Air-dried dog food is an increasingly popular option for pet parents seeking a healthy, minimally processed, convenient diet for their dogs. Unlike traditional dry dog food, air-dried dog food is gently dehydrated at lower temperatures. Not all dog foods are created equal, and that includes air-dried.

Gaining popularity over the last 10 to 15 years, air-dried food gives pet parents a viable option over heavily processed dog food choices (e.g., kibble, canned, etc.). If you have always wanted to be a raw feeder but worry about the process, cost, or bacteria, air drying is a convenient option. 

With its high nutrient density and low to no filler content, air-dried food also helps dogs maintain a healthier weight. If you want to switch your dog to a new food or are open to a popular and nutritious option, here are our selections for the best-air-dried dog foods.

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Our Picks

Best 7 Air-Dried Dog Food Selections

There are many benefits to feeding air-dried food to your dog. These include convenience, shelf stability, softer texture, palatability, and nutrient denseness.

Best Sensitive Stomach Air Dried Dog Food

Our Pick: Elevate Pet Provisions Sensitive Stomach

Elevate Pet Provisions Sensitive Stomach
Buy at Amazon

If your dog tends to be picky or has a sensitive stomach, Elevate Pet Provisions Sensitive Stomach beef recipe dog food is a great option. Made with human-grade, grass-fed beef in Montana, each bag contains eight whole food ingredients. Elevate works with small ranchers and farms and owns their U.S.-based supply chain.

The lightweight, shelf-stable formula is naturally appealing to a dog’s sense of taste and smell. The meat is cooked and air-dried to meet human-grade safety and nutrition standards. The fruits and vegetables are mixed with the meat and beef organs to create Elevate Pet Provisions in regular or sensitive stomach formula.  

Highlights

  • Made in the United States
  • Made with eight whole ingredients, including 100 percent human-grade ground beef
  • Contains no synthetics
  • Easy for dogs to eat and digest
  • Shelf stable and convenient
  • It can be served as is or with a bit of warm water
  • It is ideal for picky eaters or those with a sensitive stomach
  • Meets nutritional levels established by AAFCO

Things to Consider

  • This is a premium dog food, so it is on the pricey side
  • Limited protein selections, but more to come

Best Full Feed or Mix-In Air Dried Dog Food

Our Pick: Redbarn Air Dried Dog Food

Redbarn Air Dried Dog Food
Buy at Redbarn

Redbarn roasts their air-dried meat morsels at kitchens in Kansas. The slow-roasting process creates an appealing taste dogs love. Pet parents have a protein variety from which to choose, available in several formulas– beef, chicken, fish, small breed, and puppy. They also offer gut health formulas in three varieties: beef and lamb, chicken and turkey, and fish. 

It can be used on its own or mixed in with your dog’s kibble diet. Each recipe contains 85 percent or more protein mixed with flaxseed, salmon oil, vitamins, and minerals. The company has been in business for over 20 years, and the air-dried diet is their latest offering. 

Highlights

  • Meets nutritional levels established by AAFCO
  • Can be fed on its own or as a topper
  • Wide variety of protein options
  • Life stage-specific options available
  • Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
  • Two bag sizes available (2 and 5-pound)
  • Free of artificial preservatives and chemicals
  • Easy to feed and store

Things to Consider

  • More expensive than traditional kibble
  • Some dogs may not care for the consistency

Best Venison Air Dried Food for Dogs

Our Pick: ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Grain-Free Dog Food

ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Grain-Free Dog Food
Buy at Chewy
Buy at Amazon

ZIWI Peak offers single-protein air-dried recipes for dogs using free-range meats and wild-caught fish. All proteins are sourced and made in New Zealand and are ideal for all breeds. The first two ingredients in ZIWI Peak’s venison recipe are venison and venison tripe. This limited-ingredient diet contains no wheat, soy, corn, grains, peas, GMOs, or corn.

As a raw alternative, it is ready to serve and convenient to store. Natural amino acids, including taurine, from organ meat support heart health. Adding green-lipped mussels, rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, helps support joints. These recipes are made without grains or potatoes and are designed to support a healthy weight. 

Highlights

  • High-quality, grain-free formula 
  • Raw food benefits without the inconvenience
  • Available in venison and other proteins 
  • Ethically sourced ingredients 
  • Limited ingredient formulas are ideal for dogs with sensitivities to certain ingredients
  • No artificial flavors, colors, flavors, or colors
  • High protein formula 

Things to Consider 

  • It may be too rich for some dogs
  • No sensitive formula is available 
  • Made in New Zealand

Best Kibble-Like Air Dried Dog Food

Our Pick: YumWoof! Premium Chewy Air Dried Food

YumWoof! Premium Chewy Air Dried Food
Buy at Chewy
Buy at Amazon

Yumwoof calls their air-dried dog food Perfect Kibble, but it is not made like typical kibble. Choose from coconut chicken or beef pot roast variations. Yumwoof touts its formulas as formulated by microbiome research to stop inflammation in dogs. The coconut chicken flavor is made with Cocomega superfast to combat inflammation and contains no GMOs.

