Peanut Butter and Oats Dog Treats: 6 Easy Recipes

Peanut butter and oats is the simplest dog treat base there is: oats give the dough structure, peanut butter holds it together and adds flavor dogs love. Below are six recipes with exact amounts: a classic baked biscuit, no-bake balls, pumpkin cookies, soft banana bites for seniors, frozen bites and carrot rounds. Each has bake times, rough calories per treat and storage, plus the peanut butter label check that keeps them safe.

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Quick Answer

• Classic recipe: 2 cups rolled oats (blended into flour) + 1/2 cup xylitol-free peanut butter + 1 egg + a few tablespoons of water. Roll 1/4 inch thick, bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Peanut butter check: the label should list peanuts and maybe salt. No xylitol (also called birch sugar).
• Oats: plain old-fashioned rolled oats. Never flavored instant oatmeal packets.
• Calories: about 30 to 50 per treat. Peanut butter is rich, at roughly 95 calories per tablespoon.
• Storage: crunchy biscuits about 1 week airtight, 2 weeks in the fridge, 3 months frozen.

Are Peanut Butter and Oats Safe for Dogs?

Yes, for most dogs, in treat-size amounts.

• Peanut butter is safe as long as it has no xylitol, which is toxic to dogs even in small amounts. Natural peanut butter (just peanuts, or peanuts and salt) is the safest choice. It’s high in fat, so keep portions small for dogs with pancreatitis or weight problems.
• Oats are a gentle, easy-to-digest grain with soluble fiber. Use plain rolled or quick oats. Flavored instant oatmeal can contain sugar, raisins or chocolate.

Skip these treats if your dog has a peanut allergy. Signs of a reaction include itching, hives, swelling, vomiting or diarrhea.

Recipe 1: Classic Peanut Butter Oat Biscuits

Makes: about 30 biscuits (2 inch) | Prep: 10 min | Bake: 15 to 20 min | About 45 calories each

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup xylitol-free peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 2 to 4 tablespoons water

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Blend the oats in a blender or food processor until they look like flour.
3. Mix the peanut butter and egg, then stir in the oat flour. Add water a tablespoon at a time until the dough holds together.
4. Roll between two sheets of parchment to 1/4 inch thick and cut into shapes. Oat dough is soft, so chill it for 15 minutes if it’s hard to cut.
5. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until golden at the edges.
6. For crunchier biscuits, turn the oven off and leave them inside for 15 to 30 minutes.
7. Cool completely before storing.

Recipe 2: No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Balls

Makes: about 25 balls (1 inch) | Chill: 30 min | About 40 calories each

• 1 cup quick or rolled oats
• 1/2 cup xylitol-free peanut butter
• 2 to 3 tablespoons mashed ripe banana or water

1. Stir everything into a thick, sticky dough. Add a little more oats if it’s too soft to roll.
2. Roll into 1 inch balls and set them on a parchment-lined tray.
3. Chill at least 30 minutes until firm.

Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze. These are rich, so for small dogs or training, roll them pea-size.

Recipe 3: Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oat Cookies

Makes: about 24 cookies | Bake: 20 to 25 min | About 50 calories each

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup xylitol-free peanut butter
• 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
• 1 large egg

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet.
2. Mix the peanut butter, pumpkin and egg, then fold in the oats.
3. Drop rounded tablespoons onto the sheet and flatten slightly.
4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until firm to the touch.

Pumpkin makes these softer and moister, so store them in the fridge for up to 1 week. More pumpkin ideas in our pumpkin dog treats guide.

Recipe 4: Soft Banana Peanut Butter Oat Bites

Makes: about 20 bites | Bake: 15 min | About 45 calories each

• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/3 cup xylitol-free peanut butter
• 1 cup rolled oats

1. Heat the oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet.
2. Mash the banana until smooth, mix in the peanut butter, then the oats. The mix will be sticky.
3. Scoop heaping teaspoons onto the sheet and flatten slightly.
4. Bake 15 minutes until set.

