How to Make Peanut Butter Dog Treats: 6 Easy Steps

Forget those expensive store-bought treats. Once you learn how to make peanut butter dog treats at home, you’ll never go back! It’s easier than you think, especially with simple ingredients, a great recipe your dog loves, and an easy-to-follow guide prepared by Off Leash K9 Training Santa Barbara.

Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treat Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide

For this recipe, you’ll need these four ingredients:

• 1 cup natural peanut butter – Chunky or creamy peanut butter (for healthy fat) works. Make sure there’s no xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. No added sugars either.
• 2 eggs – These hold everything together and add a little protein kick.
• 2½ cups whole wheat flour – Good for texture, fiber, and sturdiness. If your dog’s got wheat sensitivities, don’t worry. We’ll talk about alternatives in a bit.
• ¾ cup water (or low-sodium broth) – Helps bind the dough and adds moisture. If you want to get fancy, go with chicken or beef broth.

You’ll also need a baking sheet, parchment paper, and a rolling pin. Cookie cutters are optional but recommended.

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Let it warm up while you prep everything else. This gives you a consistent bake and avoids the half-done center problem.

Step 2: Mix Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and stir together the peanut butter and eggs. Stir until it’s all creamy and smooth, almost like making cookie dough.

Step 3: Combine Flour

Pour the flour in a little bit at a time and mix as you go. Once most of the flour is in, add your water or broth to loosen things up and form a proper dough.

Use your hands to knead the dough until everything’s well combined. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour. Go for a texture that doesn’t crumble but also isn’t sticking all over your hands.

Step 4: Roll It Out and Cut Some Shapes

On top of a lightly floured surface, roll out your dough to about 1/4 inch thick. You can go thicker if you want a softer homemade peanut butter dog treat, or thinner for something crispier.

Then, you can cut some shapes with a cookie cutter. Your dog might like stars, hearts, and bone-shaped treats. But if you don’t have cookie cutters, you can just slice the dough into squares or rectangles with a knife or pizza cutter.

Step 5: Bake

Lay the treats out on your prepared baking sheet and parchment before popping them into the oven. Let them bake for 18-22 minutes, depending on how crunchy you want them to be.

For softer dog treats, you can pull them out at around 18 minutes when they’re golden brown. For extra-crispy ones, go the full 22 minutes or even drop the oven down to 200°F after 20 minutes and dry them out slowly for another 30-60 minutes. When you’re done, move them to a cooling rack and let them cool completely at room temp.

Step 6: Store the Treats

These can sit on your counter in an airtight container for about 4-5 days. If you pop them in the fridge, you can have a longer storage time of about 2 weeks. Now, if you want to make a big batch and save some for later, you can put them in the freezer where they can last up to 3 months. Just pull one out and let it thaw before handing it over to your dog.

Common Questions About the Ingredients

1. Can dogs really have peanut butter?

Yes, as long as it’s natural and xylitol-free. Always check the label. The safest versions are the ones with just one ingredient: peanuts. You don’t need added sugar, salt, or palm oil in there.

2. What if my dog has allergies?

If wheat’s a problem, swap the flour with rice flour, oat flour, or coconut flour. Just know you might need to tweak the amount of liquid to get the texture right, since different flours absorb moisture differently.

Also, keep an eye on eggs if your dog has protein sensitivities. Applesauce or pumpkin puree can be used as egg replacements in some cases.

3. Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Yes, you can. It might make the dough a little lumpier, but your dog won’t mind. It adds some texture and a little extra excitement.

Other Homemade Dog Treat Recipes Your Pup Will Love

Once you’ve nailed the classic peanut butter dog treats, it’s fun to branch out. These are some of the other dog treats your furry friends might like:

Banana + Oats Treats

In a large bowl, mix some mashed banana with a cup of quick oats and a spoonful of real peanut butter. Roll into little balls and flatten them with your fingers. Bake at 325°F for about 20–25 minutes. These are soft, chewy, and smell amazing coming out of the oven.

Pumpkin + Peanut Butter Treats

Mix 1 cup canned pumpkin, 1/4 cup peanut butter, 1 egg, and 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Roll and cut just like the first recipe. Pumpkin is great for digestion, and many dogs love them.

Frozen Peanut Butter Pops

Mix peanut butter with plain yogurt and freeze it in ice cube trays or silicone molds. You can also add shredded carrots or a few blueberries. These are awesome for hot Santa Barbara days.

Grab a Cookie Cutter and Make Something Special for Your Furry Friends!

There’s something extra rewarding about baking your own treats, especially when they’re for your furry friends. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up peanut butter dog treats your pup will absolutely taste and love.

This recipe is great for dogs of all ages, whether you’ve got a bouncy puppy or a mellow senior pup. Peanut butter is packed with healthy fats like monounsaturated fat and even provides a boost of vitamin B, both great for energy and coat health. Just be sure to use natural peanut butter without added salt, which can be harmful to dogs in high amounts.

Want to make sure you’re not overfeeding? Each nutrition serving detail is automatically calculated, so you know exactly what your pup is getting with every bite.

Turn on cook mode to keep your screen awake while you bake, and don’t forget to leave a review. Recipe ratings are also appreciated, so let us know if your pup gives these treats two paws up! Store extras in an airtight container to help them stay fresh for days.

Want Your Dog to Earn Those Treats?

You’ve nailed the perfect recipe with peanut butter and oat flour, and your pup can’t wait to eat up those homemade goodies. But what if they could sit, stay, and come before getting even more dog treats?

At Off Leash K9 Training Santa Barbara, our top dog program is designed to bring out the best in your pup, with real-world obedience, off-leash reliability, and better behavior at home. So while you keep baking, we’ll help your dog become the well-mannered companion every treat deserves.

Ready to train like a top dog? Get in touch to get started.