Apple Cinnamon Pupper Pretzels
Hello! Another weekend, another dog treat making session. This weekend I made the 6 pack some pretzels. I used unsweetened applesauce, cinnamon and oats.
Applesauce has a ton of health benefits for your pup. Applesauce and apples have a lot of fiber, which will help keep your dog’s digestion working the best it possibly can. Applesauce can also be fed to your dog if they have constipation or diarrhea, just like when people get diarrhea. I know you’re familiar with the BRAT diet, right?
Applesauce is also low in calories, making it a great way to add nutrients to your dog’s diet, but without worrying about adding too many calories.
Apples contain vitamin C to help with your dog’s bones and muscles. This vitamin is particularly important for growing puppies!
We also find vitamin A in apples as well, which will help make your dog’s fur stronger, the skin healthier, and will also improve their immune system.
Apples also contain phosphorus for bone health, antioxidants to help your dog fight off free radicals, and apples are even rich in calcium, something many people don’t know. The high calcium content will keep your dog’s bones healthy and strong, but also supports the health of their teeth, nails, and heart.
Cinnamon is non-toxic and has many health benefits to both humans and dogs.
The spice is abundant in anti-inflammatory properties which is great for aging pups with arthritis or muscle soreness. The anti-inflammatory properties in cinnamon can help manage joint pain and reduce swelling.
Cinnamon is also brain food. It is antioxidant-rich and works to defend people and dogs against neurological problems. Cinnamon helps improve cognitive functions like memory as well, so it brings both mental health and physical health benefits.
Overweight and diabetic dogs can benefit from cinnamon. Adding 1/8 teaspoon of the spice to your dog’s diet for every 15 pounds of their body weight will help regulate their blood sugar and lower insulin resistance. Cinnamon regulates blood sugar by helping to slow the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream after a meal high in carbohydrates.
In a study published in the Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, researchers found that dogs who eat cinnamon also had improved heart health. Dogs that participated in the study who were given cinnamon displayed significantly lower systolic blood pressure and heart rate than dogs in the group that were not given cinnamon.
So now that you see how beneficial applesauce and cinnamon are to your fur baby, I bet you want to make them some treats. Here’s what you’ll need:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup oats
1 egg (beaten)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
Ok. Let’s do this!
Preheat oven to 350°
In a small bowl, beat egg.
Combine applesauce, oats, flour and cinnamon in a large bowl.
Add all but 1 tablespoon of the egg to the mixture.
Using a wooden spoon, stir the mixture until a dough forms. The dough should be tacky but not overly sticky. Add a bit more flour if necessary.
Take a two tablespoon sized piece of dough (approximate) and roll into a tube. It should be about 10 inches long and about the width of a pencil.
Take each tube and make into a U shape.
Cross the legs of the U.
Twist the ends together one time.
Fold back to the bottom of the U. This makes the pretzel shape. Pinch the ends in to make sure they’re secure.
Place the pretzels onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Brush the top of each pretzel with the remaining egg.
Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes until they’re slightly browned and become crispy.
The pretzels should be fairly hard, just like pups love them!
These are 100% six pack approved. They gave them 24 paws up!
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Thanks for stopping by!
Apple Cinnamon Pupper Pretzels
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup oats
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- In a small bowl, beat egg.
- Combine applesauce, oats, flour and cinnamon in a large bowl.
- Add all but 1 tablespoon of the egg to the mixture.
- Using a wooden spoon, stir the mixture until a dough forms. The dough should be tacky but not overly sticky. Add a bit more flour if necessary.
- Take a two tablespoon sized piece of dough (approximate) and roll into a tube. It should be about 10 inches long and about the width of a pencil.
- Take each tube and make into a U shape.
- Cross the legs of the U.
- Twist the ends together one time and fold back to the bottom of the U. This makes the pretzel shape. Pinch the ends in to make sure they’re secure.
- Place the pretzels onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Brush the top of each pretzel with the remaining egg.
- Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes until they’re slightly browned and become crispy.
- The pretzels should be fairly hard, just like pups love them!