If you’re like us, you go through a LOT of training treats. Sometimes, we like to mix it up with higher value foods, such as this recipe for Tiny Balls (aka Dog Meatball Treat).
Before you think, “Oh no, this is going to be hard.” Stop! It is super easy to make Tiny Balls, and while, yes, it takes more effort than buying pre-packaged treats, it is worth the effort. Even Polly Pocket (our picky, picky, PICKY Chihuahua) LOVES this recipe.
Step 1: Gather your ingredients
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk (whole, 2%, or skim)
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground sausage
Step 2: Put it together
Combine the milk and oats: Pour the milk over the oats in a small bowl and set aside while preparing the rest of the meatball mix.
Combine the egg, ground meat, and Parmesan cheese: Add the egg and Parmesan cheese to the lean ground beef and ground sausage. Mix thoroughly with your fingers. Once mixed, pour in the oats and milk. Mix again.
Form the meat into Tiny Balls: Pinch off a piece of the meat mixture and gently roll between your fingers to form 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch meatballs. Continue shaping until all the meat is used. TIP: Placing the meat mixture in the fridge for approximately 20 minutes prior to this step can make it easier to form the Tiny Balls.
Bake meatballs in the oven: Arrange the Tiny Balls, spaced evenly apart, on a baking sheet. Bake at 375ºF for 20 minutes. The meatballs are done when cooked through and the outsides are browned.
Store your Tiny Balls: Place only as much as you will need for training within the week in a baggie in the fridge. Your surplus Tiny Balls can be frozen to be thawed out for use later!
Check out our video DIY for the Tiny Balls!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk (whole, 2%, or skim)
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground sausage
Instructions
- Combine the milk and oats: Pour the milk over the oats in a small bowl and set aside while preparing the rest of the meatball mix.
- Combine the egg, ground meat, and Parmesan cheese: Add the egg and Parmesan cheese to the lean ground beef and ground sausage. Mix thoroughly with your fingers. Add the milk and oats. Mix again.
- Form the meat into Tiny Balls: Pinch off a piece of the meat mixture and gently roll between your fingers to form 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch meatballs. Continue shaping until all the meat is used. TIP: Placing the meat mixture in the fridge for approximately 20 minutes prior to this step can make it easier to form the Tiny Balls.
- Bake meatballs in the oven: Arrange the Tiny Balls, spaced evenly apart, on a baking sheet. Bake at 375ºF for 20 minutes. The meatballs are done when cooked through and the outsides are browned.
- Store your Tiny Balls: Place only as much as you will need for training within the week in a baggie in the fridge. Your surplus Tiny Balls can be frozen to be thawed out for use later!
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk (whole, 2%, or skim)
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground sausage
Instructions
- Combine the milk and oats: Pour the milk over the oats in a small bowl and set aside while preparing the rest of the meatball mix.
- Combine the egg, ground meat, and Parmesan cheese: Add the egg and Parmesan cheese to the lean ground beef and ground sausage. Mix thoroughly with your fingers. Add the milk and oats. Mix again.
- Form the meat into Tiny Balls: Pinch off a piece of the meat mixture and gently roll between your fingers to form 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch meatballs. Continue shaping until all the meat is used. TIP: Placing the meat mixture in the fridge for approximately 20 minutes prior to this step can make it easier to form the Tiny Balls.
- Bake meatballs in the oven: Arrange the Tiny Balls, spaced evenly apart, on a baking sheet. Bake at 375ºF for 20 minutes. The meatballs are done when cooked through and the outsides are browned.
- Store your Tiny Balls: Place only as much as you will need for training within the week in a baggie in the fridge. Your surplus Tiny Balls can be frozen to be thawed out for use later!