Easy 3-Ingredient Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats

If you’ve ever watched your dog go absolutely bananas over a store-bought treat and then flipped the bag over to read the ingredient list, you know that feeling. What even is half that stuff?

That’s exactly why I started making homemade peanut butter dog treats for my fur babies, and honestly? I will never go back to store-bought. These are made with simple, wholesome ingredients I can actually pronounce, they take about 30 minutes start to finish, and my dogs absolutely lose their minds over them.

Bonus: making homemade dog biscuits with my granddaughter has become one of our favorite little traditions. She loves using the dog bone cookie cutters, and the dogs love her for it. It’s a win all around. 🐾

This easy 3-ingredient dog treat recipe is endlessly versatile. You can make classic peanut butter dog treats, swap in pumpkin for peanut butter for pumpkin dog treats, or use a banana for a naturally sweet twist. I’ll walk you through all three variations, plus tips, safety information, and everything you need to know to make the best homemade dog treats your pup has ever tasted.

This post may contain affiliate links. Click to visit policies and disclosures

Easy 3-Ingredient Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats

I have tried a few different homemade dog treat recipes, but this one is my all-time favorite because it’s so easy and versatile! (and because my dogs love ’em!)

• 2 cups oatmeal (or a substitute grain) 
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (or 1 Cup if only using peanut butter)
• 1/2 cup soft fruit or vegetables (cooked apple, carrots, sweet potato, canned pumpkin, or a banana)

Supplies for Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats

• Ingredients (above)
• Food Processor
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters
• Cooling rack
• Dog Treat Container

Instructions: Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats

1. Preheat oven to 250°
   
2. Place Oatmeal in a food processor or blender and blend until oats are ground.
   
3. Add peanut butter, fruit, or vegetable to a food processor until the dough comes together.
   
4. Roll dough 1/4″ thick, using flour if the dough is sticky.
   
5. Cut out using a cookie cutter. (I love the dog bone cutters!)
   
6. Place cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 300° for 15 minutes.
   
7. Store at room temperature or in the freezer.

Homemade Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats

My dogs love pumpkin! And they love these homemade peanut butter pumpkin dog treats even more!

When making homemade peanut butter pumpkin dog treats for my dogs, I use canned pumpkin. Not Pumpkin pie filling!

Pumpkin is a superfood for dogs!

It turns out that Pumpkin is a superfood for dogs! Pumpkin contains essential micronutrients and fiber that make it a very nutritious treat.

Besides being a natural stomach soother, pumpkin also helps to remove excess water in a dog’s digestive tract.  

Learn more about giving your dogs pumpkin by visiting this great article.

Homemade Peanut Butter Banana Dog Treats

When making the peanut butter and banana dog treats, ensure you add the banana to the food processor first to mash it thoroughly. Then I add the oats and peanut butter.

The peanut butter-banana mixture comes together quickly as the banana helps to bind the recipe together nicely and rolls out like a dream.

Tips & Tricks for the Best Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats

I’ve made these more times than I can count, and I’ve learned a few things the hard way so you don’t have to!

Use a food processor. I cannot stress this enough. The first time I made these I tried mixing by hand — the dough is very dense and that was a workout I did not sign up for. My hand mixer worked okay, but the food processor is truly the right tool for the job. It grinds the oats and brings the dough together perfectly.

Don’t skip the cooling rack. I made the mistake once of leaving the treats on the warm baking sheet. They need air circulation all around to cool and dry evenly. Cooling rack, always.

Bake until completely dry. This isn’t a soft cookie recipe — these are biscuits, and they need to be fully dried out before storage or they will mold. If you’re not sure they’re done, give them a few more minutes. They should be firm all the way through, not soft in the center.

Consider freezing a batch. My daughter freezes her dogs’ treats and says her pup loves them frozen even better than fresh! Freezing also extends shelf life significantly. I now always freeze half a batch and keep the other half at room temperature for the week.

Roll evenly with ring guides. A rolling pin with adjustable thickness rings is a game-changer for getting uniform treats that bake evenly. No more thick spots that stay soft in the middle!

Add a splash of water if the dough is too dry. One tablespoon at a time until the dough holds together without crumbling.

FAQs: Making Easy Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Are homemade dog treats safe?

Yes! Homemade dog treats made with dog-friendly whole-food ingredients are not only safe but also preferable to heavily processed commercial treats, according to many pet owners and vets.

The key is knowing which ingredients are safe and which to avoid (see the safety note above), and storing them properly so they don’t spoil.

How long do homemade dog treats last?

At room temperature in an airtight container: about 1 week. In the fridge: up to 2 weeks. In the freezer: up to 3 months. Because these treats have no preservatives, they won’t last as long as store-bought treats, but they taste so much better that they rarely last that long in our house anyway! 😄

Can I make these grain-free?

Yes! Substitute the oat flour with oat-free alternatives like coconut flour, almond flour, or cassava flour.

Keep in mind that different flours absorb liquid differently, so you may need to adjust the amount slightly. Coconut flour in particular is very absorbent, start with less and add more as needed.

What peanut butter is safe for dogs?

Any natural peanut butter that contains only peanuts (and possibly a small amount of salt — salt is okay in trace amounts).

The most important thing is to verify that it does NOT contain xylitol. Brands that are confirmed xylitol-free include Smucker’s Natural, Adams, and Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter, but always read the label since formulas can change.

Can I substitute peanut butter if my dog has an allergy?

Absolutely. Sunflower seed butter is the most allergy-friendly substitute and has a neutral flavor. Almond butter works too, just make sure it’s unsalted and xylitol-free.

Both will produce a very similar dough and texture.

Can I add pumpkin or bananas to this recipe?

Yes, and I highly recommend it! Both are safe for dogs in moderation and add real nutritional value. Pumpkin is especially wonderful for digestive health.

Just use plain canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) and ripe banana (no peel). See the full variations above!

How can I make no-bake dog treats?

For a no-bake version, skip the oven and simply roll the dough into small balls, flatten them slightly, and refrigerate for a couple of hours until firm. They’ll be softer than the baked version and should be stored in the fridge and used within a week.

They won’t have the satisfying crunch of the baked treats, but dogs don’t seem to mind one bit!

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of oat flour?

Yes, whole wheat flour can be substituted for the processed oats. The texture will be slightly different, a bit denser, and you may need to adjust your liquid content slightly. Oat flour is my preference because it’s gentler on digestion, and dogs tend to love the flavor.

Can I freeze these dog treats?

Yes! Freezing is actually my favorite storage method for a big batch. Place cooled treats in a freezer-safe bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Many dogs love eating them, frozen, it’s like a little pupsicle treat!

Is it necessary to use organic ingredients?

Organic is a lovely choice if it fits your budget, but it’s not required for a healthy treat. The most important thing is the quality and safety of your ingredients, natural peanut butter, plain pumpkin, and whole oats, check all the right boxes, whether organic or conventional.

Easy Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats

There is nothing quite like the look on your dog’s face when they get a treat you made yourself.

These homemade peanut butter dog treats are so simple, so wholesome, and so easy to customize — I genuinely think every dog mom and grandma should have this recipe in her back pocket.

My personal recommendation: start with the pumpkin version. It’s my dogs’ absolute favorite, and once you see how easy it is, you’ll be whipping up a double batch every week.

Until next time,

XO, Christine