Salmon & Pumpkin Dog Muffins – Easy Air Fryer Recipe
These Salmon & Pumpkin Dog Muffins are soft, savory little bites made with cooked salmon, eggs and pumpkin. Cooked in silicone muffin cups in the air fryer, they’re an easy homemade dog snack that’s naturally flourless and packed with protein.
If your dog loves salmon, these little egg muffins are an easy way to turn it into something a bit different. The salmon provides plenty of flavor, while pumpkin keeps the muffins moist and adds fibre. Eggs bind everything together and give them their light, tender texture.
They’re particularly handy to have in the fridge for breakfast, snacks or meal toppers. You can also freeze a batch and defrost individual muffins as you need them.
And despite the name, these aren’t traditional muffins. There’s no flour or raising agent involved. Think of them as mini salmon and pumpkin frittatas for dogs, conveniently baked in muffin cups.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.
Are These Salmon Muffins a Complete Dog Breakfast?
No. Although salmon, eggs and pumpkin are nutritious ingredients, these muffins aren’t formulated to provide all of the nutrients a dog needs in the correct proportions.
They’re best served as an occasional treat, topper or component of a meal, rather than as a complete replacement for your dog’s regular food.
Why Your Dog Will Love These Salmon & Pumpkin Muffins
The combination of salmon and egg gives these little muffins a rich savoury aroma that’s hard for many dogs to resist. Pumpkin keeps the inside soft and moist, while the individual muffin shape makes them easy to portion.
They’re also a useful alternative to crunchy baked dog biscuits, especially if your dog prefers softer homemade treats.
Ingredients
Just a few ingredients make these easy egg muffins. You could enjoy one or two yourself!
Salmon – Cooked salmon is an excellent source of high-quality animal protein. It’s particularly valued for its omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, which support normal skin, coat, joint and brain health.
Use plain, fully cooked salmon without added salt, sauces or seasonings. Carefully check it for bones before adding it to the recipe.
Pumpkin – Plain pumpkin purée provides fibre along with nutrients including beta-carotene. It also gives these dog muffins a naturally soft and moist texture.
Make sure you’re using 100% pumpkin purée rather than pumpkin pie filling, which can contain sugar, spices and other ingredients your dog doesn’t need.
Eggs – Eggs provide highly digestible protein, essential amino acids, fats and several vitamins and minerals. They also do all the structural work in this flourless muffin recipe, binding the salmon and pumpkin together as they cook.
Curly Parsley – Fresh curly parsley adds a little color and flavor. It’s completely optional, so leave it out if your dog prefers the salmon and pumpkin combination on its own.
Turmeric – adds color and is great for inflammation. A pinch of black pepper helps their body absorb it.
How To Make Salmon Pumpkin Dog Muffins
We make these in the air fryer but they can be baked. Instructions for this is in the recipe card below.
Beat the eggs.
Add the cooked salmon, pumpkin puree, parsley and turmeric. Mix well.
Pour the mixture into silicone muffin liners.
Place the filled liners into an air fryer basket.
Cook for 10 minutes at 160C.
Cool and give as a breakfast treat.
Recipe Tips
Use plain pumpkin. Check the ingredients on canned pumpkin and choose 100% pumpkin without sugar, sweeteners or spices.
Don’t overcook the muffins. They’re supposed to be soft and moist. Cooking them for too long can make the egg texture rubbery.
Check the salmon carefully for bones. Even supposedly boneless salmon can occasionally contain small pin bones.
Use leftover salmon. Plain leftover baked, poached or air-fried salmon is ideal for this recipe.
Let them cool before unmoulding. The muffins become firmer as they cool and are less likely to break apart.
Adjust for your molds. Mini muffin molds will cook faster than standard muffin cups, while large molds will need longer.
Can I Use Canned Salmon?
Yes. Canned salmon can make this recipe even easier.
Choose plain salmon packed in water, preferably with no added salt. Drain it thoroughly before measuring. Some canned salmon contains soft edible bones. While these are generally safe when thoroughly softened during the canning process, you can remove them if you prefer a completely smooth muffin.
Avoid flavoured salmon or products containing sauces, onions, garlic or lots of added salt.
How to Serve Salmon & Pumpkin Dog Muffins
These muffins are versatile enough to serve in several ways.
