17 Delicious Homemade Dog Treat Recipes Your Pup Will Love

Let’s be real—who doesn’t love spoiling their furry best friend? I’ve been making homemade dog treats for years, and the tail-wagging approval is worth every minute in the kitchen. Skip those mystery-ingredient store brands and whip up these simple recipes with stuff you probably already have in your pantry!

1. Oatmeal and Banana Bites

These little nuggets of goodness are basically the canine version of comfort food. My dog comes running the second she hears the banana peeling!

Why your pup will love them: They’re soft and chewy—perfect for older dogs or pups with sensitive teeth. Plus, they’re packed with fiber from the oats and potassium from the bananas.

What you’ll need:

• 1 ripe banana (the spottier, the better!)
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (make SURE it’s xylitol-free—that stuff is toxic to dogs)
• 1/4 cup flour (whole wheat or oat flour works great)
• A splash of water if the mixture seems too dry

How to make them:

1. Heat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash that banana until it’s smooth, then mix in the oats, peanut butter, and flour until everything’s combined.
3. Roll the mixture into small balls or flatten into little patties.
4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.
5. Let them cool completely—trust me, your dog will be circling the kitchen the whole time!

2. Sweet Potato Chews

These chewy treats are basically doggy crack. My lab mix goes absolutely nuts for them, and I love that they’re literally just sweet potatoes.

The magic ingredient: Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins and fiber, making these treats as healthy as they are tasty.

What you’ll need:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• A tablespoon of olive oil (optional but adds some healthy fats)
• A sprinkle of cinnamon (also optional, but adds a nice aroma)

How to make them:

1. Crank your oven to 250°F—we’re going low and slow here.
2. Wash and peel those sweet potatoes, then slice them into thin strips.
3. Toss the strips with olive oil and cinnamon if you’re feeling fancy.
4. Arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway through, until they’re dry and chewy.
6. Let them cool completely before your pup gets their paws on them!

3. Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Biscuits

If fall had a dog treat, this would be it. These biscuits combine the classic peanut butter dogs go crazy for with seasonal pumpkin goodness.

Bonus: Your kitchen will smell amazing while these bake!

What you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter (unsweetened, please!)
• 1 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling—we don’t need those spices and sugar)
• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• A splash of water as needed

How to make them:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Mix the peanut butter and pumpkin until smooth and well-combined.
3. Add flour and cinnamon, stirring until you’ve got a workable dough.
4. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
5. Break out those cute bone-shaped cookie cutters (or use a glass if you don’t have fancy cutters).
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
7. Cool completely before storage or serving.

4. Coconut and Flaxseed Delights

These treats are for the bougie pups out there! If your dog drinks filtered water and has an Instagram account, they’ll appreciate these nutrient-packed bites.

Health perks: Flaxseed is amazing for your dog’s coat, and coconut oil helps with digestion.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 egg

How to make them:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix your dry ingredients (flour, coconut, flaxseed) in one bowl.
3. Combine wet ingredients (coconut oil, apple sauce, egg) in another.
4. Gradually mix wet into dry until you’ve got a nice dough.
5. Roll it out, cut into shapes, and place on your baking sheet.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
7. Let cool completely before serving to your eagerly waiting pup!

5. Chicken and Rice Balls

These protein-packed treats are perfect for active dogs who need a substantial snack. My friend’s border collie will literally do backflips for these!

Perfect for: Training treats when you need something high-value but not too messy.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded (leftover rotisserie works great!)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/4 cup finely chopped carrots
• 1/4 cup peas
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

How to make them:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking tray with parchment.
2. Mix everything together in a large bowl until well combined.
3. Form small balls (about golf ball size) with your hands.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and firm.
5. Cool completely, then store in the fridge for up to a week.

6. Cheesy Spinach Pups

Don’t tell your dog these have veggies—they’ll never know with all that cheese! These treats are sneakily nutritious while tasting indulgent.

Veggie ninja move: The spinach is hidden by the cheese flavor, so even picky pups will gobble these up!

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1/2 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

How to make them:

1. Preheat to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix flour, cheese, and spinach in a bowl.
3. Add broth, egg, and olive oil, mixing until a dough forms.
4. Roll out the dough and cut into fun shapes.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
6. Cool completely before serving.

7. Pumpkin and Cranberry Treats

These festive treats are perfect for holiday gifting! I make a big batch every December for all my dog-parent friends.

Seasonal favorite: The cranberries add a pop of color and a touch of tartness that balances the sweet pumpkin.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup pure pumpkin puree
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup water (more if needed)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

How to make them:

1. Preheat to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix pumpkin, peanut butter, and water until smooth.
3. Add flour, oats, cinnamon, and cranberries, mixing until you’ve got a workable dough.
4. Roll out the dough and cut into shapes.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until firm and golden.
6. Cool completely before serving to your festive furball!

8. Carrot and Apple Crunchies

These treats have the perfect crunch factor that helps clean your dog’s teeth while they snack. It’s like a tasty dental chew!

Dental benefits: The crunchy texture helps scrape plaque off teeth—sneaky health win!

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free!)
• 1 egg
• Water as needed

How to make them:

1. Preheat to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix carrots, applesauce, peanut butter, and egg until combined.
3. Add flour and oats, mixing until a stiff dough forms.
4. Roll out the dough and cut into shapes.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and firm.
6. Let cool completely—these need to harden up for the perfect crunch!

