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Apples, Cinnamon, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin…these are the flavors of the season. We go crazy for lattes, pie, cookies, candles, everything and anything containing those ingredients or scents. All the while, someone close to you is feeling very left out. Your best friend! Staring at you with those big eyes (I have an expert beggar on my hands), hoping you’ll be kind enough to share a bite.
Don’t leave your dog out when you’re celebrating the tastes of the season! Apples, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin are actually all very common ingredients in homemade dog treats. Dogs love these flavors and they are really healthy for your pup. Homemade dog treats are super simple to make and you can easily tailor the recipe for any special diets. So next time you’re in the baking mood, whip up a quick batch of healthy homemade dog treats for your pooch!
Olive was very patient in letting me photograph her before eating these cookies. They are her new favorite treat!
I just know your pooch will love these biscuits as much as Olive did, so don’t let fall pass without baking them up at your house too. They’re also great as hostess gifts for pet-loving pals. Imagine the delight when your friends get to indulge in pumpkin cheesecake trifles and their pooch gets a mason jar full of homemade dog treats!
Homemade Dog Treats
Ingredients:
For Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup oats (optional if your dog is on a grain free diet, sub an extra 1/4 cup grain free flour)
- 3 cups whole wheat flour, brown rice flour, or gluten free flour
- 3 tablespoons of all natural peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
For Sweet Potato Treats:
- 1 cup of canned sweet potato (you can sub fresh if you want)
- 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour, brown rice flour, or gluten free flour
- 1 egg (beaten)
For Apple Carrot Treats:
- 1 cup of whole wheat flour, brown rice flour, or gluten free flour
- 1 cup of grated carrots
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
Directions:
For Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In small bowl, stir together the flour, oats, and cinnamon.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin and peanut butter until combined. Stir wet ingredients into dry.
- Pour onto a floured surface and roll dough out to 1/2 thick. Cut out using cookie cutter.
- The dough will be a little sticky, a dusting of flour for your hands and the rolling pin will help! Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown.
- Place on cooling racks and let cool thoroughly. They will harden as they cool.
For Sweet Potato Treats:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Stir ingredients together in a large bowl until dough forms.
- Roll dough into small balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Press dough down slightly so the biscuits are about about 1/4 inch thick. Bake until golden brown and let cool on a wire rack.
For Apple Carrot Treats:
- Preheat oven 350°F.
- Mix ingredients together until dough forms.
- Roll dough into small balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Press dough down slightly so the biscuits are about about 1/4 inch thick.
- Bake until golden brown and let cool on a wire rack.
Notes:
Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats:
- These are the treats that are pictured.
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt can be added to these treats to help extend the shelf life but, it is optional.
- Cinnamon is fine to use in recipes for dogs, however do not use a pumpkin spice blend or anything that could contain nutmeg. It is toxic to dogs and even in small amounts can make them sick.
Sweet Potato Treats:
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt can be added to these treats to help extend the shelf life but, it is optional.
For Apple Carrot Treats:
- If the dough is really sticky, add a few more tablespoons of flour.
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt can be added to these treats to help extend the shelf life but, it is optional.
- Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats are adapted from Sweet Pea's Kitchen.
- Sweet Potato Treats are adapted from Brown Eyed Baker.
- Apple Carrot Treats are adapted from For the Love of Pooch.
Follow Jamie on Instagram. We love to see what you're baking from MBA! Be sure to tag @jamiemba and use the hashtag #mbarecipes!
What is the shelf life of these treats–the Peanut Butter and Pumpkin ones? Can I freeze them?
Hi, Dawn! I think you could probably store the treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a month. And, yes, I think freezing is fine. Let me know if you have any other questions!
have you a grain free dog biscuit recipe? My shar pei has a terrible time with grains.
Hi, Lisa! I don’t have a grain free dog treat recipe, but this one looks like a good one: http://lexiscleankitchen.com/2015/02/06/5-ingredient-grain-free-dog-treats/. Let me know if I can help you further!
I know the shelf life is not long… but what do you estimate the shelf life to be unrefrigerated? What about if refrigerated? Ever tried vacuum sealing some of them? If so, how long did they last? Thank you so much for the great recipes. I might try with coconut flour since I would like it to be paleo/ancestral. Coconut flour is very “thirsty” so it is not a direct substitution and I’ll have to increase the eggs and/or pumpkin while decreasing flour. We’ll see how it turns out… thanks again :)
Mary Ellen, you are welcome! The dog treats will hold up best in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a month or so. I’ve never tried vacuum sealing them, but you could give it a go! Take care.
Hello! thanks so much for posting these great recipes! I am going to be selling dog treats soon and was wondering if I could use them for that? Thanks!
Anne-
The shelf life isn’t incredibly long on these treats, so I would try to adjust or find a different recipe.
-Jamie
Thank you my two Maltese X Terri  adour these all….AND i luv baking
Olive is adorable! And so well behaved to pose with a biscuit. My old boy would have demolished it before I could snap a shot! Can’t wait to make a batch up for him.
I have recently started a recipe sharing site (food photo site) specifically for pet treats, as I found the big food sharing sites, don’t always accept treats for our fur babies!
I would love to have you submit your recipes and photos.
Here is a really easy peanut butter recipe- mix together a cup of milk with a cup (or more) of peanut butter then in a SEPARATE bowl mix together 2 cups of flour, a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of baking powder. Bake for 15 mins on 350. Enjoy!
I know it’s been 3+ years but how many cookies are made with this particular Peanut Butter recipe you submitted? Thanks!! Our fur baby LOVES the peanut butter ANYTHING and I’m thinking she’ll go gaga for this one!!
how do you prevent the treats from burning on the bottom
I line my cookie sheets with parchment paper so cookies don’t burn. I imagine it would work with dog treats as well. I am planning on making a few of these recipes and I will use the parchment paper.
Awww, Olive is so beautiful, so makes such a great treat model. :D These treats sound like something my dogs would really enjoy. They LOVE peanut butter and pumpkin and I should be able to find organic for all the ingredients.
Tera-
I hope you get the chance to try these. Thanks for visiting.
-Jamie
I am glad I found your site. My dog has the start of heart failure. I have been told she cannot have salt or dairy food’s
Jane-
So sorry for your dog’s health issues. I hope you get the chance to try these treats. I appreciate you stopping by.
-Jamie