These homemade zucchini dog treats are crunchy delights your pup will love! Made with zucchini, banana, and peanut butter they’re wholesome and less expensive than store-bought.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The biggest benefit of making delicious dog treats at home is that you know they are made with natural ingredients. There’s nothing fake or dangerous in these crunchy biscuits.
This easy recipe is the best treat to make to give your pup as a reward! Or, make a big batch and give them as a gift for a pup’s birthday.
Whether you’ve got a bunch of zucchini growing in your garden or your friends are giving you some for free, it’s a fantastic way to use them!
Benefits of Zucchini for Dogs
There are a lot of benefits of zucchini and I covered many of them in my article on vegetables dogs can eat.
Zucchini is high in fiber which is great for gut health. It’s also high in vitamin C (for immune system support) and contains antioxidants that fight disease-causing free radicals.
Ingredients
The full recipe with exact ingredient amounts and step-by-step directions is in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. First, I want to share some information about the ingredients.
- Zucchini – The star of the treats!
- Banana – Adds natural sweetness and fiber.
- Peanut Butter – A flavor dog’s love and a great source of healthy fats.
- Egg – Binds the dough and adds protein.
- Oat Flour – A flour easily digestible for dogs.
- Cinnamon – For flavor and, yes, a little bit is safe for dogs.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter or SunButter (sunflower seed butter). Just make sure it does not contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that’s toxic to dogs.
You can substitute banana with ½ cup of pumpkin purée or cooked sweet potatoes.
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.
You can substitute all-purpose flour or a 50-50 combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for the oat flour. Because whole wheat flour is denser, it’s not a good substitute to use by itself.
Equipment Needed
You probably have all the kitchen items needed to make the treats. The only special thing is possibly a bone-shaped dog treat cutter to make cute doggie treats. Or you can use your favorite cookie cutters to cut them into your desired shapes.
How to Make Zucchini Dog Treats
These are the recipe steps and some photos of making the treats. I hope they help you make these treats for your dog. Note there is a printable recipe card below.
- Grate a zucchini. You’ll need 1 cup.
- Mash a banana in a mixing bowl.
- Add the grated zucchini, egg, and peanut butter to the bowl.
- Stir to combine the wet ingredients.
- Place the flour and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Stir or whisk to combine them.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture.
- Stir until all is combined and a dough forms. Add extra flour if the dough is too wet to roll.
- Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface.
- Line a baking sheet or cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Cut the dough with a cookie cutter and place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the treats at 350°F for 15 to 18 minutes.
- Cool the treats completely either on the baking sheet or a wire rack.
Serving Size
How many homemade zucchini 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.
Even though they are healthy treats, they are still treats and should be included when you consider 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 treat per day. However, you can use your judgment or consult with your veterinarian regarding how many treats are right for your dog.
Also, keep in mind when adding new foods to your dog’s diet to start with small amounts to ensure your dog has no allergic or adverse reactions.
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 zucchini dog treats?
Yes, they sure can! All of the ingredients are safe for human consumption. Give one a try and see if you like it.
More Homemade Dog Treats
Keep on spoiling your dog with yummy homemade treats! Try these recipes:
- Apple Carrot Dog Treats
- Banana Pumpkin Dog Treats
- Beet Dog Treats
- Broccoli Dog Treats
- Chia Seed Dog Treats
- Cranberry Dog Treats
- Duck Dog Treats
Find lots of easy recipes for baked dog treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Zucchini Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 cup Grated Zucchini
- 1 Banana
- 1 Egg
- ¼ cup Creamy Natural Peanut Butter
- 2 cups Oat Flour
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- Grate zucchini. Mash the banana.
- Place egg, peanut butter, 1 cup grated zucchini, and mashed banana in a medium bowl and stir to combine well.
- In a separate bowl combine oat flour and cinnamon. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and stir until well combined and a dough forms.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out the dough.
- Use your favorite cookie cutter to cut shapes and place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheet. Gather scraps, reroll, and cut with the remaining dough.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes. Allow the baked treats to cool completely.
Do you peel the zuchini?
No. You do not have to peel the zucchini.
Can you omit the banana?
You can’t omit the banana but you can substitute it with 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce, plain pumpkin puree, or plain yogurt.