In recent years, pet owners have become increasingly conscious about the ingredients in their furry friends’ treats. With concerns over additives and preservatives in commercial dog snacks, many are turning to homemade options. One such treat that’s gaining popularity is dehydrated bananas for dogs. Not only are they simple to make, but they’re also packed with essential nutrients. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of making dehydrated bananas for your canine companion at home, ensuring they receive a tasty and wholesome snack.

How to Make Dehydrated Bananas for Dogs at Home

Simply put, most dogs go bananas for bananas. That is partially because of their natural sweetness. However, bananas also have a lot to offer our dogs in nutritional value and are a very versatile ingredient.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small amount from qualifying purchases. Read more about our advertising policy here.

Why Dehydrated Bananas?

Dehydrating bananas instead of serving them raw extends the shelf-life of the bananas, but also makes them portable and less messy to work with. Once dehydrated, they become excellent training treats or can be easily incorporated into snuffle matts or balls, puzzle games or stuffed food enrichment toys. Overall, it makes them more convenient and adds versatility to this delicious, healthy fruit.

Bananas offer a variety of health benefits for dogs. They are rich in potassium, fibre, and essential vitamins, making them an excellent addition to your pet’s diet. Additionally, dehydrated bananas are gentle on a dog’s stomach, making them suitable for pups with sensitive digestive systems. By making your own dehydrated banana treats, you can control the quality of ingredients and tailor them to your dog’s preferences.

Getting Started

Bananas can be dehydrated in a dehydrator, in the oven, or in an air fryer with the dehydrator function. If you are using an air fryer, it is recommended to consider using a multi-layer tray like this one to increase the amount you can dehydrate at once.

Before you begin, gather the following ingredients and equipment:

Ripe bananas
Knife
Cutting board
Dehydrator, oven or air fryer with dehydrator function
Optional: Coconut or olive oil, lemon

How to Tell When Banana Chips are Done

Banana chips can be dehydrated until they are dry and leathery, or they can be dehydrated longer until they are crispy and snap in half easily. Crispier bananas will last longer at room temperature because they have more moisture removed.

Step-by-Step Guide

Select ripe bananas that are free of bruises or blemishes. These will provide the best flavour and texture for your dehydrated treats. Over-ripe bananas will fall apart during the cutting process and become more of a fruit leather than a dehydrated banana slice.
Peel the bananas and slice them into uniform pieces, approximately 1/4 inch thick. This ensures even drying and prevents some pieces from being overdone while others remain undercooked. If you are not confident in your knife skills, you could use a mandolin to slice them (be sure to use the guard! Mandolins are extremely sharp and dangerous)
Optional: If preferred, very gently toss banana chips in a small amount of coconut oil, olive oil and/or lemon juice in order to minimize browning during the drying process

Dehydrated banana chips being made — *Stages of dehydrated bananas being made from cutting to placing on racks to the crispy banana chips*

Dehydrator Instructions

Arrange the banana slices in a single layer on trays, making sure they are not touching each other. This allows for proper airflow and efficient drying.
Set the dehydrator to the appropriate temperature for fruits, typically between 125°F and 135°F. The exact time will vary depending on the thickness of the slices and the humidity levels in your area.
Allow the bananas to dehydrate for 6 to 12 hours, or until they are completely dry and leathery to the touch. You can periodically check their progress and rotate the trays if necessary.
Once the bananas are fully dehydrated, remove them from the dehydrator and let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

Oven Instructions

Preheat oven to lowest setting (usually 170°F or 76°C)
If you have an oven safe rack with holes small enough that the banana slices will not slip through, use it with a baking sheet under neath for stability and to catch any drips. If you do not have an oven rack, use a baking sheet lined with parchment. Ensure to lightly brush the parchment with a little bit of coconut or olive oil
Arrange the banana slices in a single layer on trays, making sure they are not touching each other. This allows for proper airflow and efficient drying.
Allow for bananas to dehydrate for 3 to 6 hours, or until they are completely dry and leathery to the touch. You can rotate the trays in the oven or flip the banana slices periodically if needed.
Once the bananas are fully dehydrated, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

