These crispy and flavorful dog biscuits are easy to make with only 2 simple ingredients. Best of all, these homemade dog treats contain no peanut butter!
Easy Homemade Dog Treats
Have you ever looked at the ingredient list on dog treats that you buy at the store?? I don’t even know what some of those ingredients are! And that probably means that it’s not the best thing to feed your pet.
So why not make your own dog treats?!
If you’ve ever looked up homemade dog treat recipes, you might notice what I did…some of them are just as complicated as people food recipes! Also, some of them have ingredients that I’m not sure dogs truly like…or are that great for dogs…such as peanut butter. I’ve also seen cinnamon and nutmeg used to add flavor, but really those aren’t needed either. And in large amounts, certain spices aren’t good for dogs.
I wanted to create an easy dog biscuit recipe that doesn’t need a bunch of ingredients. And I wanted it to be something that wasn’t unhealthy. I mean, of course a treat is meant to be a special occasion snack, but I still want to make sure that it’s not something bad for my dog!
You guys…I’m so excited about these homemade dog snacks!
These homemade dog biscuits are as easy as it gets — only 2 ingredients! Yep, just TWO!!
Just mix, roll, and bake! Your pup is gonna love these!!
Related: For another fun treat for your furry friends, try our 3-Ingredient Dog Ice Cream Recipe too!
Why I Love These Homemade Dog Treats
- Made with vegetables — While vegetables aren’t the staple of a dog’s diet, they do provide health benefits! Sweet potatoes contain numerous vitamins and minerals.
- Only 2 simple, real food ingredients!
- No special equipment needed, such as a mixer or food processor.
- Dairy free, no eggs, and no peanut butter!
Can Dogs Have Peanut Butter?
Generally, most dogs can eat peanut butter in small amounts, with no major side effects.
However, peanut butter is known to cause digestive issues and stomach upset in some dogs. Enough so that many pet owners frequently seek out treats that do not contain peanut butter.
Another issue with peanut butter is that it is high fat and high calorie. If you have an active dog, this may not be a problem. However, like their owners, many dogs live fairly sedentary lives, especially indoor pets. If your dog has a weight issue, peanut butter is a food that should be avoided.
It is also important to note that peanut butter is sometimes made using xylitol, an artificial sweetener and sugar substitute which is toxic to dogs. Always, always, always check the ingredients list!
In any case, peanut butter is one of those things that we skip feeding our pets altogether.
Did You Know: Grapes and raisins are a surprising food that should not be fed to dogs, as they are toxic.
Ingredients
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- 2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
- 8 ounces Sweet Potato Puree (we used baby food, so it was 2 jars)
TIP: You can also use pumpkin puree in place of the sweet potato, if that’s what you have on hand. The two are fairly similar in flavor and consistency.
Kitchen Tools Used
- Cookie sheet
- Wire cooling rack
- Non-stick silicone baking mats
- Large mixing bowl and whisk
- Dog Bone Cookie Cutters
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F and coat a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. You could also line with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk to blend the 2 cups of flour and sweet potato puree. If this mixture is too thick to stir effectively, you can add up to a Tablespoon of water.
- Once you have a ball of dough, roll the dough out on a floured surface. Use a rolling pin, just like you would if you were making cookies. You’ll want the sheet of dough to be about 1/2″ thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut out the biscuits.
- Place the biscuits on your prepared pan, with a little space between each one. and place evenly on pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and there is no visible moisture. Do not burn.
Cool completely on a wire rack before transferring to a storage container.
Video Demo:
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Treats Can I Give My Dog?
Treats for pets are just like treats for us humans — they are meant to be enjoyed in moderation. The name “treat” says it all!
It’s perfectly fine to give your dog a couple treats a day, and your dog will surely love it! However, they’re not meant to replace a meal or their dog food. Treats should not be more than 10% of their daily intake and it is never recommended to feed them junk food or people food. Hence, why we made our own nutritious snacks designed just for our furry friends!
Treats can also be helpful when training your dog, as motivation or positive reinforcement. Because you’ll probably need more than one or two treats for training, I recommend breaking the biscuits up into smaller pieces. That way you have plenty to give when working on a new skill.
