- Calories: 60
- Protein: 2 g
- Total Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 6 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1 g
- Total Sugar: 2 g
- Natural Sugar: 2 g
- Added Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
It’s a pawsome feeling to make doggie treats from scratch. This DIY recipe takes minutes to prep and only requires a few everyday ingredients (bananas, whole wheat flour, water and peanut butter; just make sure the only ingredient in your PB is peanuts). To shake things up, you can also swap in pureed sweet potato, butternut squash or pumpkin for the mashed banana if you’d like. I bake mine in the oven for just 20 minutes to create a softer and chewier texture for Gatsby, as she recently had a few of her teeth pulled (apparently, this is common for Cavachons; her cousin Stewie has been dealing with teeth issues as well). For harder, crunchier treats you can leave them in the oven for 40-50 minutes or so. When they’re done, I like to keep a bunch on the counter in a sealed container for a few days, and then transfer into the fridge for about a week…the rest I stash in the freezer, which keeps them fresh for about 4 months.
You can purchase a few baking molds in fun doggie-style shapes at local pet shops, home stores, or buy them online here. Then you’re all set to make the ulti-mutt treats for your furry four-legged lovebugs!
IMPORTANT NOTE!
- Ideally, look for brands of peanut butter that are just ground, roasted peanuts. It’s okay if there’s a small amount of salt, sugar, and oil. However, avoid all brands with xylitol and any other sugar substitute.
- Prep time
- Total Time
- • 2 bananas, mashed
- • ½ cup water
- • 1 cup creamy peanut butter*
- • A pinch of cinnamon, optional
- • 1 cup whole wheat flour
* see note above about peanut butter.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, water, creamy peanut butter, and a dash of optional cinnamon. Give it a quick mix and add a third of the flour at a time until everything is well combined.
Add the batter to dog treat molds and bake in oven for 20 to 50 minutes (20 minutes yields a softer consistency and 40-50 minutes yields a harder, crunchier texture). Pop treats out of molds and allow them to cool before feeding your fur babies.
You can keep them in a sealed container on the counter for a few days, and then store in the fridge for up to a week. Or freeze for up to four months.
PS. Gatsby doesn’t like them cold, so I let them sit on the counter for a few minutes before serving. 😉
Looking for a treat yourself? Make these Apple “Doughnuts”!