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Home » Recipes » Dog-Friendly Recipes

3-Ingredient Dog Treats

Published: Feb 28, 2020 · Modified: Mar 17, 2025 by Emily · 62 Comments

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Try this recipe for 3-Ingredient Dog Treats, ready in 20 minutes! They are made with oat (or all-purpose) flour, pumpkin (or banana), and peanut butter. Your dog or puppy will love them. This is the most highly rated post on my website, with a 5-star rating across the board.

glass jar of homemade dog treats on a tray with a spoon of peanut butter
Jump to:
  • What three ingredients are needed for this recipe?
  • How to Make 3-Ingredient Dog Treats with Pumpkin (or Banana)
  • How to Store Homemade Dog Treats
  • Helpful Facts Around What Dogs Can Eat
  • More Dog-Friendly Recipes:
  • 3-Ingredient Dog Treats Recipe

What three ingredients are needed for this recipe?

  • ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter (with no salt or added oil)
  • 1 small banana (or ½ cup pure pumpkin puree)
  • 1 cup rolled or instant whole oats, gluten-free as needed

How to Make 3-Ingredient Dog Treats with Pumpkin (or Banana)

  1. To make dog treats at home, mix your oat flour, pumpkin (or banana), and natural peanut butter until a cohesive mixture forms. Kneading with your hands is easiest! You can also use regular all-purpose flour.
  2. Roll out dough (no flour needed) and cut out dog treat shapes of choice. I used the same molds from my animal cracker recipe, but any shape will work.
  3. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F and let it cool before giving it to your furry friend. These can be kept in a sealed container on the counter for about a week. They last much longer in the fridge!

This dog cookie recipe is truly very simple and comes together in about 20 minutes. There is a video linked below!

3-Ingredient Dog Treats could not be simpler to make - they really feel like they'd come from a fancy local bakery! Let's dive into what's needed.

Does your dog love eating human food? Good news – there are plenty of ways to make your own totally safe versions of her favorite treats! This recipe for Frozen Yogurt Dog Treats is one example. If you love cooking for your dog, be sure to try this homemade dog food recipe (inspired by The Farmer’s Dog chicken recipe).

This dog cookie recipe is truly very simple and comes together in about 20 minutes. There is a video linked below!

How to Store Homemade Dog Treats

For the longest-lasting treats, store them in a sealed, freezer-safe container where they can last for months. Many dogs can enjoy these treats directly from the freezer. If your dog is smaller or has more delicate teeth, you may want to store these in the fridge where they will be kept for up to two weeks in a sealed container (my preference).

golden retriever puppy looking at hand holding treat

Helpful Facts Around What Dogs Can Eat

Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?

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Yes, as long as it's pure peanut butter with no xylitol and fed in moderation, it should be safe for your dog. I recommend looking for a jar that is just made with peanuts (and avoid high sodium levels). As always, it's important to double-check with your vet to ensure this is the case for your specific breed. Feel free to read more about peanut butter dog safety here! Treats should not exceed 10 percent of your pup's diet.

close up overhead shot birds eye view of dog treats

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal?

Yes. Oatmeal is a great source of fiber for dogs and is especially helpful with those who have wheat sensitivity. Vitamin B in oats will help keep their coat shiny and thick. Be sure to never prepare oatmeal with dairy milk, as this oftentimes will upset their stomach. Raw oatmeal can also be challenging to digest, which is why these treats are cooked. Read more about oatmeal safety here. Again, your dog is not meant to be eating "people's food," so moderation is very important.

multiple peanut butter dog treats in the shape of dogs

Can dogs eat bananas?

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. They are very sweet which your dog will likely enjoy. As always, it's useful to check with your vet before feeding your dog a new food

What human foods can dogs not eat?

At a high level, do not feed your dog foods with any added sugar or salt. Avoid raw grains (like uncooked oats) as can dry out their stomachs and throw their digestion off balance. This list from the ASPCA details some more dog-unfriendly foods.

puppy looking at treat in hand

I hope your dog enjoys these easy homemade treats! Please let me know in the comments if they are a hit. This recipe yields about 50 treats.

