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Your pantry is full of those mysterious store-bought treats that have 47 ingredients you can’t even pronounce. Every bag is gone in a few days, and you’ve noticed your golden’s energy waning right around snack time.
And all those preservatives and fillers are doing her shiny, glossy coat no favors either.
Peanut Butter Oat Banana Cookies (PBOBC) This is one of those crazy simple recipes that really doesn’t need a written recipe. All you need are three ingredients that you already have (peanut butter, oats, and banana) and in under 20 minutes you will have made some Instagram worthy cookies.
Before you start, make sure your peanut butter is xylitol-free (this sweetener is toxic to dogs). Grab natural peanut butter for dogs if you’re unsure about your pantry jar’s ingredients. You’ll also want silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and make cleanup effortless.
Looking for homemade 3-ingredient dog treats that are not only cheap but also very cute? These 10 treats are not only budget friendly but also look great in glass jars on your counter. Your dog will get a tail wagging treat with no chemical cocktail and you will save a fortune compared to buying the expensive boutique dog treats. If you are lazy, then you can even try some 2-ingredient dog treats.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Even if you don’t have all the equipment that is used in each recipe, the following three items will definitely make the process easier.
- Dog bone cookie cutters – Makes Instagram-worthy shapes in seconds – Shop dog bone cookie cutter sets
- Silicone treat molds – Perfect for frozen treats, completely non-stick – Shop silicone dog treat molds
- Airtight glass treat jars – Keeps treats fresh AND matches your kitchen aesthetic – Shop glass dog treat jars
Already have these? Skip ahead and let’s bake.
Recipe 1: Peanut Butter Paw Print Treats (3 Ingredients, 20 Minutes Total)
For 14 minutes my chocolate lab Diesel sat glued to the oven door, drool was forming on the floor, waiting for these chocolatey treats. The smell of roasting peanut butter fills your kitchen, just like you are baking cookies for humans, except it’s better, as your dog’s tail will wag once it’s time to eat them.
Ingredients
You need just three things:
- 1 cup natural peanut butter (I use Skippy Natural)
- 2 cups oat flour (blend rolled oats for 30 seconds)
- 2 large eggs
The peanut butter brings all the flavors together and adds 8 grams of protein to each treat. The oat flour makes a very tasty, crunchy on the outside, slightly soft on the inside treat. No wheat in this one, just oats. Eggs are a great addition to the oat flour to make the dough manageable enough to roll out and cut into shapes.
Instructions
Mix all three ingredients together for 3 minutes until it forms into a ball. Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes. Makes 25 treats. Budget friendly in comparison to store bought treats. Crisp enough for my aggressive chewer, but soft enough for my senior beagle with few teeth. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks. Diesel ate our batch in 9 days.
These work brilliantly as training rewards because they’re naturally grain-free if your pup has allergies, which means you can pinpoint reactions easily. If you’re ready to try more healthy recipes, check out Best Homemade Dog Treats: Healthy, Easy Recipes for Your Furry Friend for variations. For dogs who prefer simpler options, 100% peanut butter dog treats offer pure protein without any baking required.
Stock up on paw print cookie cutters so every batch looks bakery-perfect in under 20 minutes.
Pro tip: Press a fork into each treat before baking to make cute little paw pad imprints. They look so pretty I’m thinking of putting them in a glass jar on the counter to show off, and the ridges help them to cool faster so my impatient dog gets one sooner.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @expandwithchelsea
Recipe 2: No-Bake Peanut Butter Banana Balls (3 Ingredients, 8 Minutes Total)
My notoriously picky dog was whining by the freezer door for 12 minutes straight after I made these. Can I blame him? I’d eat them too. What could be better than three pantry staples—1 cup creamy peanut butter (the binder), 2 very ripe bananas (the sweetener and softener), and 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats (the structure so they don’t fall apart) ?
Recipe Details
Mix all of the ingredients together in one large bowl. Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized treats and place in the freezer for 5 minutes. Makes approximately 20 training-size treats. This recipe is much more affordable than store-bought frozen treats. These treats stay soft and chewy even when frozen, so your dog won’t crack a tooth. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 10 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Luna learned “spin” in one 10 minute session thanks to these tasty treats! They are the perfect size to make the treat giving process quick, so I was able to give her 2-3 for each ball of dough she made (which totals about 40 calories). I would feel less guilty giving her that many because each ball is about 40 calories. If you’re new to the world of dog treats, this is a great recipe to start with. My 6 year old mixed the dough without my help. I was preheating nothing.
