dog treat recipes

This 5 ingredient Christmas dog treats recipe is a healthier way to spoil your pup during the holidays. Drizzle with dog-friendly icing to make them extra special! Homemade dog treat recipes don’t have to be time-consuming or difficult and this quick and easy recipe is proof.

This simple recipe is mixed up in one bowl for easy cleanup. Then, roll out the dough, cut out your dog cookies and bake.

If you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I make a few pennies at no extra cost to you. Questions? Please see disclosure for info.

Christmas dog biscuit recipe

Homemade dog treats are the perfect way to spoil your pup and what better time to do that than at the holidays?

When I’m baking cookies to share with friends and neighbors, I always include a little something for their pups.

This tasty treat (I know it’s good because I ate one) is something nice for their dogs and the icing drizzled on top makes them a little special.

Making treats for your dog is no more difficult than a batch of cookies. Plus, there are so many options when you make them yourself.

Ingredients

This Christmas cookie for dogs is made from 5 simple ingredients: ground oats, molasses, egg, cinnamon and peanut butter.

• Ground oats – put rolled oats into food processor and grind until they are almost oat flour consistency with a few small pieces still in the mix. You could also buy oat flour, but making it yourself is less expensive.
• Molasses – regular molasses (I used Grandma’s brand), not blackstrap.
• Egg – I used a large egg.
• Cinnamon – regular ground cinnamon, nothing fancy.
• Peanut butter – PLEASE make sure your PB doesn’t contain xylitol. (These brands contain xylitol, so avoid them for dog treats: Go Nuts, Co., Hank’s Protein Plus Peanut Butter, Krush Nutrition, Nuts ‘N More, and P28)

What you need to make this recipe

Here is a list of helpful tools and equipment for making dog treats. Below are the items that I use most often.

• 11 cup food processor – all of my recipes are developed using this food processor.
• Bone shaped cookie cutters – this is the exact same set that I have.
• Rolling dowel – Used in almost every recipe for dog biscuits.
• A small cookie scoop – make drop style cookies instead of rolling cutout treats.
• Sturdy spatula – this is a stiff dough, you’ll need a good spatula.
• Disposable piping bags – for icing (optional)

How to make this Christmas dog treats recipe

First, grind oats in the bowl of a food processor. You can see that they are pretty finely ground, but not quite flour consistency.

If you don’t have a food processor, you can purchase oat flour.

Then, you’ll beat the egg with the cinnamon and molasses in a small bowl. Stir in the peanut butter and mix it in until it is uniform.

Lastly, stir in the ground oats and mix thoroughly. Roll out the dough, cut your shapes and bake!

To drizzle these Christmas dog cookies with icing, you’ll need to let them cool completely, just like any cookie. Let them cool on a rack for about 30 minutes before icing.

How to make dog friendly icing

This is the easiest dog icing ever! Mix a few tablespoons of low fat cream cheese with either plain yogurt or peanut butter. To get it to “piping consistency”, add a teaspoon or two of water to thin it out. That’s it – it couldn’t be easier.

Frequency asked questions

DIY dog treats make great homemade Christmas gifts too. I like to make small dog treat bags to give away to friends and neighbors who have dogs.

Quick tips and tricks for the best dog treats

To save a few minutes, grind the oats in the food processor ahead of time.

Roll the treat dough between sheets of parchment paper to avoid using flour. If that isn’t a concern, liberally flour the countertop before rolling out the dough.

Roll dough out to 1/4 inch thickness for treats – this gives a good-sized treat without being too thick. Also, the baking time and the yield could vary if you roll them out thinner or thicker.

Be gentle when cutting Christmas dog cookies out of dough – if it breaks, just press it back together on the baking sheet before baking.

Dog treat recipes

Christmas isn’t the only time to spoil your pup – check out these recipes too.

• Peanut butter banana dog treats
• Cheddar apple dog treats
• Sweet potato dog treats
• Banana pumpkin dog treats
• Soft pumpkin dog treats

Please share

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!

I hope your pup loves this Christmas dog treats recipe as much as Sugar does! Please consider rating and/or commenting.

Your shares help this site to grow and I appreciate it so much. Do you know someone who would like this? I’d love it if you would share it on Facebook or pin it to your favorite recipe board.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a delicious day 🙂

Questions? Send me an email, I’m happy to help. I’d love to send you weekly tips and recipes, so you can get updates about what’s happening in the kitchen!

Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe without prior written permission. Thank you!

Soft and cheesy potato dog treats are a delicious way to spoil your pup. This quick and easy dog biscuit proves that homemade dog treat recipes don’t have to be complicated. They are less expensive than store-bought and so much better for your dog.

