Making homemade dog treats isn’t just about spoiling your pup (though we’re all for that). There’s something special about baking for someone you love. Now imagine that excitement… but with tail wags, happy spins, and maybe an enthusiastic bark or two.
As a lifelong dog parent and home cook, I’ve tested these treats on my own furry taste testers, Cassie and Lily. The recipe is easy enough to whip up on a Sunday afternoon. Plus, it doubles as a fun family activity—my son loves helping, and dogs love “supervising.”
Only 5 Ingredients To Make These Dog Biscuits
A quick note: Every dog is unique. If your pup has food sensitivities or health concerns, it’s always a good idea to check with your veterinarian before adding new treats to their routine.
You will need:
- 1 cup of peanut butter, smooth
- 1 tablespoon of molasses
- 1 cup of milk
- 2 cups of whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
Important note about the peanut butter – Because peanut butter is the main flavor here, choose a natural variety without xylitol (which is toxic to dogs). Always double-check ingredient labels before you bake.
Other Flavor Variations
We use peanut butter in this homemade dog treat recipe, but there are lots of variations you could try. These include:
- pumpkin dog treat recipe
- bacon dog treat recipe
- sweet potato dog treat recipe
- carrot dog treat recipe
- frozen dog treat recipe
- Have cats? Make these easy homemade cat treats!
Tips for Success
- Check for dog-safe ingredients – Some human foods (like chocolate, grapes, and xylitol) are toxic to dogs. Always double-check before experimenting.
- Watch portion sizes – Even healthy treats add calories. Keep them in moderation to maintain a healthy weight.
- Storage matters – Store in the fridge for up to two months. In the freezer they can last up to eight months.
Making Your Own Dog Treats
🐶 The dough should be soft and pliable, not sticky or crumbly. If it’s dry, add a touch more milk; if sticky, dust lightly with flour.
🐶 Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until about ¼ inch thick.
🐶 Use a cookie cutter to cut out treats, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
🐶 Let treats cool fully before serving—this helps them crisp up.
Gift Ideas For Dogs
Homemade dog treats make the perfect gift for any dog lover. Fill a jar or tin with fresh-baked biscuits, add a cute label, and tie on a ribbon for a personal touch.
For smaller gifts, stack a few treats and wrap them with twine or ribbon. It’s a simple, thoughtful way to share something homemade and made with love.
The best part of these is how well they freeze. Make a double batch of this homemade dog treats recipe so that you always have a supply of your own on hand.
Always consult your veterinarian before introducing new treats to your dog’s diet, especially if your pup has allergies, sensitivities, or any underlying health conditions.
More Recipes For Dog Treats
Homemade Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
- Blend on low in a mixer until well blended. The mixture should form a dough-like texture.
- Put dough between two sheets parchment paper.
- Roll to approximately ¼ inch in thickness.
- Use a cookie cutter or glass to cut out biscuits.
- Bake for approximately 17 minutes.
Video
Notes
- We used a darling bone-shaped cookie cutter for our puppy treats. But you can use a traditional circle cookie cutter or a glass.
Nutrition
Comments
Hannah Griffin says
These dog treats are a hit with my puppies! They like them way better than the store bought treats!
Michele Haman says
These were so fun to make. Just have a question. How do you store them?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Michelle – here are the storage instructions:
IN THE FRIDGE: Store these homemade treats in an airtight container then place them in the fridge for up to two months.
IN THE FREEZER: Store these easy homemade dog treats in an airtight container then place them in the freezer. They can last for up to eight months.
Tin Lopez says
It is indeed convenient and affordable option. My dog loves it very much!
Rosa says
I’m certainly going to make these have big and small dogs all rescue love them all
Kimberly L Colclasure says
Can I use regular flour instead of wheat?
Janice Hampton Mercer says
I also use regular flour. Sometimes I use crunchy peanut butter because they love peanuts. Some say they shouldn’t have them but wondering why not. My dogs have never had a problem with them.
Sue says
These are so easy to make and our dogs LOVE them.
They have never liked store bought dog biscuits however these are a hit!!
Victoria says
I made these today. Fun’s and easy. Thank you for sharing.
Kathy says
Is there away to make these treats gluten free my dog is allergic to grains wheat thank you
Samm says
Did you attempt it with sweet potato yet?
Layne Henderson says
Not yet, please let me know if you do 🙂
Donna says
Can you use plain flour?
Rhonda Reed says
Do you r can you leave the peanut butter out.
Yvonne says
Are these Vet approved
Layne Henderson says
Hi, Yvonne — these are approved by my breeder. Feel free to check with your own vet before making! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Dianna says
Wondering if I can substitute pumpkin for the peanut butter?? Or if anyone has a recepie for treats that uses pumpkin??
Allison says
Diana I use 1 cup pumpkin puree instead of the milk. My 12 furry kids love them!
