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.
Debbie Houchin says
Are these soft enough for older dogs or dogs that don’t have many teeth?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Debbie, these are firm, but you could simply serve them the treats before baking as little chewy dough balls, or if you bake them, try underbaking them so they stay a bit softer. As they are not dried out completely in either of these methods, just note that they should be stored in the fridge and will keep for 5 - 7 days. I hope that helps!
Natalie says
My dog absolutely loves these! He knows when I’m making them and is waiting for them to be done! I’ve made them for friends and their pups also love them.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Haha that's so cute!!!
Lisa Martin says
What do I do if dough comes out very sticky
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Add a bit more oats/oat flour. 🙂
Angela says
I had extra peanut butter and bananas i had to use up. I came upon this recipe and my dogs loved the treats. Simple and quick dog treats!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Perfect! 💛
#1 snack fan says
This was a super easy recipe, thank you! My dogs all loved these, even the super picky one. And if I snacked on a couple too, no I didn't 🤐
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Haha love it!!
Laurel says
All my dogs love these!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Awesome!
Theresa says
Easy to make using the Vitamix! A great way to use old bananas. I rolled them out to about 1/4 in a large rectangle, then rolled a pizza cutter through the dough before baking creating a 12x12 grid. Lots of mini training treats!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Perfect! I'm so happy you love them 🙂
Melissa says
Easy and dog loved them! Thank you for sharing!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy to hear that!!
Alika says
Super easy. I had one banana so I halved the recipe. My dog is small, so I used the wide end of a frosting tip to get smaller and rounder cookies. Baked 25 min for smaller cookies. My dog loves them!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Perfect! I love the little circle cookie shapes 🙂
Patty Erickson says
I will try these & would like to know how thin to roll the dough?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Patty, roll them to the thickness you want your dog treats to be, so about ¼" thick. Enjoy!
Patty Erickson says
Just made them & they are a hit with Delilah Jane. She lives to chew on an ice cube so I think I'll freeze these for her.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Perfect! My dog likes them frozen too 🙂
Scarlett says
Just put these in the oven love the look hope my dogs love them I used cashew butter instead of peanut butter
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Lovely! Enjoy!
Aaron says
Quick and easy to make. appreciate the advice about peanut butter. This was great to do with the kids, no harm if they decided to eat some 😂😂
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Haha! So happy you enjoyed!
Joy V says
Hi Sam.
If I get the oat flour, is the measurement the same as the recipe when mixing with a food processor? I don't have a food processor.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
If using oat flour it will be less than 2 cups. Best to measure by weight, so use 260g of oat flour. Enjoy!
Gwen Antosz says
Just gave Rylee a treat, after the first tray cooled, and she is looking around for more! Thank you for an easy & delicious (apparently!) recipe. Happy to spoil our new rescue girl.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
You're most welcome!
LindaHardin says
Our Sammy is a picky eater, even treats, so we were unsure if he would even try this recipe. Well, he not only loved them, he begged for them. They are quick and easy to make. Thanks so much.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy to hear that LindaHardin! My Chickpea is super picky too so they have been picky dog approved, haha!
Morgan says
How long do these last after cooking?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
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. 😊
Delilah Balsara says
Would it be ok to sell my own dog treats made from this recipe?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yes of course! So happy you love them so much, enjoy!
Stacey Lam Watt says
I'd like to use silicone molds instead of cookie cutter. can. should I use less oats?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Stacey, you can use the same amount of oats and just press them into the molds. Enjoy!
Isla says
These are so cute my dog lily loves them please try them
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
I'm so happy to hear that!
J T. says
Can't wait to make these for my four-legger boy Dunkin for his birthday. He will, of course, share with his sister Blueberry. Can the dough be refrigerated and for how long?
Thanks much!
J.T.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi JT, yes you could refrigerate the dough for up to 1 day in the fridge, allow it to warm up before rolling or shaping. Enjoy!
Katie K says
Great recipe and my basic go to for homemade treats. I have subbed baked sweet potatoes, or fresh blended apples if I’m out of bananas. I pat my dough out in a pan and score it before baking. These are the treats that both my dogs prefer. Lily, my 10 year old golden, Luis, my 6 year old bully mix rescue and I thank you!
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
We're so happy to hear that Luis and Lily love them!
Laura Sheffer says
Thanks for the sweet potato tip. Did you happen to measure the amount of sweet potato you used?
Sue says
Made for granddogs for Christmas. Too sticky to roll so just separated “dough” into thirds and placed on top of extra oats that I ground down in processor. Found that if my hands were a little wet I was able to press out with fingers to the thickness I wanted. I used a dog bone cookie cutter. Then repeated process with the other dough that I separated. Made about 29 bones. Thanks for the recipe.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Sue, sounds great! If you make them again and find the dough a little too sticky, just add a bit more oat flour until you reach the correct consistency. Enjoy!
Marcia says
Can I use Almond Butter instead of Peanut Butter?
The PB I have contains sugar.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Marcia, I wouldn't recommend it as almonds are hard on dogs digestive systems. Cashew butter or peanut butter will be your safest choice 🙂
Sofia says
Can I replace the peanut butter with something that isn't pumpkin or sweet potato? My pom is very selective on ingredients and she's on a diet so peanut butter is a no-go
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Sofia, for a peanut butter replacement, you need something sticky, so you could try using cashew butter or sunflower seed butter. I hope that works for you!
Heather says
How long would these last please? I want to make them as a gift but don’t know when I will see the person in the next few months
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Heather, that's such a thoughtful gift! These dog treats will last about 1-2 weeks if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a month or freeze them for several months. Just thaw them before gifting, and they’ll be good as new!
. says
Hi, do you think that I need to use peanut butter as my dog has allergies and any other ingredients that is just as healthy and easy to get?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
You could try using cashew butter or sunflower seed butter. Enjoy!
Sophie says
My pup absolutely loves these treats and will be a favourite of her's! Do you think I need to ground the oats next time?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy you love the Sophie. Yes, you need to grind the oats to make a flour texture so everything binds together well. IF you don't want to grind them, they won't hold together well enough to roll out and use a cookie cutter, but you could use a spoon to make balls on the pan and bake them that way instead I hope that helps!
Darlin Martinez says
what brand of penutbutter do you use
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Any natural peanut butter will work (the kind you stir). The only ingredient should be peanuts!