Author: Easy Homemade Dog Treats are made with just 3 ingredients! All it takes is banana, peanut butter, and oats and you can make these cute cookies for your pup, or for a doggy friend of yours. Not only are these easy to make, but they are so much more affordable than store-bought treats and dogs LOVE them!
FEATURED COMMENT:
I made these for Lilly, my Goldendoodle, and she loves them! She would eat all of them at one time if I let her. Thank you for the recipe! - Stephanie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Every now and then on this blog I like to share a doggy treat recipe that my rescue pup Chickpea loves. Over the years, these recipes have actually become some of my most popular recipes of all time! Clearly, Chickpea is a very good recipe critic.
I came up with this recipe when I wanted to make Chickpea her favorite pumpkin treats, but I didn't have any canned pumpkin in my cupboard. What I did have on hand were two bananas that were getting a bit too spotty. Chickpea also loves bananas and they are very for healthy dogs so I tried the swap and it worked beautifully! In fact, I think Chickpea likes them even more than the pumpkin treats. Just look how happy she is!!
Not only are these homemade dog treats super easy to make but you likely already have the ingredients on hand, and it's a great way to use up old bananas. (Other than making my favorite banana bread recipe, or chocolate chip banana squares recipe).
Feel free to half this homemade dog treats recipe recipe if you only have one banana on hand (or if you want to do a trial run). You can also double or triple this recipe if your dog loves them as much as Chickpea does. I have a huge bag of them in the freezer so I can give one to her whenever she deserves a little cookie. Now she always gets super excited when I open to the freezer... and super disappointed when she discovers that I was just reaching for the coffee beans. Haha. Oh alright, you can have on more...
Ingredients needed:
To make these dog treats for your favorite pet, all you need are these three ingredients- peanut butter, banana, and oats!
- Peanut Butter: make sure that the peanut butter you use is natural peanut butter. The only ingredient should be peanuts. Do not use processed peanut butter that contains added oils, sugars, and salt. That stuff is basically frosting and is bad for our pups. Peanut butter is a great source of protein and healthy fats for our dogs as well as vitamins B and E, and niacin.
- Banana: this is the perfect recipe to use up those bananas that are getting a bit old. Bananas have potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, fiber, and magnesium which are all healthy nutrients for dogs.
- Oats: you can use whole oats, 1- minute oats, or instant oats, as long as there aren't any added sugars or other ingredients. In this recipe, I grind the oats into a powder to make homemade oat flour. If you have a food processor or blender, this takes just a few seconds to do and is usually more affordable than buying premade oat flour. I also always have oats on hand so it's nice that I don't have to go out to get anything special. Oats are very healthy for our pooches as they are high in fiber, contain vitamin B, and omega-6 fatty acid among other good nutrients.
How to make dog treats:
Preheat your oven to 300F (150C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add the oats to a food processor and grind until they reach a fine powder. (If you do not have a food processor, see the recipe notes for other options).
Add the bananas and peanut butter and blend until a sticky dough is formed.
Remove the mixture from the food processor and use a rolling pin to roll out on a lightly floured surface. (Use whole wheat flour, more ground oats, or another dog-safe flour that you have on hand). I used a heart cookie cutter to cut out the treats but you could use a bone cookie cutter, or any shape cookie cutter, or just cut them into squares with a knife or pizza cutter.
Lay the treats on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the treats are puffed up a bit, dry and dark golden brown on the bottoms, (they will still feel soft when first removed from the oven).
These homemade dog biscuits will get a bit more firm once they are cool but will still be a slightly softer dog treat. Let cool before giving one to your pup.
Store them in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or I like to store them in my freezer which makes them firmer and makes them stay fresh a long time.
These easy homemade dog treats are:
- Easy to make
- Use 3 ingredients you likely already have on hand
- Super affordable
- Always a hit with dogs- they love them!
More dog treat recipes:
- Easy DIY Sweet Potato Chews
- Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Dog Treats
- Healthy Dog Treats
- Apple Pie Dog Treats
- Peanut Butter & Carrot Dog Treats
If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.
(click stars to vote)
Easy Homemade Dog Treats!
Servings: (Makes about 40 treats depending on the cookie cutter size))
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Ingredients
- 2 cups oats (old fashioned, 1-minute oats, or instant), plus more if needed- see step 3
- 2 medium ripe bananas
- ½ cup natural peanut butter, (see note)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300F (150C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the oats to a food processor and grind until they reach a fine powder. (If you do not have a food processor, see the recipe notes for other options). Add the bananas and peanut butter and blend until a sticky dough is formed.
- Remove from the food processor and roll out on a lightly floured surface. (Use whole wheat flour, more ground oats, or another dog-safe flour that you have on hand to stop the dough from being too sticky, adding more as needed). I used a heart cookie cutter to cut out the treats but you could use any cookie cutter, or just cut them into squares with a knife or pizza cutter.
- Lay the treats on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the treats are puffed up a bit, dry and dark brown on the bottoms, (they will still feel soft when first removed from the oven). The treats will get a bit more firm once they are cool but will still be a slightly softer dog treat. Let cool before giving one to your pup. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or I like to store them in my freezer which makes them firmer and makes them stay fresh a long time.
