Spoiling your pup with homemade goodies? Yes, please! There’s something so rewarding about baking treats from scratch and knowing exactly what’s inside them. This recipe for homemade grain free dog treats with pumpkin and peanut butter is a fun way to give your dog something nutritious, delicious, and sure to bring on the tail wags.
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Why You and Your Dog Will Love This Recipe
There’s just something wonderful about baking up a batch of treats for your dog. You know exactly what goes into them, and you get to watch that tail wag with every bite. These grain free peanut butter pumpkin dog treats are a hit for so many reasons:
Wholesome Ingredients – This recipe skips the fillers and mystery ingredients you’ll often find in store-bought treats. Just simple, real food.
Great for Dogs on a Grain-Free Diet – If your dog can’t have grains, no problem! These treats are made without any wheat, corn, rice, or other grains.
Free From Common Additives – No dairy, gluten, wheat, salt, sugar, or yeast. Just the good stuff.
Easy to Make – If you can make cookies, you can make these! No fancy equipment or complicated steps.
Simple to Customize – Got a picky pup or specific pantry ingredients? This recipe is flexible and easy to adjust based on what you have.
Save Money – DIY grain-free dog treats are a budget-friendly alternative to the pricey grain-free snacks at the store.
Ingredients and What They Bring to the Treats
These treats come together with just a handful of simple ingredients. Each one adds something good for your pup:
- Coconut Flour – A naturally grain-free flour that adds fiber, protein, potassium, and iron.
- Tapioca Flour – Another grain-free flour that contributes to a softer, non-crumbly texture.
- Pumpkin Puree – Full of fiber, vitamin A, and flavor, and adds natural sweetness.
- Peanut Butter – A tasty source of protein and healthy fats, and a flavor most dogs go crazy for.
- Egg – Binds everything together and adds protein.
- Water – Just enough to get the dough to the right consistency.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
When making DIY grain free dog treats, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Peanut Butter – Always check the label. Make sure it does not contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs.
- Peanut Butter Substitutes – You can swap peanut butter for almond butter or sunflower seed butter (as long as they’re xylitol-free).
- Pumpkin Puree – Use plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which may contain spices that are unsafe for dogs.
- Pumpkin Substitutes – Applesauce, mashed banana, or cooked sweet potato all work well.
- Boost the Fiber – Add 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or ground chia seeds to the dough.
- Flour Swap – Chickpea flour (aka garbanzo bean flour) is another great grain-free option you can use instead of tapioca flour.
- Avoid Grain-Free Flour Blends – Many contain almond flour (which can make treats too rich and calorie-heavy) or cream of tartar (which is unsafe for dogs).
How to Make Grain Free Dog Treats
Making these treats is a breeze! Just follow these steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Mix the dry ingredients (coconut flour and tapioca flour) in a large bowl.
- Combine the wet ingredients (pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and egg) in a separate bowl.
- Stir the wet into the dry, then add water a little at a time until a dough forms that holds together.
- Roll the dough into balls, about 1 to 2 inches in size.
- Place the dough balls on the lined baking sheet and flatten them using a fork in a criss-cross pattern.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
How many dog treats this recipe makes depends on the size of the dough balls.
How to Store the Treats and How Long They Last
Once the treats have cooled to room temperature, place them in an airtight container or plastic zip-top bag and store them in the refrigerator. They will last up to 5 days in the fridge.
For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. You can either give them to your dog as a frozen treat or thaw them in the fridge overnight.
Can people eat these treats?
Yep! These treats are made with ingredients that are safe for humans, too. They’re unsweetened and simple. So while they might not be your new favorite cookie, they’re a great low-sugar option if you’re looking for a plain snack. Give one a taste!
More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Want to make more tasty treats for your dog? Check these out:
- Apple Peanut Butter Treats
- Bad Breath Buster Treats
- Beet Dog Treats
- Coconut Cookies for Dogs
- Gluten Free Dog Treats
- Quinoa Dog Treats
- Sweet Potato Dog Treats
Find lots of easy recipes for homemade dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Grain Free Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 cup Coconut Flour
- ½ cup Tapioca Flour
- ½ cup Pumpkin Puree
- 1 tablespoon Creamy Natural Peanut Butter
- 1 Egg
- ½ cup Water more or less as needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large bowl, combine coconut flour and tapioca flour.
- In a separate mixing bowl combine pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and egg.
- Add the pumpkin mixture to the flour mixture and combine well until a dough starts to form. Add water as needed until the dough holds together.
- Pinch off about a 1 to 2-inch piece of dough and use your hands to roll it into a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place dough balls on the lined baking sheet.
- Using a fork, press indentions into the tops and then make another fork mark opposite of the first.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
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