Air Fryer Instructions

Arrange the banana slices in a single layer on trays, making sure they are not touching each other. This allows for proper airflow and efficient drying.
Set the air fryer to the dehydrator function between 125°F and 135°F. The exact time will vary depending on the thickness of the slices and the humidity levels in your area.
Allow the bananas to dehydrate for 6 to 12 hours, or until they are completely dry and leathery to the touch. You can periodically check their progress and rotate the trays if necessary.
Once the bananas are fully dehydrated, remove them from the dehydrator and let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

Storage

Store fully dehydrated bananas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Tips for Success

Use ripe bananas for the best flavour and sweetness.
Avoid using overly ripe bananas, as they may become mushy during the dehydration process.
Experiment with different seasonings, such as cinnamon or peanut butter, to add variety to your dog’s treats.
Store the dehydrated bananas in a cool, dry place to maintain their freshness and flavour.

Variations

This simple recipe can be varied in multiple ways. There’s not reason you ever need to do them the same way twice!

Banana jerky – to create banana jerky, slice the bananas length wise before very lightly brushing them with coconut or olive oil and placing them on dehydrator trays. Due to the increased size of the slices, these will take longer to dehydrate. Remove them while they are well dried by not yet fully crispy
Maple or Honey glazed bananas – lightly brush sliced bananas with a small amount of maple syrup or honey to add additional sweetness and shine. Be careful to feed these to your dog in moderation due to the increase sugar content
Spiced banana chips – prior to dehydrating, sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon, ginger or even turmeric on the banana slices

How to Use Dehydrated Banana Chips

Dehydrated bananas are an extremely versatile treat that can be used in many ways!

As Standalone Treats: Give your dog a few dehydrated banana chips as a standalone treat. They can enjoy the crunchy texture and sweet flavour of the chips as a delicious snack between meals.
Training Rewards: Break the dehydrated banana chips into smaller pieces and use them as training rewards for your dog. The chips’ small size and enticing taste make them an excellent incentive for obedience training or teaching new tricks. For many dogs, banana chips would be considered a medium/high value treat! See What Makes the Perfect Dog Training Treat? for more information on treat values.
Mix with Other Treats: Combine the dehydrated banana chips with other dog-friendly treats, such as dehydrated apples, carrots, or sweet potatoes, to create a custom snack mix for your furry friend. You can also mix them with kibble and/or dehydrated meats to use in scatter boxes or puzzle toys.
Topper for Meals: Sprinkle a few crushed dehydrated banana chips over your dog’s regular meals to add a flavourful and nutritious topping. This can entice picky eaters and provide a crunchy texture to their food. You can also add them to stuffed Kongs, Toppls or other food enrichment toys.
Add to Homemade Treats: Incorporate dehydrated banana chips into homemade dog treat recipes, such as cookies, biscuits or muffins. Simply chop or crush the chips and mix them into the dough before baking for an extra burst of banana flavour. Try it in these Banana Muffins!
Dip in Peanut Butter: For an extra special treat, dip the dehydrated banana chips in natural peanut butter (always ensure peanut butter is xylitol free). The combination of banana and peanut butter is sure to be a hit with your dog and provides added protein and healthy fats to their diet.
Freeze for a Cool Treat: Dip the dehydrated banana chips in plain yogurt and freeze them for a refreshing summer treat. Your dog will love the cool and creamy texture of the frozen bananas on a hot day.
Homemade Trail Mix: Mix dehydrated banana chips with other dog-safe ingredients like unsalted nuts, dried fruits, and whole grain cereal to create a homemade trail mix for your dog’s outdoor adventures.
Carob-covered Bananas: Dip dehydrated banana chips in melted carob and allow to dry fully before serving to your dog. Your dog will go bananas for this special treat!

Remember to always feed dehydrated banana chips to your dog in moderation, as they are high in natural sugars and can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. Additionally, monitor your dog for any signs of allergies or digestive upset when introducing new treats into their diet.

Homemade Banana Chips for Dogs

Learn how to make healthy dehydrated banana chips that can be used as dog treats or incorporated in other recipes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cuisine Dog Treats

Ingredients

Bananas
Coconut or olive oil optional
Lemon juice optional