If you’re looking for an easy way to spoil your pup with a homemade snack that’s nutritious and plant-based, these vegan dog treats with peanut butter are just the thing. They’re crunchy, simple, and made with wholesome ingredients that are free from animal products – no eggs, no dairy, and no junk.
These eggless dog treats are perfect for pups with dietary sensitivities or pet parents who want to keep things vegan. Best of all, they’re super easy to make with pantry staples you probably already have.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Making vegan dog treats at home is a great way to control what goes into your pup’s snacks and make sure every bite is both safe and satisfying. Here are some more reasons:
Made with simple, dog-friendly ingredients. No fillers, no preservatives, and no mystery ingredients – just things you recognize.
They’re eggless. Perfect for dogs with egg allergies or sensitivities, and a must-have for vegan households.
Naturally dairy-free and plant-based. No yogurt or meat, just wholesome ingredients from plants.
Easy to roll and cut. This dough is simple to work with and perfect for cookie cutters.
Budget-friendly. Skip the pricey store-bought vegan dog treats and make your own.
Ingredients and Their Part in the Treats
These homemade vegan dog treats are made with a short list of wholesome ingredients:
- Ground Flaxseed: When combined with water, it makes a great egg substitute and adds fiber and omega-3s.
- Water: Used to activate the flaxseed and adjust the dough.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds moisture and natural sweetness, helping bind the dough.
- Natural Peanut Butter: Rich in flavor and protein.
- Rice Flour: A gluten-free flour that’s easy to digest and gives the treats a crunchy, biscuit-like texture.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
When making plant-based dog treats, there are a few important things to keep in mind and some ways to switch out ingredients to fit with your dog’s taste and dietary needs:
- Use peanut butter without xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs.
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter or sunflower seed butter, as long as they’re unsweetened and xylitol-free.
- Instead of applesauce, try mashed banana, pumpkin puree, or mashed sweet potato.
- I used rice flour for its digestibility and gluten-free benefits. You can make your own by blending uncooked rice into a fine powder.
- Substitute rice flour with brown rice flour or oat flour. You can make oat flour by blending old-fashioned oats.
- If using coconut flour, you’ll need more liquid because it’s highly absorbent.
- If your dog isn’t sensitive to grains, you can use all-purpose flour or a 50/50 mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour. These absorb moisture differently, so adjust the quantity to get the right dough consistency.
Equipment Needed
You likely have most of the kitchen items you need to make these vegan dog biscuits. You can use any cookie cutter of your choice, but cookie cutters for dog treats give them a cute shape.
Don’t have cookie cutters? You can use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into squares.
How to Make Vegan Dog Treats
This eggless dog treat recipe is quick to make. Here’s what to do:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a small bowl, combine ground flaxseed and water to make a flax egg. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken.
- In a mixing bowl, add the flax egg, applesauce, and peanut butter.
- Stir or beat until combined.
- Add the rice flour.
- Stir to combine the flour with the wet ingredients and make a dough.
- Place the dough on a smooth surface.
- Flatten the dough to about ¼ to ½ inch thickness with your hands or a rolling pin.
- Cut out shapes using cookie cutters and place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 12 to 16 minutes, until the edges are set and the bottoms are lightly golden.
- Let the treats cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing.
This recipe makes about 15 treats when using a 3-inch dog bone cookie cutter. The total number will vary depending on the size and shape of the cutter you use.
How to Store the Treats and How Long They Last
Store the baked treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.
To keep them longer, freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 4 months. Let them thaw at room temp before giving them to your pup.
Can people eat these treats?
Yes! They are made with human-safe ingredients. While they aren’t sweet like cookies, they’re a simple snack. Give one a try if you’re curious.
Popular Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
Want to make more treats for your dog? Here are some tasty dog treats to make:
- 2-Ingredient Dog Treats
- 3-Ingredient Dog Treats
- Banana Oatmeal Dog Treats
- Peanut Butter Dog Treats
- Sweet Potato Banana Dog Treats
Find more easy dog treat recipes here on Spoiled Hounds!
Vegan Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Ground Flaxseed
- 2½ tablespoons Water
- ½ cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- ⅓ cup Natural Unsweetened Creamy Peanut Butter
- 2 cups Rice Flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a baking sheet or line it with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Make a flax egg by combining flaxseed and water in a small bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes.
- Place the flax egg, applesauce, and peanut butter in a medium bowl.
- Use a hand mixer or a large spoon to combine the wet ingredients.
- Add the rice flour and combine well to form a dough.
- Turn the dough out onto a smooth surface.
- Using your hands, squeeze and combine the ingredients until you have a flat, smooth dough. Flatten the dough evenly with your hands or a rolling pin to about ¼ to ½-inch thickness.
- Using a cookie cutter, cut out the dog treats and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12 to 16 minutes.
- Transfer the baked treats to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Size
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Consult your vet if you are unsure of the portion size for your dog.
If your dog hasn’t had any of these ingredients before, start with one to make sure they don’t have any sensitivities or allergies.
Does this need to be refrigerated?
They don’t have to be refrigerated. However it could extend the shelf life by a few days.
According to the AKC website: “Almonds are a great snack for humans. But, can dogs eat almonds? The answer is no. While almonds might not be as as toxic as some nuts, they are one of those foods canine companions can’t digest as easily as people.
Why Almonds Are Bad for Dogs
While dogs might love the taste of almonds, consuming them can cause gastric intestinal distress. If your dog accidentally eats a few, be on the lookout for these symptoms: Vomiting Diarrhea. Gas. Loss of appetite. Lethargy. General discomfort
Almonds, like most nuts, are high in fat and can put your pup at risk of developing pancreatitis. It’s a serious condition that requires the attention of your veterinarian.”
I would assume that almond butter would carry the same risks.
It must not apply to almond flour and almond butter because the AKC has vet approved recipes for dog treats with almond flour. I think the issue is with whole almonds because they can cause an obstruction in the digestive tract.