Suewendy says
I also tried the pumpkin . Love it .
Thanks for the suggestion , we are a dairy free home !
MARION COZENS says
how long can they store for …. or should you freeze them
Layne Henderson says
You can store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They can last for up to two months in the fridge or up to eight months in the freezer.
Leah Mahan says
Would almond flour work? Dog on grain free diet.
Layne Henderson says
It might but I don’t know for sure because I haven’t tried it. I also know that almond flour can be a little more dry, so it could change the texture and you might need to adjust other ingredients accordingly. Good luck!
Tammy Parsons says
There are no measure ments on the recipe how much of each ingredient should I use. Would love to try these but don’t know how much to use. Would you please let me know. Thanks
Layne Henderson says
Hi, Tammy – if you scroll to the bottom of the post, there is a printable recipe card with measurements. Thanks!
Wanda. Blackston says
Hello, I just ran across this recipe and I am going to give it a try. My 4 fur babies aren’t crazy about bought dog biscuits. Can you use self rising flour?
Layne Henderson says
Hi, Wanda – yes, I think you could. Hope your babies enjoy it 🙂
Lydia Sohnrey says
I made for mom’s 🐕 and she loves
JAne says
good
Cheryl says
These were so easy to make and our pup LOVED them! I made a whole months supply, but missed the “putting them in the fridge” part, so within 2 weeks, they went bad and I had to throw them away! Going to make another batch & this time, they are going in the fridge!!
Terry says
I made the peanut butter… for Pita’s 1st Birthday! She loved them ❤️ I made the pumpkin today… I messed up a bit…. I made the way I made the peanut butter… with the milk 😳way to moist… so I added more flour… after I scraped them off of the parchment paper…. they are in the oven right now…. we will see how they turn out…. I would like to try the banana do you add milk to that?
Layne Henderson says
I haven’t made the banana yet!! Let me know if you do 🙂
Jennifer says
Do these come out really hard? Like store bought biscuits. ..I have an older chihuahua who has trouble crunching the store ones
Layne Henderson says
No, they are not super hard. You can also adjust the cook time a little to make them softer or crunchier as well.
Heather De St Pern says
Our babies love them……xxxx
Justine says
Where do you get molasses from please
Layne Kangas says
You’ll find it in the baking aisle!
Patti says
How long do these last?
Layne Kangas says
They can last for up to two months in the fridge or up to eight months in the freezer.
Barb Shum says
I have made these several times for my “grand Basset puppy” and she just loves them. Easy to make.
Angela says
Do you need to use molasses or could you use honey or syrup.
Layne Kangas says
I prefer using the molasses but you could probably use honey instead!
Becca says
Arr they to be oily?
Layne Kangas says
No, they aren’t oily for me!
Bev says
can you use normal flour
Layne Kangas says
I would suggest sticking with the whole wheat flour for the best results! Enjoy 🙂
Courtney says
Do you have to put them in the fridge?
Layne Kangas says
No, I have stored in an airtight container in my pantry before. You can put them in the fridge if you’d rather.
Sarah says
How much of each ingredient? It doesn’t say in the recipe that I see. Thanks 🙏
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Sarah – there is a printable recipe card at the bottom of the post that outlines the exact amounts for each ingredient.
Rachel Boutin says
My dog Apollo never left my side while I was making them! He absolutely loves them!
Lauren says
We’re having trouble with these modeling after a couple days of left out. Has that happened to you? Do we need to bake longer? Thanks!
Layne Kangas says
I would suggest storing them in the fridge! 🙂
Andrea Buma says
A great simple recipe!!! I had oats and AP flour so I did half oat flour and half all purpose, then rolled then in oat flakes before baking because they were sticky (my pup is just a little guy so I did tiny balls instead of bones cut out). He loves these!
Ginny says
I would like to make these for my grand dogs in California. I live in Virginia, so that means cross country shipping. If I put them in a tin, will they keep on the road for three days until they can be delivered? Thanks for any info you can offer me.
Layne Kangas says
I typically store them in the fridge to help them last longer. I think they would probably be fine traveling for a couple of days but since I haven’t tried it personally I can’t say for sure that it will work!
Diana says
Going to make this recipe for some Christmas presents! Is any brand of molasses okay to give to dogs if the only ingredient says molasses? Thanks!
Layne Kangas says
My understanding is blackstrap molasses is best for them! Hope they enjoy!
Sally Kilpatrick says
Such a fun and easy treat for our 2 fur babies, they loved them, happy for the sweet peanut butter “cookies” Mommy made them! And the house smells great.
Claire says
Shelf life for this treats?
Layne Kangas says
They can last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two months!
Cindy Hemsath says
These were so easy to make and my 2 year old Teddybear doggie LOVED them! They smelled so good while I was making them that my two teenagers thought I was baking cookies for them. Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
Layne Kangas says
Yay! That’s wonderful!
