Spent grain can be used for so many things outside of brewing beer - breads, muffins, even burgers! My particular favorite is using it as the main ingredient in dog treats for my two dogs, Gus and Charley. You can get spent grain from any local brewer that's willing to spare it. Just bring them your own, clean container to haul it away. Our three easy steps will get you into doggy-pleasing-food-manufacturing mode quickly and easily.
Spent grain from a pale ale brew day.
The Recipe.
- 4 cups of spent grain
- 2 cups of flour
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup peanut butter (organic if you like)
Step 1 - Assembly + Pre-Heat
Mix all your ingredients in one big ol' bowl. Honestly using your hands works the best, just have fun cleaning yourself off afterwards because it gets sticky. Not crazy-impossible sticky, but definitely peanut buttery sticky. Pre-heat your oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit.
My ingredients ready to mix, it sorta looks like an alien head doesn't it?
After I mixed and mixed and mixed with my hands, I ended up with a large ball that as frankly, just plain impressive.
Man, look at that ball of stuff, would ya?
STEP 2 - Roll And Cut Out.
I found it easier to break up the ball of stuff into two chunks, given my smaller counter space. Roll that puppy out and cut yourself some fun dog treat shapes. I used a dog bone cookie cutter of course.
They'll be a little squishy so make sure to keep them formed up. Just tap the spent grain husks into line and you'll have some nice looking treats.
My ingredients ready to mix, it sorta looks like an alien head doesn't it?
Woof, woof.
STEP 3 - Bake 'Em Up!
With your oven fully preheated to 350-degrees, line up your newly-formed dog treats on a pan - fit as many as you can on there. I had to use two pans but you don't really need to worry about the spacing in between them.
Bake for 30 minutes at 350-degrees, then TWO HOURS at 225-degrees. The two hours is to ensure they've completely dried out. If any moisture is available they can potentially develop mold before they hit Fido's tummy.
That's it! Enjoy.