Feast your eyes on this delicious homemade banana bread for dogs! Lovingly made with dog-safe ingredients, this yummy bread is a tail-wagging delight. This dog banana bread features a ripe banana, oat flour, and coconut milk – all combined to make a tasty, dog-friendly treat.
Packed with fiber and nutrients, it’s a healthy DIY treat for your pup. So make the best banana bread and give your furry friend something special.
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The Best Things About Banana Bread For Dogs
Have you ever sat down with a slice of banana bread, only to have your four-legged friend beg with puppy dog eyes? When you make a dog banana bread, you can give your pup their own slice to enjoy.
Not only does giving your dog their own slice of banana bread make it feel like they are sharing snack time with you, but it’s good for your dog too. It’s made with natural ingredients, all of which are fantastic for your pet’s health.
The high sugar content of human banana bread makes it bad for dogs, causing many health problems, including diabetes and weight gain. It’s especially not good for diabetic dogs.
Homemade banana bread ensures there are no artificial sweeteners in it. It’s important because one sweetener, xylitol, is highly toxic to dogs and can cause liver failure.
It also doesn’t have toxic ingredients such as spices like nutmeg, nuts like macadamia nuts, chocolate chips, or raisins, which can cause kidney failure.
See my in-depth article on banana bread and dogs.
Benefits of Bananas for Dogs
There are many nutritional benefits of bananas for dogs.
- Fresh Bananas are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and potassium. These nutrients are beneficial for a dog’s overall health.
- Bananas have a high fiber content, which can help regulate a dog’s digestive tract and alleviate issues like constipation.
- The natural sugars present in bananas – fructose, glucose, and sucrose – can provide a quick energy boost for active dogs.
- Bananas contain several types of potent antioxidants, which can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in dogs.
Note that while banana peels are not toxic to dogs, they are hard to digest and may cause an internal blockage. It is best not to feed whole bananas to your dog.
Recipe Ingredients
The entire list of ingredients, step-by-step directions, and nutritional information are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. First, I want to share some additional information about the simple ingredients I used in this dog-friendly banana bread recipe.
Here’s a list of what you need. If you want to make organic bread, you must use organic ingredients.
- Ripe Bananas – The main flavor of the bread. Use an overripe banana.
- Egg – Binds the batter and adds protein.
- Coconut Milk – Adds moisture to the batter and gives the bread some healthy fats.
- Oat Flour – A healthy flour that’s great for making dog treats.
- Baking Soda – A leavening agent to help the bread rise.
- Ground Cinnamon – For flavor.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
When you make this easy dog banana bread recipe, here are a few notes to keep in mind.
Maybe you’ve heard not to allow dogs to eat baking soda or baking powder. Well, they are safe to use in baked foods like this one. Since there is only a teeny bit in each slice, it won’t harm your pup. The same rule applies for the small amount of cinnamon that’s in the bread.
If you can’t find oat flour at the store, make your own flour at home. Place uncooked old-fashioned oats in a blender or food processor and blend until it reaches flour consistency. You can also do the same with uncooked brown rice, making rice flour!
You can make this banana bread with all-purpose flour. If you want to use whole wheat flour, you will need to use a 50/50 mixture of all-purpose and whole wheat flour.
If you want to make banana nut bread, add ¼ cup of finely chopped cashews (roasted and unsalted).
Equipment Needed
You probably have most of the kitchen items you need to make the bread. But just in case, here’s a list of them:
- Measuring Cups – for measuring ingredients.
- Mixing Bowls – to mix the batter in.
- Hand Mixer – for mixing the batter.
- Mini Loaf Pans – to bake the loaves.
How to Make Banana Bread for Dogs
These are the recipe steps and photos of the process of making the bread. I hope they help you make this healthy banana bread for dogs recipe!
You can scroll down to the bottom of this article for a printable recipe card.
- Combine the oat flour, cinnamon, and baking soda in a bowl. Whisk them together.
- Mash the banana in a separate bowl.
- Add the egg and coconut milk to the mashed banana. Use a hand mixer to combine them.
- Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture.
- Use the mixer to combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients.
- Divide the batter evenly into 2 mini loaf pans.
- Bake them at 325°F for 40 to 45 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Remove the bread loaves from the pan and cool them to room temperature. Put them on a wire rack for cooling.
- Slice the bread and serve it to your dog.
Tip: If you don’t have non-stick loaf pans, line them with parchment paper for easy release.
Recipe Variation – Muffins
There is the option to make banana bread muffins using a muffin pan. Fill the muffin pan cups ⅔ full. Bake them for about 15 minutes. You can also use a mini muffin pan and bake for about 10 minutes.
Serving Size
How much homemade banana bread should you give your dog at once?
Mini loaf pans make loaves that are about 6 x 2 inches. Cutting the 2 loaves into ¾-inch slices makes 16 servings.
A slice of the bread is about 2 x ¾ inches. Medium to large dogs can have one slice, but small dogs should only get half of a slice. Always be mindful of how many treats you give to your dog.
Dogs shouldn’t overeat. They should not consume too many carbs or calories. It is important to keep dogs at a healthy weight. A special treat like this dog-safe banana bread should only happen every so often.
As with any new food, start with small amounts and watch for any adverse or allergic reactions.
How to Store Dog Banana Bread
Wrap the bread in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. You can store it at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Note that since banana bread is moist it is prone to molding.
For extended storage, you can freeze it. Wrap it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil or put the plastic-wrapped bread in a plastic freezer bag and squeeze the air out before sealing the bag. It will last up to 4 months in the freezer. Thaw it in the fridge or at room temperature.
Can humans eat this dog banana bread?
Yep, they sure can! All the ingredients in this banana bread for dogs are safe for human consumption. But people probably won’t like it because it isn’t sweet (although it would be good for those watching their sugar intake). I suggest baking a loaf of regular banana bread for people.
More Healthy Homemade Dog Treats
Want to make more treats for your dog? Check out my easy gourmet dog treat recipes:
- Banana Smoothie for Dogs
- Carrot Cake for Dogs
- Cheesecake for Dogs
- Homemade Banana Dog Treats
- Homemade Peanut Butter Banana Dog Treats
- Peanut Butter Dog Cookies
- Pumpkin Cake for Dogs
- Strawberry Banana Ice Cream for Dogs
I hope your dog enjoys the bread! Give belly rubs from me.
Banana Bread for Dogs
Ingredients
- 1½ cups Oat Flour
- ¾ teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 Ripe Banana
- 1 Egg
- ¼ cup Coconut Milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. If your mini loaf pans are not non-stick, grease them with coconut oil. You can also line the bottom with parchment paper.
- Combine dry ingredients (oat flour, baking soda, and cinnamon).
- In separate mixing bowl, mash the banana.
- Add egg and coconut milk to the mashed banana and mix well.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Use a mixer, to mix well.
- Divide the batter evenly between two mini loaf pans.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the loaves from the pans and place them on a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
- Slice and serve.
CoCo's Cocina says
Dough did not rise at all! Hard as a rock. Will be deleting this recipe
Renee Dobbs says
It’s strange that the bread did not rise during baking because both the egg and baking powder would make them rise. Perhaps you may have accidently forgotten to add the baking powder or your baking powder may be expired.
Renee Dobbs says
I did some testing and revised the recipe to use 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda instead of the 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder. The bread rose nicely.
Tracee says
Mine did not rise either, but the dog still enjoyed it.
Renee Dobbs says
I did some testing and revised the recipe to use 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda instead of the 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder. The loaves rose nicely.