Oatmeal Cookies from Dog Food Crumbs

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

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Packer Fan Oatmeal Cookies for Fido

If you feed kibble to your dogs, you no doubt know that every bag has a little waste. Those crumbs in the bottom come from the transportation and handling that cause crumbling, which trickles to the bottom of the bag, not to be eaten by Fido. I'm out to change that waste!

The crumbs you get in the bottom of every bag will vary. I've gotten as little as 2 Tablespoons and as much as 3/4 of a cup. That last bag was a major score for this treat recipe! I now collect the crumbs from every bag and freeze these until I have enough to bake. Those crumbs make a terrific oatmeal or wheat flour-like base for your dog treat recipe. Below is one of my dog's favorites, but feel free to test this technique out with any of your recipes that call for oatmeal or flour. Please report back and if you include your recipe with a photo, I may share it on All Things Dog Blog.

Carrie's Organic Oatmeal Crumb Cookies for Dogs
Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Kibble Crumbs*, saved from the bottom of each bag. For a finer flour, whir in your food processor or blender. A course flour works just fine in this recipe.
• 1 1/4 Cup Organic Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/2 Cup Organic Rolled Oats
• 3/4 Cup Organic Milk, reduced fat or fat free
• 1 Cup Organic or All-Natural Peanut Butter (salt and sugar-free is best for your dog)
• 1 Tablespoon Blackstrap Molasses **

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Whisk dry ingredients together
3. Stir in remaining ingredients gradually, until mixed.
4. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead to a soft dough.
5. Roll out to 1/2" thick and use cookie cutter to create fun shapes. Remember that these are treats, not meals, so although your cookies will be adorable, keep serving sizes reasonable, or replace some of Fido's chow with a cookie for mealtime balance.
6. Bake on cookie sheets for about 13 minutes. All ovens vary and the timing will vary by the thickness of the dough as well.
7. Cool and store in an airtight treat jar for a couple of weeks.
8. These cookies freeze very well. Extras can be frozen in small packages to remove for enjoyment as needed.

*We use organic Natural Balance kibble crumbs to keep this recipe as healthy as possible. 

**Did you know that although Molasses is a sugar, it also packs a tremendous nutritional value. According to Wikipedia, "...

Unlike refined sugars, it contains trace amounts of vitamins and significant amounts of several minerals. Blackstrap molasses is a source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron; one tablespoon provides up to 20% of the daily value of each of those nutrients.^[5] Blackstrap has long been sold as a health supplement."

As an NB Insider, I often share tips, information and news about Natural Balance. This recipe has been in our favorites list for a long time, but lends itself well to the crumbs of Natural Balance's bag bottom. We're happy to represent Natural Balance at industry events in exchange for a steady supply of their organic formula for our furry family.