Pro tip: I highly recommend pressing each ball flat with a fork before freezing. The cookies will taste like fresh peanut butter cookies and your house will smell amazing.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @fredsbreadsla
Recipe 3: 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Oat Hearts (Pantry-Friendly, No Specialty Ingredients)
My beagle sat at the oven door whining for 12 minutes while these were baking. My kitchen smelled so good when these were cooking. You will need: 1 cup creamy peanut butter 2 cups oat flour 1 egg The oat flour makes them nice and crunchy. And the peanut butter gives them protein. Mix the ingredients together for 7 minutes. Bake for 15 minutes in a 350° oven.
Why Three Ingredients Changes Everything
You can pronounce everything, your dog with chicken allergies gets no chicken, and you have at least two of these in your cupboard. Oat flour lends that golden-brown crunch I love in every heart-shaped cookie. Peanut butter gives it that slightly soft center your dog loves. Roll out the dough 1/4 inch thick, cut into shapes, and they’ll puff slightly as they bake to stack neatly in a glass jar on your kitchen counter.
This batch makes 30 treats that are significantly more affordable than store-bought Grain-Free Soft Dog Treats Peanut Butter that last the same two weeks. Each heart contains roughly 25 calories, so you can give 2-3 to small dogs and 5-6 to large dogs daily. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 10 days, or freeze half the batch for next month. Want more simple recipes? Check out these 5 Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats or grab Dehydrated Pumpkin Dog Treats for variety.
Don’t overbake them, or they turn rock hard. My 6-year-old learned that one the hard way when she insisted on “extra crispy”. Buddy had a hard time chewing them.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @buckeyepuppies
Recipe 4: Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Paw Prints (3 Ingredients, No-Bake, 5 Minutes)
My German Shepherd sat and stared at the freezer door for 2 hours after I made these. I think they’re pretty spectacular myself. Sweet & sour perfection. Only 3 ingredients: 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup mashed strawberries, and 2 tbsp honey. The yogurt gives probiotics to aid digestion, the strawberries add vitamin C and natural sweetness, and the honey binds them into a scoopable mess.
Perfect for Summer
Mix all three ingredients together in one bowl for 5 minutes, pour into silicone molds, and freeze for 4 hours. You will get 24 small treats, which are much cheaper to make than buying them at the store. I give my dog 1-2 for my small dog under 25 pounds, and 3-4 for my larger dog over 50 pounds. They will thaw in a matter of minutes when you are ready to use them and they make perfect sized training treats. My beagle learned “stay” in one 15 minute session using the frozen treats. My dog likes to eat them as snacks too!
Store in freezer bags for 3 months, though ours disappeared in 10 days. The pale pink color looks gorgeous stacked in a glass jar, and your kitchen smells like fresh strawberry smoothies. If your dog has grain sensitivities, these beat commercial options because you control every ingredient. Grab frozen dog treat molds for perfectly shaped treats every time.
Pro tip: The toppings are all freeze-dried fruit, so the only additional topping I add is a blueberry to each mold, for an antioxidant boost. It is a little trick to make the blueberries sink into the bottom. None of these additional steps cost me extra effort or time.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @princesspinkygirl
Recipe 5: Banana Peanut Butter Bites (3 Ingredients, Zero Preservatives)
My Lab mix Charlie froze in mid-play the second I opened the oven. He knew those banana treats were almost done! You only need a few staples from your pantry: 2 cups oat flour (you can grind rolled oats in your blender for 30 seconds or buy oat flour at most health food stores), 1 very ripe banana (the browner the better) and 1/2 cup unsweetened peanut butter. The banana acts as a binder and adds natural sweetness. Peanut butter adds protein and has that wonderful smell. Oat flour keeps it grain free and gentle on their tummies.
Quick Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Mash the banana in a bowl, stir in peanut butter until smooth, then mix in oat flour until you get cookie-dough consistency. Roll into 25 golf ball-sized treats, flatten with a fork to 1/4-inch thick, and bake for 15 minutes until golden brown around edges. These are much more affordable than comparable store-bought limited ingredient training treats.
