I made these on a Sunday afternoon when Nalla was pacing the kitchen and I needed to stop debugging for an hour. Six ingredients from the pantry, 25 minutes in the oven, and the whole apartment smelled like a bakery.
Ingredients
- [ ] 1 cup (120g) whole wheat flour
- [ ] 1/4 cup (25g) rolled oats
- [ ] 1 ripe banana (~100g), mashed
- [ ] 1/3 cup (85g) natural peanut butter, xylitol-free
- [ ] 1 large egg
- [ ] 2-3 tbsp water, added 1 tbsp at a time if the dough is too dry to hold together
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mash the banana thoroughly with a fork until mostly smooth.
- Whisk the peanut butter and egg into the mashed banana until fully combined.
- Stir in the flour and oats until a stiff dough forms. Add water 1 tbsp at a time only if the dough is too dry to hold together.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll to 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick.
- Cut into 1-inch pieces with a knife or small cookie cutter and space them 1/2 inch apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and firm to the touch.
- Turn the oven off and leave the biscuits inside for 30 minutes to crisp fully, then cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
Nalla’s verdict
Nalla sat by the oven for the entire bake. She stole one off the cooling rack the second I turned my back to answer the door. I rationed the rest to two per day — otherwise she’d eat the whole batch in an afternoon.
Our Pick: Tools Used in This Recipe
What I actually use at home when cooking for Nalla:
- Mini Dog Bone Silicone Mold (18-cavity) — Bone-shape silicone — pops out frozen treats and baked biscuits cleanly. Dishwasher safe. The mold I batch-freeze yogurt bites in. View on Amazon
- VIVAGLORY Silicone Pet Food Mat (24"x16", waterproof) — Raised-edge silicone catches every spill and drip. Wipes clean in seconds — saves the floor from homemade-stew splash zone. View on Amazon
- IRIS USA WeatherPro Airtight Pet Food Container (25 lb / 33 Qt) — Foam-sealed lid + snap latches keep kibble and homemade-batch leftovers fresh for weeks. Wheels make it actually pleasant to roll out. View on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. We only recommend gear we actually use.
FAQ
Can I substitute almond butter for peanut butter?
Yes — as long as it is xylitol-free and unsalted. Never substitute macadamia nut butter; macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs.
What if my dog is grain-sensitive?
Replace the whole wheat flour 1:1 with oat flour. The biscuits will be a touch softer but still hold together well.
How should I size these for a small dog?
Roll the dough to 1/8 inch and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Reduce the bake time to 15-18 minutes and check for golden edges.
Portion guide
- Small: 1-2 biscuits/day (dogs under 20 lb / 9 kg)
- Medium: 2-3 biscuits/day (dogs 20-50 lb / 9-23 kg)
- Large: 3-4 biscuits/day (dogs over 50 lb / 23 kg)
Storage
Airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Safety note
Peanut butter MUST be xylitol-free — check the label carefully. Unsalted or low-sodium peanut butter is safest. No sugar added.