These stay soft, which makes them good for senior dogs and puppies. Refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze.

Recipe 5: Frozen Peanut Butter Oat Yogurt Bites

Makes: about 24 ice cube tray bites | Freeze: 2 to 3 hours | About 30 calories each

• 1 cup plain yogurt (no sweeteners or xylitol)
• 1/4 cup xylitol-free peanut butter
• 1/2 cup oats, blended fine

1. Stir everything into a thick paste.
2. Spoon into a silicone ice cube tray or small mold.
3. Freeze 2 to 3 hours until solid, then move to a freezer bag.

Keep frozen for up to 2 months. Good for hot days and teething puppies. See also our frozen dog treats.

Recipe 6: Carrot Peanut Butter Oat Rounds

Makes: about 20 rounds | Bake: 15 to 18 min | About 45 calories each

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup finely shredded carrot
• 1/3 cup xylitol-free peanut butter
• 1 large egg

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet.
2. Mix everything until combined.
3. Roll into 1 inch balls, set on the sheet and press flat with a fork.
4. Bake 15 to 18 minutes until golden.

Refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze.

Swaps

Instead of	Use	Note
Peanut butter	Plain sunflower seed butter	Same amount. For dogs with a peanut allergy. Check for xylitol.
Egg	1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water	Let it sit 5 minutes first.
Egg (binding)	1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana	Softer, moister treats. Refrigerate.
Some of the oats	Whole wheat flour	Swap up to half. Makes a firmer, easier-to-roll dough.

Never add: xylitol, chocolate or cocoa, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic or macadamia nuts.

Storage Guide

Treat	Room temperature (airtight)	Fridge	Freezer
Classic baked biscuits	About 1 week	2 weeks	3 months
No-bake balls	No	Up to 1 week	3 months
Pumpkin cookies, carrot rounds	1 to 2 days	Up to 1 week	3 months
Banana bites	No	Up to 5 days	3 months
Frozen yogurt bites	No	No	Up to 2 months

Cool baked treats completely before sealing them. Peanut butter fat can go rancid, so throw out anything that smells stale, sour or “painty,” or shows mold.

How Many to Give

Keep all treats to about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. With 40 to 50 calorie treats, that’s roughly:

Dog size	Treats per day
Small (under 20 lb)	1, or break it into pieces
Medium (20 to 50 lb)	1 to 2
Large (50 lb and up)	2 to 3

For training, cut biscuits into pea-size pieces so you can give more rewards without overfeeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat raw oats?

Yes. Plain rolled oats are safe uncooked in small amounts, as in the no-bake balls. Cooked or baked oats are easier to digest in larger amounts.

How do I know if peanut butter has xylitol?

Read the ingredient list. Look for “xylitol” or “birch sugar.” Be extra careful with “sugar-free,” “keto” or “reduced sugar” products. When in doubt, choose one that lists only peanuts.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Yes. Creamy mixes more easily, but crunchy is fine if it’s xylitol-free.

Can I add honey?

Dogs don’t need it. A small amount isn’t toxic for healthy adult dogs, but it adds sugar and calories. Ripe banana or applesauce adds sweetness instead.

Are these treats grain-free?

No, oats are a grain. For a grain-free treat, see the swaps in our applesauce dog treats recipe.

The Short Version

• 2 cups oats + 1/2 cup xylitol-free peanut butter + 1 egg makes a simple, reliable biscuit.
• Check every peanut butter label for xylitol.
• These are calorie-dense. Keep pieces small and treats to about 10% of daily calories.
• Bake crunchy for room-temperature storage. Refrigerate or freeze soft and no-bake versions.

More Homemade Treat Recipes

• 3 Ingredient Dog Treats
• Applesauce Dog Treats
• Sourdough Dog Treats
• Shelf Stable Dog Treat Recipe