Banana Muffin Dog Treat Recipe
You know that look your dog gives you when you’re holding a muffin?
That full-on, head tilt, laser-beam stare like you’re betraying them with every single bite?
Yeah. That one.
Well… this is how you make it up to them.
These Banana Muffin Dog Treats are soft, healthy, and packed with ingredients you probably already have. Your dog will love them, and you’ll love how easy they are to make. Seriously, this is a no-stress, minimal mess, budget-friendly, dog-parent win.
Also, bonus, your kitchen’s going to smell amazing. You’ve been warned.
Let’s dive in.
But First: Why Homemade Dog Treats?
I get it. Store-bought is easy. But here’s the thing:
| Store-Bought Treats | Homemade Dog Treats |
|---|---|
| $$ | Cheaper overall |
| Preservatives | Real ingredients |
| “Natural flavor” (what even is that?) | You know exactly what’s inside |
| One texture | You control softness, crunch, everything |
| Could contain allergens | Fully customizable |
Also, baking dog treats feels oddly fulfilling. Like, you’re not just feeding your dog, you’re doing something nice for them. It’s personal. It’s cute. It’s love in a muffin tin.
And if your dog has a birthday coming up? You just won.
So… What Are We Making?
Think: mini banana muffins with a dog-safe twist.
They’re soft, mildly sweet (from the bananas), and have just enough peanut butter to make your dog feel like it’s a celebration in their mouth.
Want a quick visual demo? This video nails it.
What You’ll Need
Let’s talk ingredients. Nothing weird. Nothing expensive.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ripe bananas | 2 (medium) |
| Water | 2 cups |
| Egg | 1, beaten |
| Natural peanut butter (xylitol-free) | 2 Tbsp |
| Rolled oats | 3 cups |
| Baking powder | 1 Tbsp |
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Ingredient Notes:
- Bananas: The riper the better. Black spots are totally fine.
- Peanut Butter: Double-check for NO xylitol. It’s toxic to dogs.
- Oats: These will be blitzed into flour. If you already have oat flour, skip the blending.
- Baking Powder: Helps the muffins rise a bit and feel less dense.
Let’s Bake: Full Instructions
Set your oven to 350°F (or 175°C if you’re fancy metric). Get ready to have a good time.
- Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl. Don’t overthink it. Fork or potato masher, it doesn’t matter. Just make it mushy.
- Add the egg, peanut butter, and water. Mix until it looks like smoothie batter. If your dog’s watching you do this, yes, it does smell like a treat already.
- Grind the oats in a food processor or blender until it looks like flour. You want it fine, not chunky.
- Stir the oats and baking powder into the wet ingredients. Use a spatula or spoon, whatever feels right. It should be thick but scoopable.
- Scoop the batter into a mini muffin tin. About ¾ full is great. You can spray it with non-stick spray or use liners. If you go liner-less, they pop out easier after cooling.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the tops are golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely. Like totally. Hot muffins = sad puppy tongue. No one wants that.
People also like: Homemade Beef and Carrot Muffins for Dogs
Pro Tips (a.k.a. What I Wish I Knew Before)
- Bananas too firm? Microwave them for 30 seconds. Game-changer.
- Make it blender-only. Want to skip the bowls? Mash bananas in a high-speed blender, throw everything in, blend, and pour directly into tins. One less dish.
- Use silicone muffin pans. No sticking. No liners. They’re magical.
- For crunchier treats, bake an extra 5 minutes and leave them in the warm oven after turning it off.
- Freeze in twos. Pop them into Ziplocs, two muffins per bag. Easy portion control.
Want to Switch Things Up?
Here are some ways to remix this recipe based on your dog’s diet or what you have on hand.
| If You Don’t Have… | Try This Instead |
|---|---|
| Eggs | Use 1 Tbsp flaxseed + 3 Tbsp water (sit for 5 mins) |
| Bananas | Use unsweetened applesauce (1:1 ratio) |
| Peanut Butter | Use pumpkin puree or almond butter |
| Oats | Try brown rice flour or whole wheat flour (adjust quantity) |
Flavor boosters:
Can You Make These Ahead?
Yes, and you should.
You can:
Storage Table:
| Storage Method | How Long It Lasts |
|---|---|
| Room temp (airtight) | 2–3 days |
| Refrigerator | 5–6 days |
| Freezer | Up to 3 months |
Pro move: Write the bake date on your container. Future you will thank past you.
Nutrition Breakdown (Per Mini Muffin)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~60 |
| Carbs | 9g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Fat | 2g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | <2g (natural from banana) |
These are treats, not meals. One or two a day is plenty for most dogs. Always check with your vet if your dog has special dietary needs.
Leftovers? Here’s What to Do
If your dog doesn’t finish one, or you’ve got extra muffins hanging out, here’s how to keep them fresh:
You can also crumble muffins over kibble if your dog needs a little meal excitement.
FAQ
Can I eat these too?
Yes. They’re bland but edible. Add a drizzle of honey if you’re curious.
What size dogs can eat these?
All sizes! Just adjust the portion. Toy breeds? Half a muffin. Labs? Go wild (well, not too wild).
Can I use different fruits?
Sure! Apples, pumpkin, or even blueberries work. Just watch for added sugar or harmful seeds.
What if my dog doesn’t like them?
Totally normal. Dogs can be picky, too. Try swapping the peanut butter with pumpkin or use a different base fruit.
Wrap Up
If you made it this far, you’re kind of awesome.
And if you’re about to bake these muffins? Your dog’s about to think you’re awesome.
This recipe is simple, flexible, and such a great way to treat your pup without guessing what’s in a bag of store-bought snacks.
Try it out, share it with your fellow dog friends, and let me know how it went. Did your dog love it? Did you try a variation that turned out even better?
Drop a comment and let’s talk dog treats.
You’ve got this. Your dog’s already drooling in anticipation.
