freezer burn can impart unpleasant flavors. Check periodically and discard any pieces with obvious freezer burn.

Chicken smells bad: Discard any chicken pieces that smell bad or are discolored. Cooked, frozen chicken that is properly stored should not spoil or go rancid over several weeks of freeze drying. Bad smells indicate spoilage.

Mold grows on treats: Only fully dehydrated pieces will resist mold growth during storage. If you notice mold, discard those pieces. Allow remaining treats to dry longer in the freezer before storage. Use an airtight, moisture-proof container.

Chicken treats are too bland: Boost flavor with dried broth powders, garlic powder, brewer’s yeast or other spice mixes. But go easy on salt. Or, use more flavorful ingredients like turkey, beef liver, sweet potato etc.

With a bit of tweaking, you’ll get the hang of making tasty homemade freeze dried chicken treats that your dog will devour. The initial experimenting is well worth it!

Recipes for Freeze Dried Dog Treats

Once you master the basic freeze drying technique, the possibilities are endless when making homemade dog treats. Here are just a few recipe ideas to try:

Sweet Potato Chews

• 1 sweet potato
• Water or broth

Peel and cut sweet potato into 1/4″ slices. Simmer 5-10 minutes until slightly softened but still very firm. Drain and freeze overnight on a baking sheet. Finish freeze drying 1-2 weeks until hardened.

Chicken and Banana Bites

• 1 banana
• 1 cup cooked chicken, chopped

Mash banana well. Mix in chicken. Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and flatten into discs. Freeze then dry 1-2 weeks.

Beef Liver Nuggets

• 1 lb beef liver
• 1 egg

Puree liver in a food processor until smooth. Mix in egg. Scoop into small pieces on a baking sheet. Freeze and dehydrate 1-2 weeks.

Pumpkin and Greek Yogurt Drops

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp honey

Whisk ingredients together. Spoon dollops onto baking sheet. Freeze then dehydrate 1-2 weeks.

Turkey and Cranberry Biscuits

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup cooked, shredded turkey
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 egg + 2 tbsp water

Mix all ingredients into a stiff dough. Roll out to 1/4″ and cut into shapes. Arrange on baking sheet, freeze and dehydrate 1-2 weeks.

Get creative with combinations of proteins, fruits, veggies, whole grains and more! Adjust drying times as needed for each recipe.

Final Tips for Freeze Dried Dog Treats

Here are some final tips to get the most out of homemade freeze dried dog treats:

• Stick to simple, single ingredient recipes first before trying more complex combinations.

• Freeze and thaw meat before cooking to better preserve texture and nutrients.

• Always cook meats thoroughly before dehydrating to avoid harmful bacteria.

• Cut all ingredients evenly to ensure proper dehydration throughout.

• Inspect treats periodically as they dry. Discard any with off-colors or odors.

• Allow 1-2 weeks drying time as a general guideline. Longer may be needed for thicker or denser items.

• Save scraps like ends and trimmings to grind up for training treats.

• Break larger treats into bite sizes for small dogs or puppies.

• Store treats in individual servings to avoid constant re-opening of the storage container.

With a simple homemade drying process, you can feel good about providing nutritious and delicious freeze dried chicken treats for your furry best friend. Make an initial batch or two to get the technique down. Soon you’ll be whipping up batches of treats to delight your dog and save money too. Get creative with healthy recipes and have fun providing homemade love for your canine companion.