Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits: A Quick Bake Recipe

Why Make Homemade Dog Treats?

Ever wonder what’s really in those store-bought dog biscuits? Many commercial treats are filled with preservatives, artificial flavors, and fillers that offer little to no nutritional value. As a dedicated dog owner, you want to provide your pup with the best, and that often means taking matters into your own hands.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to make delicious and healthy dog treats: quick-bake peanut butter dog biscuits. This DIY dog craft is incredibly simple, using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Not only are these treats a safe, wholesome alternative to store-bought options, but baking them for your dog is a rewarding way to show your love. It’s an essential part of mindful dog care.

Looking for an even simpler recipe? Try our 3-Ingredient Homemade Dog Treats, perfect for quick and healthy snacking.

The Benefits of Homemade Treats

Control Over Ingredients

Wholesome ingredients like peanut butter and carrots arranged, showcasing the quality of homemade dog treats.

The most significant advantage of homemade treats is knowing exactly what your dog is eating. You can choose high-quality, natural ingredients and avoid common allergens like corn, soy, and wheat. This is especially important for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. This recipe is a great example of a pet-safe option that provides real nutritional benefits.

Cost-Effective and Fresh

A person's hands placing freshly baked dog biscuits onto a cooling rack in a kitchen, symbolizing the cost-effectiveness and freshness of homemade treats.

Making your own treats is significantly cheaper than buying them from a pet store, especially if you have a big dog or go through treats quickly. Plus, you can bake small batches whenever you need them, ensuring your dog always gets a fresh, delicious snack.

A Special Bond Through Food

A woman happily feeds a homemade peanut butter dog biscuit to her Golden Retriever in a warm kitchen, reinforcing their special bond.

The act of baking for your dog strengthens your bond. Just like you might bake a special dessert for a friend, creating a homemade treat is a personal gesture of affection. Your dog will love the delicious flavor, and you’ll love seeing their tail wag with every bite.

What You’ll Need: Your DIY Dog Bakery Kit

This recipe uses simple, common ingredients. You probably have most of them on hand already!

Main Ingredients

Close-up of a jar of all-natural, unsalted, xylitol-free peanut butter, highlighting the key ingredient for safe dog biscuits.

Peanut Butter: The star of the show! Use all-natural, unsalted, and xylitol-free peanut butter. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is highly toxic to dogs. Always check the label.

A bag of whole wheat flour next to a measuring cup, representing the essential base ingredient for dog biscuits, with gluten-free alternatives implied.

Whole Wheat Flour: Provides the structure for the biscuits. For a gluten-free option, you can use oat flour or a blend of rice and coconut flour.

A single egg, cracked into a bowl or resting on a counter, symbolizing its role as a binder and protein source in the recipe.

Egg: Acts as a binder and adds a boost of protein.

A clear glass of water next to a mixing bowl, indicating its purpose in hydrating and forming the biscuit dough.

Water: To help form the dough.

Optional Add-Ins

A bowl of rolled oats, showcasing their contribution of fiber and texture to the dog biscuit recipe

Oatmeal (Rolled Oats): Adds fiber and a nice texture.

A small sprinkle of cinnamon over a bowl of ingredients, or a cinnamon stick next to other dry ingredients, highlighting its role as an antioxidant and flavoring.

Cinnamon: A small amount of cinnamon is a great source of antioxidants and is safe for dogs in moderation.

A pile of vibrant shredded carrots, ready to be added to the mix, emphasizing their vitamin content and crunch for the dog biscuits.

Shredded Carrots: Adds vitamins and a satisfying crunch.

A spoonful of pumpkin purée being scooped from a can or bowl, highlighting its digestive and fiber benefits for dogs.

Pumpkin Purée: Excellent for digestion and a great source of fiber.

Tools

An empty mixing bowl, clean and ready for use, suggesting the starting point for combining ingredients.

Mixing Bowl: For combining ingredients.

A clean spoon or spatula resting in an empty mixing bowl, or alongside ingredients, representing the tool for stirring and combining

Spoon or Spatula: For stirring.

A set of shiny measuring cups and spoons, precisely arranged on a clean kitchen counter, ready for use.

Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate measurements.

Hands using a wooden rolling pin to evenly flatten dough on a lightly floured wooden surface, ready for cutting.

Rolling Pin: To roll out the dough.

Cookie cutters in fun shapes like bones and paws, with simple square pieces cut using a knife.

Cookie Cutters: In fun shapes like bones or paws. You can also use a knife to cut simple squares.

A baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.

Baking Sheet and Parchment Paper: To prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.

Step-by-Step DIY Guide to Peanut Butter Biscuits

Time Estimate: 10 minutes prep, 20 minutes bake

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Let’s get baking! Here’s how to whip up a batch of these tasty treats.

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

An oven door slightly ajar with a glowing interior, and a baking sheet perfectly lined with parchment paper on a nearby counter, setting the scene for baking.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will ensure your biscuits don’t stick and make cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup of peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol-free!), and 2 eggs. Mix well with a spoon until the ingredients are mostly combined.

