Treating your canine companion to a homemade delight has never been simpler! This recipe for 3-ingredient dog treats is not only incredibly easy and quick to prepare but also cost-effective, making it a perfect way to show your furry friend some love. These tasty biscuits are free from common doggy allergens and packed with fiber, making them a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.
Simple Ingredients for Homemade Dog Treats
The core of this recipe relies on just three wholesome ingredients:
- Cooked Sweet Potato: A fantastic source of vitamins and fiber.
- All-Natural Peanut Butter: Ensure it contains only peanuts with no added sweeteners or additives, as some artificial sweeteners can be toxic to dogs.
- Oat Flour: Easily made by grinding whole oats, this provides a good source of fiber.
For an even simpler option that bypasses the need to cook the sweet potato, you can substitute it with canned pumpkin puree. Just be certain that the pumpkin puree contains only pumpkin and no added sugars or spices.
If your dog doesn’t have sensitivities to wheat, you can also opt for whole wheat flour instead of oat flour.
Preparing the Dough
Creating the dough for these homemade dog treats is straightforward:
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a bowl, thoroughly mix the mashed sweet potato (or pumpkin puree) with the all-natural peanut butter.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredient: Gradually add the oat flour (or your chosen flour) to the wet mixture. Stir with a spoon or use your hands until a cohesive dough forms. It might be a bit sticky, which is normal. If the dough seems too dry, a splash of water or unsweetened oat milk can help. Conversely, if it’s too sticky to handle, a little extra flour will firm it up.
For cooking sweet potato, you can boil peeled and cubed sweet potato until soft, then mash it. Alternatively, bake whole sweet potatoes at 425°F (220°C) for 40-55 minutes until tender. Once cooled, you can peel and mash them, or even freeze portions for future use.
Rolling and Cutting the Dough
Despite its slight stickiness, the dough is manageable for rolling. Place the dough on a silicone mat or a piece of wax paper and roll it out to a thickness of ¼ to ½ inch. Since this dough doesn’t contain any rising agents, its thickness at this stage will determine the final thickness of the baked treats.
This is where you can customize the treats for your dog:
- Use a larger cookie cutter for bigger dogs.
- Adjust the thickness to suit your dog’s preference.
- If you don’t have a cookie cutter, simply cut the dough into small square treats.
If the dough is sticking to your rolling pin, placing another sheet of wax paper over the dough can be helpful. If the dough crumbles while rolling, don’t hesitate to add a bit more moisture—water, oat milk, or a touch more peanut butter or pumpkin puree—and try rolling again.
Baking Your Homemade Dog Treats
Bake these homemade dog treats at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 15 minutes. For softer, chewier treats, opt for 10-12 minutes. For a crunchier biscuit that your dog can savor longer, bake for the full 15 minutes.
Cost-Effective Treat Making
The most remarkable aspect of this recipe is its affordability. Approximately 40-50 small homemade dog treats can cost as little as $0.83 CAD, a significant saving compared to store-bought treats that can cost upwards of $10 per bag. This recipe is a loving gesture for both your dog and your wallet.
We encourage you to share your experience making these treats in the comments below! Detail how you customized them for your dog and include a cute picture. For other delicious recipes, consider trying Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos or Peanut Butter Chickpea Cookie Dough Bars.
Description
An easy, 3-ingredient, homemade dog treat recipe. High in fiber, free from common allergens, and rewarding for both your dog and your wallet.
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour (or whole wheat flour if your dog tolerates wheat)
- ¼ cup all-natural peanut butter (ensure the only ingredient is peanuts)
- ½ cup cooked sweet potato, mashed* (or unsweetened pumpkin puree)
*Ingredients you need that are not part of our pantry and freezer tips.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine the mashed sweet potato (or pumpkin puree) with the all-natural peanut butter.
- Add the flour. If using oat flour, you can make it by grinding quick or rolled oats in a food processor. If your dog tolerates wheat, whole wheat flour can be used.
- Mix the flour into the wet ingredients until fully combined. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. Adjust with a splash of water/oat milk if too dry, or a bit more flour if too sticky.
- Transfer the dough to a silicone mat or wax paper. Roll out to ¼” to ½” thickness. Use another piece of wax paper on top if the dough is sticking. Cut out treats using a cookie cutter or slice into squares. Remember, the thickness now determines the final biscuit thickness.
- Place the cut treats on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, adjusting time for desired softness or crunchiness.
- Allow the treats to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze for up to two months.
Notes
Approximate Cost: $0.83 CAD for 40-50 small treats, compared to at least $10 for store-bought options.
To cook raw sweet potato: peel and boil until soft, or bake at 425°F (220°C) for 40-55 minutes until tender. Cool, peel, and use or freeze.
Feel free to substitute sweet potato with unsweetened pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) or cooked, mashed carrot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Thrifty How-Tos
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Canadian