Dogs know a good thing when they’ve got it and homemade dog treats beat store bought every single time.

This recipe is sponsored by my friends at Idaho® Potato. I am so pleased to work with them. As always, all opinions, recipe and photos are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Pook’s Pantry.

Dog treats without flour

A simple DIY dog biscuit with oats instead of flour can be especially good for dogs with allergies or digestive issues. Plain, unflavored old-fashioned oats (porridge) are what I use in many of my dog biscuit recipes.

Oats can be ground into flour using a food processor or a powerful blender.

The addition of potatoes keeps these treats soft, which is perfect for dogs with dental issues or senior dogs.

The next time you are making mashed potatoes, add an extra potato to the pot for these treats! Just make sure to keep it plain for your pup – no butter and cream, please.

Ingredients

This quick and easy 6 ingredient potato dog treat is made with common ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

I used an Idaho® russet potato for this treat because it has a light, fluffy texture. A waxy potato would not work quite as well here, because the texture is entirely different. That being said, if that’s all you have, use it.

How to make potato dog treats

First, you’ll need to boil the potato. Then use a masher or a potato ricer to break it up. A ricer will make it smoother and it is also makes the best mashed potatoes.

Next, combine all of the ingredients (except the water) in a large mixing bowl.

Use a sturdy spatula to combine it all together. At this point, feel your dough. If it is a little dry and you need a splash of water, add a tablespoon of two. I did not need any water at all for my treats, they were just the right consistency.

Now, you can either scoop your potato treats out and make round treats, or the other option is to roll them out to cut out shapes. To avoid using flour, roll the treats out between sheets of parchment paper.

This dough is very soft, so if you choose to roll them out, be patient. It is a little fiddly, because it is not a firm dough.

Healthy treats made at home don’t contain additives, preservatives or questionable ingredients like fillers. All dogs, no matter their age or diet, benefit from a healthier option.

Helpful tools and equipment

These dog treats taste a bit like a cheesy baked potato – for your pup. They are very quick and easy, especially with the help of these tools to get the job done:

• Food processor
• Bone shaped cookie cutters
• Heavy duty spatula
• Baking sheets

How to store dog biscuits

Remember that these treats do not contain preservatives like commercially made biscuits. My recommendation is always to store them in the refrigerator.

Keep them in an airtight treat container. I like this one because it’s easy to get into and it seals really well, keeping the treats fresh. Here is a list for all things dog that you can check out.

More homemade dog treats:

• Cheddar apple dog treats
• Pumpkin carrot dog treats
• Banana pumpkin dog treats
• Blueberry pumpkin dog biscuits
• Sweet potato dog treats

Please share

If you love this potato dog treat recipe, please give it 5 stars!

I hope your pup loves this treat as much as Sugar did! Please consider rating and/or commenting.

Your shares help this site to grow and I appreciate it so much. Do you know someone who would like this? I’d love it if you would share it on Facebook or pin it to your favorite recipe board.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a delicious day 🙂

Questions? Send me an email, I’m happy to help. I’d love to send you weekly tips and recipes, so you can get updates about what’s happening in the kitchen!

Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe without prior written permission. Thank you!

Cheddar apple dog treats are a quick and easy homemade dog treat recipe. Made with only a handful of ingredients, these delicious DIY dog treats will become your pup’s favorite biscuit. They are less expensive than store-bought and so much better for your furry best friend.

Healthy puppy treats made at home don’t contain additives, preservatives or questionable ingredients like fillers. All dogs, no matter their age or diet, benefit from a healthier option.

…

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Homemade blueberry banana dog treats are quick, easy and less expensive than store-bought. If your dog loves bananas, try these banana pumpkin dog treats too!

This dog biscuit recipe contains 5 simple ingredients – bananas, blueberries, oatmeal, egg and a bit of flour.

My dogs and their friends love these!!

– Michelle

Banana dog treats

Homemade dog treats are a great way to spoil your pup. While I do love to spoil Sugar, part of the reason I make treats for her is health-related.

I have a senior dog, so soft dog treats tend to work better for her than super crunchy ones. If you have a dog with dental issues, this can be a good option.

Banana treats for dogs are naturally sweet, but keep in mind that they shouldn’t have too much.

They also help with an upset stomach, which is another reason to make dog treats with banana in them if your dog has digestive issues.

Banana oatmeal dog treats

These dog treats are really tasty. I can say this because I’ve eaten them. No questionable ingredients, and for the cost of one store-bought bag, you’ll get at least twice as many by making them yourself.

