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Calling all dog lovers!! I just couldn’t bring you another Christmas recipe this year without posting Dougie’s favorite homemade peanut butter dog treats. These delicious dog biscuits are the perfect way to show your four-legged friend you care. Especially during the holiday season! The great thing about these treats, they’re easy to make, and your pup will LOVE them. Dougie (my Beagle) and his two cousin-pups go absolutely mad for them.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about homemade dog treats is that you know exactly what’s in them. This is especially important if you have a dog with a highly sensitive stomach, like Dougie. The best thing of all, though, is the look on his little face when he knows what’s coming his way. Pure joy!
- Buckwheat Flour – Despite its name, buckwheat flour is naturally wheat free, making it an excellent option for dogs allergic to wheat. Buckwheat flour is also a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. As the flavor is quite nutty, we’ll mellow it out with oats to make the taste much more appetizing to our furry friends1.
- Gluten-Free Rolled Oats (Or Oat Flour) – Another great alternative to flour for dogs who are sensitive to wheat or grains. Oats provide the biscuits with a fantastic crumbly crunch. Oats also contain vitamin B, which helps your pup digest and absorb proteins and fats2.
- Ground Cinnamon3 – adds some festive flavor to your pup’s treat.
- 100% Natural Peanut Butter – If your dog is anything like mine, they love peanut butter. So, I wasn’t about to create a dog treat for Dougie without his favorite ingredient. Plus, it’s integral to binding the biscuit dough together. NOTE: do not use a brand that contains xylitol, as it is very toxic to dogs4. You also want to avoid added salt, added sugar, or other artificial sweetener.
- Unsweetened Dried Cranberries – Completely plain unsweetened dried cranberries are safe to eat in moderation and are an excellent source of vitamins for your furry friend. If your dog is a bit of a picky eater and doesn’t like the tart flavor or cranberries, you can leave them out. NOTE: do not use a bag of cranberries mixed with raisins, as raisins are very toxic to dogs5.
- Banana – Full of flavor and perfect with peanut butter, banana is the ingredient I’m using to add sweetness to these dog treats. In addition to their sweetness, bananas are a valuable source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals6.
- Flaxseeds & Pumpkin seeds – Seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids – those heart-healthy fats that benefit your furry friend’s skin and coat7, 8.
- Coconut Oil – Another excellent binding ingredient that can help improve the pup’s skin and coat. Plus, coconut oil may improve digestion9.
Always Check!
The ingredients in this recipe are non-toxic to dogs and considered safe in moderation. All sources are provided for your reference. However, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian before introducing your dog to any new foods, especially human food, in case of allergies or sensitivities.
How To Make Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats ~ Step-By-Step
- Prep
Gather your equipment and get your ingredients ready. Preheat the oven to 325ºF/170ºC/gas mark 3. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Blitz
Add the flour, oats, banana, peanut butter, coconut oil, flaxseeds, and cinnamon to the food processor and pulse until combined.
- Pulse
Add the pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries, and give the biscuit dough a couple more pulses until the fruit and seeds are well distributed throughout the dough.
- Bring Dough Together
Sprinkle a clean work surface with a small amount of flour. Tip the dough out and bring it together in a ball. Then, flatten it into a disc shape, so it’s easier to roll. The dough should come together easily – with a texture that’s a little bit crumbly and a little bit sticky.
- Roll
With a rolling pin, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch/ 5mm thick. Then, cut out biscuits using dog bone cookie cutters of your choice. I tend to make a combination of large (3 x 1 7/8″ | 77 x 46 mm) and small (1 5/8 x 1″ | 40 x 25 mm) bone-shaped biscuits. I can get 25 large biscuits and 50 small biscuits out of one batch of dough. Or 100 entirely small biscuits.
- Bake
Place the biscuits on the cookie sheet. They don’t rise, so you can place them fairly close together. Bake small cookies for 18-20 minutes and large cookies for 22-24 minutes until crisp and starting to turn golden brown at the edges.
- Cool & Store
Once the biscuits are completely cool, store them in an airtight container, and serve them when your pooch deserves a delicious treat.
Full recipe and ingredients list in the recipe card below.
Why You & Your Pooch Will Love These Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats
- You Know Exactly What’s Going Into Them: When you make dog treats at home, you know exactly what ingredients are going into them. This is important because many commercial dog treats contain unhealthy ingredients, such as artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, and fillers. By making your own treats, you can be sure that your furry friend gets a healthy snack free from any rubbish.
- You Can Choose Healthy Ingredients: When making homemade dog treats, you can choose ingredients that benefit your pet’s health. For example, oats are a good source of fiber, peanut butter is a good source of protein, and flaxseeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
- You Can Save Money: When comparing the cost of making these homemade dog treats with store-bought treats, there are serious cost savings to be had! And I’m here for it!
- It’s An Easy Recipe! Contrary to popular belief, making dog treats at home is actually really easy!
