The Best Carrot Pumpkin Chews for Dogs, Made 6 Ways

If your dog goes wild for anything orange and crunchy, you’re in the right place. Carrot pumpkin chews for dogs are one of the easiest homemade treats you can make, and they only need a handful of pantry staples. Below you’ll find six different ways to make carrot pumpkin chews for dogs — baked, dehydrated, air-fried, frozen, slow-cooked, and oat-boosted — plus a few tasty ingredient swaps to keep things interesting. Every recipe is written as a clean, copy-paste-ready card so you can jump straight to the kitchen.

Let’s get grating.

What You Need Before You Start

You don’t need fancy equipment to make carrot pumpkin chews for dogs, but a few basics will make the process smoother.

Tools: a box grater or food processor, mixing bowls, a baking sheet or dehydrator trays, and parchment paper.

Core ingredients across most recipes: fresh carrots, 100% pure pumpkin puree (never pumpkin pie filling), whole wheat or oat flour, and an egg or a splash of water as a binder.

A quick heads-up: always use plain canned pumpkin, not pie filling — pie filling contains added sugar, nutmeg, and spices that aren’t safe for dogs. If your pup has never had pumpkin or carrots before, introduce them slowly and keep an eye out for any tummy upset. If you’re prepping treats for a puppy or a dog with existing health issues, it’s worth a quick chat with your vet about portion sizes — our guide on what puppies need at the vet covers this in more detail.

Now let’s get into the six chews.

1. Classic Baked Carrot Pumpkin Chews

This is the original — the recipe most people picture when they hear “carrot pumpkin chews for dogs.” It’s soft in the middle with a slightly firm outside, and it’s the easiest starting point if this is your first time making dog treats.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 22 minutes Yield: 25–30 chews Storage: 5 days at room temperature, 2 weeks refrigerated, 3 months frozen

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
• 1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour (or oat flour for a grain-gentle option)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix the grated carrots, pumpkin puree, egg, and olive oil until combined.
3. Add the flour gradually, stirring until a thick, slightly sticky dough forms.
4. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll it to about 1/4 inch thick.
5. Cut into small bones, rounds, or strips using a cookie cutter or a knife.
6. Place the chews on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart.
7. Bake for 20–22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chews are firm and lightly golden.
8. Turn off the oven and let the chews sit inside for another 10 minutes to crisp up further.
9. Cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing.

Notes: For a crunchier chew, bake an extra 5 minutes. For a softer, more chewable texture (better for smaller dogs or seniors), pull them from the oven a few minutes early.

2. Dehydrated Carrot Pumpkin Chews (Jerky-Style)

Dehydrating is the go-to method if you want a longer-lasting, low-moisture chew with a jerky-like texture. It takes patience rather than effort — most of the time is hands-off.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Dehydrate Time: 8–10 hours Yield: About 40 small chews Storage: 2–3 weeks at room temperature in an airtight container, up to 6 months frozen

Ingredients

• 2 cups thinly sliced carrots (matchstick or coin-shaped)
• 1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon water (to thin the puree if needed)

Instructions

1. Slice carrots into thin coins or matchsticks, about 1/8 inch thick, so they dry evenly.
2. In a shallow bowl, thin the pumpkin puree with a tablespoon of water until it’s spreadable.
3. Toss the carrot pieces in the pumpkin puree until lightly coated on all sides.
4. Arrange the coated carrot pieces in a single layer on dehydrator trays, making sure none overlap.
5. Set your dehydrator to 135°F and dry for 8–10 hours, checking at the 8-hour mark.
6. The chews are done when they’re firm, slightly leathery, and no longer moist in the center.
7. Let them cool completely on the trays before storing.

Notes: No dehydrator? Use your oven on its lowest setting (usually around 170°F) with the door cracked slightly to let moisture escape, and check every hour. Thicker slices turn out more like true “chews,” while thinner slices dry into a crispier chip.

3. Air Fryer Carrot Pumpkin Chew Sticks

If you want that same baked-chew flavor in a fraction of the time, the air fryer is the fastest route to carrot pumpkin chew sticks for dogs. It’s also the easiest cleanup of all six methods.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 12 minutes Yield: 20–24 chew sticks Storage: 5 days at room temperature, 2 weeks refrigerated

Ingredients

• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 cups oat flour
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the grated carrots, pumpkin puree, and egg until well combined.
2. Stir in the oat flour a little at a time until a firm, rollable dough forms.
3. Roll the dough into small logs about 2–3 inches long and 1/2 inch thick, shaping them like sticks.
4. Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper and place the sticks in a single layer, leaving space between each.
5. Air fry at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until firm and lightly golden.
6. Let cool completely on a wire rack — they’ll firm up more as they cool.

Notes: Don’t overcrowd the basket; air needs to circulate around each stick for even cooking. If your air fryer doesn’t reach 350°F, use the closest setting and add 2–3 minutes to the cook time.

4. No-Bake Frozen Carrot Pumpkin Chews

For hot summer days or dogs who are teething, skip the oven entirely. This is the fastest recipe on the list and needs zero cooking.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Freeze Time: 4 hours (or overnight) Yield: 12–16 small chews (depending on mold size) Storage: Up to 2 months in the freezer

Ingredients

• 1 cup pure pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup finely grated carrots
• 1/4 cup plain unsweetened yogurt (optional, for a creamier texture)

Instructions

1. In a bowl, stir together the pumpkin puree, grated carrots, and yogurt (if using) until smooth and evenly mixed.
2. Spoon the mixture into a silicone ice cube tray or small silicone molds.
3. Tap the tray gently on the counter to remove air bubbles and level the tops.
4. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until completely solid.
5. Pop the frozen chews out of the molds and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
6. Serve straight from the freezer as a cooling treat.

