Peanut Butter Dog Treats

If you worry about the unpronounceable ingredients in many dog treat brands or think that low-ingredient “fancy” dog treats are too expensive for every day, this homemade peanut butter dog treats recipe will be your new go-to.

I’m pretty sure my dog loves to eat her treats as much as I love to eat mine. The way her tail wags when I open the cabinet to her treat box, it’s entirely possible she loves them even more than she loves me! However, some store-bought dog treats make me think twice about what she’s really eating. This pooch-friendly peanut butter dog treat recipe contains wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour, wheat germ, creamy peanut butter, eggs and a hint of cinnamon—all budget-friendly pantry staples that add nutrition and flavor.

These homemade dog treats are as easy to make as people cookies and last for days in the fridge or even longer in the freezer. Just watch that tail wag when you grab one for your furry friend. It will disappear faster than you can say, “Good dog!”

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Dog Treats

• Whole wheat flour: This peanut butter dog treat recipe uses whole wheat flour to pack in the most nutrition.
• Toasted wheat germ: Toasted wheat germ adds a nutty and sweet flavor to the treats. It is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help with skin issues and improve the health of coats. (And you deserve a treat too! Use leftover toasted wheat germ in these yummy wheat germ streusel banana muffins.)
• Ground cinnamon: Unlike ground nutmeg, which is toxic for dogs, cinnamon is dog-friendly. It adds a nice warm spice flavor to the homemade peanut butter dog treats.
• Creamy peanut butter: Use the best creamy peanut butter brands for dog treats. Whichever peanut butter you choose, double-check the label to ensure it does not contain xylitol. Xylitol is poisonous to dogs. If you want total control over the peanut butter’s ingredients, use homemade peanut butter.
• Egg: An egg helps bind the ingredients together. As in all baking, room-temperature eggs incorporate more easily into the dough.
• Canola oil: This neutral cooking oil adds moisture to our homemade peanut butter dog treats recipe.

Directions

Step 1: Make the dough

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, wheat germ and cinnamon. Stir in the water, peanut butter, egg and canola oil.

Step 2: Cut out the cookies

On a floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with a 3-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter.

Editor’s Tip: If you don’t have a bone-shaped cookie cutter, any other 3-inch cookie cutter will do. Round and square-shaped treats are ideal for storage. (And your dog won’t care what the shape is, as long as the treat is delicious!)

Step 3: Bake the treats

Place the cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until the bottoms lightly brown (the tops may crack), 30 to 35 minutes. Cool the treats on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

Jonathan Melendez For Taste Of Home

Recipe Variations

• Use cashew butter: Nut butter made from roasted cashews is a dog-safe alternative to peanut butter. (Dogs should not consume raw cashews, however.) Avoid almond butter, as it can cause gastrointestinal issues in some dogs.
• Coat with carob: Although chocolate is a definite no-no for dogs, carob is a tasty alternative. To add a carob coating to these peanut butter dog treats, melt 1/2 cup carob chips with 1 teaspoon coconut oil in the microwave or on the stovetop and stir until thoroughly combined. Then, dip the top or half of each treat into the carob mixture and shake off any excess. Set the treats on a wire rack to let the carob topping harden.

How to Store Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Store peanut butter dog biscuits at room temperature in an airtight container. For longer storage, store them in the fridge or freezer.

How long do peanut butter dog treats last?

Homemade peanut butter dog treats last in an airtight container at room temperature for two to three days, in the refrigerator for up to five days and in the freezer for up to three months.

Can you freeze peanut butter dog treats?

Absolutely! To freeze, let the treats cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container. You can freeze peanut butter dog treats for up to three months. Let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving to your pup.

Peanut Butter Dog Treat Tips

Jonathan Melendez For Taste Of Home

What is the best flour for dog biscuits?

Whole grain flours are the best for homemade dog treats because they offer more nutrition than all-purpose flour. Other common flours for making dog biscuits include brown rice flour, quinoa flour and buckwheat flour. Your best bet is to stick with whole wheat flour in this peanut butter dog treats recipe since it was tested that way (unless you’re up for experimenting).

How many dog treats can you give your dog at a time?

Homemade peanut butter dog treats should be an occasional treat. Share just one or two a day with your pup. If you get your dog a treat from one of the many fast food chains with a secret menu for dogs, you should probably skip the homemade treats for a day.

Can humans eat these dog treats?

This peanut butter dog treat recipe is safe for human consumption, though you likely will not like the flavor or texture as much as your dog does!