Pet-store biscuits can come with ingredient lists as long as your arm. These peanut butter dog treats have three: whole wheat flour, peanut butter and an egg, with a splash of water to bring the dough together. They bake into small, crunchy rounds that most dogs will sit for instantly. Here’s how to choose the jar, bake a batch with nothing more than a fork, make a no-bake version, and keep portions sensible for such a rich ingredient.
Prep: 15 minutes • Bake: 18–22 minutes at 350°F (175°C) • Yield: about 45 small biscuits • Difficulty: Easy • Storage: airtight jar 1 week, freezer 3 months
Peanut butter is calorie-dense, so these biscuits are made small on purpose: about 24 calories each.
Table of Contents
Start With the Right Jar
The recipe is only as safe as the peanut butter you use. Before you scoop, flip the jar over:
- No xylitol: also listed as birch sugar. The FDA warns it can cause a dangerous drop in a dog’s blood sugar. “Sugar-free” and protein-boosted spreads deserve the closest look.
- Short ingredient list: peanuts alone, or peanuts and a little salt, is ideal. Unsalted is best.
- Stir natural jars well: mix the oil back in so every batch has the same texture.
Our guide to peanut butter for dogs covers label reading and brands in more detail.
Ingredients for 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Dog Treats
- 1¼ cups (150 g) whole wheat flour: sturdy enough to hold a crunchy shape.
- ⅓ cup (85 g) natural, xylitol-free peanut butter: the flavor dogs go wild for.
- 1 large egg: binds everything together.
- ¼ cup water, plus a little more if needed. It doesn’t count as an ingredient, but the dough needs it.
How to Bake Them, Step by Step
No rolling pin or cookie cutter required. A fork does the shaping.
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment.
- Whisk the egg, then stir in the peanut butter and water until smooth.
- Add the flour and knead briefly in the bowl until it feels like play dough. Add water a teaspoon at a time if it crumbles.
- Roll marble-size balls about 3/4 inch across and space them on the sheets.
- Press each ball with a fork, then press again crosswise.
- Bake 18 to 22 minutes, until golden on the bottom. For extra crunch, leave them in the switched-off oven for 30 minutes.
Notes
No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bites
When the oven is off-limits, try this quick version. It firms up in the fridge instead of baking:
No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bites for Dogs
Ingredients
Method
- Stir the peanut butter into the oats.
- Add water a little at a time until the mixture holds together when squeezed.
- Roll into teaspoon-size balls and chill for 1 hour on a lined plate.
Notes
Each bite comes to roughly 20 calories. They stay softer than the baked biscuits, so keep them in the fridge.
Treat Size Matters: How Many to Give
Based on USDA FoodData Central values, the baked batch totals about 1,090 calories (flour ~510, peanut butter ~507, egg ~72), or roughly 24 calories per biscuit. A spoonful of peanut butter carries a lot of fat, which is exactly why small shapes beat big bones.
The WSAVA treat guide recommends keeping all treats under about 10% of daily calories. If these biscuits are your dog’s only treat that day:
| Dog Size | Weight | Biscuits Per Day | Approx. Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | Under 10 lb | 1 | ~24 kcal |
| Small | 10–25 lb | 1–2 | 24–48 kcal |
| Medium | 25–50 lb | 3–4 | 72–96 kcal |
| Large | 50–90 lb | 5–7 | 120–168 kcal |
| Giant | 90+ lb | Up to 8 | ~190 kcal |
Estimates for healthy adult dogs. Break biscuits in half for training, and check with your vet for puppies or dogs watching their weight.
Storing Your Biscuits
- Baked biscuits: cool completely, then keep in an airtight jar for about a week, or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
- No-bake bites: refrigerate for up to a week.
- Freezer: both versions freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw a few at a time.
Underbaked biscuits soften and spoil faster, so if yours bend instead of snap, refrigerate them.
Easy Variations
- Four-ingredient pumpkin version: swap the water for ¼ cup plain canned pumpkin. Our pumpkin dog treats recipe explains which can to buy.
- Wheat-free: use oat flour in place of whole wheat. You may need a little extra.
- Training bits: roll pea-size balls and bake 12–15 minutes for tiny, low-calorie rewards.
- Party-ready: for a special occasion, try our dog cake recipe instead.
Who should skip peanut butter treats? Dogs with a history of pancreatitis or on a vet-prescribed low-fat diet, and any dog that gets itchy or has an upset stomach after peanut butter. Never add chocolate chips, raisins or sugar-free sweeteners to the dough. If your dog eats something risky, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Peanut Butter Treats for Dogs: Quick Serving Guide
Do
- Check the jar for xylitol
- Keep biscuits small
- Bake until they snap
- Count them as daily treats
Don't
- Sugar-free or birch sugar spreads
- Chocolate chips or raisins
- Big bones for small dogs
- Leave soft treats out for days
Every dog is different. Check with your veterinarian first if your dog has pancreatitis, a food allergy or another health condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are peanut butter treats good for dogs?
In moderation, yes, as long as the peanut butter is xylitol-free. They’re rich in fat and calories, so they’re best as small rewards rather than a big daily snack.
Can I make 3-ingredient peanut butter dog treats without banana?
Yes. This recipe uses flour, peanut butter and an egg, with water for moisture, and no banana at all. Plain canned pumpkin or unsweetened applesauce can also replace the water.
How do I make two-ingredient treats with peanut butter?
Mix xylitol-free peanut butter with rolled oats, add a splash of water, roll into small balls and chill. The no-bake oat bites above follow exactly that method.
What foods do dogs go crazy for?
Most dogs love strong, savory or nutty smells, which is why peanut butter, plain cooked chicken and cheese are such popular rewards. Crunchy produce like carrots wins over plenty of dogs, too.
Are 2 eggs enough for a dog?
It depends on your dog’s size and diet. Cooked eggs can be an occasional extra, but two a day is a lot of calories for a small dog. Ask your vet how eggs fit into your dog’s overall diet.
Find your next bake in our homemade dog treats guide, sorted into baked, frozen, meaty and holiday recipes.
The Bottom Line
Homemade peanut butter dog treats take one bowl, one fork and about 40 minutes. Choose a xylitol-free jar, keep the biscuits small, and count them toward your dog’s daily treat allowance. Want more ideas? Browse every recipe in our Homemade Treats collection. 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.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Paws xylitol its dangerous dogs
- WSAVA — WSAVA treat guide