These homemade carob dog treats are a safe and tasty way to satisfy your dog’s sweet tooth without the danger of chocolate. Made with dog-friendly ingredients like carob powder, peanut butter, and pumpkin puree, these carob dog cookies are easy to make and perfect for a fun baking day with your pup in mind. Whether it’s a holiday treat or just because, your dog will love these crunchy, chocolaty-looking bites.
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Why You and Your Dog Will Love This Recipe
Are you looking for a chocolate alternative to spoil your dog with? This recipe has you covered and here’s why:
Safe and chocolate-free. These homemade dog treats look like chocolate but are made with carob, which is safe for dogs and packed with health benefits.
Wholesome ingredients. This recipe uses simple, dog-friendly ingredients including oat flour, brown rice flour, pumpkin, peanut butter, and applesauce.
Easy to customize. You can roll and cut these treats into any shape using cookie cutters. Want to add some flair? Toss in some carob chips for extra flavor and texture.
Perfect texture. The treats are baked until crunchy, which is a texture dogs enjoy.
Ingredients and What They Bring to the Treats
Here’s what you’ll need to make this carob dog treat recipe:
- Carob Powder: Gives the primary flavor of the treats.
- Oat Flour: A naturally gluten-free flour that’s gentle on digestion.
- Brown Rice Flour: Adds structure and is a good wheat-free option.
- Egg: Adds protein and helps bind the dough.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds moisture and a touch of sweetness.
- Pumpkin Puree: Packed with fiber and great for digestion.
- Peanut Butter: Adds flavor, healthy fats, and protein.
- Carob Chips (optional): For extra bursts of carob flavor in every bite.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Be sure to use peanut butter without xylitol, an artificial sweetener that’s toxic to dogs.
Carob powder should not be substituted with cocoa powder, and carob chips should never be substituted with chocolate chips. Both cocoa and chocolate are toxic to dogs.
You can substitute:
- Peanut butter with almond butter or sunflower seed butter (xylitol-free).
- Applesauce or pumpkin puree with mashed ripe banana.
- Flour: If substituting with all-purpose or whole wheat flour, adjust liquid amounts as needed since different flours absorb moisture differently.
To make your own flour, blend old-fashioned oats or uncooked brown rice in a blender or food processor until finely ground. 1 cup of oats or rice yields about ¾ cup of flour.
Need unsweetened carob chips for dogs? You can find dog-safe carob chips on Amazon.
Equipment Needed
You likely already have the basics on hand – mixing bowls, a rolling pin, baking sheet, and measuring cups. You can use any cookie cutter to shape the treats, but you may enjoy using dog bone cookie cutters for a fun, dog-themed look.
How to Make Carob Dog Treats
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the oat flour, brown rice flour, and carob powder.
- In a large bowl, stir together the egg, applesauce, pumpkin puree, and peanut butter until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix to form a dough.
- If using carob chips, stir them into the dough.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut out treats using cookie cutters and place them on the baking sheet.
- Gather dough scraps, re-roll, and cut until all dough is used.
- Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Let cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
If you want, you can press some carob chips into the top of the treats after you take them out of the oven.
How to Store the Treats and How Long They Last
Store the carob dog treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
For long-term storage, freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 4 months. You can serve the treats frozen or thawed at room temp or in the fridge.
Can people eat these carob treats?
Yes! These carob treats are made with wholesome, human-safe ingredients. They’re not very sweet, but feel free to try one. You might be surprised by how tasty they are!
More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Want to make more tasty treats for your dog? Check these out:
- Anise Dog Treats
- Baby Food Dog Treats
- Carrot Cake for Dogs
- Chicken Liver Dog Treats
- Chicken Meatballs for Dogs
- Dog Treats Without Peanut Butter
- Gluten Free Dog Treats
- Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
- Valentine Dog Treats
Find lots of easy recipes for dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Carob Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 cup Oat Flour
- 1 cup Brown Rice Flour
- ½ cup Carob Powder
- 1 Egg
- ½ cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- ½ cup Canned Pumpkin Puree
- ⅓ cup Natural Unsweetened Creamy Peanut Butter
- ½ cup Carob Chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. If not using a non-stick baking sheet, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Place the oat flour, brown rice flour, and carob powder in a medium bowl.
- Whisk to combine dry ingredients.
- Place the egg, applesauce, pumpkin puree, and peanut butter in a large bowl.
- Stir to combine the wet ingredients.
- Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredient mixture and combine well.
- If using carob chips, add them to the bowl and stir them into the dough.
- With a rolling pin, roll out the dough to about ¼ to ½ inch thickness, according to your preference.
- Using a cookie cutter, cut out the dog treats and place them on the baking sheet. You can gather the dough scraps, re-roll, and cut until all the dough is used.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
- If desired, after you remove the treats from the oven, press a few carob chips onto the top of the treats.
- Transfer the baked treats to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Size
As with any dog treat, moderation is key. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. Consult your vet if you are unsure of the portion size for your dog.
If your dog hasn’t had carob or any of these ingredients before, start with one treat and watch for any signs of sensitivity.
Benefits of Carob for Dogs
Carob is a naturally sweet, caffeine-free alternative to chocolate that’s completely safe for dogs in moderation. It offers some great nutritional perks:
- Safe chocolate substitute: Carob does not contain theobromine, the harmful compound found in chocolate.
- Nutrient-rich: It contains calcium, potassium, and vitamin B6, which support bone health and metabolism.
- Fiber content: Carob is high in fiber, which promotes healthy digestion.
- Natural antioxidants: Help reduce inflammation and support overall wellness.
- Energy boost: Natural sugars in carob provide a gentle, energy-lifting treat.
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