Quick answer: To make liver and tapioca flour dog treats, blend 1 lb of beef liver until smooth, mix it with 2 eggs and 1 cup of gluten-free tapioca flour into a moldable dough, spread or cut it onto a lined baking sheet, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes until firm. Cool completely before serving. That's the whole recipe — below I'll walk through why these two ingredients work so well and how to serve them safely.
I'm Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. We spend our days sourcing single-ingredient chews, so I'm a big believer in keeping a dog's food simple and recognizable. This homemade treat fits that philosophy: two real ingredients, no fillers, no mystery preservatives.
Why liver and tapioca flour?
Liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can feed a dog. It's rich in vitamin A, several B vitamins (including B12), iron, and copper. Because it's so concentrated, liver should stay a treat rather than a staple — the American Kennel Club notes liver is best fed in moderation so dogs don't get too much vitamin A.
Tapioca flour is a grain- and gluten-free starch made from the cassava root. It binds the dough without wheat, which makes these treats a reasonable option for dogs that seem sensitive to common grains. It's the same starch you'll find in many commercial grain-free foods.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef liver
- 1 cup tapioca flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional — nice for breath)
- A splash of water, if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Blend the liver in a food processor until smooth. If your dog is new to liver, start with a smaller batch to make sure it agrees with them.
- Mix the liver puree with the eggs and tapioca flour until you have a moldable dough. Add parsley now if you're using it, and a splash of water if the mix is too stiff.
- Shape the dough — roll it about 1/2 inch thick and cut with a cookie cutter, or spread it thin to break into pieces after baking.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the treats are firm and lightly golden at the edges.
- Cool completely before you hand one over.
How should I store homemade liver treats?
Because there are no preservatives, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months. If you spread them very thin and bake them longer at a lower temperature so they dry out, they'll keep a little longer at room temperature — but when in doubt, refrigerate.
Are liver and tapioca treats safe for my dog?
For most healthy dogs, yes, in moderation. A good rule of thumb is that treats should make up no more than about 10% of your dog's daily calories, a guideline echoed by VCA Animal Hospitals. Introduce any new food gradually, and check with your veterinarian first if your dog has liver disease, copper-storage issues, or other health conditions. As always, watch for choking and never leave a dog unattended with any treat or chew.
Prefer a no-bake, single-ingredient option?
Baking is fun, but some days you just want to hand your dog something wholesome without turning on the oven. That's the whole reason we started BSC. Our chews are 100% natural, single-ingredient, 100% real meat, fully digestible, and contain no rawhide — ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms and 100% high-quality guaranteed.
If you like the idea of feeding one clean ingredient, these are worth a look: our guide to single-ingredient chews explains why simpler is usually better, our complete guide to bully sticks covers the most popular option, and if you're weighing safety, our post on whether trachea dog treats are safe is a useful read.
The bottom line
Liver and tapioca flour treats are cheap, fast, and easy to customize, and they let you control exactly what goes into your dog's snacks. Blend, mix, bake, cool — that's it. Introduce them slowly, keep portions sensible, and enjoy the tail wags.
This post was last updated at August 7, 2026 11:18