That’s worth the effort right there, if you ask me. Speaking of effort… it’s hardly any at all. DIY dog treats that take about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Recently, Sugar was diagnosed with IBD and gastritis. Our vet suggested oatmeal (among other things) when she isn’t feeling well. I have quite a few oatmeal dog treats on the blog, so luckily I was prepared.

Homemade dog treats with banana and oatmeal work for Sugar, and because I had some blueberries in the fridge, I tossed those into the mix.

How to make homemade dog cookies

The first step in making this treat is grinding the oats in the food processor. When the oats are almost flour, they are done and we can add the rest of the ingredients.

The dough is made entirely in the food processor, then it is scooped and baked.

If you stash ripe bananas in the freezer for baking or smoothies, this is the perfect time to use one.

The dough for these dog cookies is a little sticky, so I don’t recommend rolling it out.

I used a small cookie scoop that holds just over a tablespoon and the recipe gave me 30 treats. If you use a slightly larger or smaller scoop, your yield will vary by a few pieces.

Once you have all of the dough scooped onto the baking sheets, flatten the tops with wet fingers. Slide into the oven and bake! That’s it. It could not be easier.

How to store homemade dog treats

If you live in a cooler, less humid climate, you can store these treats in a cute dog treat jar on the counter for about a week.

Because I live in a warmer, humid climate, I’d only keep them on the counter for a few days, then store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

You can also freeze them and take out a few at a time, which is what I do most of the time.

Dog treat recipes

Here are a few more homemade biscuits for your dog that they might love.

• Peanut butter banana dog treats – a particularly big hit!
• Oatmeal pumpkin dog treat
• Pumpkin peanut butter dog treats

Please share

Your shares help this site to grow and I appreciate it so much. Do you know someone who would like this? I’d love it if you would share it on Facebook or pin it to your favorite recipe board.

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a delicious day 🙂

Questions? Send me an email, I’m happy to help. I’d love to send you weekly tips and recipes, so you can get updates about what’s happening in the kitchen!

Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe without prior written permission. Thank you!

Making healthy homemade dog treats is less expensive than store-bought and so much better for your dog. Most of my homemade dog treat recipes contain only a handful of ingredients and they take about 30 minutes from start to finish.

You’ll find recipes with rolled oats and some with flour, like these butternut squash dog treats. A few use a food processor and some you can mix by hand in a bowl.

There are easy recipes for everyone, with flavor combinations guaranteed to please your pup.

SO AWESOME AND EASY! My dogs are in love with them.

-Melissa

Homemade dog treat recipes

My dog is spoiled, but I’m guessing yours is too.

Healthy, homemade treats are quick and easy to make. For less than $5, you can make approximately 70 – 100 treats, depending on the recipe, which is a much better deal than store bought.

Homemade dog treats with rolled oats

Most of these recipes use a food processor – especially the recipes with oatmeal.

I use it to grind the rolled oats into flour. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t make them if you don’t own one.

You can skip this step (keep in mind the texture will be completely different) or, if you have a powerful blender, use it to break up the oats.

I will say that a food processor makes it easier. Everything is mixed together in the bowl of the processor and then the dough is either rolled out or scooped.

You can customize treats to fit your dog’s needs and preferences, which is really helpful if your dog has allergies or dietary restrictions.

Normally, I roll the treats out and use a 2″ bone-shaped cookie cutter to make them.

But if I’m feeling lazy, I use a small cookie scoop, then flatten the tops with a fork before baking. Oatmeal treats can get a little sticky, so sometimes I opt for the lazy option.

Pumpkin dog treats

My dog loves pumpkin. So, naturally I keep her in pumpkin dog treats almost year-round.

It’s also easy on her stomach, which is a big bonus. Sugar is 13 1/2 years old, but she’s always had a sensitive tummy, which is why I started making treats for her in the first place.

These treats will keep in an airtight container for about a week on the counter. If you store them in the fridge, they will last at least a month and in the freezer, they will last several months. 

Remember that there are no preservatives in these, so they can’t sit out as long as store-bought biscuits.

Dogs know a good thing when they’ve got it and homemade dog treats beat store bought every single time.

Peanut butter dog biscuits

Making biscuits for your pet shouldn’t take all day. Using a food processor to mix the dough makes it very quick and easy.

If the recipe uses oats, those will get broken up first, then the rest of the ingredients are added to the bowl.

Turn the processor on and let it run for a couple of minutes until the dough looks uniform. Then roll out the dough, cut your shapes and bake. It’s just like baking cookies.

