Are you looking for a shelf-stable, highly nutritious alternative to kibble? Air-dried dog food is growing in popularity for many pup parents who want to give their furry friends a flavorful, not-bone-dry dining option. It’s often less expensive than fresh meals but still packs premium ingredients into minimally (but safely) processed dog chow. I’ve been an expert on dog food trends for many years, and air-dried chow is here to stay. See which brands I recommend if you’re trying to decide on the best air-dried dog food for your canine companion.
Air-Dried vs Dehydrated Dog Food
Contents
Air-dried dog food involves combining raw ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, fruits, and sometimes grains, and then slowly drying them at low temperatures, gently removing some moisture from all the ingredients. Dehydrated dog food removes most of the moisture. The result is that most air-dried dog food is more of a jerky-like texture versus a dry, crunchy texture with dehydrated dog food.
What Are The Benefits Of Air-Dried Dog Food?
Air-dried dog food has multiple health benefits for our pups, whether you serve it as a whole meal or as a mixer.
- Preserves nutritional content and taste of the natural ingredients
- Shelf-stable whole-food ingredients (some are even human-grade)
- Nutrient-dense so, in many cases, you don’t need to feed your pup as much as dehydrated dog food or kibble
- Has a jerky-like texture that many dogs love
- Can be a great alternative for dogs with allergies or sensitive skin due to limited ingredients
- Easily digestible compared to many kibble options
- Excellent alternative to kibble for picky dogs
Air-dried dog food is high in protein and fat making it an inappropriate diet for some dogs with health problems, including kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, and obesity. It’s always a good idea to consult your veterinarian about the diet you’re feeding your pup to ensure it’s safe for their medical concerns.
Best Air-Dried Dog Food Brands
After extensive research, I’ve chosen your top options based on brand reputation, food quality and safety, nutritional content, variety of formulas, pricing, customer feedback, and more. All of these brands offer recipes that meet AAFCO guidelines for a complete and balanced diet. All air-dried dog food is pricey, so a great alternative to full meals is using it as a topper.
Winner: Badlands Ranch Review
Badlands Ranch Superfood Complete dog food lives up to its name by being packed with nutritious superfoods for your furry friend. Each of the four all-natural, grain-free recipes—beef, chicken, lamb & venison, and wildfish & turkey—features a blend of organ meats, real salmon, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, broccoli, blueberries, chia seeds, flaxseed, turmeric, and other wholesome ingredients. All ingredients are slow-cooked in small batches at low temperatures and air-dried to preserve nutrients and freshness.
Founded by actress and animal activist Katherine Heigl, the company selects only high-quality, functional ingredients to support your dog’s digestion, immune health, skin and coat, and energy. Every purchase you make helps animals in need through a partnership with Heigl’s nonprofit, the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Whole-food ingredients with no preservatives or fillers | Expensive |
| Free of wheat, soy, corn, and dairy | No grain-inclusive recipes |
| Humanely raised meats | |
| 90-day money-back guarantee | |
| Proceeds and food donated to animal shelters and no-kill advocacy organizations | |
| Made in the USA | |
| Also offers 100% freeze-dried beef liver, chicken, and salmon treats |
Price
Badlands Ranch offers discounts if you purchase 3 or 6 bags at once. Shipping is free on orders over $49. Sign up for a free account with no subscription commitment for the price below.
In-Depth Badlands Ranch Review
Learn more about what Badlands Ranch offers plus my team members’ personal experience in my full review of Badlands Ranch.
Runner-Up: The Pets Table Review
Launched by the food crafters behind Hello Fresh, the popular human meal delivery service, The Pets Table offers four premium air-dried food recipes, beef, chicken, salmon & whitefish and lamb & beef. The lamb & beef recipe, featuring brown rice, is the only one that’s grain-inclusive. Recipes are crafted by their in-house board certified veterinarian nutritionist and minimally processed with low heat to preserve nutrients and flavor.
These air-dried recipes contain beneficial ingredients such as antioxidant-rich veggies and fruits, fish oil, flaxseed, chicory root, a prebiotic that aids in digestion, and bovine plasma, a highly digestible and nutritious protein source. They’re also a bit lower in protein content than many other air-dried options on the market.
The Pets Table also offers fresh, human-grade meals (beef, chicken, and turkey) that are all grain-free. You can opt for four different subscriptions — full air-dried, half air-dried and half fresh, or, full or half fresh meals. This brands get overall excellent customer reviews for the quality of food and customer support.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Whole-food ingredients with no preservatives or fillers | Can’t change your delivery frequency |
| All recipes are free of wheat, soy, and corn | No information on their site about ingredient sourcing |
| Customized portions based on your pup’s age, weight, ideal weight, and activity level | |
| Can pause, skip, or cancel subscription anytime | |
| 30-day money-back guarantee off your trial box | |
| Made in the USA | |
| Boxes and liners are recyclable | |
| 3 air-dried treat options you can add to your subscription |
Price
Prices are determined based on your dog’s daily calorie needs. According to their site, plans start as little as $1.38 per day. Each plan has a different price, but the recipes within each plan all cost the same. I recommend you get a quote so you’ll know the exact pricing for your unique pup. Their profile quiz only takes a few minutes to complete, and you’re not required to make any commitment to see your quote.
