My golden retriever can give the puppy eyes to rival even the best of actors. And since I give in to her most often, that $18 bag of store-bought treats that includes “maltodextrin” and “propylene glycol” and a slew of other chemicals I can’t pronounce, is long gone.
Plus, you don’t want to find greasy spots on your cream-colored couch. You’d like to give your pup healthy snacks without filling up your pantry with strange ingredients or spending an hour in the kitchen.
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These homemade 2 ingredient dog treats are super easy to make and take less than 10 minutes to make each batch. They use ingredients you already have in your fridge, like peanut butter, pumpkin, and banana! No preservatives or strange additives and no stains on your couch.
Each one of these recipes costs less than $3 a batch. That’s about 20 treats for the price of one coffee. And if you just want one more ingredient to switch it up a bit, try some of 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:
I made mine with parchment paper and a knife, but if you’re making a bunch at once I would recommend using these fun cutters. I got mine at Target.
Recipe #1: Bone-Shaped Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits (2 Ingredients, 20 Minutes Total)
The second your dog’s nose gets a whiff of these golden biscuits, their tail will start wagging. Mine did when I pulled my first batch out of the oven at exactly 18 minutes and she sat by the cooling rack another 10 minutes waiting for them to cool.
You will need 2 cups of whole wheat flour and 1 cup of natural peanut butter without xylitol (toxic) in it. Mix the ingredients together and then form into a dough. Roll out to a quarter inch thickness and use bone shaped cookie cutters to cut out the cookies. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-20 minutes until the cookies are firm and slightly browned on the edges.
This makes about 24 medium-sized treats for a little less than $0.18 each (total cost is $4.32). They will stay fresh for 2 weeks at room temperature in an airtight container, or 2 months in the freezer. You can make a month’s worth of treats in one afternoon, and each treat contains 45 calories with protein from peanut butter to help build and maintain muscles 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: If you have some left, freeze half the dough to make more treats next time! Here are some of the best homemade dog treats. Lickety Pets – 8 Best Homemade Dog Treats And Why Your Dog’s Tail Is Wagging.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @irresistibleicing
Recipe #2: Crunchy Peanut Butter Oat Bones (2 Ingredients, 20 Minutes From Bowl to Jar)
My dogs’ treat jar is probably sitting on the counter in a sad, generic bowl. These bone-shaped biscuits are adorable and something I’d want to Instagram. And your dog will actually eat them without sniffing suspiciously first.
Mix 2 cups old-fashioned oats with ¾ cup of natural peanut butter (check the label, as some natural peanut butter contains xylitol, which is toxic to dogs) until the mixture holds together when squeezed. Roll the dough to ¼ inch thick on parchment paper and cut out with cookie cutters. Bake at 325°F for 18 minutes until golden brown 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.
It comes out perfect and crunchy; even my terrier carried one around for 15 minutes before finally crunching through it.
Pro tip: *I think I’m going to freeze half the batch so I have treats ready when I 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)
If you have peanut butter in the house then this snack is ready to make. Mix two cups of whole wheat flour with one cup of creamy peanut butter until you have formed a dough that does not stick to your hands. It is ready when it is done! Just $3.50.
Roll dough half-inch thick. Cut with bone-shaped cookie cutter or with knife into bone-shaped biscuits. Place on ungreased baking sheet one inch apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 24. Store in airtight container for up to 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 on hand without the last minute baking scramble.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @happily.ever.after.schnauzers
💡 DIY Made Easier: Vet-Formulated Nutrient Kits
Even when you’re making homemade treats, you may not know that your recipes are nutritionally balanced. Just Food For Dogs’ DIY Nutrient Blend kits contain premixed supplements to balance your treats to meet the standards set out in the NRC nutrient requirements for dogs.
Their kits are geared toward treats and meals, and use ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store. The Chicken & Rice Do-It-Yourself kit makes approximately 19lbs of food and has an easy-to-follow cooking guide.
Bonus: These treats are great to use in between training sessions. My dogs love Just Venison and Just Pork. They are high in protein and have no fillers or preservatives.
Recipe #4: DIY Peanut Butter Banana Dog Treats (2 Ingredients, 20 Minutes)
My beagle Max was absolutely crazy when these mustache-shaped treats came out of the oven. He sat so still for 15 minutes – a record for him.
Ingredients: 2 very ripe bananas (mashed until smooth) 2 cups whole wheat flour Total cost was $3.50 for 24 treats at 15 cents each.
Instructions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Mash bananas in a bowl until there are no lumps left. Add the flour gradually, mixing until you have a thick dough. Roll dough out to quarter-inch thickness on parchment paper. Cut into shapes (mustaches, bones, whatever cookie cutters you own). Bake for 18-20 minutes, until cookies are golden brown and firm to touch.
I put these in an airtight container and they stay crispy for 5 days. They are full of potassium from bananas for my dogs’ hearts and fiber for their digestive tracts. Luna’s coat was much shinier after 2 weeks of these as training treats.
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 to use within up to 3 months (just take out what you’ll need each week).
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @sprinkledandpainted
Recipe #5: Sweet Potato Jerky Strips (Dehydrated Crunch, Zero Preservatives)
My dog can’t stop wagging his tail when these are taken out of the oven. My Lab mix Charlie wolfed down three pieces in 12 seconds and then sat staring at the jar for another five minutes.
Slice the sweet potatoes lengthwise into quarter-inch strips, and put them on the parchment paper with half an inch between each slice. Bake at 250°F for 3 hours, flipping them over at the 90-minute mark. They will be done when they snap when bent, but not so hard they feel like rocks.
