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.
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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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
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.
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.
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.
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 Treats Recipe
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.
Malysa says
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.
Emily says
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
Tammi John says
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.
Emily says
Thank you for commenting, Tammi! I am glad this worked for you.
Elizabeth says
Emily, to make this recipe into balls, about how long should I bake them, balls about 4" in diameter. Thanks!
Emily says
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!
Brad says
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
Emily says
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!
Beth says
Hi Emily. Is it ok to substitute Quaker quick oats?
Emily says
Yes, the texture will be slightly different but those will still work!
KC says
I haven’t made these yet but plan to during the holiday . How many can a 23 lb dog eat at one time?
Emily says
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.
Donna says
Such an easy treat to make, and both doggies love them! Have made them with banana twice. Next batch will be with pumpkin.
Emily says
Thank you for sharing, Donna! So happy your pups love them!
linda says
Can humans eat these?
Emily says
Yes, these are safe for people too!
Holli says
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!
Emily says
Thank you for leaving this kind review, Holli! I am so happy to hear!
Robin Cutler-Levine says
Are these supposed to be crispy/crunchy? Mine turned out soft!
Emily says
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
the recipe when doubled or tripled does not increase the amount of pumpkin required. is that an error?
Emily says
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!
Don Janice says
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.
Emily says
Thank you for sharing, Don! That's wonderful!
Mario says
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.
Emily says
I'm so glad she liked them!! Thank you again for making it! 🙂
Rebekah says
Easy to make and picky dogs love them
Emily says
Hi Rebekah, thank you so much for trying + reviewing this post! I am glad to hear that! - Emily
Sue Gee says
Thanks for making this so simple!
I make these for our local shelter and donate them every few months. The doggies love them!
Emily says
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