Treats and chews
Can I bake treats for my dog without an oven?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Yes, a dehydrator, an air fryer, or even a microwave can produce simple homemade treats without a conventional oven. Thin slices of lean meat dried in a dehydrator at around 65 to 70°C for 4 to 6 hours make an easy jerky style treat, while an air fryer at a similar temperature to an oven bake works well for dough based recipes in a shorter time.
Using a dehydrator for simple meat treats
Thin strips of lean chicken breast or beef, cut to about half a centimeter thick, dried at 65 to 70°C for 4 to 6 hours, produce a jerky style treat with no added ingredients needed at all. Checking that pieces are fully dry and slightly leathery, not soft or moist in the center, is important for shelf stability.
Adapting an air fryer for dough based treats
An air fryer set to around 150 to 160°C, similar to an oven temperature for baked treats, works well for smaller batches, though pieces usually need checking a few minutes earlier than an oven recipe would suggest, since air fryers tend to cook slightly faster due to more direct air circulation.
What a microwave can and cannot do
A microwave can dry very thin slices of meat in short bursts of 1 to 2 minutes, checked and flipped between each burst, though the texture comes out less even than a dehydrator or oven produces, and it is not suitable for dough based recipes that need to hold their shape while cooking.
Key takeaways
- A dehydrator at 65 to 70°C for 4 to 6 hours makes simple jerky style meat treats with no oven needed.
- An air fryer at 150 to 160°C works well for dough based recipes, usually finishing a few minutes faster than an oven.
- A microwave can dry thin meat slices in short bursts but gives a less even texture.
- Check that dried treats feel leathery, not soft, before considering them finished.