Donna Easter says
My grand pup loves these treats .
She really doesn’t want store bought ones. I am about to make some for her for Christmas.
Layne Kangas says
Awww, how wonderful!
Gabby says
Would almond milk work instead of milk?
Layne Kangas says
I haven’t tried it with almond milk but I think it would!
Laura says
Excellent! My Papillon “Skye” loved them. I didn’t have a dog shaped cookie cutter so I used a small round container lid to cut them out. I used a dry measuring cup for the peanut butter if anyone wants to know. I followed the directions exactly and they came out great! Thanks
Angela says
can I use AP Flour as a substitute for whole wheat?
Layne Kangas says
Yes, you can!
Sam says
What can I use instead of milk?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Sam – I haven’t tried using anything but milk before so I am not sure how another liquid would do!
Melanie says
Since we ran out of money and treats for our two spoiled doggies. I found this recipe and they now have treats made from stuff I had in my pantry. THANKS FOR THE RECIPE FROM ME AND FROM TALON & KELLY!
Virgi says
I have an older furbaby, are these cookies soft? Thank you!
Layne Kangas says
Yes – you can also bake for a couple less minutes to have them stay softer.
Donna says
What type of milk do you use ? Just got a new puppy and have been making his treats and saw this one so I wanted to try it . Thank you !
Layne Kangas says
We’ve made them with both whole milk and 2%.
Gloria says
My dog is so spoiled and loves these!
JO GABRIELE says
I made this recipe yesterday for my 15-year-old dachshund and using a small round cutter, it made about 70 disks which we shared with our upstairs neighbor who has a pug. Both dogs are in love with these and they are so soft and easy to chew. Thank you…going to look at your pumpkin recipe now.
Lisa says
Awesome! thank you so much, I’ve been baking all morning for my girls, Rosy (MinPin) & GirlFriend (RottyMix)…They’re just loving it.
Kim says
How long will they last in an airtight container on the counter (not fridge or freezer?)
Thanks!
Layne Kangas says
I haven’t left them on the counter before so I am not sure how well they would last.
Tami Smith says
How to do you store these dog cookies.
Layne Kangas says
IN THE FRIDGE: Store these homemade treats in an airtight container then place them in the fridge for up to two months.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store these easy homemade dog treats in an airtight container then place in the freeze. They can last for up to eight months.
Erin says
Grandmas dog loves these
Amy N says
This is the best recipe for cut-outs. The dough is so easy to work with and the treats don’t crumble apart after baking.
Wanda says
I made these for our new dog and our daughter’s dog. Both dogs really like them. I don’t have a bone or other dog shape cutter so I used a small angel-shaped cutter. Thanks for the recipe!
Wanda
Sammi says
My 13 y/o daughter made these to sell to a local feed store during a doggy day event and everyone loved them. Plus, they were super easy to make and cute!
Terri says
Wow! This looks like a super easy recipe. I know, my dog, Henry would love these dog treats. I’ll have to bake some up for him. Thanks for posting the recipe.
I’m sharing this recipe with my dog friends. 😊💖🐶
Julia says
Can you use crunchy peanut butter?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Julia – we recommend smooth peanut butter for the right consistency. Enjoy!
David says
Great when did peanut butter. Need suggestions on with pumpkin, sub cup of pumpkin puree ended up very wet not doughy?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, David – here’s our recipe for pumpkin dog treats.
Sally Sutton Haines says
I have 5 small dogs, between 5 lbs and 13 lbs. ages 16, 15, 14, 6, and 1 years old. They loved these treats. They get a treat at bed time. Now they are begging to go to bed early just for their treat. I am happy because I know exactly what is in their treat. Thank you for this recipe
Donna Easter says
My Grandpups love these treats 👍
Debrah Price says
I make these for my daughters dogs and they go crazy for them. Their tails wag so hard their whole body shakes, lol. It makes me feel so good to see how much they love something I made for them. Thank you so much for this great recipe, gotta go make them some more, lol.
Joy says
My favorite treat recipe!!! My dogs love them!!! I made them a Christmas tree for cut out since Christmas is approaching!!! Merry Christmas to all!!!(23)
Carol says
Can you use a dog treat maker instead of putting them on the oven?
It’s like a waffle iron except it looks like dog bones.
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Carol – I have that same dog bone waffle iron. I haven’t tested this recipe in that but I assume it should work ok.
Travina Young says
Awesome! I even had to try one because they smelled so delicious! My great pyrenee Marty Mcfly loved them! Thank you
Debrah says
My dog, the neighbors dog, my friends dog and my daughters dog all love these doggy goodies. They all get so excited when they see me with a container of cookies. 🤣🤣🤣
Debrah says
My dog, the neighbors dog, my friends dog and my daughters dog all love these doggy goodies. They all get so excited when they see me with a container of cookies. 🤣🤣🤣Thank you so much for this recipe.