Who says humans get all the fun snacks? These homemade pretzels for dogs are both cute and nutritious!
Feeding your dog food they love (and that you know is good for them) is the best feeling in the world! And these pretzels are made with wholesome dog-friendly ingredients. They are perfect for an afternoon treat or a training reward. These little twists are going to be a hit with both of you!
Why You and Your Dog Will Love This Recipe
Do you ever wonder what’s really in those store bought treats? When you make homemade dog treats, you don’t have to wonder anymore. And these crunchy pretzels will become your pup’s new favorite snack. Here is why you and your pup will love them:
Easy to Make: You’ll be surprised by how easy these treats are to whip up.
Natural and Simple Ingredients: These treats are free of artificial flavors, making them a safe and healthy choice. You can get everything you need at a regular grocery store.
Banana Peanut Butter Combo: Dogs adore the flavors and both bananas and peanut butter have nutritional benefits.
Perfect Texture: These pretzels bake up just the right amount of crunch to satisfy your dog’s chewing instincts.
Ingredients
The full recipe with exact ingredient amounts is in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. First, I want to share some information about the ingredients.
- Banana: A ripe banana gives a hint of sweetness and provides fiber and potassium.
- Peanut Butter: Full of healthy fats, protein, and a flavor dogs love.
- Egg: Adds protein and helps the dough hold together.
- Oat Flour: A great option for dogs, as it’s easy on their tummies and packed with fiber.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
There are a lot of different ways to change this recipe. Here are some notes about the ingredients and ways to change it (and things to avoid).
- Avoid Xylitol: Do not use peanut butter that contains xylitol, an artificial sweetener toxic to dogs.
- Use different nut or seed butter: You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter or SunButter (sunflower seed butter). Just make sure it does not contain xylitol.
- Replace banana: You can substitute banana with ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce or plain pumpkin puree.
- Make your own oat flour: You can make oat flour by placing uncooked old-fashioned oats in a food processor or blender and blending until it has the consistency of flour. 1 cup of oats makes about ¾ cup of flour.
- Flour substitutions: If you use a different flour such as all-purpose or whole wheat, the dough will have a different consistency and either be too sticky or dry. It’s best to use oat flour.
How to Make Pretzels for Dogs
Ready to make some tail-wagging peanut butter pretzel dog treats? Here’s how:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Mash your ripe banana in a bowl, then add the peanut butter and egg, stirring until everything’s combined.
- Slowly add oat flour, stirring until you get a dough that’s shapeable but not sticky.
- Take about two tablespoons of dough, roll it into a ball, then form it into a 10-12 inch log.
- Shape the log into a “U,” cross the ends to form an “X,” then twist and press down to secure.
- Arrange the pretzels on your baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until they’re slightly hard.
- Let them cool completely.
Serving Size
How many homemade pretzel treats should you give your canine companion? That depends on the amount of food you gave your pet to eat that day and the size of your dog. Large dogs can consume more than smaller dogs.
Treats should be included in your dog’s daily caloric intake. Make sure you don’t exceed the recommended amount for your dog. That amount changes for each dog breed, size, and activity level.
I suggest only giving your spoiled hound one pretzel per day or a portion of one for a small dog. However, you can use your judgment or consult with your veterinarian regarding how many treats are right for your dog.
Also, start with small amounts when adding new foods to your dog’s diet to ensure your dog has no allergic or adverse reactions.
How to Store the Pretzels
Store the pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last up to 5 days. Refrigerating them can extend the shelf life for a couple more days.
For longer storage, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag for up to 3 months. You can give them to your dog as frozen treats or thaw them at room temperature.
Can people eat these pretzels?
Yes, they sure can! All the ingredients are safe for human consumption. Give one a try; you may like it.
More Dog Treat Recipes
Do you enjoy making treats for your dog? Try these recipes:
Find lots of easy recipes for dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Pretzels for Dogs
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 egg
- 2 cups oat flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Mash the banana in a medium bowl. Add the peanut butter and egg and combine well.
- Add the oat flour a little at a time. Combine well until a dough forms that is shapeable and not sticky.
- Take about two tablespoons of the dough and roll it into a ball. Place the ball on a surface and use both hands to roll it into a long log 10-12 inches long, about as thick as a fat pencil.
- Form the dough into a “U” shape, then take the ends and turn them down to the bottom of the U shape, crossing them and making an X. Then, cross the two ends again to form a twist. Gently press the ends onto the bottom of the U to attach them.
- Place the pretzels on the lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. Pretzels should be slightly hard.
- Allow to cool completely before serving.
The absolute worst! Doesn’t matter how much flour you add, the dough is still sticky. You try and roll a log ( good luck with that ) and the dough falls apart. I decided to just do round cookies and had a hard time just doing that. Don’t waste your time of ingredients trying this recipe!
I’m sorry you had issues with making the pretzels. I double-checked everything and the only thing I can think of is if you used a different flour than oat flour. Using other flours can change the way the wet ingredients are absorbed into the dough. I have also made a note in the article to only use oat flour.
My dogs loved these!
Awesome! I’m so glad your dogs loved the pretzels.