More Dog-Friendly Recipes:

  • 3-Ingredient Dog Birthday Cake
  • Frozen Yogurt Dog Treats
close up overhead shot birds eye view of dog treats

3-Ingredient Dog Treats Recipe

Try this recipe for 3-Ingredient Dog Treats, ready in 20 minutes! Made with oat flour, pumpkin or banana, and peanut butter, your dog will love them.
5 from 19 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Course Dog treat
Cuisine American
Servings 50 treats
Calories 18 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup rolled oats or ¾ cup pre-ground oat flour; all purpose flour can be substituted
  • ⅓ cup smooth peanut butter made from just peanuts, no added sugar, salt or oils
  • ½ cup mashed ripe banana or pumpkin puree

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a cookie sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
  • Grind oats into a fine flour using a high speed blender (skip this step if you're using pre-ground flour). Add oat flour to a large bowl with peanut butter and banana (or pumpkin if using). Mash with a fork to combine and the use your hand to knead into a cohesive mixture. If it's not holding together, add more peanut butter or oat flour. Do not add dairy or other ingredients, as they may be unsafe for your pet.
  • On a clean surface, roll dough to desired thickness, about ¼ of an inch. Cut out in shapes of choice. Little bones cutouts (from Amazon) would be cute! Place on prepared sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Let cool completely before giving to your pet. Feel free to try one yourself! I recommend storing in a jar in the freezer for long-term keeping (they will last a few months). Outside of the freezer, they will last for 5 days in a sealed container on the counter.

Video

Notes

For the longest-lasting treats, store in a sealed, freezer-safe container where they can last for months. Many dogs can enjoy these treats directly from the freezer. If you dog is smaller or has more delicate teeth, you may want to store these in the fridge where they will keep for up to two weeks in a sealed container.
Always be sure to check with your veterinarian to determine what is safest for your dog.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 50 treatsCalories: 18kcalCarbohydrates: 1.9gProtein: 0.6gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 0.4mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.4g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Dog-Friendly Recipes

  • overhead shot of chicken dog food with sweet potatoes and broccoli
    Chicken and Quinoa Dog Food Recipe
  • side view of a bowl of frozen yogurt peanut butter dog treats
    Frozen Yogurt Dog Treats
  • golden retriever puppy eating a dog birthday cake
    3-Ingredient Dog Cake

Comments

  1. Malysa says

    April 08, 2025 at 6:15 pm

    5 stars
    I have everything to make these, but I was wondering if there was to bake them in a sheet? I was going to cut them to make them snap apart because I'm trying to make very small treats for a toy. Please let me know.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      April 09, 2025 at 11:54 pm

      Hi Malysa! Yes that is a great and time-saving idea. I recommend rolling or pressing them into a thin sheet so they cook evenly. They could also just be placed in small pieces on a sheet (like cookies) and baked that way. Bake time will be around the same, just be sure to check the edges for any burning. Thank you for trying this recipe! - Emily

      Reply
  2. Tammi John says

    February 20, 2025 at 11:10 pm

    5 stars
    Yes, I thought this was super easy.I loved the ingredients.My dead taste one and thought it was a little flowery tasting so I.Dusted the tops of mine with a little bit of peanut butter, And?
    I also left my just a little bit longer and flipped them.So they probably got a total of 8 minutes on each side, but was so fun.Thank you for contributing this recipe.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      February 27, 2025 at 2:09 pm

      Thank you for commenting, Tammi! I am glad this worked for you.

      Reply
  3. Elizabeth says

    January 22, 2025 at 7:32 am

    Emily, to make this recipe into balls, about how long should I bake them, balls about 4" in diameter. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 22, 2025 at 10:38 pm

      Hi Elizabeth! For larger balls, I recommend adding 5 minutes to your baking time and testing from there. To test, stick a thin knife or stick into each ball and ensure the centers come out clean. Rolling these treats into smaller balls by hand (no rolling pin) will work. Thank you for asking!

      Reply
  4. Brad says

    January 18, 2025 at 9:24 pm

    Thank you for this great recipe. Our dogs love them. My first batch went mould after 10 days. i think that I did not bake them long enough so the moisture content was too high. Any thoughts. Thank you

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 19, 2025 at 2:49 pm

      Hi Brad, thank you for trying this recipe! I am glad you dogs enjoy them. I typically store these for 5 days in a sealed container on the counter. If you'd like to store them longer, I recommend placing in the freezer (where they will last for a few months) or the fridge where they should last a bit longer than at room temperature.
      Baking for 10 minutes longer will also help, as long as you keep an eye to ensure they do not burn. Thanks again!

