Kale and herbs add flavour and natural green colour to these chicken stock gelatin gummy dog treats. We’re going green for St. Patrick’s Day right now, but these are healthy and delicious any day of the year. Here’s the recipe and details on how to make these homemade gummies.
Going Green with Gummies
Gummies are some of the simplest treats we make, but they’re also some of the healthiest. Pawesome! A batch of gummies takes only a few minutes to prepare, most of which is hands-off for blooming, and then they’re off to set in the fridge. Easy peasy! In the spirit of our Year of the Dog pledge to always have gummies on hand in the fridge as treats, we’re playing with lots of flavour combos and mixtures. You’ll be seeing plenty of pawesome gummy dog treat ideas here on the blog.
Last year for St. Patrick’s Day we made layered green and gold gummies. This year, we’ve kept the green and played with the flavouring of the recipe using herbs for a chicken soup inspired adaptation of our naturally green gummy base. Some herbs may settle or float depending on weight. They will still stick to the gummies once set, but will be visibly concentrated on the tops/bottoms of your treats. Allowing the mixture to cool and thicken slightly before moulding, as noted in the recipe below, can help hold them in suspension for better distribution.
Naturally Green Kale and Herb Gummy Dog Treat Recipe
Chicken Gelatin Gummies with Kale and Herbs
These treats are an adaptation of our simple stock gelatin gummy dog treat recipe.
Treat Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cool homemade (or ready-made unsalted unseasoned) chicken stock
- 3 tbsp quality powdered gelatin
- 1 tbsp kale powder (optional for colour and flavour)
- 1-2 tbsp dried dog-friendly herbs (optional for scent and flavour)
My dogs are absolute fiends for the scent of rosemary, so that was the starting point for my extra seasonings. You can use any dog-safe add-ins that you and your dog enjoy, and customise the recipe to account for your pet’s tastes and any special dietary or health requirements.
Making the Treats:
- Measure the water into a small pan.
- Sprinkle the surface with gelatin powder.
- Wait and let sit for approximately five minutes or longer for the gelatin powder to bloom / gel.
- Gently stir the mixture over low heat until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Take care not to shortcut with high temperatures or overheat. Heat can reduce the setting strength of gelatin.
- Remove from heat.
- Measure your kale powder and herbs (optional) into a suitable container for mixing and pouring. I’ve tried a variety of methods, and my go-to is using a coffee milk jug when I make gummies. They’re stain resistant, heat safe, easy pour, and dishwasher-friendly. Awesome!
- Mix a small spoonful of the prepared gelatin with the powders to dissolve/mix with minimal lumps and clumps. Once mixed, add in the rest of your gelatin and stir to thoroughly combine.
- Cooling to help suspend the solids (optional) prior to pouring to set can help if you’ve used a generous amount of powder or herbs in the treats. See below.
- Pour into a glass pan (cut and slice) or silicone moulds (shapes).
- Chill to set.
To suspend solids in a gummy, you can cool the gelatin down to just above its setting point so that it is thick and viscous enough to hold the floating and/or sinking pieces distributed through the gummy mixture. Slowly, stirring often, allow the mixture to cool and thicken. You can do this at room temperature, but it will be faster if you use the fridge (or an ice bath, if you prefer). When the mixture has thickened enough, spoon or pour the mixture into your moulds to set as per above.
Gummy Dog Treat Making Tips and Tricks
- See our comprehensive post on making and storing homemade gelatin gummy dog treats for additional information.
- These treats should be kept refrigerated and can be frozen for longer storage, although freezing can affect consistency.
Recipe and Ingredient Tips and Tricks
- My dogs like the smell of plain gelatin and will happily accept plain gummies, but a little tasty boost of chicken stock never goes astray. My dog-friendly stock is homemade (and free!). You can read more in our FAQ post on stock for making homemade dog treats.
- In my experience, 3 tbsp of gelatin powder per cup of liquid makes firm gummies. If you prefer, you can use more gelatin for added supplementation or less for a jigglier jelly treat with lower gelatin content. Individual gelatin powders may be a little stronger / weaker. Find a ratio that works for your preferences and, of course, your dog.
- Curious about swapping in different dog-friendly herbs? Check out this little slideshow from Modern Dog for dog-friendly herb ideas. You can also check out our post on natural tints for colouring dog treats for alternatives to kale, like the example pictured below.
Swapping Kale for Wheatgrass Gelatin Gummy Dog Treats
For an alternative gloriously green naturally tinted dog treat, you can swap the kale for wheatgrass or use a blend of kale and wheatgrass powders, like the gummies pictured below.
Hungry for more tasty treats? There are all sorts of homemade dog treat ideas in our blog archives. You can use the category and tag labels to find other recipes that might be of interest or use our internal search tools to find something specific. Remember, treats (bought or homemade) are for spoiling your pup in moderation. We share ideas from treats that we’ve made ourselves for our pets, but different animals have different preferences (likes/dislikes), just like people. Some pets may have special dietary requirements and/or food allergies/intolerances. If you are ever in doubt or have questions about what’s suitable for your pet, have a chat with your trusted vet.
