No bake dog treats are the fastest way to make something special for your dog: stir, roll, chill, done. This guide has three no cook dog treats: 3-ingredient peanut butter pumpkin oat balls, peanut-butter-free banana applesauce bites, and a 2-ingredient version for when the cupboard is nearly empty. Each comes with calories per treat, portions by weight and storage times, because treats that skip the oven need the fridge.
Recipes: peanut butter pumpkin oat balls, banana applesauce oat bites (no peanut butter), 2-ingredient banana oat balls • Prep: 10–15 minutes • Chill: 30 minutes • Yield: 30–40 treats • Difficulty: very easy • Storage: fridge 5–7 days, freezer 3 months
Use quick or rolled oats and peanut butter without xylitol.
Table of Contents
How to Make Easy No Bake Dog Treats
No-bake treats rely on a sticky base to hold dry ingredients together. The formula is simple: about one part “binder” to two parts “dry”:
| Sticky Binders | Dry Ingredients | Optional Add-Ins |
|---|---|---|
| Natural peanut butter (no xylitol), mashed banana, plain pumpkin, unsweetened applesauce, plain Greek yogurt | Quick oats, rolled oats, oat flour, unsweetened shredded coconut (small amounts) | Blueberries, grated carrot, finely chopped apple, a pinch of cinnamon |
Raw oats are safe for dogs to eat uncooked in treat amounts, and quick oats give the smoothest texture. If the mix is too wet, add oats a spoonful at a time; too crumbly, add more binder.
Recipe 1: No Bake Dog Treats With Peanut Butter, Pumpkin and Oats
No-Bake Peanut Butter Pumpkin Oat Balls
Ingredients
Method
- Stir the peanut butter and pumpkin together until smooth. Warm stiff peanut butter for 10 seconds.
- Mix in the oats until evenly coated.
- Roll into about 40 small balls, roughly 1 inch across. Wet hands help.
- Chill on a lined tray for 30 minutes to firm up.
Notes
The batch is about 1,100 calories, so each ball has roughly 28 calories. Peanut butter is calorie-dense, which is why these are small.
Recipe 2: No Bake Dog Treats Without Peanut Butter
Great for dogs with peanut sensitivities, or when you’re out of peanut butter.
No-Bake Banana Applesauce Oat Dog Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Mash the banana and stir in the applesauce.
- Add the oats and mix well. Rest 5 minutes so the oats absorb moisture.
- Roll into about 30 balls, or press into a lined pan and cut into squares.
- Chill 30 minutes, or freeze for firmer bites.
Notes
Each bite has about 21 calories.
2-ingredient dog treat recipe: banana oat balls
Mash 1 ripe banana with about 1 cup of quick oats until it holds together, roll into 20 balls and chill. Each has about 20 calories. It’s the simplest homemade dog treat there is.
How Many No-Bake Treats Per Day?
Keep treats under about 10% of daily calories, as the WSAVA treat guide recommends. Calories use USDA FoodData Central ingredient values:
| Dog’s Weight | Daily Treat Budget | PB Oat Balls (28 kcal) | Banana Bites (21 kcal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~35 kcal | 1 | 1 |
| 25 lb (11 kg) | ~70 kcal | 2 | 3 |
| 50 lb (23 kg) | ~115 kcal | 4 | 5 |
| 75 lb (34 kg) | ~160 kcal | 5 | 7 |
Our estimates for neutered adult dogs. For small dogs, roll the balls half the size and double the count.
Storage: Why No-Bake Means Fridge
Baking dries treats out and helps them keep. No-bake treats stay moist, so they spoil faster:
- Fridge: airtight container, 5–7 days (banana versions closer to 5).
- Freezer: up to 3 months. Many dogs love them straight from the freezer on hot days.
- Room temperature: only a few hours, so don’t leave them in a car or treat pouch all day.
Swaps and Variations
| Variation | How |
|---|---|
| No pumpkin | Use mashed banana or applesauce in Recipe 1 |
| No oats | Use coconut flour (about a quarter of the amount) or ground flaxseed |
| With yogurt | Replace the applesauce with plain Greek yogurt and freeze; see yogurt dog treats |
| With coconut oil | A teaspoon helps bind, but it adds fat, so keep it small |
| Pumpkin focus | See our pumpkin dog treats for baked and frozen versions |
Are raw oats okay in no-bake treats? Yes, plain oats are fine in treat amounts.
The main thing to watch with peanut butter treats? Xylitol on the label, and the calories, since peanut butter is very rich.
How should owners store them? In the fridge for about a week, or in the freezer.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
No Bake Dog Treats: Quick Guide
✓ Do
- Use xylitol-free peanut butter
- Roll treats small
- Keep them in the fridge or freezer
- Count them in the daily treat budget
✕ Don’t
- Add chocolate, raisins or sugar
- Leave them out all day
- Overdo peanut butter for heavy dogs
- Use sweetened coconut
Every dog is different. Dogs with pancreatitis, allergies or weight issues should get their vet’s okay first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat raw oats?
Yes, plain raw oats are safe in treat amounts. Quick oats are softer and easier to digest than steel-cut oats.
How do I make homemade dog treats without flour?
No-bake balls are naturally flour-free: oats, a sticky binder and a chill in the fridge are all you need.
Can I make no bake dog treats without oats?
Yes. Combine peanut butter or pumpkin with a little coconut flour or ground flaxseed, roll, and chill.
Are no-bake treats okay for puppies?
Yes, in small pieces once your puppy eats solid food. They’re soft and easy to chew; see our puppy treat recipes for more.
Why are my no-bake treats falling apart?
They need more binder or more time to chill. Add a spoon of peanut butter or pumpkin, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
Can I freeze no-bake dog treats?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Freeze them on a tray first, then move them to a bag so they don’t stick together.
Looking for another recipe? Browse all our homemade dog treats by type.
The Bottom Line
No bake dog treats come together in minutes with oats and a sticky binder like peanut butter, pumpkin, banana or applesauce. Keep them small, store them in the fridge or freezer, and always use xylitol-free peanut butter. Find more recipes in our Homemade Treats section. 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.
- WSAVA — WSAVA treat guide
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central