All of these dog treats are pretty tasty. I can say this because I’ve tasted them – every single recipe.

The entire ingredient list is usually no more than a handful of items and it’s all things that you’d normally have in the pantry.

That’s worth the effort right there, if you ask me. Speaking of effort… it’s hardly any at all. A bit of mixing and rolling, no more than making cookies, and your dog won’t care if they aren’t perfect. They’ll just be happy to know they are getting something special.

Please share!

Your shares help this site to grow and I appreciate it so much. Do you know someone who would like this? I’d love it if you would share it on Facebook or pin it to your favorite recipe board.

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! Please consider rating and/or commenting. I love hearing from you!

Did you make this recipe? Tag me on instagram @pookspantry or share it in the Fabulous Foodie Friends Facebook group! I can’t wait to see your version!

Helpful tools for making dog treats at home

• rolling pin
• mixing bowls
• rubber spatula
• Chef’s knife

Thanks for stopping by! Have a delicious day 🙂

Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe without prior written permission. Thank you!

Soft pumpkin dog treats are perfect for older dogs or dogs with dental issues. Homemade pumpkin dog treats without peanut butter are low fat, which is also good for older dogs who aren’t as active.

These 4 ingredient pumpkin dog treats are similar to the banana pumpkin dog treats that I made a few years ago. I have yet to meet a dog (or human!) who doesn’t like them.

If you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I make a few pennies at no extra cost to you. Questions? Please see disclosure for info.

Soft treats for older dogs

My dog will turn 13 this year. She’s a senior dog and I lovingly call her my old lady. She’s also had a few teeth pulled and isn’t quite as active as she used to be.

I’ve been making treats for her since she was a puppy, but when I don’t have time to make them, I buy them.

I started to notice recently that she was having trouble with really crunchy or hard treats from the pet store, so I set out to create a soft dog treat for older dogs.

Thank you for posting this recipe for dog cookies. My dog is old and can’t eat the store bought treats any longer. She absolutely loves these!

– Laurie

DIY dog biscuits

DIY pumpkin dog treats, like this oatmeal pumpkin dog treat recipe, are less expensive than store-bought treats and I feel better knowing exactly what is in them.

Making dog biscuits is (or should be) really easy, and these are very easy.

Just a bit of mixing, rolling out and cutting cute dog bone shapes. They are the easiest cookies you’ll ever make.

Soft pumpkin dog treats

This is a soft dough. It is very easy to work with and also quite forgiving. Which is helpful, because let’s be honest – we want to make these treats but we also don’t want it to be a huge hassle.

These soft pumpkin treats will puff up a bit when they are baked and they stay soft. The applesauce helps to make them moist and just a touch sweet.

Like these homemade dog treats with rolled oats, there are no preservatives in this dog biscuit recipe. You can leave them out on the counter for a few days, but after that, they should be refrigerated.

how to make pumpkin dog treats

You’ll need a few tools to make this recipe. The good news is that you probably already have everything. Just in case you don’t, this is what you’ll need:

• a heavy wooden spoon or other sturdy spoon
• a medium mixing bowl
• a baking sheet
• parchment paper (very helpful, but not mandatory, if you have nonstick cookie sheets)
• a rolling pin
• dog bone cookie cutters – or any cookie cutters you have already

In a medium bowl, you’ll mix the applesauce, pumpkin and egg together. Then stir in the flour until it forms a soft dough.

Lightly flour the counter or a cutting board, roll out the dough and cut shapes. Bake and cool before giving to your dog.

How to store homemade dog treats

If you live in a cooler, less humid climate, you can store these treats in a cute dog treat jar on the counter for about a week.

Because I live in a warmer, humid climate, I’d only keep them on the counter for a few days, then store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

You can also freeze them and take out a few at a time, which is what I do most of the time.

Homemade dog biscuits

These pumpkin dog treats make great homemade gifts too. I like to make small dog treat bags to give away to friends and neighbors who have dogs.

If you see the same neighbors walking their dogs in the neighborhood or at the dog park, getting homemade dog biscuits would be a welcome gesture.

And it’s something nice to do for someone (which we could all use a little more of). Plus, I guarantee their dogs would love it.

Please share!

Your shares help this site to grow and I appreciate it so much. Do you know someone who would like this? I’d love it if you would share it on Facebook or pin it to your favorite recipe board.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a delicious day 🙂

Questions? Send me an email, I’m happy to help. I’d love to send you weekly tips and recipes, so you can get updates about what’s happening in the kitchen!

Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe without prior written permission. Thank you!