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Simple Homemade Dog Treat Recipes Your Pup Will Love

October 29, 2025

Pet & Grooming

Simple Homemade Dog Treat Recipes Your Pup Will Love

Every dog parent knows that look: the one where your pup sits patiently (or not so patiently) by the kitchen counter, hoping a tasty snack is coming their way. Instead of reaching for a bag of store-bought goodies, why not whip up your own? With a few simple ingredients, you can make homemade dog treat recipes packed with tail-wagging flavor.

Why Make Homemade Dog Treats?

Making homemade dog treats isn’t just about spoiling your pup (though that’s a great reason, too). There are some real benefits to mixing up a batch in your own kitchen.

1. You control the ingredients. There are no mystery fillers, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Just simple, wholesome foods you trust.

2. You can make healthier choices for your dog’s needs by adjusting recipes to fit. Whether your pup does best on grain-free snacks or low-fat recipes or has sensitivities, you can adjust recipes based on their diet.

3. It saves money. Premium store-bought treats add up fast. Baking your own often costs less and makes a bigger batch.

4. It’s bonding time. Rolling dough, cutting out shapes, and handing over that first crunchy biscuit is a fun way to connect with your dog.

Tips for Making Healthy Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

Here are a few simple tips for creating healthy homemade dog treat recipes right in your kitchen.

1. Stick to dog-safe ingredients. Skip chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, or anything with xylitol. Even small amounts of these can be harmful to dogs.

2. Use whole foods. Oats, pumpkin, peanut butter, carrots, and sweet potatoes are all great options that add nutrition and flavor.

3. Store them the right way. Baked treats can be kept in an airtight container for up to a week, or extras can be frozen to last longer. Frozen treats or no-bake bites should always be refrigerated or frozen.

4. Keep them small. Small portions prevent overfeeding while still giving your dog plenty of enjoyment.

For more fun, spread one of your homemade mixtures on a Dexas Blue Snack Distract Silicone Licking Mat. It turns snack time into a slow, calming activity your pup can enjoy longer.

1. Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats

These peanut butter and pumpkin dog treats are a fall favorite, but your pup will happily crunch them year-round!

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup unsalted peanut butter
• 1 cup plain canned pumpkin
• ½ cup water (add more if needed)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Stir the pumpkin, peanut butter, and eggs in a large bowl until smooth.
3. Slowly work in the flour, then add water a little at a time until the dough is firm but easy to roll.
4. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ½ inch thick. Use cookie cutters (a bone shape is always fun) to cut out treats.
5. Place treats on the baking sheet and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the edges are golden and crisp.
6.Cool completely before serving to your pup.

A Little Extra Flavor

Want to make treat time even more exciting? Add a dab of Jolly Pets Fill’n Treat Pumpkin Peanut Butter to the top of each baked biscuit. It’s made just for dogs and adds a burst of flavor your pup will love.

2. Sweet Potato Dog Treats

Sweet potato dog treats are naturally sweet, packed with fiber, and most pups love the chewy texture.

Option #1: Dehydrated Sweet Potato Chews

These chewy treats store well in an airtight container for about a week.

Ingredients

• 1 or 2 large sweet potatoes

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 250°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Wash, peel, and cut into ¼-inch thick rounds or strips.
3. Place slices on the sheet and bake for 2–3 hours, flipping halfway, until they’re firm and chewy.
4. Cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Option #2: Sweet Potato Baked Biscuits

Want something crunchier? Try turning sweet potatoes into a biscuit-style treat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sweet potato
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• ½ cup rolled oats
• 1 egg
• Cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook and mash 1 cup of sweet potato until smooth.
2. Stir together mashed sweet potato, flour, oats, and egg. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon if you’d like.
3. Roll the dough to ½ inch thick and use cookie cutters to make fun shapes.
4. Place on a lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
5. Cool completely before giving to your dog.

Flavor Boost

For a fun twist, mix in a spoonful of Green Coast Pet Unsweetened Applesauce with Pumpkin. It adds natural sweetness and pairs perfectly with the earthy flavor of sweet potatoes.

3. Peanut Butter Dog Cookies

If your pup has a soft spot for peanut butter, these peanut butter dog cookies will be an instant hit. They’re chewy, simple to make, and a fun weekend baking project.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• ½ cup unsalted peanut butter
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Stir oats, banana, egg, and peanut butter in a bowl until the mixture forms a thick dough.
3. Roll the dough out and use cookie cutters to make fun shapes.
4. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.
5. Cool completely before letting your dog taste-test.

Extra Treat Idea

Add a squeeze of KONG Easy Treat Bacon & Cheese to the top of each cookie for a playful twist before serving. It turns snack time into an extra-special reward.

4. Special Occasion: Dog Birthday Cake Recipe

This dog-friendly recipe is a fun way to mark birthdays, adoption days, or just because you feel like baking.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• ¼ cup unsalted peanut butter
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 egg
• Frosting: cream cheese + plain yogurt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a small cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Stir flour, peanut butter, applesauce, and egg together until smooth.
3. Pour into the pan and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
4. Cool completely before decorating.

Light Frosting

• Whip 2–3 tablespoons of cream cheese with a splash of plain yogurt.
• Spread lightly over the cooled cake. (Keep frosting minimal since rich dairy can be heavy on tummies.)

A Shortcut Option

Not up for measuring and mixing? The Puppy Cake Peanut Butter Dog Birthday Cake Kit makes it easy. Add water, bake (or microwave), and you’ve got a festive cake that tastes great to your pup.

Plus, it comes with dog-safe frosting and sprinkles!

5. No-Bake Frozen Dog Treats

These no-bake dog treat recipes are a fun way to cool your pup down after a long walk or play session.

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain yogurt (unsweetened, no added sugar)
• 1 ripe banana
• 2 tablespoons unsalted peanut butter

Instructions

1. Combine yogurt, banana, and peanut butter in a blender until smooth.
2. Use silicone molds or ice cube trays to portion out the mixture.
3. Let them sit in the freezer for at least 3–4 hours.
4. Pop out and serve. Keep a stash on hand for quick rewards or a refreshing snack.

Fun Twist

Want to really spoil your pup? Try mixing in a scoop of Puppy Cake Hoggin’ Dogs Bacon Ice Cream. It’s made for dogs and adds a savory kick that takes frozen treats to the next level.

Or, switch things up with the Woof Pupsicle Bacon & Cheese Mix. Freeze it into cubes or popsicle molds, and you’ve got a ready-made treat perfect for training rewards or cool-down snacks.

Happy Baking, Happier Pups

Homemade dog treats are little acts of love that keep tails wagging and bellies happy. Whether baking peanut butter and pumpkin biscuits or slicing up sweet potato chews, you’ll find plenty of ways to treat your pup!

Author

#mywilcolife

My Wilco Life Blog Contributor