      Reply
      • Beth says

        February 27, 2025 at 9:21 pm

        Hi Emily. Is it ok to substitute Quaker quick oats?

      • Emily says

        March 03, 2025 at 2:16 pm

        Yes, the texture will be slightly different but those will still work!

  5. KC says

    December 23, 2024 at 9:47 pm

    I haven’t made these yet but plan to during the holiday . How many can a 23 lb dog eat at one time?

    Reply
    • Emily says

      December 29, 2024 at 6:44 pm

      Hi KC, thank you for commenting! I recommend serving just a few at a time to a smaller dog, depending on the size of your cookie cutter.

      Reply
  6. Donna says

    November 07, 2024 at 3:12 am

    5 stars
    Such an easy treat to make, and both doggies love them! Have made them with banana twice. Next batch will be with pumpkin.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 10, 2024 at 4:14 pm

      Thank you for sharing, Donna! So happy your pups love them!

      Reply
  7. linda says

    October 14, 2024 at 2:49 pm

    Can humans eat these?

    Reply
    • Emily says

      October 24, 2024 at 5:49 pm

      Yes, these are safe for people too!

      Reply
  8. Holli says

    April 28, 2024 at 8:43 pm

    5 stars
    My dog absolutely loves these! And I love knowing I am giving her something healthy and nourishing to her. This also is so easy to make and are so cheap to make! I have them for my dog always!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      April 28, 2024 at 11:28 pm

      Thank you for leaving this kind review, Holli! I am so happy to hear!

      Reply
    • Robin Cutler-Levine says

      October 06, 2024 at 2:49 am

      Are these supposed to be crispy/crunchy? Mine turned out soft!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        October 07, 2024 at 12:01 am

        Hi Robin - it depends on your oven! Maybe next time bake them a little longer. My dogs prefer them soft, so please let me know how it goes over! Thank you for trying it! - Emily

    • Janet says

      November 20, 2024 at 3:34 pm

      the recipe when doubled or tripled does not increase the amount of pumpkin required. is that an error?

      Reply
      • Emily says

        November 24, 2024 at 3:38 pm

        Thank you for commenting, Janet! Yes that was an error with the calculator, I've updated it. It is 1/2 cup of mashed banana or plain pumpkin puree!

  9. Don Janice says

    July 07, 2023 at 1:57 am

    5 stars
    This is going to become a regular for our puppies - they couldn't get enough! I used pumpkin (no banana) and ever tried one myself LOL. Storing them in the freezer is definitely the right more. Thank you for this simple recipe! I need more 3-ingredient cooking in my life.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      July 07, 2023 at 2:11 am

      Thank you for sharing, Don! That's wonderful!

      Reply
  10. Mario says

    May 10, 2023 at 8:13 pm

    5 stars
    My blue heeler Violet loves them (I ate one too, they were good)! They were super easy to make, and she’ll eat them right up. Good to break up into smaller pieces and put in a treat bag to bring for walks which is what we’re gonna do later.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      May 22, 2023 at 7:35 pm

      I'm so glad she liked them!! Thank you again for making it! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Rebekah says

    June 13, 2022 at 12:18 am

    5 stars
    Easy to make and picky dogs love them

    Reply
    • Emily says

      June 16, 2022 at 11:16 pm

      Hi Rebekah, thank you so much for trying + reviewing this post! I am glad to hear that! - Emily

      Reply
  12. Sue Gee says

    May 02, 2022 at 2:44 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for making this so simple!
    I make these for our local shelter and donate them every few months. The doggies love them!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      May 02, 2022 at 3:50 pm

      Hi Sue,
      That is so kind of you, that makes me so glad to hear they love them! I am going to start doing that also. Thanks for rating + commenting!
      -Emily

      Reply
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Hi, I'm Emily! I have been a plant-based food blogger since 2017. Garlic Head is a recipe website for anyone who wants to easily, affordably, and sustainably incorporate more vegetables into their diet. I am a lifelong vegetarian and 10+ year vegan.

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