How Many Biscuits Does This Recipe Yield?
The exact yield for this recipe depends on the size of the cookie cutter used. We used a small heart shaped cookie cutter and were able to make over 50 biscuits.
A bone shaped cookie cutter would also be super cute!
How Long Do Homemade Dog Biscuits Last?
Because they are made with sweet potato puree, there is a little moisture in these dog treats. They are also made without added preservatives. While this is a good thing for your pup, it does mean that your homemade treats won’t last as long as store-bought, packaged treats.
To make your biscuits last as long as possible, you want to make sure that you bake out as much moisture as you can, without burning the biscuits.
Storing them in an airtight container or a zip-top bag is helpful. If using a bag, you can squeeze out most of the air, which helps prevent moisture and mold.
Finally, if keeping them for more than a couple days, you’ll want to store your dog treats in the refrigerator. Keeping them refrigerated will help your homemade dog treats stay fresh for up to a week or even longer.
Always check for signs of mold before feeding them to your pet. Remember, since these are homemade with fresh ingredients and no added chemical preservatives, they will eventually mold. Fortunately, it’s easy to whip up a new batch!
Can You Freeze Homemade Dog Treats?
Since this does make a fairly big batch, you may want to freeze the biscuits so they will last longer. Especially if you don’t think you’ll use them all within a week.
To freeze, place the treats in a freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as possible. They will last in the freezer for up to 6 months.
When ready to serve, allow to thaw at room temperature until soft.
Is Whole Wheat Flour Safe for Dogs?
Can dogs eat whole wheat flour? Sure! Again, just like for people, whole wheat flour contains more fiber and is preferable to white flour, which is why we used the whole grain for our recipe.
It is possible for dogs to have gluten sensitivity, and wheat does contain gluten. If your dog has a gluten or wheat sensitivity or allergy, you may want to substitute with gluten free flour. An all-purpose gluten-free flour can be substituted cup for cup with the whole wheat flour.
Other non-wheat flours can be used, such as oat flour or brown rice flour. However, these may have a different consistency and require slightly different baking times. It may take a bit of trial and error if you are planning to substitute flours. Since I have not tried them all, I’d love to hear how it works out for you in the comments if you do!
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2-Ingredient Homemade Dog Treats
Equipment
- 1 Baking sheet
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
- 8 oz. Sweet Potato Puree
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and coat a baking sheet with non-stick spray.
- Whisk together whole wheat flour and sweet potato in a large bowl. If the mixture is too thick to stir, add up to a Tablespoon of water.
- On lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/2" thickness. Use a cookie cutter to create biscuits.
- Place the biscuits on your prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Store in airtight bag or container.
Video
Notes
- Yield - The exact yield for this recipe depends on the size of the cookie cutter used. We used a small heart shaped cookie cutter and were able to make over 50 biscuits.
- Storage - Keep biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for a week. They can also be frozen for longer term storage.
- Variations - It is possible for dogs to have gluten sensitivity, and wheat does contain gluten. If your dog has a gluten or wheat sensitivity or allergy, you may want to substitute with gluten free flour. An all-purpose gluten-free flour can be substituted cup for cup with the whole wheat flour. Other non-wheat flours can be used, such as oat flour or brown rice flour. However, these may have a different consistency and require slightly different baking times. It may take a bit of trial and error if you are planning to substitute flours.
Nutrition
Note: I’m not a vet myself, but I’ve raised lots of animals throughout my life and I try to make sure they get the healthiest food that’s within my budget. If you have any specific questions regarding your pet’s nutrition, please consult your veterinarian.
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Priscilla says
Hi❣️ This is exciting I can’t wait to go shopping to get ingredients for my 4legs
Granddaughter & my tiny Yorkapoo.
Happiness is :Baking 🥣🍠🥕
Lori says
Can Pumpkin be substituted for the sweet potato?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I think that should be fine if you already have tried pumpkin with your dog and know that there are no allergy concerns.
Jeanette says
Aloha
How long can you keep the dog biscuits for ?
Siobhan mahon says
Is the 38cal per biscuit or per batch?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Per biscuit, but it’s just an estimate and it’s for dogs, so I don’t really worry about calories anyway.
