Carving pumpkins? Don’t toss those seeds! Turn them into a tasty treat for your pup. These homemade pumpkin seed dog treats are crunchy, nutritious, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. They’re a perfect way to make use of pumpkin seeds during fall, and your dog will love the earthy flavor.
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Why You Will Love These Treats
There’s just something wonderful about making homemade dog treats. You know exactly what’s going into them, and you get to spoil your pup with a snack made from scratch. These pumpkin seed treats are simple, seasonal, and sure to become a favorite. Here’s why:
Wholesome Ingredients -These treats are made with real food ingredients, including ground pumpkin seeds for a boost of nutrition.
Naturally Sweetened with Applesauce – There’s no added sugar, just a touch of sweetness from applesauce to balance the earthiness of the seeds.
No Peanut Butter – This recipe lets pumpkin seeds shine as the star flavor.
Easy to Make – Just like baking cookies! Mix, roll, cut, and bake.
Simple to Customize – You can tweak the recipe to suit your dog’s taste or swap ingredients if needed.
Perfect for Fall – Ideal for using those pumpkin seeds after carving jack-o’-lanterns.
Ingredients and What They Bring to the Treats
These crunchy cookies come together with a handful of simple ingredients that all serve a purpose in flavor and texture:
- Ground Pumpkin Seeds – The star of the recipe! It adds a nutty, earthy flavor and extra nutrients.
- Unsweetened Applesauce – Adds natural sweetness and moisture.
- Egg – Helps bind the dough and adds a bit of protein.
- Oat Flour – A gentle flour that’s easy on your dog’s digestion.
- Pumpkin Seed Kernels – Optional, but make a cute garnish and an added crunch.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
When making these treats, there are some things to keep in mind and simple swaps you can make:
Ground Pumpkin Seeds – Make it by grinding raw whole pumpkin seeds or the kernels (pepitas) in a spice grinder or food processor. Seeds can be raw or roasted, as long as they’re plain and unsalted. For a full guide, see how to prepare pumpkin seeds for dogs. You can also buy pumpkin seed powder on Amazon.
Applesauce – Use store-bought unsweetened applesauce or make your own with this applesauce for dogs recipe. You can also substitute mashed banana or pumpkin purée.
Egg – If needed, you can substitute it with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 10 minutes).
Oat Flour – Make your own by blending rolled oats until fine. One cup of oats yields about ¾ cup of flour.
Other Flours – You can substitute oat flour with brown rice flour (homemade or store-bought), all-purpose flour, or a 50/50 mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour. Avoid almond or coconut flour because they don’t behave well in this recipe.
Equipment Needed
You don’t need any special equipment to make the treats, other than a spice grinder or small food processor for grinding up the seeds. You can use any cookie cutter, but pumpkin cookie cutters or paw and bone shaped cookie cutters make cute treats for the season.
How to Make Pumpkin Seed Dog Treats
These homemade dog treats with pumpkin seeds come together quickly and bake up beautifully. Here’s how to make them:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large bowl, combine the oat flour and ground pumpkin seeds.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the applesauce and egg until well mixed.
- Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick.
- Cut out shapes using your favorite cookie cutter. Re-roll the dough scraps and keep cutting until it’s all used.
- Place the cutouts on your prepared baking sheet. Press a pumpkin seed kernel into each one if desired.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the treats are set and lightly golden.
- Let the treats cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing.
Tip: If you don’t have cookie cutters, roll out the dough and use a pizza cutter to slice it into squares or rectangles for rustic treats.
How to Store the Treats and How Long They Last
Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature. They will last up to 1 week.
For longer storage, you can freeze the treats in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Can people eat these treats?
Yep, they sure can! All of the ingredients are safe for human consumption. These are great low-sugar cookies for anyone who enjoys simple, wholesome snacks. Give one a try and you may like it!
More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Do you want to make some more pumpkin treats for your spoiled hound? Try these easy recipes:
- Apple Pumpkin Dog Treats
- Banana Pumpkin Dog Treats
- Blueberry Pumpkin Dog Treats
- Pumpkin Dog Cookies
- Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats
- Pumpkin Spice Dog Treats
Find lots of pumpkin dog treat recipes right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Pumpkin Seed Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups oat flour
- 1 tablespoon ground pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon raw pumpkin seed kernels (pepitas) optional for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine oat flour and ground pumpkin seeds.
- In a small bowl, mix together the applesauce and egg until well combined.
- Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir to combine into a dough.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll it out until about 1/4 inch thick.
- Use a cookie cutter to cut out treats. Gather scraps and re-roll until all the dough is used.
- Place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheet.
- Place a pumpkin seed on top of each treat if desired.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove the baked treats from oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Amount
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. If you’re not sure how much is just right for your dog, consult your vet.
If your dog hasn’t had pumpkin seeds or any of the ingredients before, start with a small piece to check for allergies or sensitivities.
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