Not every dog has a sweet tooth. If yours lights up for anything savory, this dog biscuit recipe is a good place to start: whole wheat flour, rolled oats, grated carrot, an egg and a splash of plain broth, baked into sturdy little bones. The trick to that satisfying snap is a slow drying step at the end. Below you’ll find the full method, how to make the same dough soft for seniors, what never belongs in the bowl, and how many biscuits fit into a day.
Prep: 20 minutes • Bake: 25–30 minutes at 350°F (175°C), plus 1–2 hours drying in the switched-off oven • Yield: about 50 biscuits (2-inch bone cutter) • Difficulty: Easy • Storage: airtight tin up to 2 weeks, freezer 3 months
Each biscuit has roughly 21 calories and no added salt, sugar or fat.
Table of Contents
Why Bake Your Own Biscuits?
Homemade dog biscuits let you decide exactly what goes in. That matters if your dog has a sensitive stomach, or if you’d simply rather skip added sugars, colorings and long ingredient lists. A batch also costs little and uses pantry basics.
Just remember that homemade isn’t automatically lower in calories. A biscuit is still a treat, and portion size counts as much as the ingredients.
Dog Biscuit Recipe: Ingredients
- 2 cups (240 g) whole wheat flour: the backbone of a firm, crunchy biscuit.
- ½ cup (40 g) rolled oats: adds texture and a toasty flavor.
- ½ cup finely grated carrot: about one medium carrot, for moisture and a pop of color. More on carrots for dogs.
- 1 large egg: holds the dough together.
- ½ cup unsalted chicken broth or water: use broth only if the label lists no onion, garlic or added salt. Plain water works just as well.
Step-by-Step Method
Savory Carrot and Oat Dog Biscuits
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment.
- Stir the flour and oats together in a large bowl.
- Mix in the carrot and egg, then add the broth gradually until a firm dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for a minute, then roll to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut shapes with a 2-inch bone cutter, reroll the scraps and place the biscuits close together.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges are golden and the bottoms feel firm.
- Turn off the oven, prop the door open slightly and leave the trays inside 1 to 2 hours to crisp.
Notes
Crunchy or Soft? Adjust the Bake
The same dough can go either way:
- Crunchy dog biscuits: follow the full drying step. They should snap cleanly in half with no soft center. Dry biscuits also keep longest.
- Soft dog biscuits: roll the dough a little thicker (about ⅓ inch), bake 18–22 minutes, and skip the drying step. They suit senior dogs, puppies and dogs with dental problems, but they need to live in the fridge.
Not sure which you’ve got? Break one open. Any doughy or damp middle means it’s a soft biscuit and should be stored like one.
Ingredients to Keep Out of Dog Biscuits
Plenty of human baking staples and “flavor boosters” don’t belong in a dog treat:
- Onion and garlic, including powders: the ASPCA notes they can damage red blood cells. Many store-bought broths and bouillon cubes contain them.
- Added salt: skip salted broth, bouillon and seasoning blends.
- Xylitol: sometimes found in sugar-free baking mixes and nut butters.
- Chocolate, raisins and macadamia nuts: all on the ASPCA’s list of foods to avoid.
- Nutmeg and spice blends: pumpkin pie spice and similar mixes are best left out.
If your dog eats something risky, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
How Many Biscuits Per Day?
Using USDA FoodData Central values, the whole batch comes to about 1,070 calories, mostly from the flour (~816) and oats (~152). Spread across 50 biscuits, that’s roughly 21 calories each.
The WSAVA advises that treats make up no more than about 10% of a dog’s daily calories. If these are the only treats your dog gets that day:
| Dog Size | Weight | Biscuits Per Day | Approx. Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | Under 10 lb | 1 (or 2 halves) | ~21 kcal |
| Small | 10–25 lb | 2–3 | 42–63 kcal |
| Medium | 25–50 lb | 3–5 | 63–105 kcal |
| Large | 50–90 lb | 5–8 | 105–168 kcal |
| Giant | 90+ lb | Up to 9 | ~190 kcal |
Estimates for healthy adult dogs. Reduce the count on days with other treats, and ask your vet about puppies or dogs on a weight plan.
Storage Tips
- Crunchy biscuits: cool completely, then store in an airtight tin or jar for up to 2 weeks.
- Soft biscuits: refrigerate in a sealed container and use within a week.
- Freezer: either kind keeps for up to 3 months. Thaw a handful at a time.
No preservatives means no guarantees, so throw out any biscuit that smells sour or shows spots of mold.
Dog Biscuits: Quick Serving Guide
Do
- Use plain water or onion-free broth
- Dry biscuits for real crunch
- Refrigerate soft biscuits
- Count them toward daily treats
Don't
- Onion or garlic powder
- Salted broth or bouillon
- Sugar-free sweeteners
- Keep biscuits that smell sour
Every dog is different. Check with your veterinarian before adding new treats if your dog has a health condition or food sensitivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are homemade dog treats healthier?
They can be, because you control every ingredient and can skip added sugar, salt and colorings. Calories still count, though. A homemade biscuit given by the handful can add weight just like a store-bought one.
How do you soften a dog biscuit?
Soak it in warm water or unsalted, onion-free broth for 5 to 10 minutes until it gives under gentle pressure. Serve it right away and toss any leftovers, since a soaked biscuit spoils quickly.
How do I make homemade soft dog biscuits?
Use this same dough, roll it slightly thicker, bake for less time and skip the drying step. Keep soft biscuits in the fridge and use them within a week.
Can dogs eat peanut butter biscuits?
Yes, as long as the peanut butter is free of xylitol. They’re richer than these savory biscuits, so keep them small. Our peanut butter dog treats recipe shows how.
What treats can dogs eat every day?
Small homemade biscuits, plain carrot or green bean pieces, and a few blueberries all work as daily rewards when they stay within your dog’s treat allowance. Rotating a few keeps things interesting.
Want more ideas? See the full collection of homemade dog treat recipes.
The Bottom Line
A good dog biscuit recipe doesn’t need sugar, salt or a long shopping list. Bake these carrot and oat bones, give them time to dry for real crunch, and count them toward your dog’s daily treats. For a sweeter option, try our pumpkin dog treats, or explore all of our Homemade Treats. This article is general information, not veterinary advice; see our Veterinary Disclaimer.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.