Peanut Butter & Banana Dog Biscuits

These Peanut Butter & Banana Dog Biscuits combine two of the most beloved dog-friendly flavors into a crunchy, naturally sweet homemade treat. Creamy peanut butter and ripe banana bring plenty of flavor on their own, so there’s no need for any added sugar, and hearty oats round everything out with a satisfying crunch.

Because peanut butter is a key ingredient here, there’s one critical safety detail worth understanding thoroughly before you start. The notes below cover that, along with tips for getting the texture right and storing the finished biscuits properly.

A quick but important note before you start: even with dog-friendly ingredients, homemade treats like these should only make up a small part of your dog’s overall diet. Every dog has different nutritional needs and sensitivities, so if your dog has any known allergies, digestive issues, or health conditions, check with your veterinarian before introducing a new treat.

Why Your Dog Will Love This Recipe

• A beloved flavor combination. Peanut butter and banana are two of the most popular flavors in homemade dog treats.
• Naturally sweet, no added sugar. The banana provides plenty of natural sweetness on its own.
• Satisfying crunch. A thorough bake gives these biscuits a firm, crunchy texture dogs enjoy chewing.
• Simple, wholesome ingredients. Just a handful of pantry staples, no complicated steps.
• Great for keeping the treat jar stocked. These store and freeze well, so you can always have a batch ready to go.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter & Banana Dog Biscuits

• 1 large ripe banana, mashed
• ½ cup natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1–3 tablespoons water, if needed

Optional Add-Ins

• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 2 tablespoons oat flour, if the dough needs extra firming

Ingredient Notes

Ripe banana. A ripe banana provides natural sweetness and a soft, moist texture that helps bind the dough. The riper the banana, the sweeter and more fragrant it will be, so a banana with a good number of brown spots works especially well here. Bananas are generally considered a dog-safe fruit in moderation.

Peanut butter — xylitol-free is essential. This is the single most important ingredient note in the entire recipe. Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in many “natural” or sugar-free peanut butters, and it is highly toxic to dogs, even in small amounts — it can cause a dangerous, rapid drop in blood sugar and, in some cases, liver failure. Always check the ingredient label carefully and confirm the peanut butter you’re using does not contain xylitol (sometimes listed as “birch sugar”) before using it in any dog treat recipe. Choose a plain peanut butter with minimal ingredients, ideally just peanuts and perhaps a small amount of salt.

Egg. The egg helps bind the dough together and adds a bit of protein. This recipe is baked long enough to cook the egg thoroughly.

Old-fashioned rolled oats. Oats are gentle and easy to digest for most dogs, and they give these biscuits their hearty texture.

Whole-wheat flour. This gives the dough enough structure to hold its shape when cut into biscuit shapes and baked, resulting in a firmer, more traditional biscuit texture.

Substitutions and Variations

• Oat flour instead of whole-wheat flour: For dogs with wheat sensitivities, you can replace part or all of the whole-wheat flour with oat flour, adjusting the liquid slightly as needed since oat flour absorbs moisture differently.
• Sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter: For dogs with peanut allergies, plain sunflower seed butter can be used in place of peanut butter in an equal amount, as long as it’s also free of xylitol and added sugar.
• A touch of cinnamon: A small amount of cinnamon is generally considered safe for dogs in small quantities and adds a warm flavor note, though it’s entirely optional.
• Added flaxseed: Ground flaxseed contributes a bit of fiber and healthy fat, and blends easily into the dough.
• Pumpkin addition: A couple tablespoons of 100% pure pumpkin purée can be folded in alongside the banana for extra flavor and moisture.

Kitchen Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Large mixing bowl
• Fork or potato masher, for mashing the banana
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters (bone, paw print, or circle shapes work well)
• Wire cooling rack

How to Make Peanut Butter & Banana Dog Biscuits

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mash the Banana

In a large bowl, mash the banana until smooth. A ripe banana should mash easily with just a fork.

Step 3: Add the Peanut Butter and Egg

Add the peanut butter and egg to the mashed banana, stirring until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Add the Dry Ingredients

Add the rolled oats and whole-wheat flour to the bowl, mixing until a firm, workable dough forms. If the dough feels too dry or crumbly, add water a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too sticky to roll, work in a little extra oat flour.

Step 5: Roll and Cut

Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch (6 mm) thick. Cut into bone shapes, paw prints, or small circles using cookie cutters, and arrange the pieces on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 22 to 28 minutes, or until the biscuits are firm and lightly golden around the edges. For extra-crunchy biscuits, turn off the oven once baking is done and leave the biscuits inside for another 20 to 30 minutes as the oven cools. This gradual drying-out period gives them a firmer, crunchier bite.

