Preheat the Oven: Get your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Your treats need a warm home.
Mix the Cheese & Oat Flour: In a bowl, toss together the 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of oat flour. The cheese should be nice and shredded, so your dog gets all that melty goodness in each bite.
Add Wet Ingredients: Add a little water, a tablespoon at a time, until it forms a dough that you can roll out and work with... usually 3 to 4 tablespoons of water.
For Silicone Goldfish Mold: (for that classic shape) Sit your mold on a baking tray (easier to navigate to the oven) and using your hands, press the dough to completely fill up the mold openings. Once your mold is filled, use the back of a knife, a clean un-used putty scraper or the flat end of a spatula to scrape off the excess dough from the mold.
For Cookie Cutters: Roll your dough out on a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. You don’t want them too thick or too thin, just perfect for crunchy goodness!
Bake ‘Em Up: Place your treats on a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop them into the oven for about 12-15 minutes. You want them golden brown and crispy, but not burnt.
Cool & Serve: Let the treats cool completely before serving. Trust me, you don’t want to burn your pup’s mouth with a hot snack. Cool = safe.
Shape Your Treats: Here’s where the fun begins. Use a silicone goldfish mold or go wild with cookie cutters or even an ice cube tray for fun shapes. Don’t stress over the shape - it’s the taste that counts, and your dog won’t mind if they’re not perfectly goldfish-shaped. Just make sure they’re bite-sized and easy to snack on!