Our friend Jade from Mimi & Munch has a heart-shaped pretzel treat that’ll guarantee lots of poochy kisses this Valentine's Day!

These pretzels are super easy and so much fun to make, plus they’re filled with delicious and nutrient-rich ingredients.

They’re wheat free, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside – the perfect treat to show your pup some special love this V-Day.

 

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 Ingredient FAQs

 Gluten Free Flours: Coconut Flour and Oat Flour

This recipe is a combination of coconut flour and oat flour. Both flours are naturally wheat- and gluten-free, which is gentler on our little one’s tummies and digestive systems. Both coconut flour and oat flour are rich in proteins, dietary fiber, and vitamins. Coconut flour is hypo-allergenic, which makes it a perfect substitute flour for dogs that are allergic to wheat and soy.

TIP: If you want to make your own oat flour you can use rolled oats and blend them until fine. It’s important to make sure that, when choosing oat flour, the packet says “gluten-free” because in some instances, the oat flour may be made in an environment with other gluten products where it may come into contact with gluten.

Cinnamon

This wonderful spice is antioxidant-rich and is filled with anti-inflammatory properties that help with arthritis, joint pain, and swelling, among others.

Apple Puree

Royal Gala apples are a great choice for our fur-babies as they are naturally sweet and provide a source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and dietary fibre.

 TIP: Always remove the core and pips from the apple before boiling/steaming/ feeding to your dog. Steaming the apples helps to retain all nutrients.

 Strawberries

Fresh strawberries are a special sweet treat for our pups and are full of antioxidants, fiber and Vitamin C. Make sure to remove the stem and wash thoroughly before chopping into small pieces.

 Free Range Egg

An extra-large free-range egg adds a boost of protein and amino acids. The egg acts as the binder for the rest of the ingredients, and be can be substituted with a chia egg if your pup is allergic to protein.

Baking equipment you’ll need:

  • Oven baking tray
  • Baking paper
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cup and spoons
  • Whisk
  • Fork
  • Egg brush

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups of oat flour
  • ½ cup of coconut flour
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon
  • Half a cup of pureed apple sauce
  • ¼ cup finely-chopped fresh strawberries
  • 1 extra-large free-range egg (whisk with a fork and keep a small amount aside to brush treats before baking)

Instructions:

  • Prep your fruits (boil/steam your apples into puree and chop your strawberries) the day/night before and keep refrigerated.
  • Preheat your oven to 180°C.
  • Line a baking tray (or two - depending on how many you want to make) with baking paper and set aside for later.
  • Add the oat flour, coconut flour and cinnamon to a large mixing bowl and whisk together.
  • Add the apple puree, strawberries, and egg to the flour mix (leave a little aside to brush your treats before baking).
  • Using a wooden spoon, mix everything together.
  • Once combined and crumbly bits start to form, use your hands to knead the ingredients into a dough ball. The dough should be soft and easy to work with. If the dough feels too dry, add a bit more applesauce or a teaspoon of coconut oil. If the dough feels too wet, you can let it rest on your counter for a few minutes before shaping into pretzels.
  • Now for the fun part! Pinch off a piece of your pretzel dough and use your hands to roll the piece into a long rope (work from the middle out and aim to roll your piece of dough to about a 1/4" thick and 20cm long – it all depends on how big or small you want to bake them for your pup).
  • Once you’ve rolled out your pieces, form a heart shape. Press the ends down to ensure your treat is secure.
  • Place each beautiful heart creation on your baking sheet and lightly brush with egg for a nice golden bake.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, keeping an eye on them so that they don’t get too browned or burn.
  • The treats should be lightly golden on the outside – that’s when you’ll know they’re ready.
  • Once baked, let your treats cool on a wire rack before feeding to your fur-baby.

These treats can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Happy baking and an even happier Valenswoof Day!

Lots of Woofs and Wiggles,

Jade, Mimi & Munch SA