The food is called Perfect Kibble because it resembles kibble. It is balanced and complete for all dogs, including puppies. Each recipe has a six-month shelf life, and each bag should be consumed within 30 days of opening.

Highlights

  • Made in the United States
  • Meat is sourced from USDA facilities
  • Third-party safety testi9ng 
  • It contains Cocomega, which is a combination of coconut oil and omega-3’s
  • Made with 14 ingredients 
  • Formulas contain no GMOs

Things to Consider

  • It contains more ingredients than other air-dried formulas
  • There are only two proteins to choose from at this time

Best Turkey Recipe Air Dried Dog Food

Our Pick:  Sundays Food for Dogs

Sundays Food for Dogs
Buy at Sundays for Dogs

Consider Sundays Food for Dogs‘ air-dried recipe if your dog prefers turkey. Made with human-grade ingredients and over 80 percent meat, it requires zero prep work. The process is simple: Sundays gently air-dries their ingredients at the right temperature to kill germs and lock in nutrients. 

Founded by a veterinarian who wanted better food for her dog, Sundays is manufactured at a USDA-monitored human-grade food facility. Each recipe contains fruits and vegetables and is easy to serve. A veterinary nutritionist and animal nutritionist with a Ph.D. formulate and review the recipes. 

Highlights

  • Shelf stable and easy to serve 
  • Convenient home delivery subscription service available 
  • Also available in other proteins (chicken, turkey, and beef)
  • Each batch of food is tested for foodborne diseases
  • Meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages

Things to Consider

  • Some dogs may not care for the jerky-like texture 
  • A bit pricier than other brands 
  • After opening, it must be used within 6 to 8 weeks

Best Fish-Based Air Dried Dog Food

Our Pick: Spot + Tango Cod & Salmon Unkibble

Spot + Tango Cod & Salmon Unkibble
Buy at Spot + Tango

Touted as Unkibble, Spot + Tango offers a convenient, affordable, air-dried fish formula with 100 percent fresh ingredients. Formulated by veterinary nutritionists, it meets the nutritional levels established by AAFCO. Spot + Tango has a proprietary algorithm that calculates the perfect meal plan for your dog. 

Each simple formula, including cod and salmon, contains fresh fruits and vegetables and no artificial additives, preservatives, or fillers. Each bag has a custom scooper, so you won’t have to fret or search for measuring cups for your dog. 

Highlights

  • Contains fresh, whole ingredients with real meats
  • Gently dried at low temperatures to retain flavor
  • Customized plans and scooper
  • No fillers or additives
  • Several protein options in addition to fish 
  • Free shipping from Spot + Tango in the United States

Things to Consider 

  • You must lock into a subscription but can cancel at any time
  • Pricier than some others 

Best Chicken Air-Dried Food for Dogs

Our Pick:  Earth Animal Chicken Recipe

Earth Animal Chicken Recipe
Buy at Chewy
Buy at Amazon

Earth Animal offers a sustainably sourced, air-dried formula for dogs that prefer chicken. Made in the United States with antibiotic-free chicken organ and muscle meat, the formula also includes sardines, grains, fruits, veggies, and vitamins and minerals. This food can be served on its own or as a topper.

Made in small batches to retain nutrition and taste, it can be fed to adult dogs of all life stages. The pieces are small enough to use in puzzle toys or brain games. Earth Animal is a certified B corporation that has been serving pets since 1979. 

Highlights

  • Contains no corn, wheat, soy, or peas
  • Made in America
  • Diced texture to entice a dog’s palate
  • Highly digestible formula 
  • Sustainably sourced proteins that are free of hormones and antibiotics
  • Available in other proteins

Things to Consider

  • The product must be used within 8 weeks of opening 
  • The chicken formula also contains fish (sardines)

What is Air Dried Dog Food?

Air-dried dog food involves drying raw ingredients at low temperatures using air without excessive heat. This method retains more flavor and nutrients, thus minimizing the need for unnecessary preservatives. 

Touted as a viable option for canned or kibble dogs or those who want raw food without the work or risk, air-dried dog food is an ideal compromise. 

The quality of the ingredients is important in air-dried dog food. Starting with inferior ingredients won’t magically improve them through air drying. Consider selecting from our choices above. 

How to Transition Your Dog to Air-Dried Food

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging when transitioning your dog to air-dried dog food. Here are some more tips and recommendations for switching dog food.