Cleo’s Chicken & Apple Balls from The Happy Dog Cookbook!

Named after Cleo the Maltipoo (a total foodie fusspot, owned by Annabel’s daughter Lara), this recipe is simple, yummy, and straight from The Happy Dog Cookbook – written by our Head Vet Sean and featuring Annabel Karmel. 

If you’ve got a pooch even half as picky as Cleo, you’ll know just how hard it can be to get them to eat the right things. So this recipe delivers on good proteins with delicious chicken, and gives them a touch of sweet apple at the same time. 

These bite-sized treats only take 30 mins from start to finish and you’ll need a food processor to get them to the right consistency. Paws at the ready? Then let us begin.

Ingredients:

  • 600g skinless chicken thigh fillets, roughly chopped
  • 1 small eating apple, peeled and grated
  • ½ red pepper, diced
  • 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
  • 20g dairy-free Parmesan-style cheese, grated
  • 2 tsp chopped fresh sage

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan)/gas 7 and line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
  2. Put the chicken thighs into a food processor and whiz until finely chopped. Squeeze out any excess water from the apple and add to the processor along with all the remaining ingredients. Whiz again until the mixture comes together.
  3. Shape the mixture into 30 small balls, each approximately 4cm in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove the tray from the oven and allow the balls to cool a little.
  4. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

We hope your dog enjoys these treats as much as Cleo did! If you’re thinking about making your own, don’t forget to tag us on social media using the hashtags #tailsdotcom and #happydogcookbook

You can find us at:

Facebook: @tailsUK

Instagram: @tails.com_uk

If you’d like to buy a copy of the book, all profits go to award-winning charity StreetVet, which provides free vet care for the homeless and their pets, and it is ready to order now at Foyles.co.uk, Amazon and Waterstones.com

Ready for more deliciousness? Treat your dog to 2 weeks free tailored dog food!

12 thoughts on “Cleo’s Chicken & Apple Balls from The Happy Dog Cookbook!”

  1. Wondering why dairy free parmesan (my dog seems OK with cheese) and where on earth I’d get that. I think these could end up being human and dog treats.

    Reply
    • Using minced chicken, dice the pepper very small and use a smaller side of the grater for the apple (still squeeze out the juice) should work then add herb & combine it all with your hands and it should just form a paste that you can make into little balls & cook

      Reply
    • Hi Tracey,

      Your puppy should be fine with these as long as they have no allergies to any of the ingredients – we’d just recommend feeding them in moderation!

      Millie

      Reply
    • It really depends on your dog – and on any other food they’re getting. We recommend feeding one or two as a treat.

      Reply

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