Mint and Parsley Dog Treats are crunchy homemade biscuits with fresh herbs baked right in. They’re easy to make with simple ingredients and a fun way to spoil your pup with something delicious and different.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
There’s something fun about baking a batch of fresh herb treats just for your pup and watching them crunch away. And there are plenty of reasons this recipe is one you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.
Easy to Make – It’s just like making cookies and doesn’t require any complicated techniques.
Wholesome Ingredients – There’s no added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or preservatives.
Customizable – You can easily swap ingredients for what you have on hand or to fit with your dog’s taste preferences or dietary needs.
Budget-Friendly – A few basic ingredients make a whole batch of crunchy biscuits, so you can keep the treat jar stocked without spending a lot on specialty dog treats.
Breath Freshening – Fresh mint and curly parsley give these treats their distinctive herbal flavor and can help temporarily freshen your dog’s breath. Keep in mind that treats aren’t a substitute for regular dental care. If your dog has persistent or unusually bad breath, talk with your veterinarian because it could be a sign of a dental or health problem.
Ingredients and What They Bring to the Treats
Just a handful of simple, easy-to-find ingredients are all you need. Here’s what each one contributes:
- Fresh Mint Leaves – Give these minty dog treats their refreshing herbal flavor and aroma.
- Fresh Curly Parsley Leaves – Adds another layer of fresh herb flavor and gives the treats their green flecks.
- Pumpkin Puree – Adds moisture, fiber, and nutrients while helping bring the dough together.
- Unsweetened Applesauce – Adds moisture and a touch of natural sweetness that balances the herbs.
- Egg – Binds the ingredients together and gives the biscuits structure.
- Oat Flour – Forms the base of the dough and makes it sturdy enough for rolling and cutting.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Choosing the right herbs is important for this recipe, and there are a few simple substitutions you can make for the other ingredients. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Parsley – Use only curly parsley. Do not use Italian flat-leaf, spring, or wild parsley. Other types can contain furanocoumarins, compounds that can cause adverse reactions in dogs.
- Pumpkin Puree – Use plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix or filling, which can contain added sugar and spices or other ingredients that aren’t appropriate for dogs.
- Pumpkin Substitutes – You can substitute the pumpkin puree with cooked and mashed sweet potato or butternut squash.
- Homemade Oat Flour – Make your own by blending old-fashioned rolled oats in a blender or food processor until they have a flour consistency. One cup of oats makes approximately ¾ cup of oat flour.
- Flour Substitutes – You can substitute oat flour with brown rice flour, all-purpose flour, or a 50-50 combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour. Because whole wheat flour is denser, it’s not a good substitute to use by itself. Different flours absorb moisture differently, so start with less and add more as needed.
Equipment Needed
You probably already have the kitchen equipment needed to make these treats, including mixing bowls, a rolling pin, and a baking sheet.
You can use any cookie cutter you like, but bone-shaped cookie cutters make the cookies extra cute.
How to Make Dog Treats with Mint and Parsley
Making these treats is a simple process with just a few steps. Here’s what to do:
- Finely chop the fresh mint and curly parsley leaves.
- Place the pumpkin puree, applesauce, egg, mint, and parsley in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add the mint and parsley. Stir until combined.
- Add the oat flour and mix until a dough forms.
- Place the dough on a sheet of parchment paper and roll it out to approximately ⅓ inch thick.
- Cut the dough into shapes with your favorite cookie cutter.
- Place the cutouts on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Gather the leftover dough, re-roll it, and continue cutting until all the dough has been used.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the treats are baked through and crisp.
- Transfer the treats to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before serving.
How to Store the Treats and How Long They Last
Store the treats in an airtight container. They will last up to 5 days at room temperature or 7 days in the refrigerator.
For longer storage, place them in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw them before serving.
Can people eat these treats?
Yes, they sure can! All the ingredients are safe for human consumption. If you like mint and parsley, give one a try and see what you think.
More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Want to make more treats for your dog? Check these out:
- Blueberry Dog Muffins
- Charcoal Dog Treats
- Golden Paste for Dogs
- Homemade Dog Gravy
- Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Dog Treats
- Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
- Soft Dog Treats
Find lots of easy recipes for dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Mint and Parsley Dog Treats
Ingredients
- ½ cup Plain Pumpkin Puree
- ½ cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 large Egg
- ¼ cup Chopped Fresh Mint Leaves
- ¼ cup Chopped Fresh Curly Parsley Leaves
- 2½ cups Oat Flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the pumpkin, applesauce, egg, and chopped herbs in a large bowl and stir until well-combined.
- Add the oat flour and stir to form the dough.
- Roll out the dough on parchment paper until 1/3 inch thick.
- Cut out shapes and place them on a greased or parchment paper-lined baking tray.
- Re-roll the leftover dough and cut until all the dough is used.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove the baked treats from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack. Cool them to room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Amount
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Consult your vet if you are unsure of the appropriate portion size for your dog.
If your dog hasn’t had any of these ingredients before, start with a small piece to make sure they don’t have any allergies, sensitivities, or adverse reactions.
Your recipe omitted the applesauce mentioned in the notes, it was not in the list if I gradients or in he recipe itself. What is the quantity of applesauce? Please email to me. Otherwise, good information in your comments, as well as the matching ingredient. And my dogs did like the biscuits, I had just added pumpkin as was in you basic recipe. You might also add to your instructions to roll the dough between 2 pieces of parchment or wax paper to keep the mint smell from you rolling pin.
I’m so sorry Lynn and thanks for giving me the heads up. It is 1/2 cup of applesauce and I have updated the recipe card so it’s in there now.
A few years ago I made some dog treats and haven’t been able to find a recipe since that intrigues me. But I came across your recipe and made these for my dog, Duke. I made them about quarter size since he’s picky about his treat size and Duke just has the worst breath. A) he likes them which is great B) I think they are already helping with his bad breath! C) the recipe is easy, I actually put all oats and herbs (dried after washing) right into a food processor, that way it does the work for you. Thanks for the recipe, I will definitely be making these again!
What a great idea to put the herbs in the food processor with the oats! I’m so glad your dog enjoyed the treats and they helped with your dog’s breath.
I must have done something wrong. My dough is still sticky I can’t roll it out unless I add a ton more flower then stated.
I don’t know what could have happened. Perhaps you measured something wrong?
Finnigan loves them! Thanks! What is the best way to store them?
Thank you, I love your recipes.
Liz
Store them in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature or freeze them for up to 3 months.