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.
The Sweet Potato Stix are the best! 400% of your dog’s daily vitamin A for good eye health and immune system! With approximately 25 calories and 2g of fiber in each strip, these are easy to digest treats for your canine. After only 3 weeks on these, my dog’s coat seemed shinier!
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: If you have a dog that likes to chew through their toy you might want to cut the strips a little thicker. I cut mine about a half inch. If you would like some more recipes that are easy to make for your dog, this is a great list of Homemade Dog Biscuits Recipes: Healthy and Delicious Treats for Your Pup.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @raisingroyaltytk
Recipe #6: Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Dog Treats (2 Ingredients, 20 Minutes, Zero Fancy Equipment)
When you are making dinner and your dog is begging at your feet, these bone-shaped treats will take only 20 minutes from the counter to the cookie jar. Made with natural peanut butter and canned pumpkin puree.
You will need 1 cup natural peanut butter (check the label for xylitol which is toxic to dogs) and 1 cup pure pumpkin puree. Mix them in a bowl until they make a thick dough consistency. Roll out to a quarter-inch thickness on parchment paper. Cut with bone-shaped cookie cutters.
Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes or until edges are golden brown. The treats will firm up as they cool and create a crunchy texture that will clean your dog’s teeth as he chomps on them. They smell like a bakery met a pumpkin patch.
Each batch makes about 24 treats. It costs me about $0.18 per treat. With the added fiber from the pumpkin, I don’t have to take her to the vet for constipation (no vet bills, yay!!) and the protein and healthy fats from the peanut butter keep her 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: Check your peanut butter label every single time. Some brands add xylitol to their “natural” varieties.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @thebarkerpet
Recipe #7: Bone-Shaped Peanut Butter Oat Treats (2 Ingredients, 20 Minutes)
My dog was watching me with his tail thumping against the floor as I pulled the ingredients out of the pantry. These bone-shaped treats only require 2 cups of whole wheat flour and 1 cup of natural peanut butter (make sure the peanut butter label says that it does not contain xylitol, which is toxic). Mix the ingredients in a bowl until the mixture becomes a thick dough. Then roll out the dough quarter inch thick on a piece of 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).
To prepare, combine flour and peanut butter. Add up to 2-4 tablespoons water if mixture is too dry. Roll out and cut with bone-shaped cookie cutter. Bake on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown. These cookies will stay crunchy so your pup can chomp on them and help keep his teeth clean.
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: I put my thumb into the tops of each treat before putting them in the oven to create a small indentation in the top. This helps them to 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 already in order to make this recipe: one 15-ounce can of pure pumpkin puree and 2 cups of plain Greek yogurt. Mix these 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 print contains approximately 25 calories. The pumpkin provides fiber to help settle an upset stomach in 30 minutes or less, while the Greek yogurt adds extra protein and probiotics to aid with digestion. In fact, one golden retriever owner reports her dog’s stomach issues cleared up after she switched to eating this twice a week.
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 each of the 3 cavities you’ve made and then use a toothpick to mark the cavities. Freeze the cookie dough, then give the dog a treat that she can’t resist.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @urbanblisslife
Recipe #9: Tropical Island Dog Treats (Palm Tree & Bone Shapes That Look Bakery-Perfect)
In fact my dog doesn’t care if his treats look like a palm tree. But my sister-in-law will probably see these on my counter and ask for the recipe. These 2-ingredient beauties take 25 minutes total and cost $0.18 per treat.
Ingredients: Mix 2 cups whole wheat flour and 1 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree in a bowl until it has a playdough-like texture. Roll out the dough on parchment paper until it’s a quarter-inch thick. Cut out palm trees, bones, or house shapes, using cookie cutters. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit 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.
Make 24 treats for medium dogs ($4.50 or under) – crunchy enough to satisfy the chewing – Skip the expensive boutique bakery and give your furry friend more money for toys. This is another easy and delicious recipe from this book: No Bake Dog Treats: Easy and Delicious Recipes for Your Furry Friend. And while we are on the subject of recipes for dogs, take a look at this one – Creamy Paws: Dog Treat Recipe – Made with yogurt.
Pro tip: Before I put these into the oven to bake I pressed a fork across the top of each treat to get a nice professional looking cross hatch pattern.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @roxytoller
Recipe #10: Carrot Parsley Fresh Breath Bones (Homemade Dental Treats, Natural Ingredients)
He’s the type of dog that his breath could clear out a room. You do not want to hand over mystery ingredients in store bought treats. These take 35 minutes 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 the flour, carrots and parsley together in a bowl. Add the olive oil and water until it is the consistency of a thick cookie dough. Roll out the dough to 1/2-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into bone shapes (or use a cookie cutter). Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until golden and firm.
The parsley has chlorophyll so you can kiss your dog without holding your breath, and the carrots provide some beta-carotene for your dogs eye health, in addition to providing that satisfying crunch that dogs like. Each treat contains approximately 85 calories, which should be the proper amount 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 recipe and give some to your dog-owning friends. They will love you when their dog’s breath is fresh.
📸 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
If you’ve got the basic ingredients needed, you can whip up a batch of dog treats your dog will actually eat. Start with these easy 2 ingredient dog treats recipes, then try your hand at apple sauce dog treats or homemade peanut dog treats.
Save this recipe on Pinterest so it’s ready for next time the treat jar calls! You’ll avoid having to worry about the mess, and your pup will be happy with some adorable treats!
Want to change things up? I’ve got a few more ideas for peanut butter and banana dog treats! Which one do you think will make your dog’s tail wag the hardest?
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