Give your dog a portion as an occasional snack, crumble a little over their normal dinner, or serve one as part of a dog-friendly breakfast.
You can also cut the muffins into small pieces and use them as high-value rewards.
Because salmon and eggs make these relatively nutrient- and calorie-dense treats, portions should be adjusted according to your dog’s size and what else they’re eating that day.
Treats and extras should generally make up no more than around 10% of your dog’s daily calories unless their overall diet has been specifically formulated to account for them.
Suggested Serving Guide
| Dog’s Weight | Starting Portion |
|---|---|
| Under 10 lbs / 4.5 kg | ¼ muffin |
| 10–25 lbs / 4.5–11 kg | ¼–½ muffin |
| 25–50 lbs / 11–23 kg | ½–1 muffin |
| Over 50 lbs / 23+ kg | Up to 1 muffin |
These are starting portions rather than a daily feeding recommendation. Muffin size, your dog’s calorie requirements and the rest of their diet all matter.
Storage
Refrigerator
Once completely cool, place the muffins in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freezer
These muffins freeze very well.
Place them on a baking sheet or plate and freeze until firm before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Defrost individual muffins overnight in the refrigerator.
They can be served chilled or allowed to come closer to room temperature before serving.
More Salmon Recipes for Dogs
If your dog is a salmon fan, try more homemade recipes using this nutritious fish:
FAQs
Yes. Plain, cooked salmon and plain pumpkin are both dog-friendly foods and can be served together. Salmon supplies protein and healthy fats, while pumpkin contributes fibre and other nutrients.
Traditional pumpkin muffins made for people aren’t a good choice for dogs because they may contain large amounts of sugar, butter, spices or potentially unsafe ingredients.
These homemade dog muffins are different. They’re made specifically for dogs with salmon, eggs and plain pumpkin and contain no sugar or flour.
Yes. Cook fresh pumpkin until tender and purée it until smooth. Don’t add butter, salt, sugar or seasoning.
Not in this recipe. Eggs set as they cook and hold the salmon and pumpkin together, so there’s no need for flour.
The finished texture is closer to an egg muffin or mini frittata than a traditional baked muffin.
Yes. A mini silicone muffin mold is ideal if you’d like smaller portions.
Because they’re smaller, start checking them considerably earlier than standard muffins. They’re ready when the egg is completely set in the centre.
Small amounts of the individual ingredients can be suitable for puppies that are already eating solid food, but these muffins shouldn’t replace a nutritionally complete puppy diet. Cut them into appropriately sized pieces and introduce new foods gradually.
Their soft texture can make them easier to eat than crunchy dog biscuits. However, individual dietary needs become particularly important with older dogs, so dogs with medical conditions or prescribed diets should have new treats cleared with their veterinarian.
The original recipe may be too high in fat for dogs with pancreatitis, particularly because of the salmon and whole eggs. For a lower-fat version, use 3 oz (85g) skinless cooked salmon, 1 whole egg, 4 egg whites and ½ cup pumpkin purée. Dogs with pancreatitis often require strict fat restriction, so always check with your veterinarian before introducing new treats or homemade recipes.
Air Fryer Salmon & Pumpkin Dog Muffins
Need Metric Measurements?
Use the button options below to toggle between US cups and Metric grams.
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup cooked salmon bones removed and flaked
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon curly parsley chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric with pinch of black pepper
Instructions
Air Fryer Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 160°C (320°F).
- Flake the cooked salmon and check carefully for bones.
- Whisk the eggs in a mixing bowl.
- Whisk in the pumpkin purée.
- Fold in the salmon, turmeric and parsley.
- Divide between approximately 6 silicone muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
- Air fry for 10–13 minutes, until completely set through the centre.
- Cool in the molds for 5–10 minutes before removing.
- Allow to cool completely before serving to your dog.
Oven Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Place 6 silicone muffin cups on a baking sheet to make them easier to transfer in and out of the oven.
- Prepare the salmon, egg and pumpkin mixture as directed in the recipe.
- Divide the mixture evenly between the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the muffins are completely set in the centre.
- Remove from the oven and leave them in the silicone molds for 5–10 minutes.
- Carefully remove the muffins from the molds and transfer to a cooling rack.
- Allow them to cool completely before serving to your dog.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.