- Full Fresh starts at $2.84/day (5-lb dog)
- Full Air-Dried starts at $1.78/day (5-lb dog)
- Mixed Fresh & Air-Dried starts at $3.10/day (9-lb dog)
- Half Fresh starts at around $2.30/day (9-lb dog)
In-Depth Review of The Pets Table
See my full review of The Pets Table for more information about this premium brand’s recipes, subscription plans, and our personal experience.
Third Place: ZIWI Peak Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy
A premium brand out of New Zealand, ZIWI Peak has soared in popularity in recent years. Its limited ingredient recipes are excellent for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs. It has six air-dried recipes to choose from — beef, chicken, lamb, venison, mackeral & lamb, and tripe & lamb. All formulas are packed with fresh meat, organs, bones, and cartilage.
Each recipe is fortified with “Z-BOOST Superfoods,” including green mussels, a natural source of chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint health, taurine for heart health, cold-washed green tripe, a natural source of probiotics and fatty acids, organic kelp, and essential vitamins and minerals. Using a gentle twin-stage air-drying process, ZIWI Peak naturally preserves all the ingredients and eliminates pathogenic bacteria. Note: ZIWI Peak’s air-dried food has a harder consistency than the typical jerky-like consistency.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 6 formulas to choose from | Expensive |
| All-natural, limited-ingredient, non-GMO recipes | No grain-inclusive recipes |
| All recipes are free of corn, wheat, soy, and peas | A few complaints about the odor of the food |
| Ethically sourced ingredients from New Zealand | |
| All ingredients undergo rigorous testing for contaminants |
Price
What About Open Farm, Sundays, Redbarn & More?
Although these air-dried dog food brands didn’t make it into my top picks, you may find a better fit for your pup with the following brands.
Open Farm Air-Dried Dog Food Review
Open Farm is one of my favorite dog food brands due to its ethical and sustainable practices. This brand recently launched a line of air-dried dog food to add to its plethora of dog food offerings — kibble, fresh, wet, vegan, etc. Their air-dried, jerky-like recipes come in harvest chicken, pollock & lamb, and surf & turf (beef, whitefish, and salmon). All three are grain- and legume-free, infused with bone broth and organ meats for a flavorful and nutritious boost, and feature non-GMO fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots, and blueberries. They’re enhanced with flaxseed, taurine, vitamins, and minerals.
What I also love about this brand is its commitment to transparent ingredient sourcing, third-party testing of its dog food, and its carefully selected partnerships with Certified Humane farms, Ocean Wise, and other organizations committed to animal welfare and the health of our planet.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-natural, whole-food ingredients | No grain-inclusive options |
| Ethically sourced fish and meats raised without hormones or antibiotics | Air-dried recipes are so new there’s not much customer feedback |
| Produce is fresh, sustainably sourced, and non-GMO | |
| Free of gluten, wheat, legumes, soy, corn, and dairy | |
| Company is entirely transparent about all ingredients on its website | |
| Made in the USA |
Price
In-Depth Open Farm Review
Check out my full review of Open Farm to learn more about this premium brand and other formulas you may want to consider.
Pawstruck Air Dried Review
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Pawstruck Gently Air-Dried Premium Dog Food isn’t quite as pricey as many other brands I review here, so it’s worth consideration if cost is an issue for you. They offer vet-approved grain-free beef, chicken, and fish formulas suitable for all life stages. All are packed with real meat or fish, organ meats, salmon oil, flaxseed, vitamins, and minerals to support hip and joint health. Pawstruck also carries air-dried meal toppers, chews, and treats.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Competitive pricing | No grain-inclusive recipes |
| All-natural and limited-ingredients | Formulas don’t contain any veggies or fruits |
| Free of gluten, wheat, legumes, soy, corn, and dairy | Some complaints that the nuggets are very hard and broken up too much into powder |
| Tests and inspects every batch of food for safety and quality | No information on their site about ingredient sourcing |
| 100% satisfaction guarantee | |
| Made in the USA | |
| Eco-friendly packaging |
Price
Redbarn Air Dried Review
Redbarn could be a fantastic solution if your pup has a sensitive stomach because it carries a line of Digestive Health air-dried dog food. Availaible in fish, beef & lamb, and chicken & turkey formulas, all are fortified with flaxseed, dried yeast, miscanthus grass, fructooligosaccharide (natural prebiotics), and a natural postbiotic to promote a healthy gut and aid digestion.
Redbarn also offers its basic air-dried dog food in beef, chicken, and fish recipes, a small-breed chicken & blueberry formula and a puppy chicken formula. These are enhanced with flaxseed and salmon oil for omega fatty acids, and a blend of essential vitamins and minerals.