9. Apple Cinnamon Chews

These treats smell so good you might be tempted to try one yourself! They’re basically like apple chips but made specially for doggy digestion.

Kitchen bonus: Your house will smell like fall while these bake—way better than those expensive candles!

What you’ll need:

• 2 apples, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

How to make them:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°F.
2. Mix honey and cinnamon in a bowl.
3. Dip apple slices in the mixture, coating both sides.
4. Arrange slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway, until dried and chewy.
6. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

10. Beef and Sweet Potato Cookies

These meaty cookies are the ultimate high-value treat. I save these for when I really need my dog to pay attention during training sessions!

Training tip: Break these into smaller pieces for training—they’re rich and filling!

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potato
• 1/2 cup cooked ground beef
• 1/4 cup beef broth (low sodium)
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

How to make them:

1. Preheat to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix sweet potato, beef, broth, egg, and oil until combined.
3. Gradually add flour until a dough forms.
4. Roll out the dough and cut into shapes.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until firm.
6. Let cool completely before serving to your very excited pup!

11. Zucchini and Cheese Nibbles

Got a garden overflowing with zucchini? Your dog can help you use it up with these cheesy bites. They’re like little veggie muffins for dogs!

Sneaky veggies: These treats are a great way to sneak some extra vegetables into your dog’s diet.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup grated zucchini
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup unsalted peanut butter

How to make them:

1. Preheat to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix zucchini, cheese, and egg until combined.
3. Add flour, oats, and peanut butter, stirring until you form a dough.
4. Roll into small balls or flatten into discs.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
6. Cool before serving to your pup!

12. Turkey and Vegetable Jerky

This is basically the doggy version of beef jerky, and it’s a hit with every pup I know. It takes a bit longer to make but is worth the wait!

Pro tip: These are great for hikes or long walks since they’re lightweight and don’t crumble.

What you’ll need:

• 2 pounds ground turkey
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

How to make them:

1. Preheat your oven to 175°F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
3. Spread the mixture evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet, about 1/4 inch thick.
4. Bake for 4-6 hours until firm and dry.
5. Cool completely, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
6. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

13. Minty Fresh Breath Treats

If your dog’s breath could clear a room, these treats are about to become your new best friend. They won’t replace brushing, but they’ll definitely help!

Date night saver: No more turning your head when your pup tries to give you kisses!

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon honey

How to make them:

1. Preheat to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix flour, oats, and mint leaves in a bowl.
3. Whisk broth, oil, egg, and honey in another bowl.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until a dough forms.
5. Roll out the dough and cut into shapes.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.
7. Cool completely before serving to your stinky (but soon to be fresher) pup!

14. Peanut Butter and Banana Poppers

These bite-sized treats are perfect for small dogs or for training sessions when you need lots of tiny rewards. My chihuahua goes bananas for these! 🙂

Training hack: Freeze these for a refreshing summer training treat that takes longer to eat.

What you’ll need:

• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/2 cup unsweetened peanut butter
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup oats
• Water as needed

How to make them:

1. Preheat to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix banana and peanut butter until smooth.
3. Add flour and oats, stirring until combined.
4. Roll into small balls and flatten slightly.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
6. Cool completely before popping one into your pup’s eager mouth!

15. Rice and Peanut Butter Balls

These no-bake treats are perfect for hot summer days when you don’t want to turn on the oven. Plus, they take like 5 minutes to make. Win-win!

Lazy day favorite: These are my go-to when I realize I’m out of dog treats and don’t want to make a store run.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup honey
• Pinch of salt

How to make them:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
2. Form into 1-inch balls with your hands.
3. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
4. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
5. Watch your dog’s eyes light up when you reach for the container!

16. Salmon and Sweet Pea Bites

These fancy little numbers are packed with omega-3s from the salmon, making them great for your dog’s skin and coat. They’re like a spa treatment in treat form!

Coat booster: If your dog has dry skin or a dull coat, add these to their treat rotation.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup canned salmon, drained
• 1/2 cup cooked sweet peas
• 1/4 cup oat flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

How to make them:

1. Preheat to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix all ingredients until well blended.
3. Form into small balls or patties.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes until firm and golden.
5. Cool before serving to your soon-to-be-glossy-coated pup!

17. Carob and Coconut Cookies

For the fancy pups who deserve a special treat, these cookies are like doggy dessert! Carob is a safe chocolate alternative that dogs love.

Special occasion: I make these for my dog’s birthday every year—complete with a little candle I don’t actually light (safety first, folks!).

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup carob powder
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup rolled oats

How to make them:

1. Preheat to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. Add wet ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
4. Roll into balls and flatten to form cookies.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until edges are firm.
6. Cool completely before serving to your deserving doggo!

Ready to Be Your Dog’s Favorite Chef?

There you have it—17 drool-worthy treats that’ll make your pup think you’re the greatest human ever. The best part? You know exactly what’s going into them—no weird preservatives or mystery meat products.

Start with whichever recipe sounds easiest or uses ingredients you already have. Your dog definitely won’t complain about being your taste-tester!

And hey, if you come up with your own variations, I’d love to hear about them. Dogs are like people—they all have their own weird preferences. My dog would probably eat a sock if I baked it, but yours might be pickier! 😂

Now go preheat that oven and get ready for some serious tail wagging! Your pup is about to be very, very happy.