These cookies will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 10 days if stored in an airtight container. My super picky beagle, Rosie, devoured three before I even finished washing the bowl! They are the perfect size for training and I used 18 for a sit-stay session without worrying about overfeeding. For more simple dog treat recipes, please check out the book Homemade Dog Biscuits Recipes: Healthy and Delicious Treats for Your Pup.
Pro tip: Double the batch and freeze half in a zip-top bag for 3 months. Thaw overnight and they will taste freshly baked.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @samantha.raggio
Recipe 6: No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bites (3 Ingredients, 8 Minutes Total)
My beagle Riley sits at my feet whining for 6 minutes straight while I roll these into balls. Just oats, peanut butter and honey. Mix 2 cups old fashioned oats, 1 cup natural peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol free) and 1/4 cup honey in a bowl. Stir until sticky, roll into 30 golf ball size treats, press flat with a fork and put in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Perfect Texture
I threw some oats in here for fiber and some crunch, dogs really work hard at this treat trying to get it off the fork and chew it all up (instead of just gulping it down), the peanut butter really helps bind it all together and gives 8 grams of protein per treat. I just used a tiny bit of honey to hold it together a little better. You can use mashed banana if you want less sugar. These stayed nice and crunchy on the outside and a little chewy in the middle after being chilled in the fridge for a couple of hours. My kitchen smelled like fresh peanut butter cookies for an hour, which means I had to eat a few too.
Makes 30 treats that are significantly more budget-friendly than store-bought Skin & Coat Treats with Omega-3. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks or freeze for 3 months. My lab mix learned “down-stay” in one training session using 8 of these—small enough to give generously without guilt. If you’ve never made dog treats, start here. Three ingredients you already have beats those 12-ingredient recipes that need specialty flours.
Pro tip: I doubled the batch and pressed half of it into a parchment-lined pan for some bar-style treats that I could break into training pieces. Much faster than rolling 60 balls!
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @athena.goldengirl
Recipe 7: 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Dog Cookies (Pantry-Friendly, Ready in 20 Minutes)
My chocolate lab Moose sat by the oven whining at me for exactly 14 minutes while the cupcakes baked. As simple as they are, you’ll need just one cup of peanut butter (the creamy kind with out xylitol), 2 cups of whole wheat flour for binding and crunch, and one egg to hold everything together.
Simple Preparation
Mix all ingredients in a bowl for 3 minutes then form into 1 inch balls. Flatten with fork and bake at 350 F for 15 minutes. You should get 30 bite size cookies. I think these are MUCH cheaper than buying cookies and they smell like fresh peanut butter heaven for an hour! They turn golden brown around the edges.
These work perfectly as training rewards—my notoriously picky beagle ate 4 in 30 seconds, then learned “spin” in one 10-minute session. Each treat packs about 25 calories with solid protein for active dogs. They stay crunchy outside with a slightly soft center. If you need portable options for hiking or travel, grab training treat pouches to carry these on the go.
Make sure they are stored in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 10 days or frozen for up to 3 months. I just used a glass baking dish to bake in and then transferred the cookies to an airtight container. Please note, do not overbake beyond 18 minutes. The cookies can become hard as rocks and your dog will give you a serious side eye. For more simple recipes your dog will obsess over, check out these Homemade Peanut Dog Treats: Healthy & Delicious Recipes for Your Pup.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @kerrylynnechristopher
Recipe 8: Simple Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits (3 Ingredients, Zero Confusion)
As my kitchen timer hit the 15-minute mark, Milo had been whining at the oven door for a while, tail thumping the cabinet so hard I thought it was going to dent in. These treats only need 3 things you probably have on hand: 1 cup of whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup of natural peanut butter (make sure it doesn’t have xylitol), and 1/4 cup of water. Mix it until it forms a dough ball. Then roll it out to 1/4-inch thick, cut out bones, and bake at 350 for 18 minutes.
Why This Recipe Works
The peanut butter binds everything and adds protein your dog actually wants. Flour creates that satisfying crunch. Water brings it together without weird additives you can’t pronounce. This makes 25 training-sized treats that are much more budget-friendly than comparable Beef Liver Jerky Dog Treats at the pet store.
They come out golden brown around the edges with a slightly soft center that hardens as they cool. Store them in an airtight container in your fridge for 10 days, or freeze for three months. My beagle learned “leave it” in one 12-minute session using only these—small enough to give 20 treats without the guilt. If you’re rotating proteins, try Salmon Jerky Dog Treats on alternate days.
