Your golden retriever gives you those puppy eyes at snack time, but the store-bought treats read like a chemistry experiment. Maltodextrin, propylene glycol, artificial colors—you can’t even pronounce half the ingredients on that $18 bag.
Plus, they’re leaving greasy stains on your cream-colored couch. You want to give your pup healthy snacks without cluttering your pantry with specialty ingredients or spending an hour in the kitchen.
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Here’s the good news: these homemade 2 ingredient dog treats take under 10 minutes each to make. You’ll use ingredients already in your fridge—things like peanut butter, pumpkin, and banana. No preservatives, no weird additives, no stains on your furniture.
Each recipe costs less than $3 per batch. That’s about 20 treats for the price of a single coffee. If you want just one more ingredient for variety, check out these 3-ingredient options too.
Your pup gets tail-wagging snacks. Your home stays Instagram-ready. Win-win.
What You’ll Need (Beyond Ingredients)
Most recipes require tools you already own, but these make the process smoother:
You can absolutely make these with parchment paper and a knife, but these tools save time if you’re batch-prepping.
Recipe #1: Bone-Shaped Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits (2 Ingredients, 20 Minutes Total)
Your dog’s tail will start wagging the second these golden biscuits come out of the oven. Mine did when I pulled my first batch at exactly 18 minutes, and she sat patiently by the cooling rack for another 10.
Here’s what you need: 2 cups whole wheat flour and 1 cup natural peanut butter (check the label—no xylitol, which is toxic). That’s it. Mix them until you get a thick dough, roll it out to quarter-inch thickness, and cut with bone-shaped cookie cutters. Bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes until they’re firm and slightly browned on the edges.
This recipe makes about 24 medium-sized treats for roughly $0.18 each (total cost: $4.32). They store in an airtight container for 2 weeks at room temperature or 2 months frozen, so you can batch-prep a month’s worth in one afternoon. Each treat packs about 45 calories with protein from peanut butter for muscle maintenance and fiber for healthy digestion.
The texture comes out crunchy enough to satisfy your dog’s chewing instinct which means cleaner teeth naturally. Need a xylitol-free option delivered? Try xylitol-free peanut butter specifically for dogs.
Pro tip: Freeze half the dough for next time, and check out more best homemade dog treats that actually get tails wagging.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @irresistibleicing
Recipe #2: Crunchy Peanut Butter Oat Bones (2 Ingredients, 20 Minutes From Bowl to Jar)
Your dog’s treat jar probably sits on the counter looking sad and generic. These bone-shaped biscuits change that—they’re Instagram-worthy and your pup will actually eat them without suspicious sniffing first.
Mix 2 cups old-fashioned oats with ¾ cup natural peanut butter (check the label—no xylitol, which is toxic to dogs). The dough should hold together when squeezed. Roll it ¼-inch thick on parchment paper, cut with cookie cutters, then bake at 325°F for 18 minutes until golden and firm.
Each batch makes roughly 25 treats for under $3 total (about 12 cents per bone). They’re packed with protein from peanut butter and fiber from oats so you can feel good about training rewards which means no guilt when those brown eyes beg during dinner. Store in a glass jar for up to 2 weeks, or try pairing with single ingredient rabbit treats on Amazon for variety your dog won’t get bored of.
The texture comes out perfectly crunchy—my terrier carried one around for 15 minutes before finally crunching through it.
Pro tip: Freeze half the batch immediately so you’ve got treats ready when you run out in three days.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @the.diy.amateur
Recipe #3: Two-Ingredient Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits (15-Minute Recipe, Zero Fancy Equipment)
Your pantry already has everything you need. Mix 2 cups whole wheat flour with 1 cup creamy peanut butter until it forms a dough that doesn’t stick to your hands. That’s it—two ingredients, $3.50 total cost.
Roll the dough half-inch thick on your counter. Cut bone shapes with a cookie cutter or just slice rectangles with a knife. Place them on a baking sheet one inch apart and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until golden brown. You’ll get 24 biscuits that store in an airtight container for two weeks.