Tanaquil says
Great that is what I need for my Yorkie dogs. Thank you so much.
Everlidis says
Can you use any other puree?!? Pumpkin or apple?!?!
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Pumpkin would be a good substitute because it’s very similar. I haven’t tried apple, but it might work. If you do, let me know how it goes!
Anne says
Can I freeze before baking? (like cookie dough)
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I think it should work, but haven’t personally tried that.
Sharon says
Is it 4 oz or 8oz of sweet potatoe puree
Two different amounts on post
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
It should be 8 ounces total
Lindsay says
I’m having trouble finding the100% whole wheat flour unbleached can I use another flower ?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I haven’t tried it that way, but if you do, let me know how it goes!
Dotty Larson says
Will a silicone mold work? I have those but no cookie cutters? How long do I bake them?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Hi Dotty, I’m really not sure if that would affect cooking time because I haven’t tried it. If you do try it, let me know!
Marie says
How long can I store these? Can they be frozen?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
They should last a week or two – but yes you can freeze them in a freezer bag to last 2-3 months!
Gayle says
Are these soft or crunchy ? My dogs are old . What about using carrots and sweet potatoes ? Can I just cook, and blend my own puree in a blender?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
You can adjust the texture by baking them a little less. You just want to make sure that they’re done in the middle, but you can bake them a little less to be softer if needed. And yes, you can use your own homemade puree.
dogcounsel says
I’m so excited to try making these homemade dog treats for my furry companion! The recipe seems simple and wholesome, ensuring I can provide my dog with healthy and delicious treats. Thank you for sharing!
dogcounsel says
“These homemade dog treats are a game-changer! My pup goes crazy for them, and I love that they’re made with just 2 ingredients and no peanut butter. Perfect for a quick and healthy snack!”
Jessica Ann Foote says
I just made these i have 4 shepard labs they absolutely loved them. Thank you for recipe
Linda says
My grandpuppies love these cookies!!! I add bacon chips to the batter. I substitute wheat flour with almond flour.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
So glad they love this recipe! Thanks for the tips about bacon and almond flour…will have to try that too!
Iynn says
Iove these treats for dogs. i decided to make some for myseIf. i used aImond fIour 2 cups. haIf cup cacao chocoIate, aImost 2 thirds cup of raw cane sugar. added fiItered water just enough to make it aII moist. Made baIIs on coconut oiI greased pan. once i had aII the dough on the pan i used a fork to smash Iike you do peanut butter cookies. Came out great. i keep making them for myseIf as weII as my dogs. i use sweet poatoe for my dogs. Thank you so much from my dogs an myseIf.
Skip says
My beagles will not eat them. Go figure but my son’s black labs love them.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
It’s so funny how dogs have their own tastes!
Sanaa says
Can you use regular flour?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I haven’t made them with white flour but you probably could!
Leslie says
I have been adding an egg and honey and they are so chewy. Our dog loves them!
Sally says
I haven’t used this recipe yet. If i use a detailed cookie cutter do you think it will work out well?
Chris says
My dog has yeast issues. I would use pumpkin instead of sweet potatoes. Can coconut flour be used instead of wheat flour? Thank you!
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I haven’t personally tried that, so I can’t say for sure. But if you try it, let me know how it goes!
Andrea says
I’m wondering about using ground Oates.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I haven’t tried it personally, but you could probably use oat flour.
Dixie Wand says
Can I use canned yams (I’d definitely have to rinse the sweet syrup they’re in.)
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
I figure that would work, but I agree, you’d want to find some without the syrup or wash away as much as possible.
Denise says
I made these today for my two large Groodles (Golden Doodles), and they loved them – I also added some finely crushed air dried beef liver treats. So thank you for this recipe, I’d been searching for a recipe that didn’t contain peanut butter.
Jodi Harris says
I made these with pumpkin/applesauce mixed. My 30# pound Aussileer (Aussie/Cavileer mix) loves them. I also added a little kibble dust from his normal food to entice him. No enticement needed. He loves them!! Thank you so much. He’s lost a little weight which was good, his coat looks better and it’s his true favorite. I keep mine in the freezer. He’s definitely a chewer and loves the crunchy.