4 Quick and Easy Homemade 3-Ingredient Dog Treats

Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM

3-ingredient dog treats are a good choice for pawrents who do not have enough time on their hands but still want to make something special for their furry pals. They are also great for pet owners on a tight budget.

If you fit any of these two categories, these 4 homemade 3-ingredient dog treats are for you:

1. Banana Sushi

Create a simple dog snack using ingredients you can easily find in the grocery section.

Ingredients

• 3 whole bananas
• 6 tablespoons unsweetened, all-natural peanut butter
• 3 gluten-free tortilla wraps

Instructions

1. Place a tortilla wrap flat on a clean working surface, such as a cutting board.
2. Using a butter knife or a spoon, evenly spread a layer of peanut butter on one side of the tortilla.
3. Peel the bananas and carefully straighten them. Don’t worry if they form little cracks on their curves.
4. Lay one banana on the side of the tortilla where the peanut butter is spread.
5. Roll the tortilla tightly and seal the end with peanut butter. Then trim its ends.
6. Repeat this process with the remaining bananas and tortillas.
7. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Slice the banana rolls into 1-inch rounds.
9. Place these homemade 3-ingredient dog treats on the lined baking sheets.
10. Cover them loosely with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes to an hour.

Notes

• Store leftover banana sushi in an airtight container and place in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• These homemade dog treats are highly customizable to your furry friend’s preference. The peanut butter can be swapped with plain Greek yogurt, carob sauce, and unsweetened berry jam.
• If you have more time on your hands, you can also add slices of other dog-friendly fruits to these peanut butter banana doggy snacks.

2. Jam Drops

You only need simple baking skills to create these 3-ingredient dog treats.

Ingredients

• 2 cups desiccated coconut
• 1 ½ cup low-fat, unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 cup blueberry jam

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Use a parchment paper to line the baking sheet.
3. In a large bowl, mix the unsweetened coconut milk and desiccated coconut until they are properly combined.
4. Scoop out a tablespoon of the mixture and form into a ball. Then place it in the lined baking tray.
5. Repeat until you finish turning the mixture into small balls.
6. Press your finger firmly but gently on the center of each ball to create a dent.
7. Use a teaspoon or a piping bag to apply icing on these homemade 3-ingredient dog treats.
8. Put the baking sheet in the oven. Bake the jam drops for at least 11 to 15 minutes until their edges are golden brown.
9. Take these dog-friendly treats out of the oven. Let them cool down to room temperature before feeding them to your canine companion.

Notes

• The jam drops can be kept at room temperature for up to 7 days if placed in an airtight container. Placing the container in the fridge can make these homemade 3-ingredient dog treats last longer.
• Avoid using fresh coconut flesh because they contain too much moisture. The dog treats will fail to maintain their shape if this ingredient is used.

3. Snack Jar

Put together a hearty snack for your pup in a short amount of time using this dog treats recipe.

Ingredients

• ½ cup diced red bell pepper
• ½ cup fresh green peas
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt

Instructions

1. In an 8-ounce jar, begin assembling the ingredients.
2. Place the plain Greek yogurt first, followed by the green peas, and then the red bell pepper.
3. Feed this 3-ingredient dog treat to your dog as is or let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
4. Stir it before serving to your canine companion.

Notes

• Cover the snack jar with a lid or an aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
• Green peas have high purines levels, which might not be suitable for some pooches with health conditions like kidney stones and gout. If your pet is on a low-purine diet, feel free to use other fresh fruits or vegetables when making this 3-ingredient dog treats.

4. Cheese Scones

Give your furry pal fancy 3-ingredient dog treats without jumping through hoops of complicated baking instructions.

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup oat milk
• 3 cups self-raising flour

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 392 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
3. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl using your hands. Mix them together until they form a soft, fine breadcrumb texture.
4. If the dough is too dry, add small amounts of oat milk while kneading until you get the ideal texture.
5. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface.
6. Form it into a ball and use a rolling pin to flatten it into 2-centimeter thickness.
7. Use a 5-centimeter pastry cutter or the lip of the glass to stamp out 10 to 15 scones from the dough.
8. Reroll and flatten any remaining dough and repeat the process of trimming.
9. Arrange these 3-ingredient dog treats side-by-side on the lined baking sheet.
10. Bake these cheese scones for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheesy scones have risen and their tops have a golden brown color.
11. Remove them from the oven and let them cool on the cooling rack.

Notes

• Be careful when mixing the dough. Avoid overkneading the dough as the end result will be hard scones.
• Use cold ingredients, especially the oat milk, for these 3-ingredient dog treats to have a flakier texture.
• Prevent the dough from sticking to the cutter when stamping out shapes by dipping the cutter in the flour.
• When cutting the scones, press the cutter straight down. Do not use a twisting motion as it can seal the dough’s edges, keeping it from rising during the baking process.

FAQs About Homemade 3-Ingredient Dog Treats

1. Are Too Many Homemade 3-Ingredient Dog Treats Bad for My Pet?

Although homemade 3-ingredient dog treats are healthy for your pet, feeding him too much of them can upset his stomach. Thus, restrict to offering only a few pieces of snacks per week.

2. What Foods Are Best to Use for 3-Ingredient Dog Treats?

The best foods to use for 3-ingredient dog treats are ones commonly available on the grocery store. Always remember to go for dog-friendly options to keep your dog from getting sick.

Be extra mindful if your dog has preexisting medical conditions. Even if many human foods are safe for most pooches to eat, they might be off-limits to some dogs with health problems.

3. Can I Use Regular Flour for 3-Ingredient Dog Treats?

Regular flour is safe to use for 3-ingredient dog treats. However, it does not offer ample amounts of nutrition since it is highly processed. It would be best to look for healthier alternatives, such as oat flour, coconut flour, and quinoa flour.

4. Is Peanut Butter Good for 3-Ingredient Dog Treats?

Peanut butter is good for 3-ingredient dog treats because it adds more kick to these snacks. Just remember to avoid brands containing the sweetener xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs.

Conclusion

If you are trying out making homemade snacks for your dogs, the recipes we have shared above are a good introduction to the process. They are quick and easy to make and most of all, save you money compared to store-bought treats.