Notes: These are best treated as an occasional cool-down snack rather than a daily chew, since they’re softer and melt quickly. Great for hot afternoons at the dog treat station in your kitchen or yard.

5. Slow-Cooker Mini Carrot Pumpkin Chews

This method is a bit unconventional, but it works surprisingly well if you want a soft, moist chew without turning on the oven. It’s essentially a low, gentle steam-bake.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 2–2.5 hours on low Yield: About 20 small chews Storage: 4 days refrigerated

Ingredients

• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 cups oat flour
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine the grated carrots, pumpkin puree, oat flour, and water into a thick, moldable dough.
2. Line the base of your slow cooker with parchment paper.
3. Roll the dough into small balls or short logs and flatten them slightly, then place them in a single layer on the parchment.
4. Cover and cook on low for 2 to 2.5 hours, checking at the 2-hour mark.
5. The chews are done when they’re firm to the touch and no longer doughy inside.
6. Remove and let cool completely on a wire rack before storing.

Notes: Slow cooking won’t give you a crisp exterior like baking or air frying does — expect a soft, cake-like chew instead, which works well for older dogs or picky chewers. If your dog enjoys variety, our slow cooker dog food recipes are worth browsing for full-meal ideas too.

6. Oat & Pumpkin Carrot Chew Bites

This version is soft, small, and easy to break apart — perfect if you’re using them as training rewards rather than a long chew session.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Yield: 35–40 bite-sized pieces Storage: 1 week refrigerated, 3 months frozen

Ingredients

• 1 cup rolled oats (whole, not instant)
• 1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup finely grated carrots
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Pulse the oats in a food processor for a few seconds to break them down slightly (this isn’t required, but it makes softer bites).
3. In a bowl, mix the oats, pumpkin puree, grated carrots, and egg into a thick batter.
4. Drop small, teaspoon-sized portions onto the baking sheet, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart.
5. Flatten each portion slightly with the back of a spoon.
6. Bake for 13–15 minutes, until firm and set.
7. Cool completely before serving.

Notes: Because these bites are small and soft, they’re ideal training treats — easy to break into even smaller pieces for tiny dogs. Pair them with positive reinforcement training for the best results during practice sessions.

3 Ingredient Variations Worth Trying

Once you’ve got the base recipe down, these three swaps let you customize the flavor and nutrition profile without changing the method.

Applesauce Swap

Replace half of the pumpkin puree with unsweetened applesauce. This lightens the flavor and adds a bit of natural sweetness that many dogs love, while keeping the fiber content high. Make sure the applesauce has no added sugar, cinnamon blends, or artificial sweeteners like xylitol.

Peanut Butter Boost

Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of natural, xylitol-free peanut butter to the dough for any of the six recipes above. This adds a rich flavor and a bit of extra protein, which makes the chews even more enticing for picky eaters. Always double-check the label — some peanut butter brands sneak in xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

Cinnamon & Flaxseed Mix-In

Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a tablespoon of ground flaxseed to the dry ingredients. Cinnamon (in small amounts) is dog-safe and adds warmth to the flavor, while flaxseed contributes omega-3s and a bit of extra fiber. This variation pairs especially well with the baked and air fryer recipes.

Storage, Freezing & Serving Tips

However you make your carrot pumpkin chews, storage comes down to moisture content. Crispier chews (baked, air-fried, dehydrated) last longer at room temperature because there’s less moisture for bacteria to grow in. Softer chews (frozen, slow-cooker, oat bites) need to stay refrigerated or frozen.

As a general rule:

• Crunchy/dry chews: up to 5 days at room temperature, 2–3 weeks refrigerated, up to 6 months frozen.
• Soft/moist chews: 4–7 days refrigerated, up to 3 months frozen.

Always let baked or air-fried batches cool completely before sealing them in a container — trapped steam creates moisture, and moisture leads to mold. Label your freezer bags with the date so you don’t lose track of freshness. If you like keeping a rotating stash, our homemade dog treats recipes roundup has more ideas to fill out your freezer alongside these chews.

For serving size, treats should never make up more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. A small dog under 20 lbs can typically have 1–2 chews a day, while a medium to large dog can usually handle 2–4, depending on size and activity level. If you’re unsure, start with one and watch how your dog does with it before making treats a regular habit.

Why Carrots and Pumpkin Are Good for Dogs

Carrots and pumpkin aren’t just cheap, easy ingredients — they actually do a lot for your dog’s health. Carrots are packed with beta-carotene, which supports eye health and immune function, plus they’re naturally low in calories, making them a smart snack for dogs watching their weight. The crunch also helps scrape a bit of plaque off teeth as your dog chews.

Pumpkin, meanwhile, is well known for supporting digestion. Its soluble fiber content can help firm up loose stool or ease mild constipation, which is why so many vets recommend a spoonful of plain pumpkin for dogs with occasional tummy trouble. Together, carrots and pumpkin create a treat that’s tasty, low in fat, and genuinely useful for digestive health — not just empty calories.

If your dog tends to overdo it on chewing or licking treats compulsively, it’s worth reading up on excessive licking in dogs to rule out any underlying causes before assuming it’s just enthusiasm for the treat.

Final Thoughts

Carrot pumpkin chews for dogs are about as simple as homemade treats get — a couple of vegetables, a binder, and whichever cooking method fits your schedule. Whether you bake a batch on a lazy Sunday, run the dehydrator overnight, or freeze a quick tray for a hot afternoon, your dog is getting a treat that’s better for them than most bags off the shelf. Pick the method that fits your kitchen, grab your carrots, and get chewing — one happy tail wag at a time.