Author: These homemade soft dog treats are chewy, peanut buttery, and made with just 5 simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Perfect for puppies, senior dogs, or any pup who prefers a softer bite, no special equipment needed!
If your dog is team soft and chewy (instead of rock-hard crunch), these homemade soft dog treats are about to become your new go-to. They're peanut buttery, easy to make, budget-friendly, and come together with simple pantry ingredients. No mixer, no fancy tools, no weird additives. They're especially great for puppies, senior dogs, or any pup who prefers a gentler bite. The secret is baking them low and slow at 300°F so the outside sets while the inside stays tender.
Why You'll Love These Homemade Soft Dog Treats
- Just 5 simple ingredients: Nothing fancy, just pantry staples, and you control exactly what goes in.
- Soft & chewy texture: Perfect for puppies, senior dogs, or any pup who prefers a softer bite.
- Easy, no special equipment: Mix, roll, cut, bake. That's it.
- Affordable: store-bought treats are often super pricey, but these are super budget-friendly.
- Freezer-friendly: make a big batch and store them in the freezer so your pup will always have something to look forward to.
Ingredients for Homemade Soft Dog Treats
- Oat flour: Oat flour is easy for dogs to digest which is why I use it here.
- Natural peanut butter: Adds flavor and helps bind the dough. Make sure the only ingredient is peanuts. Avoid added oils/sugars and especially xylitol (aka birch sugar), which is toxic to dogs.
- Unsweetened applesauce or ripe banana: In addition to sweetness and moisture, these help bind the dough.
- Ground flaxseed: Another binder and also a good source of fiber.
- Cinnamon (optional): Adds flavor, helps freshen breath and is safe when used in small amounts.
- Water: As needed to bring the dough together.
How to Make Homemade Soft Dog Treats
- Mix the dough: Stir all the ingredients together, adding water gradually until a soft dough forms.
- Shape: Roll the dough to about ½ inch thick and cut into desired shapes. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake at 300ºF for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the outside is set but the inside is still soft.
- Cool: Let the treats cool completely before storing or serving to your pup.
Tips & Variations
- Make your own oat flour: No need to buy oat flour! You can make your own by grinding rolled oats in a food processor until they form a fine powder.
- Don't skip the cooling: They'll be very tender right out of the oven. Let them cool completely so they finish setting up and become perfectly soft and chewy.
- Shape options: I use cookie cutters in the shape of a dog bone, but you can use a pizza cutter and cut smaller pieces or even just a knife.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store your homemade soft dog treats in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before serving, or serve them frozen and crunchy for a cool summer treat (some dogs love it!).
More Dog Treat Recipes You Might Enjoy
If you try this soft dog treat 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)
Homemade Soft Dog Treats (Just 5 Ingredients!)
These homemade soft dog treats are chewy, peanut buttery, and made with just 5 simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Perfect for puppies, senior dogs, or any pup who prefers a softer bite - no special equipment needed!
Servings: - 30 dog treats (depending what size you make them)
PRINT
PIN
COMMENT
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour, (see note to make your own from oats)
- ½ cup natural peanut butter, (see note)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, or mashed ripe banana
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon, (optional, for flavor and fresh breath)
- 2 - 4 tablespoons water, as needed
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the dough: In a bowl, stir together the oat flour, peanut butter, applesauce, flaxseed, cinnamon (if using), and 2 tablespoons water. Mix until a soft, pliable dough forms, adding more water a little at a time if needed.
- Shape the treats: Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper (or on a lightly floured surface with oat flour) to about ½ inch (1 cm) thick. Cut into shapes using a cookie cutter, knife, or pizza wheel.
- Bake low & slow: Place treats on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the outsides are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Let the treats cool completely on the baking sheet. They'll firm up slightly as they cool but stay soft and chewy.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. The treats may soften further overnight. Or, freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before serving.
Notes
No oat flour? Make your own by blending rolled, 1-minute, or instant oats in a food processor or blender until finely ground.
Note on peanut butter: Ensure your peanut butter is natural (the runny kind). The only ingredient should be peanuts. Avoid added oils, sugars, and especially xylitol, as it is toxic to dogs.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 treat (recipe makes 20) | Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Bri says
Hi! Thank you so much. I’m confused though, if you do the standard recipe (1x- not 1/2 or 2x) it makes 20 treats? Is that right? One section of the page says 20 and one says 30.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Bri! Yes, the standard 1x recipe should make about 20 treats. But it just depends on how big or small you cut them. Thanks so much for catching that inconsistency!
Heather says
So easy to make and I know exactly what I am giving my dog. 5 paw rating from my 11 year old doodle
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Aww I love that—thanks so much, Heather! 🐾 Five paws from your doodle totally made my day.
mira says
How long can we store the dog treats in the fridge or freezer?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or, freeze for up to 3 months. Enjoy!
Mary says
My dog has a peanut allergy. What can I replace it with?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
You can swap the peanut butter for another dog-safe nut or seed butter like sunflower seed butter or almond butter (if no nut allergies). Just be sure it’s unsweetened and xylitol-free 😊
Mary says
Thanks!
Sue says
Thank you for this. My girl had to have multiple teeth removed last year and most of the removals were on one side of her mouth. She doesn't enjoy the hard crunch biscuits the way she used to. She chowed right down on these.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
That’s so sweet. I’m really glad they worked well for her 💕
Michelle Miller says
These are perfect for my senior chihuahua. ♥️
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Aww that's so nice! Glad they work perfectly 🙂