Pumpkin & Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Treat your furry best friend to these delicious and healthy homemade dog cookies! Made with wholesome butternut squash, oat flour, and dog-safe peanut butter, these crunchy bites are flavored with a hint of cinnamon. They're easy to bake and a great way to show your pup some extra love.
Making the Dough Instructions
- First, prepare the butternut squash. You can steam it, boil it, or roast it until very tender. Let it cool down completely.
- Once cooled, measure out 200g of the cooked squash flesh.
- In a food processor, combine the cooled butternut squash, oat flour, flaxseed meal, peanut butter (make sure it's xylitol-free!), and ground cinnamon.
- Blend the mixture until it comes together into a smooth, cohesive dough. It should form a ball easily.
- If the dough seems too sticky, add a tiny bit more oat flour. If too dry, add a teaspoon of water or a little more squash.
Rolling & Baking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Turn the dough ball out onto a surface lightly dusted with oat flour. Sprinkle a little more oat flour on top of the dough ball.
- Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out evenly to a thickness of about 3-4mm (about 1/8 inch).
- Occasionally lift and flip the dough while rolling, dusting lightly with oat flour underneath and on top as needed to prevent sticking.
- Using your favorite cookie cutters (bone shapes are always fun!), cut out the cookies.
- Carefully place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheet(s), leaving a little space between them (they won't spread much).
- Gather the dough scraps, re-roll, and cut out more cookies until you've used all the dough.
- Bake one tray at a time in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. Keep a close eye on them towards the end, as you want them slightly golden and firm, but not burnt.
- While the first batch is baking, you can prepare the next batch on another sheet of parchment paper.
- Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They will get crunchier as they cool.
Notes
- CRITICAL SAFETY NOTE: Ensure your peanut butter does NOT contain Xylitol (also called Birch Sugar). Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs.
- Oat flour is naturally gluten-free, making these suitable for dogs with wheat sensitivities. You can make your own oat flour by blending rolled oats in a blender/food processor until fine.
- Steam-cooking the squash is great as it doesn't add extra water. If you boil it, make sure to drain it very well.
- If the dough is sticky, add oat flour in very small amounts—too much will make the treats dry and crumbly.
- Bake until firm and lightly golden; the treats will get crunchier as they cool.
- Store the completely cooled cookies in an airtight container in a fridge for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
- These are treats and should be given in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
- Always consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about ingredients or your dog's specific dietary needs.
Equipment Needed
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Pot
- Stove
- Oven
- Steamer
- Microwave
- Food Processor
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Kitchen Scale
- Liquid Measuring Cup
- Sheet Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Rolling Pin
- Bench Scraper
- Kitchen Towel
- Wire Rack
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