- Your Dog Will Love Them: Most importantly, your fur baby will love their homemade treats! Just the smell of their biscuits baking in the oven will get your pup’s tail wagging!
Recipe Variations
These homemade peanut butter dog treats are a real win. But there are various ways you can mix up the flavors and make your own homemade dog treats based on your pup’s favorite combos. What about:
- Pumpkin Dog Biscuits: Turn these biscuits into homemade pumpkin dog treats by swapping the banana for the pumpkin. You can make your own pumpkin puree or use a 100% natural pumpkin pie filling. Read the label to ensure the ingredients are 100% pumpkin and contain no additional ingredients, including sugars and artificial flavorings.
- Sweet Potato Dog Treats: Substitute the banana for sweet potatoes.
- Flour: Whole wheat flour (wholemeal flour) is an excellent alternative to buckwheat flour if your pooch doesn’t have a gluten sensitivity.
- Cranberries: Does your pooch hate cranberries? No problem. How about using some grated fresh apples, finely diced carrots, or grated cauliflower instead? All great options.
Moderation Is Key!
Remember that moderation is essential when it comes to giving your dog treats. Even if they’re healthy, homemade treats should only make up a small portion of your dog’s diet.
Not A Substitute For Dog Food!
This easy dog biscuit recipe is not a substitute for dog food.
How To Make Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits ~ Full Recipe
Print
Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats (Biscuits)
- Total Time: 44 minutes
- Yield: 100 small dog treats
Description
These delicious dog biscuits are the perfect way to show your four-legged friend you care. Especially during the holiday season! The great thing about these treats, they’re easy to make, and your pup will LOVE them.
Ingredients
2 cups (280 g) buckwheat flour
1 cup (80 g) gluten-free rolled oats
1 medium banana, sliced
1/2 cup (120 g) smooth peanut butter (must NOT contain xylitol or salt)
2 tbsp coconut oil
4 tbsp flaxseeds
Pinch cinnamon
2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp dried cranberries
Instructions
- Prepare: Gather your equipment and get your ingredients ready. Preheat the oven to 325ºF/170ºC/gas mark 3. Line 2 cookie sheets with baking parchment.
- Food processor: Add the flour, oats, banana, peanut butter, coconut oil, flaxseeds, and cinnamon to the food processor and pulse until combined. Add the pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries, and give the biscuit dough a couple more pulses until the fruit and seeds are well distributed in the dough.
- Bring Dough Together: Tip out the dough on a lightly floured surface and bring it together in a ball. Then, flatten it into a disc shape, so it’s easier to roll. The dough should come together easily – with a texture that’s a little crumbly and a little sticky.
- Roll: With a rolling pin, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch/ 5mm thick. Then, cut out biscuits using a bone-shaped cookie cutter of your choice. I tend to make a combination of large (3 x 1 7/8″ | 77 x 46 mm) and small (1 5/8 x 1″ | 40 x 25 mm) bone-shaped biscuits. I can get 25 large biscuits and 50 small biscuits out of one batch of dough. Or 100 entirely small biscuits.
- Bake: Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet. They don’t rise, so you can place them fairly close together. Bake small cookies for 18-20 minutes and large cookies for 22-24 minutes until crisp and starting to brown at the edges.
- Cool & Store: Once the biscuits are completely cool, store them in an airtight container, and serve them when your pooch deserves a delicious treat.
Notes
Cookie Cutters: If you don’t have a bone-shaped cutter, you can use a regular round cookie cutter. Or alternatively, cut out shapes using a knife. Just be sure to slice the biscuits into similar sizes, so they bake evenly in the oven.
Storing Instructions: Cool the biscuits to room temperature and store them in an airtight container for about 4 – 5 days.
How To Make Homemade Dog Treats Last Longer: The best way to ensure the freshness of these easy homemade dog treats is to store them in the fridge in an airtight container. They should last about a week. You can also freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Cook Different Size Biscuits On Different Baking Sheets: Smaller dog biscuits will cook more quickly than larger ones. So if, like me, you like to bake a couple of different size biscuits, place them on two different cookie sheets. You can remove the smaller biscuits from the oven once cooked and leave the larger ones in the oven for a few more minutes.
Safe For Human Consumption: These peanut butter treats are made with ‘people food’ and, therefore, can be consumed by pet owners and fur babies alike. Just make sure they are stored correctly and check for freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: peanut butter dog treats, homemade dog biscuits, homemade dog treat recipe, simple dog treat recipes, easy dog treat recipes, diy dog treats
Thinking of making these delicious homemade dog treats? I’d love to know how it turns out. Get in touch via the comments section, and let me know!
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References:
- https://www.masterclass.com/articles/can-dogs-eat-flour
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-oatmeal/
- https://www.petmd.com/cinnamon-safe-dogs
- https://www.aspca.org/news/sharing-caring-foods-you-can-safely-share-your-pet
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-cranberries
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fruits-vegetables-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/healthy-foods-checklist-flaxseed-dogs
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-pumpkin
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/coconut-oil-dogs-understanding-benefits-and-risks