Pro tip: By the way, don’t overbake, otherwise they will turn into a rock hard dental hazard – which Luna discovered (chipped a tooth) on my first attempt at burnt banana bread.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @roxytoller
Recipe 9: Snowflake Peanut Butter Cookies (3 Ingredients, Zero Complications)
My Havanese mix Sam waited by the oven door whining for exactly 14 minutes while these baked. These are incredibly easy and consist of just peanut butter (1 cup), whole wheat flour (2 cups), and one egg. No specialty stores, no weird powders, just stuff from your pantry. The peanut butter binds everything together and adds 8 grams of protein per treat. The flour makes for that perfect crunchy texture. The egg is just to bind it all together so you can roll and cut your shapes without crumbling.
Batch Details
Mix the first 3 ingredients in a bowl for 3 minutes. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. They come out golden brown around the edges and a slightly soft in the middle. Makes 30 treats. Much more affordable than buying store-bought biscuits. My kitchen smelled like fresh peanut butter cookies for an hour, my neighbor thought I was baking for the humans.
Store in an airtight container in your fridge for 12 days. They stay crunchy enough for reward sound effects but won’t crack teeth like rock-hard Duck Jerky Dog Treats. These are small enough to give 20 during one training session without guilt. My notoriously picky beagle ate four in 30 seconds.
If you find yourself making this often (and you will), make a double batch and freeze half. Thawing them will only take 10 minutes or so for a “treat-training” session. For some other simple dog treat recipes, check out Homemade Easy Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats: Simple Recipes Your Dog Will Love.
Pro tip: Presto! A fork pattern on top and they look fancy in your glass countertop jar! Thanks for the suggestion, Celia!
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @willowandivyhavanesesisters
Recipe 10: Peanut Butter Oat Bone Biscuits (3 Ingredients, 22 Minutes Total, Zero Weird Fillers)
MY DOG SAT AND WHINED OUTSIDE THE DOOR FOR 12 MINUTES WHILE THESE SWEET TREATS BAKED. NEVER HAPPENED WITH STORE BOUGHT TREATS. You’ll only need 2 cups of oat flour (blend oats for 30 seconds in your food processor), 1 cup of creamy peanut butter (look for kind without xylitol) and 2 eggs to bind the peanut butter. These are grain free, egg free, and can be made with any nut butter.
Final Recipe Instructions
Mix all ingredients in one bowl for 5 minutes until a dough forms. Roll out to 1/4 inch thick on a piece of parchment paper. Cut into bone shapes or square pieces. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool. Makes 30 treats that are more affordable than doggie store bought treats, but just as good, and they last 2 weeks.
crunchy on the outside, a little soft on the inside (firmer than Greenies, but softer than rock hard Milk-Bones). store in an air tight container in your fridge for up to 10 days, or freeze the other half for next month. give 2-3 per day for small dogs and 5-6 for large dogs. about 18 calories each.
The best part is the fewer ingredients in a bar. If your dog has allergies, it is much easier to spot which ingredient is causing the issues with these treats. My neighbor’s lab has chicken allergies and these were gobbled up by her. These are a great snack and your kitchen will smell like fresh peanut butter cookies for an hour. Your six year old can help mix them up.
Pro tip: I’ve learned to not overbake because if they go past 18 minutes, they turn into hockey pucks and you could break a jaw. I found this out when I was distracted folding laundry.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @zachmorgan
Your Pinterest-Perfect Treat Collection Awaits
How does your dog love the smell of cooking as much as he loves the taste of your treats? These 10 dog treat recipes will make your kitchen smell amazing and your pup thrilled! Add them to your dog treat board so you can easily pull up a new recipe each month.
Once you get this, you’re going to want to try making some homemade dog ice cream recipes to treat your dog during the hot summer. Then when you’re feeling like being extra generous you can make bacon dog treats for your pup. You won’t want to miss out on the banana treat options either, because they are naturally sweet and just as cute as they are delicious.
Bookmark this page and grab decorative glass treat jars to display your creations—they’re as pretty as they are practical.
Your counters stay clean and your ingredients stay minimal and your furry best friend gets the best treats you’d almost eat yourself.
Which of these 3-ingredient combos are you whipping up this weekend?
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.