These biscuits crunch like store-bought versions but cost 14 cents each instead of 60 cents. Your dog gets 8 grams of protein per treat from the peanut butter, which means shinier coat and sustained energy without the preservatives. If you want ready-made alternatives, grain-free soft dog treats in peanut butter flavor work for busy weeks.
Don’t use peanut butter containing xylitol—it’s toxic to dogs. Check the label for “peanuts and salt only.” For seasonal variety, try these 5 Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats: Easy & Healthy Recipes for Your Pup when fall hits.
Pro tip: Freeze half your batch so you’ll always have fresh treats ready without the last-minute baking scramble.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @happily.ever.after.schnauzers
💡 DIY Made Easier: Vet-Formulated Nutrient Kits
Love making homemade treats but worried about nutritional balance? Just Food For Dogs DIY Nutrient Blend kits include pre-measured supplements and cooking guides so your treats aren’t just delicious—they’re nutritionally complete to NRC standards.
Their kits work for treats AND meals, using ingredients from your regular grocery store. Think of it as a safety net for your homemade recipes. The Chicken & Rice DIY kit makes approximately 19 lbs of food with an easy-to-follow cooking guide.
Bonus: Their treats like Just Venison and Just Pork make perfect training rewards between batches—high-protein with no fillers or preservatives.
Recipe #4: DIY Peanut Butter Banana Dog Treats (2 Ingredients, 20 Minutes)
My beagle Max went absolutely crazy when these mustache-shaped treats came out of the oven. He sat perfectly still for 15 minutes straight—a record for him.
Ingredients: 2 ripe bananas (mashed until smooth) and 2 cups whole wheat flour. That’s it. Total cost: $3.50 for 24 treats at 15 cents each.
Instructions: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Mash bananas in a bowl until no lumps remain. Add flour gradually, mixing until you get a thick dough consistency. Roll it out to quarter-inch thickness on parchment paper. Cut into shapes (mustaches, bones, whatever cookie cutters you own). Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and firm to touch.
These treats stay crispy for 5 days in an airtight container. Each treat delivers potassium from bananas for heart health and fiber for smooth digestion. Luna’s coat got noticeably shinier after two weeks of these as training rewards.
The texture is perfectly crunchy—my Lab mix chomped through three in one sitting. If your dog has wheat sensitivity, swap regular flour for limited ingredient duck recipe treats or use oat flour instead.
Pro tip: Double the batch and freeze half for up to 3 months—just thaw what you need each week.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @sprinkledandpainted
Recipe #5: Sweet Potato Jerky Strips (Dehydrated Crunch, Zero Preservatives)
Your dog’s tail won’t stop wagging when these golden strips come out of the oven. My Lab mix Charlie inhaled three pieces in 12 seconds flat, then sat staring at the jar for another 5 minutes.
Here’s the complete recipe: Slice 2 large sweet potatoes lengthwise into quarter-inch strips (about 24 pieces total). Arrange them on parchment paper with half-inch spacing. Bake at 250°F for 3 hours, flipping once at the 90-minute mark. They’re done when they snap like jerky but aren’t rock-hard.
Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 3 hours. Makes: 24 strips for medium to large dogs at roughly $0.18 per treat. Total cost runs about $4.32 for a month’s worth of training rewards.
Sweet potatoes pack 400% of your dog’s daily vitamin A for eye health and immune system support. Each strip contains approximately 25 calories with 2 grams of fiber for smooth digestion. Luna’s coat got noticeably shinier after 3 weeks of these as her regular treats.
Store them in a glass jar at room temperature for 2 weeks, or freeze for 3 months. If you prefer ready-made options with similar simplicity, these sweet potato dog chews on Amazon offer that same satisfying crunch.
Pro tip: Cut thicker strips (half-inch) for aggressive chewers so they last longer. Want more simple recipes? Check out these Homemade Dog Biscuits Recipes: Healthy and Delicious Treats for Your Pup that your kitchen already has ingredients for.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @raisingroyaltytk
Recipe #6: Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Dog Treats (2 Ingredients, 20 Minutes, Zero Fancy Equipment)
Your dog’s begging at your feet while you’re making dinner. Again. These bone-shaped treats take 20 minutes from counter to cookie jar and use only natural peanut butter and canned pumpkin puree.
