The Ultimate Peanut Butter Dog Treat Recipe

Our ultimate peanut butter dog treat recipe is super easy and fuss-free, it’s sure to become your go-to dog treat recipe. Best of all, you only need 5 ingredients (one being entirely optional), all of which you likely already have at home. All you need is peanut butter, oats, flour, water, and maple syrup, that’s it! These plant-based peanut butter dog treats are so delicious and healthy, your pup is sure to love them. Plus, I’ll share tips and substitutions to help you customise the recipe to your dog’s tastes and dietary needs (we’ve even got a grain-free option for grain-free pups). So, grab your mixing bowl, and let’s get started! 

Why Make Your Own Dog Treats? 

I don’t bake for my dogs all the time as life gets too busy, so in our house we often find ourselves reaching for a pack of store-bought treats. However, there is something magical about seeing their little faces light up when you’ve baked something just for them. And call me biased, but they always seem more enthusiastic about homemade dog treats. 

Making homemade dog treats can be a fun and rewarding way to show your furry friend how much you care. But more importantly, you can tailor the ingredients to your dog’s specific dietary needs and avoid the preservatives and additives often found in store-bought treats. An added bonus is you avoid the single-use plastic pouches that store-bought dog treats tend to come in. Plus, baking is fun.

Things You Will Need 

Ingredients

These dog biscuits are really easy to make and only require a few ingredients. Most of you will already have these tucked away in the cupboard, so no special trip to the store is required! You only need 5 ingredients: 

Oats: Oats are another great source of dietary fiber and protein, as well as vitamins and minerals like iron and zinc. They’re also low in fat and calories, making them a healthy addition to your dog’s diet. Avoid using instant oats, as it affects the consistency of the dough. If your dog is on a grain-free diet, try swapping oats for buckwheat flakes. Despite the name, buckwheat isn’t a grain at all, it’s a seed. Making it a great grain-free option in baking. 

Flour: Flour is a good source of dietary fiber and protein, which can help keep your dog feeling full and satisfied. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins. I used all-purpose flour, but you can you whole wheat or a different flour of your choice. If your dog is on a grain-free diet, try using coconut flour or tapioca flour. 

Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is a great source of protein and healthy fats for dogs. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, vitamin B6, and magnesium. However, make sure to choose an all-natural peanut butter that is unsalted, unsweetened, and does not contain xylitol, which can be toxic to dogs. If your dog has a peanut allergy, you can easily swap the peanut butter for almond butter or seed butter, such as pumpkin seed butter or sunflower seed butter.

Water: Water is a baking essential. It hydrates starch molecules (the flour and oats) and helps to bind the ingredients, enabling them to form a dough.  

Maple Syrup (Optional): Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that can add a touch of sweetness to the treats. It also contains antioxidants and is considered to have antibacterial properties. However, it’s important to note that maple syrup is high in sugar, so use it in moderation. Make sure you only use pure maple syrup and not maple-flavoured syrup, which can contain artificial sweeteners that can be very harmful to your dog. Alternatively, if you don’t have maple syrup to hand you can substitute for honey if you’re not plant-based. 

Equipment

As for equipment, you will need a few key essentials: 

Kitchen Scales / Measuring Cups: I personally prefer to use kitchen scales as I feel they are more accurate, but use whatever you have. If your scales don’t measure liquids, you will also need measuring spoons to measure the water and maple syrup (if using). 

Food Processor: The food processor’s main purpose is to blitz the oats, if you don’t have a food processor try blitzing your oats in a blender or a coffee grinder and just mix everything together by hand in a mixing bowl old-school style. Unless doubling the recipe, you can even use an immersion blender that comes with a mini processor attachment. I often make this recipe using my immersion blender’s mini processor (which only holds 600ml) and it works perfectly every time. While you could skip blitzing the oats it may alter the outcome of the treats, so blitzing is advised. 

Rolling Pin: This one seems pretty obvious; you’ll need a rolling pin to roll out the dough.  

Cookie Cutter: I use a 2.25” bone-shaped cookie cutter that is very old and a bit battered but still does the job. Feel free to use whatever shape cookie cutter you like but make sure it is a similar size, otherwise, it may affect the bake time. You could even use a pizza cutter or knife to roughly the rolled-out dough into evenly sized pieces.

Baking Sheet: Any old baking sheet will be fine, just be sure to line your baking sheet. While I’ve never had an issue with these treats sticking, it’s better to not risk it. 

Fork: You will need a fork for docking the treats before they go in the oven. Docking allows steam to escape and prevents air bubbles, resulting in a more even bake. 

How To Make Peanut Butter Dog Treats 

This recipe is super easy to throw together! Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Add the oats to a food processor and blitz until they resemble a rough flour.

Next, add the flour, peanut butter, water, and maple syrup (if using) and blend until a firm dough is formed.

On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough to about 3mm thick.

Grab your cookie cutter of choice and cut out as many treats as you can, and re-roll any scraps of dough.

Place the cut-out treats on the baking sheet and dock each one with a fork.

Bake for 30 minutes. The treats are done when they’re lightly browned. Leave to cool before letting your pooch sample the goods. 

How Long Do Peanut Butter Dog Treat Last? 

Cooled treats can be stored at room temperature in an air-tight container or cookie jar for about 1 week. This recipe produces a crisp biscuit, removing all the moisture, which helps keep the biscuits fresher for longer. You can also store these peanut butter dog treats in the freezer for up to 2 months. Allow the treats to defrost before giving them to your dog.  

How Many Dog Treats Can My Dog Have? 

Just like when you change your dog’s food, start slowly. It’s always wise to slowly introduce new foods to your dog. Start by giving your dog a small piece of a treat to determine if their tum can tolerate it. Ideally, treats should account for no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, moderation is key. 

Remember, dog treats are a supplementary food, and should not be used to replace a complete and balanced dog food. Always ensure your dog has plenty of fresh water available. 

Why This Is The ULTIMATE Peanut Butter Dog Treat Recipe!

Well, I should just tell you to bake them and see how excited your dog gets. Honestly, when I bake these Bud will not leave me alone (full disclosure: peanut butter is one of Bud’s favourite things on the planet). But just in case you need a little more convincing, these peanut butter dog treats are:

• Super quick and easy to make 
• Only contains 5 ingredients (that you more than likely already have in your cupboard) 
• Inexpensive 
• Dogs love them! 

On that note, let’s get started!  

I hope you find this recipe useful, fun, and easy to follow. But most importantly, I hope your pup enjoys their delicious homemade peanut butter dog treats! 

Happy baking friends!