Make your own homemade pumpkin peanut butter dog treats with this one-bowl 4-ingredient recipe! Create cute-shaped biscuits with silicone molds or cookie cutters. These gluten-free DIY dog treats make a welcome gift for your dog-loving friends. Download the free printable gift tags!
Maggie, my Havanese, is obsessed with these dog cookies! She is a "velcro" dog and is rarely more than ten feet away from me. One day, shortly after I made these pumpkin dog treats, I suddenly realized she wasn't anywhere to be seen.
After searching everywhere, I found her at the other end of the house, sitting and focusing intently up at the table where I had left them earlier.
Apparently, her loving devotion had shifted from me to those treats. . .
Jump to:
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe for homemade pumpkin dog treats
- Dogs love them! If you celebrate your dog's birthday, here's a healthy snack.
- They're made with simple, healthy ingredients. Only four ingredients!
- They're gluten-free for your pup who may have a gluten sensitivity.
- They're quick and easy to make.
- They smell good, unlike some of the commercial meat or salmon treats.
- These make a cute gift for your dog-loving friends when packed in a jar with a ribbon and a tag. Download the gift tag below!
- The recipe calls for pumpkin purée, so it's a good one to use when you have a little leftover pumpkin. After making Pumpkin Spice Bread, Warm Cranberry Apple Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal, Pumpkin Cheesecake or Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake you often have ½ a cup or more pumpkin left in a can. Perfect for your pup!
🛒 Ingredients for peanut butter pumpkin dog treats
- pumpkin purée: not pumpkin pie filling.
- peanut butter: natural, no sugar added. Read the label carefully and check that it does not contain xylitol--an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs.
- eggs: you'll need two large eggs.
- oat flour: you can substitute whole wheat flour. Certified gluten-free oat flour is a good choice if your dog has a gluten sensitivity.
🥄 How to make dog treats for silicone molds
While you certainly don't have to have silicone molds, they do make cute dog biscuits! The ones I use have paw prints and dog bone shapes.
- Combine pumpkin purée, peanut butter and eggs, then stir in the oat flour. The dough will be quite stiff.
- Roll the dough into small balls, less than 1-inch in diameter, then gently press them into the molds. Don't overfill them. The dough will puff up a little while it's baking.
- Place the filled molds on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F. or until they have hardened.
- Remove from the oven and place the molds on a cooling rack for 10 - 15 minutes, then invert them. Let the treats cool completely. They will harden a little more while they cool.
How to make dog treats without a mold
While these silicone molds are very easy to use and clean, they're not essential. You can either pat or roll out the dough to ⅓ to ½ inch thickness, then use a cookie cutter to cut shapes.
Since this recipe fills about three and a half of these molds, I have simply patted out the dough and cut small ½ inch cubes with the remainder. If they're ½ inch thick, they will take 30- 35 minutes to bake.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! If you have concerns about feeding your dog peanut butter or certain grains like wheat, it's always a good idea to consult your veterinarian first.
To make gluten-free dog biscuits, be sure to use certified gluten-free oat flour. Oats are naturally gluten-free but are sometimes processed in a facility that also processes wheat. If your dog has a serious gluten sensitivity, you may want to use oats that are certified gluten-free.
Oat flour is very easy to make at home. Simply grind rolled oats or quick oats in a high-speed blender until they have the consistency of flour.
🐾 How to store dog treats
These gluten-free pumpkin peanut butter dog treats will last for a week or two at room temperature in a sealed container. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze them in a freezer-safe bag or container with all the air removed.
Note: These are dog treats, not a replacement for your dog's regular kibble.
🌟 Did you make this recipe?
When you make this homemade dog treat recipe, please leave a comment and a star rating. Tell me your dog's name and let me know how they liked them! Thanks in advance! Subscribe to my newsletter and have new recipes delivered straight to your inbox.
📖 Recipe
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Ingredients
- ½ cup pure pumpkin purée, not pie filling
- 3 tablespoons natural peanut butter, with no added sugar or xylitol
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups oat flour, or whole wheat flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Combine the pumpkin purée, peanut butter and eggs in a medium bowl.
- Stir in the flour until well combined.
- Roll the dough into small balls less than 1-inch in diameter. Press them into the molds just until they're level. Don't overfill as the treats will puff up a little as they bake.
- Place the molds on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes at 350°F. or until the dog treats are dry and hard.
- Remove from the oven and transfer the molds to a cooling rack for 10 - 15 minutes. When cool enough to handle, invert onto the rack and let the treats cool completely before feeding to your dog.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for a week or more. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze.
Patti
Would almond flour work?
Elaine
Hi Patti, I'm not sure if almond flour would be sturdy enough for these dog treats. Almond flour can carry more moisture that oat flour or whole wheat flour. Hope that helps!
Christina Burns
Can I use coconut flour? I know it has the consistency of meal. I use it for my dogs pill pockets. I can only use 2/3 a cup instead of a cup...
Elaine
Coconut flour is super absorbent so you might want to use even less. I'd whisk together the eggs, peanut butter and pumpkin, then start adding the coconut flour just a little at a time until the batter comes together firmly. I haven't tried this, so I can't guarantee the results, but I'd love to hear how they turn out. Please let me know!
Katie
First time making dog treats and it was so fun and easy ! Thank you for recipe ! I will be adding a peanut butter drizzle also
Elaine
Hi Katie, Happy to hear you had fun making these for your pooch! I made a batch yesterday for Maggie. The peanut butter drizzle is a fun idea! Thanks so much for the 5 stars.
Donna
What is a good natural peanut butter ?
Elaine
Hi Donna, I'm glad you asked! It will depend on what's available where you live. I look for a brand that has no additives, just 100% peanuts. Some brands add sugar or a sugar-substitute called xylitol which can be poisonous to dogs. There are lots of "natural" additive-free peanut butters available. Hope this helps and that your pup likes these treats!
Celeste penwell
I made this recipe but,after 3 days it got really moldy and I had them in the refrigerator is there any other suggestions on how to keep these from molding.
Elaine
Hi Celeste, Thanks for your question. Moisture grows mold, so I'd suggest either baking them a little longer, making them a little thinner, and making sure they're completely dry and hardened before refrigerating them. Once they're dry, I store Maggie's in an airtight container. I hope this helps!
Sam
These freeze really well! Frozen treats take longer to eat 😉
Elaine
Oh, that's such a good idea! Thanks for sharing.
Karla
Bailey loves these treats, too. I have the exact same molds and they work well. Super easy to make!
Lindsey
I have these molds. How do you make them the two different layers of color?
Elaine
Hi Lindsey, They're all one color. I think it's the lighting that makes them look like they have two colors. Hope your pup likes these. Maggie loves them!
Robin Girven
The raised part of the mold is slightly darker after baking. I use this exact mold for my dogs treats also.
Elaine
Thanks for explaining that Robin! Appreciated!
Laura
Our dog LOVES these! Didn't have a silcone mold, so just formed them into penny sized flat discs and cooked for about 12 mins. Worked great!
Elaine
Great idea! Happy to hear they were a hit with your pup!