Homemade kibble is a meat-and-flour dough baked into a sheet, cut into small squares and dried until crunchy. It is handy for travel and food puzzles.
Because it contains meat, it does not keep like store kibble. Keep a week in the fridge and freeze the rest.
Why your dog will love this
- Crunchy like kibble, with real chicken
- Good for food puzzles and travel
- Makes about 8 cups
Ingredient notes
- Ground chicken Safe
Plain, cooked, boneless and unseasoned.
- Oat flour Safe
Plain oats cooked or baked. Skip flavored instant oatmeal.
- Whole wheat flour Safe
Fine baked into treats unless your dog has a wheat allergy.
- Carrots, finely grated Safe
Raw or cooked. Cut to a safe size to prevent choking.
- Eggs Safe
Serve fully cooked.
Homemade Dry Dog Food Recipe (Baked Kibble)
Crunchy baked kibble made with chicken, oat flour, carrot and egg.
- 5 of 6 ingredients safety-checked, 5 marked safe
- Dairy-free
- Peanut-free
- Large Batch
- Contains: Wheat, Egg, Chicken
Ingredients
Makes 8 cups
- SafePlain, cooked, boneless and unseasoned. Safe amount: Part of a balanced diet.
- SafePlain oats cooked or baked. Skip flavored instant oatmeal. Safe amount: Small amounts.
- SafeFine baked into treats unless your dog has a wheat allergy. Safe amount: As part of baked treats.
- SafeRaw or cooked. Cut to a safe size to prevent choking. Safe amount: A few pieces.
- SafeServe fully cooked. Safe amount: Treat-size portions.
Equipment
- Rimmed baking sheets
- Pizza cutter
Instructions
-
Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two rimmed baking sheets.
-
Mix everything into a thick dough.
-
Spread 1/4 inch thick on the sheets and score into 1/2-inch squares.
-
Bake until firm.
-
Break into pieces, lower the oven to 200°F and dry until crunchy all the way through.
-
Cool completely in the oven.
Tips for success
- Score the dough before baking; it breaks into neat kibble pieces afterward.
- Dry the kibble until it snaps cleanly. Any bend means moisture is still inside.
- Freeze most of the batch and keep one week of kibble in the fridge.
Nutrition per cup
- Calories
- 350 kcal
- Protein
- 22 g
- Fat
- 8.0 g
- Fiber
- 5.0 g
- Carbs
- 46 g
Storage
- Fridge 10 days
- Freezer 90 days
Store in the fridge. It is not shelf-stable like commercial kibble.
How much to serve
Use as a meal topper or part of a balanced diet. Use the portion calculator for amounts.
| Small dog (10 lb) | up to 1 cup a day |
|---|---|
| Medium dog (30 lb) | up to 2.25 cups a day |
| Large dog (60 lb) | up to 3 cups a day |
Last updated September 29, 2026.
How to make Homemade Dry Dog Food
Homemade Dry Dog Food takes about 3 hours 20 minutes from start to finish and makes 8 cups. It takes a little more time but no special skills. You will need rimmed baking sheets and pizza cutter. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.
Ingredients and why they are here
You need 6 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for dogs.
- 1 lb ground chicken: Plain, cooked, boneless and unseasoned.
- 2 cups oat flour: Plain oats cooked or baked. Skip flavored instant oatmeal.
- 1 cup whole wheat flour: Fine baked into treats unless your dog has a wheat allergy.
- 1 cup carrots, finely grated: Raw or cooked. Cut to a safe size to prevent choking.
- 2 large eggs: Serve fully cooked.
- 1/2 cup water
Step-by-step instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two rimmed baking sheets.
- Mix everything into a thick dough.
- Spread 1/4 inch thick on the sheets and score into 1/2-inch squares.
- Bake until firm. Allow about 25 minutes.
- Break into pieces, lower the oven to 200°F and dry until crunchy all the way through. Allow about 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Cool completely in the oven.
Tips for success
- Score the dough before baking; it breaks into neat kibble pieces afterward.
- Dry the kibble until it snaps cleanly. Any bend means moisture is still inside.
- Freeze most of the batch and keep one week of kibble in the fridge.
How to store it
Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 10 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Store in the fridge. It is not shelf-stable like commercial kibble. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.
How much to serve
Use as a meal topper or part of a balanced diet. Use the portion calculator for amounts. Each cup has about 350 calories. Switch from your current food over 7 days, mixing in a little more of the new food each day, and weigh your dog every two weeks to adjust the amount.
Swaps and variations
No ground chicken? Use ground turkey. No whole wheat flour? Use more oat flour. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.
Why dogs love it
Crunchy like kibble, with real chicken. Good for food puzzles and travel. Makes about 8 cups.
Feeding tips for dogs
Introduce any new food slowly, starting with a small piece, and wait a day to see how your dog’s stomach handles it. Dogs with allergies, pancreatitis, kidney disease or diabetes may need changes, so check with your vet first. Keep fresh water out, especially with dry or salty-tasting treats, and count every treat toward the daily allowance so meals stay balanced.
Safety notes
Homemade meals fed long term need a vet-approved vitamin and mineral supplement to be complete and balanced. Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your dog. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make dry dog food at home?
Yes, but it will not be as shelf-stable as store kibble. Refrigerate and freeze it.
Is homemade kibble cheaper?
Usually yes per cup, especially if you buy chicken in bulk.
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