Step 7: Cool Completely

Transfer the biscuits to a wire rack and let them cool completely before serving. Full cooling also helps them firm up to their final crunchy texture.

Expert Tips for the Best Results

• Always double-check your peanut butter label. Confirm it’s free of xylitol every time you buy a new jar, since ingredients can change between brands or even between batches.
• Use a very ripe banana. The riper the banana, the more natural sweetness it brings, which matters since this recipe has no added sugar.
• Roll the dough to an even thickness. Consistent thickness helps the biscuits bake evenly, so you avoid some pieces being underdone while others turn out overly hard.
• Use the oven-cooling step for extra crunch. This step deepens the crunch without any risk of burning, since the oven is already off.
• Let the biscuits cool fully before storing. Packing away warm biscuits can trap steam and lead to a softer texture or promote spoilage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using peanut butter that contains xylitol. This is the most critical mistake to avoid in this recipe. Xylitol is dangerous for dogs, so always read the label carefully, even on brands marketed as “natural” or “all-natural.”

Using an underripe banana. A banana that isn’t fully ripe will be less sweet and harder to mash smoothly, which can affect both the flavor and texture of the dough.

Rolling the dough unevenly. Inconsistent thickness leads to uneven baking, with some biscuits turning out too soft and others too hard.

Serving biscuits before they’re fully cooled. Warm biscuits are softer than their final texture, so it’s hard to judge doneness, and warm treats are more prone to sticking together in storage.

Assuming a new jar of peanut butter is the same as your last one. Formulations can change between purchases, so it’s worth checking the label every time rather than relying on memory.

How to Serve Peanut Butter & Banana Dog Biscuits

These biscuits work well as an everyday treat, broken into smaller pieces for training rewards, or kept in a treat jar for an easy grab-and-go option. As with any homemade treat, they should be offered in moderation and shouldn’t replace a balanced, complete dog food as your pet’s primary diet.

Make-Ahead Instructions

This recipe is easy to make ahead, since the finished biscuits store well and hold their crunch for days once fully cooled. Bake a full batch at the start of the week and keep the treat jar stocked with fresh biscuits, pulling more from the freezer as needed.

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature or Refrigerating

Because these biscuits are fully baked and low in moisture, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the refrigerator for slightly longer freshness.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze the biscuits in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t necessary for these biscuits, since they’re meant to be served at room temperature. If a batch has softened slightly in storage, you can warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes to re-crisp them before letting them cool again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes. These biscuits store well, so you can bake a batch in advance and keep it at room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen until you’re ready to use it.

How long do these dog biscuits last? Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they’ll keep for about 1 week, or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Can I freeze homemade dog biscuits? Yes. Freeze them in a freezer-safe container or bag and thaw at room temperature before serving.

Is xylitol really dangerous for dogs? Yes, and seriously so. Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in some peanut butters and other products, can cause a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar in dogs, and in some cases can lead to liver failure. Always check ingredient labels closely and never use a peanut butter unless you’ve confirmed it’s xylitol-free.

Can I use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter? Yes. Plain sunflower seed butter, free of xylitol and added sugar, works as a substitute for dogs with peanut allergies.

Why is my dough too crumbly or too sticky? If the dough is dry and crumbly, add water a tablespoon at a time until it holds together. If it’s too sticky to roll, work in a bit more oat flour.

Why aren’t my biscuits crunchy enough? This usually means they need more time in the oven, or could benefit from the optional oven-cooling step, which lets residual heat continue drying them out for extra crunch.

How many of these treats can I give my dog? Treats like these should only make up a small portion of your dog’s daily diet. The right portion size depends on your dog’s size, weight, and regular food intake, so when in doubt, check with your veterinarian, especially for very small dogs or dogs with health conditions.

Final Recipe Summary

These Peanut Butter & Banana Dog Biscuits combine two beloved dog-friendly flavors into a crunchy, naturally sweet homemade treat with no added sugar. With an easy roll-and-cut method and an optional oven-cooling step for extra crunch, this is a great go-to recipe for keeping the treat jar stocked. Just remember to always double-check that your peanut butter is xylitol-free, use a ripe banana for the best sweetness, and offer these biscuits as an occasional treat rather than a substitute for your dog’s regular diet.

Prep Time: 15–20 minutes Cook Time: 22–28 minutes (plus an optional 20–30 minutes of oven-cooling time for extra crunch) Total Time: Approximately 40 minutes to just over 1 hour Yield: Varies by cutter size; typically 24–30 biscuits

Print