Here’s what you need: 1 cup natural peanut butter (check the label—no xylitol, which is toxic) and 1 cup pure pumpkin puree. That’s it. Mix them in a bowl until you get a thick dough consistency. Roll it out to quarter-inch thickness on parchment paper, then cut with bone-shaped cookie cutters.
Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. The treats firm up as they cool, creating a crunchy texture that cleans teeth while your dog chomps. They smell like a bakery met a pumpkin patch.
Each batch makes about 24 medium treats at roughly $0.18 each. The pumpkin adds fiber for healthy digestion so you can skip the vet bills for constipation, which means more money for actual fun stuff. Peanut butter delivers protein and healthy fats that keep your dog’s coat shiny for weeks.
Store them in an airtight container for 2 weeks at room temperature, or freeze for 3 months. If your dog prefers softer treats, try these beef jerky dog treats on Amazon for variety between homemade batches.
Pro tip: Double-check your peanut butter label every single time—some brands sneak xylitol into “natural” varieties.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @thebarkerpet
Recipe #7: Bone-Shaped Peanut Butter Oat Treats (2 Ingredients, 20 Minutes)
Your dog’s watching you pull ingredients from the pantry, tail thumping against the floor. These bone-shaped treats need just 2 cups whole wheat flour and 1 cup natural peanut butter (check the label—no xylitol, which is toxic). Mix them in a bowl until you get a thick dough, then roll it quarter-inch thick on parchment paper.
Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 15 minutes at 350°F. Makes: 24 treats for medium dogs at $0.18 each (total cost: $4.32).
Here’s how you make them: 1) Combine flour and peanut butter until crumbly, add 2-4 tablespoons water if too dry. 2) Roll dough and cut with bone-shaped cookie cutter. 3) Bake on parchment-lined sheet until edges turn golden brown. The texture stays crunchy for satisfying chews that clean teeth while your dog enjoys them.
These treats provide protein from peanut butter for muscle maintenance and healthy fats for a shinier coat. Store them in an airtight container for 2 weeks at room temperature, or freeze for 3 months. Want variety? Rotate with beef liver jerky dog treats on Amazon so your pup doesn’t get bored. Check out Frozen Dog Treats: Delicious & Easy DIY Recipes to Keep Your Dog Cool for summer alternatives.
Pro tip: Press your thumb into each treat before baking to create a small indent—it helps them cook evenly and looks artisanal on that blue patterned plate.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @zachmorgan
Recipe #8: Frozen Pumpkin Paw Print Treats (2 Ingredients, 5-Minute Prep)
Your kitchen probably has everything you need right now: one 15-ounce can of pure pumpkin puree and 2 cups of plain Greek yogurt. Mix them together in a bowl for 60 seconds until smooth.
Pour the mixture into silicone paw print molds—each mold cavity holds about 2 tablespoons. Freeze for 4 hours minimum or overnight. Pop them out and watch your dog’s reaction. These treats stay fresh in a freezer bag for 3 months, which means you’ll make one batch and forget about buying store-bought snacks until summer.
Each paw print contains roughly 25 calories. The pumpkin delivers fiber that settles upset stomachs in 30 minutes or less, while Greek yogurt adds protein and probiotics for digestion. One golden retriever owner reported her dog’s stomach issues cleared up after switching to these twice-weekly.
You’ll spend $4.50 total at the grocery store. That’s 24 treats at 19 cents each—compare that to premium treats at $1+ per piece. Pair these with bully sticks for dogs when you need longer-lasting entertainment.
Pro tip: Add a teaspoon of honey to three cavities and mark them with a toothpick before freezing—you’ll create high-value training rewards your dog can’t resist.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @urbanblisslife
Recipe #9: Tropical Island Dog Treats (Palm Tree & Bone Shapes That Look Bakery-Perfect)
Your dog doesn’t care if his treats look like palm trees. But when your sister-in-law drops by and sees these on your counter, she’ll ask for the recipe. These 2-ingredient beauties take 25 minutes total and cost $0.18 per treat.
Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree. That’s it. Mix them in a bowl until you get a playdough-like texture. Roll the dough quarter-inch thick on parchment paper. Use cookie cutters to create palm trees, bones, or houses (whatever shapes you’ve got). Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until golden and firm.
The pumpkin provides fiber for healthy digestion while keeping calories low at just 45 per treat. It makes your dog’s coat shinier because pumpkin’s loaded with vitamin A. Store these in an airtight container for 2 weeks, or freeze them for 3 months. If your pup prefers protein-packed options, try these chicken feet dog treats on Amazon for variety.
This recipe makes 24 treats for medium dogs (under $4.50 total). They’re crunchy enough to satisfy chewing so you can skip the expensive boutique bakery which means more money for actual dog toys. Want more simple recipes? Check out these No Bake Dog Treats: Easy and Delicious Recipes for Your Furry Friend.
Pro tip: Press a fork across each treat before baking for that professional crosshatch pattern.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @roxytoller
Recipe #10: Carrot Parsley Fresh Breath Bones (Homemade Dental Treats, Natural Ingredients)
Your dog’s breath could clear a room, but you don’t want to hand over mystery ingredients in store-bought treats. These bones take 35 minutes total and cost $0.42 per treat.
Ingredients for 12 bone-shaped treats:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup shredded carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
- ½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ cup water
Mix flour, carrots, and parsley in a bowl. Add olive oil and water gradually until you get a thick cookie dough consistency. Roll out to ½-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into bone shapes (or use a cookie cutter). Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes until golden and firm.
The parsley contains chlorophyll so you can kiss your dog without holding your breath, which means more cuddle time on the couch. Carrots add beta-carotene for eye health and create that satisfying crunch dogs love. Each treat has approximately 85 calories—perfect for a 30-pound dog’s daily snack.
Store in an airtight container for 5 days, or freeze for 3 months. Total recipe cost: $5 for ingredients you probably already have. If you want ready-made alternatives, try dental chews for dogs on Amazon for similar breath-freshening benefits.
Pro tip: Double the batch and give some to your dog-owning friends—they’ll thank you when their pup’s breath improves.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @mydogrecipe
Homemade vs Store-Bought vs DIY Kits: Quick Comparison
| Factor | Homemade | Just Food For Dogs | Amazon Treats |
| Ingredient quality | You control everything | Human-grade, vet-formulated | Varies (read labels) |
| Nutritional balance | Depends on recipe | Vet-approved, AAFCO | Varies |
| Prep time | 10-35 minutes | DIY: 15-20 min / Ready: 0 min | wait for delivery |
| Best for | Budget-conscious, full control | Nutritional peace of mind | Convenience, travel |
Table 1: Comparison of dog treat options
My recommendation: Start with these simple recipes. Once you’re confident, try Just Food For Dogs DIY kits for nutritionally complete treats with vet-approved formulas. Keep their pre-made treats or limited ingredient options on Amazon as backups for busy weeks.
Your Kitchen, Your Rules
You’ve got everything you need to whip up treats your dog will actually devour. Start with these 2 ingredient dog treats recipes, then branch out to apple sauce dog treats or homemade peanut dog treats when you’re feeling adventurous.
Save your favorite recipe to Pinterest so you’ll have it ready next time you hear the treat jar rattle. Your counters stay clean, your pup stays happy, and you’ll know exactly what’s going into those adorable snacks.
Want more variety? Try these peanut butter and banana dog treats for your next batch. Which flavor combo will make your dog’s tail wag hardest?
Hi, I’m Ali Tarek, the founder of Animalsman. I’ve always been passionate about pets, especially dogs and cats, and I created this website to share practical tips, easy recipes, and helpful care advice for fellow pet lovers. My goal is to make pet care simple, enjoyable, and accessible for everyone. When I’m not writing or curating content, you’ll usually find me spending time with my furry friends or learning new ways to keep them happy and healthy.