A family owned business for over 25 years, Redbarn runs rigorous testing on every batch of food and became SQF-certified by the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Initiative in 2021, a sign of their dedication to the safety and quality of their products.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 8 recipes, including small breed, puppy, and digestive health formulas | No grain-inclusive recipes |
| All-natural, limited-ingredient recipes free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives | Most formulas don’t contain any veggies or fruits |
| Tests all batches of food for safety and quality | |
| 100% satisfaction guarantee | |
| Made in the USA | |
| Also offers kibble, stews, and treats | |
| Regularly donates food products to shelters and rescue groups |
Price
You can save 10% by subscribing to auto-shipping. Shipping is free over $79.
Sundays For Dogs Review
Sundays For Dogs combines human-grade proteins, grains, vegetables, and fruits and dries these whole-food ingredients at low temperatures to preserve nutrients and flavor. You can choose from beef, chicken, or turkey recipes. Protein includes fresh USDA meat, organs, and ground bone. All recipes feature easily digestible grains, such as quinoa, millet, and oats, flaxseed and fish oil for omega fatty acids, chicory root (prebiotic), and turmeric. Veggies and fruits vary somewhat by recipe but include pumpkin, kale, carrots, kelp, blueberries, cranberries, and similar superfoods. No vitamins or minerals are synthetic.
A team of experts, including world-leading animal nutritionist Ph.D.s, food scientists, and board-certified veterinary nutritionists, helped founder Dr. Tory Waxman (a vet herself) develop Sundays For Dogs’ food. The result is a mix of ingredients that help promote immune, gut, joint, and coat health that meets AAFCO guidelines for all life stages, including the growth of large dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Human-grade and whole-food ingredients with no preservatives or fillers | Several negative customer reviews about billing issues and delayed deliveries |
| Free of gluten, wheat, legumes, soy, corn, potatoes, and dairy | Many users say that customer service is extremely poor |
| Every batch of food is tested for foodborne diseases and quality | No grain-free recipes |
| You can try a free 2.5-oz sample of each recipe (just pay for shipping) | |
| Free auto-shipping that you can pause, adjust, or cancel anytime | |
| Full refund on first-time orders within 14 days and 50% refund for subscription reorders | |
| Made in the USA |
Price
Sundays For Dogs bases its pricing on your dog’s age, current weight, body condition, breed, and activity level. They offer three protein options: beef, chicken, and turkey. Here’s how the different recipes compare in starting prices for a five-pound adult dog at an ideal weight who’s moderately active.
In-Depth Review of Sundays For Dogs
My full review of Sundays for Dogs air-dried food gives you more information about this brand’s recipes, food safety practices, and my personal experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions pup owners often ask about air-dried dog food. Don’t see yours here? Hit us up in our comments or ask in our forums, and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.
Is Air-Dried Dog Food Better Than Kibble?
Air-dried dog food and kibble each have their benefits and drawbacks. Determining which is better depends on your dog’s specific needs and your preferences. While air-dried food is nutrient-dense, some high-quality, all-natural kibble can be equally as nutritious.
Is There An Organic Air-Dried Dog Food Available?
I have been unable to find 100% organic air-dried dog food on the market. However, a few brands incorporate some organic ingredients into their recipes. For example, ZIWI Peak uses organic kelp in all of its recipes.
Not Sure About Air-Dried Dog Food?
While many pups and owners love air-dried dog food, it’s not for everyone. It is expensive, and if you have freezer and fridge room, fresh dog food is worth considering for sure if you’re willing to spend a bit more. If you’re on a tighter budget but want the healthiest diet for your pup, read my reviews of the best all-natural dog food.
Our Methodology
We analyze hundreds of dog food brands and individual formulas to provide our recommendations for the best nutrition. Each of the following elements helps us determine the best dog food for any dietary need. Our in-depth research includes:
- Scrutinizing all ingredients included in every formula
- Having firsthand experience with our dogs for many of the foods we recommend
- Assessing the guaranteed analysis for every formula, including protein, fat, fiber, and caloric content
- Investigating the latest scientific studies on dogs’ nutritional needs and benefits of ingredients
- Researching the specific dietary needs for breed sizes and health conditions
- Reading hundreds of customer reviews
- Staying informed on every dog food recall
- Diving into every pet food brand’s history and reputation
- Keeping on top of pet food trends
Unlike many other review sites, we give unbiased reviews based on countless hours of research. Our goal is to provide our readers with the healthiest options for their pups.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Sally has researched and reviewed hundreds of different dog food brands and specific formulas. She’s an expert at analyzing dog food ingredients based on current nutritional guidelines and scientific studies for the healthiest food for our pups. She’s part of a team of dog specialists at Canine Journal who have over a decade of experience in researching, testing, and writing about everything you need to know to keep your pup healthy and happy.