Who’s ready to treat their four-legged bestie to something truly special? These Homemade Peanut Butter Carrot Dog Treats are the ultimate way to show your pup how much you care. Packed with wholesome ingredients and a whole lot of love, these goodies are sure to get tails wagging!
Pet parents, do you enjoy spoiling your fur babies? If you do, then make them a batch of these nutritious cookies. Your pup will think they’re eating dessert, but you’ll know it’s a good-for-them treat.
Why You and Your Dog Will Love This Recipe
Do you enjoy baking cookies? If you do, then you’ll really have fun making these. They take almost no time at all and you can make make enough cookies to last all week. Here are some more reasons you will love making these cookies.
They’re easy to make: With just a handful of ingredients and simple steps, you’ll have these carrot peanut butter treats ready in no time.
Wholesome and nutritious: Every ingredient serves a purpose – whether it’s adding flavor, texture, or nutritional value.
Customizable: Have a picky eater? Swap out a few ingredients to tailor the treats to your pup’s preferences.
Affordable and fun: Say goodbye to overpriced store-bought treats and hello to a fun DIY project you and your pup will love.
Ingredients
The full recipe, complete with exact ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions, can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. But first, let’s dive into some details about the ingredients and why they’re perfect for your pup!
- Natural Peanut Butter: This provides a rich, nutty flavor that pups adore along with healthy fats.
- Carrots: Freshly grated carrots add a subtle sweetness and a boost of vitamins.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds moisture and natural sweetness.
- Oat Flour: A great gluten-free flour dogs can easily digest.
- Old-Fashioned Oats: These add texture to the treats.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Here are some of the easiest ways to change this recipe, while still keeping your dog safe.
- Avoid Xylitol. Never use peanut butter with xylitol because this artificial sweetener is dangerous for dogs.
- Use other types of nut or seed butter. Substitute peanut butter with almond butter or SunButter (sunflower seed butter) as a peanut-free option.
- Sweeten with applesauce. Applesauce can be swapped for pumpkin puree or mashed banana if desired.
- Make your own oat flour. No oat flour? Blend old-fashioned oats to make your own, or substitute with a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour. Avoid using only whole wheat flour (too dense) or coconut flour (too absorbent).
How to Make Peanut Butter Carrot Dog Treats
Making these treats is as easy as 1, 2, 3 (well, maybe 6)!
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Combine the grated carrots, peanut butter, and applesauce in a large bowl. Stir until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix the oat flour and old-fashioned oats.
- Add this to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Re-roll scraps as needed.
- Arrange the treats on your prepared baking sheet and bake for 18–20 minutes. Let them cool completely before serving.
Serving Size
When it comes to treats, moderation is key!
How many treats your dog can enjoy depends on their size, activity level, and overall diet. For small breeds, one treat per day might be enough. Larger breeds can handle a bit more. Always factor these treats into your pup’s daily calorie count.
When introducing any new food or treat for the first time, start with a small amount to ensure no adverse reactions.
How to Store the Treats and How Long They Last
Storing: Keep these treats fresh by storing them in an airtight container. They’ll stay good for up to 5 days. Refrigerating them can extend their shelf life by a couple more days.
Freezing: Want to stock up? Freeze these treats in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag for up to 3 months. When your pup’s ready for a snack, just thaw the desired amount at room temperature.
Can people eat these treats?
Yes, people can eat these treats. They’re made with simple, wholesome ingredients that are safe for humans too! That said, they’re specifically crafted for dogs, so you might find them a bit bland compared to your usual snacks. If you’re curious, go ahead and take a nibble, you might like it.
More Dog Treat Recipes
Do you want to make some more tasty treats for your dog? Try these recipes:
- Acorn Squash Dog Treats
- Banana Carrot Dog Treats
- Broccoli Dog Treats
- Carrot Cake Dog Treats
- Carrot Cupcakes
- Pear Dog Treats
- Peanut Butter Balls
- Zucchini Dog Treats
Find lots of easy recipes for peanut butter dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Peanut Butter Carrot Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Place the grated carrots, peanut butter, and applesauce in a large bowl. Stir until well combined.
- Place the oat flour and old fashioned oats in a separate bowl. Stir or whisk to combine. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir combine into a dough.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to about 1/4″ – 1/3″ thickness. Cut out the dough using a cookie cutter. Gather scraps and re-roll the dough and cut as necessary until the dough is used up.
- Place the treats on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.
Very wet added more flour
Sometimes carrots have more moisture so that could have made the dough wet. Good idea to add more flour to compensate.
Great recipe. I own a small dog boarding business and once a week we make Homemade Healthy Dog Treats . Customers and their Dogs love it, and it gives me a chance to promote healthy Food options! What I really like, I can adjust the amount of all ingredients on how many Dogs are here with me .
Thank you so much for your kind words. It made my day that the treats are a hit with the dogs in your care.