Tara Smith says
My daughter's dog, Octavia, really loves these more than any store bought treats! And so easy to make! They are a softer treat, which she loves. With 3 natural ingredients, they are also good for her and not chemical laden like store bought treats. I may try the pumpkin version, too. These are the best dog treats I have ever made! Thank you. Octavia thanks you!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay!! So happy Octavia loves them, Tara! 🐶
Amelie says
Hi!!!
My family has a VERY severe peanut allergy, so I was wondering if I could sub peanut butter for another nut butter (specifically almond butter)? I have heard that the fat amounts in almond butter can be bad for dogs if you give them too much, so I was just curious.
Thank you!!
Tara Smith says
I used almond butter in mine. They turned out amazing! She never eats enough of them at once for me to worry about any difference in fat content.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks for sharing, Tara! 🙂
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Amelie! Yes, you can use almond butter instead. Just keep portions moderate like you mentioned, and it should work great 🙂
Shauna says
Our dog loves them
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay!! So happy your dog loves them, Shauna! 🐶
Traci Allison says
Made these for a neighbor who just adopted a puppy. Added whole wheat flour to the sticky dough to make it more pliable and easier to work with. Used small cutters in various shapes as well as small letter stamps that imprint into the dough to add personalization. These turned out so cute and my neighbor’s puppy devoured them!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
That’s so sweet, I love that idea! So glad they were a hit, Traci! 🙂
Wendy Collins says
Peanut butter and banana is such a classic combo dogs go crazy for! These treats look so easy and wholesome. I love that there are just a few real ingredients. Dogs with active lifestyles especially benefit from the potassium in banana. Such a wonderful recipe, sharing this with my dog group!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy you enjoyed it Wendy!
Phyllis says
Khodi, GSD, loves peanut butter and bananas so she definitely loves this cookie recipe, and its very simple. One i can bremember
Thank you so much.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Phyllis! That’s so sweet, I’m glad Khodi loves them 🐶😊
Rachel says
Good ingredients but way too sticky to roll out even after adding like 50 percent more oat flour. Had to press in squidge balls.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Rachel! Sorry to hear that. If the dough is very sticky, chilling it for 20–30 minutes can help a lot, and sometimes the moisture in the peanut butter or banana can vary a bit too. Pressing them into shape works great too 😊
Judy says
Our dogs absolutely love these treats! So easy to make and healthy for them. A win win!!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Judy! So happy your dogs love them 😊
Wendy says
My grand puppy absolutely LOVES these!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Wendy! I’m so glad your grand puppy loves them 🐶
Erin McDonald says
Do you know if you could substitute the oats (oat flour) for sorghum or cassava flour?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Erin! Oat flour works best in this recipe because it helps bind the treats. Sorghum or cassava flour may work but could make them a bit more crumbly. If you try it, I’d recommend starting with a small batch 😊
Hippie says
these are great! I make them small and use them as potty and training treats. I also add egg shell powder for a little boost and keep them in the freezer.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks for the review 🙂
Oliver says
My dog loved these! But they expired in 1 week.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks for sharing, Oliver! Since these are homemade with no preservatives, they do have a shorter shelf life. I recommend storing them in the fridge or freezer to keep them fresh longer 😊
Sarah says
These dog treats are fun and easy to make. And my dog loves them. I like to add a little frozen blueberries at times. Zoey loves her treats.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Aww I love that! Blueberries are such a great addition, lucky Zoey 😊
Lizz says
They were easy to mold, and retained their shape in the oven, which was perfect for my cookies!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy to hear that Lizz! 😊
Christine says
I have 4 dogs of different breeds and they all love these! In fact, my 15 year old picky eater has finally put on weight due to her love of these dog treats! Thank you!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Christine, OMG 😭💚 This made my whole day. I’m so happy all 4 pups love them, and especially that your picky 15-year-old is enjoying them so much!! Thank you for the sweet comment!
Diane says
I was thrilled to find this recipe - made a full batch. I was surprised (and upset of course) when he just sniffed them and walked away without so much as a backward glance.
The plus side is that my 14 YO grandson adores them - hence the 5 stars!!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hahaha omg 😆 Dogs are so dramatic sometimes!! I’m so glad your grandson loved them though, that totally counts as a win 💗
Perry O says
My dogs love these treats 👍
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Perry yay!! I’m so happy your pups love them 😄🐶
Trisha says
Hi! I plan to make these for my pup to give his buds in training class for V-tine treats. What's the best thickness to roll the dough? Thanks!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Trisha! That’s such a cute idea 🥹💚 I usually roll the dough about ¼ inch thick—thin enough to get crisp, but thick enough that they don’t over-brown too fast.
Luci Hedley says
Hi, thank you for your recipe. Our dog loves them. I have a little bone cookie cutter which makes them look so cute. That is when I have time to fiddle around.
However when I don't, I just spread the 'dough' out and cut it into squares and bake. So easy.
Stay safe, from rural Queensland
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
That’s wonderful to hear, Luci! 🐶 So happy you enjoy them!!
Wendy says
My grandpuppy LOVES these!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Aww that’s the best compliment—thank you, Wendy! 🐶💕