A close-up of hands gently kneading a dog biscuit dough on a floured surface, with a small bowl of water and a sprinkle of flour nearby, illustrating the process of adjusting dough consistency.

Pro-Tip: If the dough is too dry and crumbly, add water one tablespoon at a time until it comes together. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Hands kneading a shaggy dough into a smooth, firm ball on a lightly floured wooden surface, ready for rolling.

Once the dough is shaggy, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it for a minute or two until it forms a smooth, firm ball.

Step 4: Roll and Cut

A close-up of a rolling pin flattening dough on a floured surface, with various bone and paw-shaped cookie cutters creating biscuit shapes, and cutouts neatly arranged on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Roll the dough out to about a 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Re-roll the dough scraps and continue cutting until you’ve used all the dough.

Step 5: Bake

A baking sheet filled with golden-brown, firm dog biscuits, freshly pulled from an oven and cooling on a wire rack, with a hint of a warm kitchen background.

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes. The baking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your biscuits. They are done when the edges are golden brown and they feel firm to the touch.

Step 6: Cool and Store

Freshly baked dog biscuits cooling on a wire rack on a kitchen counter, with an airtight storage container visible in the background, ready for storage.

Let the biscuits cool completely on a wire rack. This is crucial for allowing them to harden and become crunchy. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the refrigerator for up to a month. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to three months.

Dog Care Insights & Feeding Your Dog Treats

Treats in Moderation

While these are healthy dog treats, they should still be given in moderation. Treats should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. This is especially important for smaller dogs to prevent weight gain.

If you’re looking for a refreshing, low-calorie option for hot days, check out our Frozen Fruit Cubes, a hydrating summer treat dogs love.

Nutritional Value of Ingredients

Each ingredient in this recipe offers a nutritional benefit. Peanut butter is a great source of protein and healthy fats. Whole wheat flour provides fiber. The egg adds more protein. By making them yourself, you’re not just giving a treat; you’re supplementing their diet with wholesome ingredients.

Presentation & Personalization

A close-up of a beautifully decorated dog biscuit with pet-safe yogurt icing, perhaps with a small, festive design, next to a bowl of plain yogurt and a piping bag.

Decorative Icing: For a special occasion, you can top the biscuits with a simple, pet-safe yogurt icing. Mix plain, unsweetened yogurt with a tiny bit of water to get a consistency for piping or drizzling.

A small, transparent gift bag filled with homemade dog biscuits and tied with a rustic string or ribbon, ready to be presented as a thoughtful gift.

Gift Bags: These biscuits make for a wonderful gift! Pack them in a small bag with a ribbon for your dog-loving friends.

A delightful assortment of dog biscuits in various festive shapes—bone, pumpkin, and heart—arranged on a wooden board, showcasing versatility for different occasions.

Special Shapes: Use different cookie cutters for different occasions. Bone shapes for every day, a pumpkin for Halloween, or a heart for Valentine’s Day.

Variations & Troubleshooting

Hands adding a spoonful of water to a bowl of dry, crumbly dough, with applesauce visible nearby, illustrating how to fix overly dry dough.

Too Crumbly? If your dough is too dry, add a tablespoon of water or a bit of applesauce.

Hands dusting flour onto a sticky ball of dough on a wooden surface, ready for kneading, demonstrating how to make the dough manageable.

Too Sticky? Add a small amount of flour until the dough is easy to handle.

Hands pouring beef or chicken broth into a bowl of dry ingredients, with a separate bowl of pumpkin puree, illustrating options for enhancing flavor and nutrition in dog treats

Adding Flavor: You can substitute some of the water with beef or chicken broth for a savory flavor, or use pumpkin puree for added nutrition.

Try our Frozen Pumpkin Dog Snacks at Home for a simple, healthy pumpkin treat.

Conclusion

Baking quick-bake peanut butter dog biscuits is a simple, satisfying way to show your dog some love. This easy DIY dog craft puts you in control of the ingredients, ensuring your pup gets a healthy dog treat free from artificial additives.

The joy of seeing your dog’s excitement as they enjoy a treat you made yourself is truly priceless. So, tie on your apron, preheat the oven, and get ready to create something special for your furry best friend.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you must use all-natural, unsalted peanut butter that does not contain the sweetener xylitol. Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs and can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar, liver failure, and even death. Always check the ingredients list carefully.

Yes, you can substitute the whole wheat flour with other flours like oat flour, rice flour, or a gluten-free flour blend. If your dog has a wheat sensitivity, these are great alternatives that are safe for pets.

The biscuits are done when they are golden brown and feel firm to the touch. The baking time can vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the biscuits. For a crunchier biscuit, you can bake them for a few extra minutes.

Yes, like all treats, these should be given in moderation. Treats should not exceed 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake to prevent weight gain and ensure they still receive the necessary nutrients from their regular dog food.

Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits: A Quick Bake Recipe

Why Make Homemade Dog Treats?