Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, ground flaxseed, and baking powder. If you’re adding a dash of parsley or thyme, mix it in now. Stir gently with a fork until everything is evenly mixed.
Add the Broccoli: Fold in the finely chopped broccoli. Make sure the broccoli pieces are tiny—about the size of hamster kibble—so they mix well and bake evenly.
Add Water and Mix: Pour in the water and stir until the mixture starts to come together into a dough. It should be slightly sticky but firm enough to hold its shape. If it’s too dry, add a tiny bit more water, just a drop or two at a time.
Shape the Dough: Gather the dough and form it into a small log, about 1 inch wide and 1/2 inch thick. Place the log on your prepared baking sheet.
First Bake: Bake the dough log in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, until it’s firm to the touch but not fully dry.
Slice into Biscotti: Remove the log from the oven and let it cool slightly for a few minutes. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the log into small “biscotti” pieces, about 1/4 inch thick. Each piece should be the perfect size for hamster nibbles!
Second Bake for Crunchiness: Place the biscotti slices back on the baking sheet, cut side down. Return them to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until they’re golden and fully dry. You want them to be crunchy but not too hard, so watch closely toward the end of baking time.
Cool Completely: Once they’re done baking, remove the biscotti from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet. Make sure they’re completely cooled before serving to your hamster.
Serve and Store: Give one piece as a special treat and store the rest in an airtight container for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to a month—just thaw before serving.