3-Ingredient Apple Oat Dog Cookies

These 3 ingredient apple dog treats are soft oat cookies made from grated fresh apple, unsweetened applesauce, and rolled oats. There’s no egg, no flour, and no rolling pin. You just scoop, flatten, and bake for about 20 minutes. The most important step is removing every bit of core and every seed before the apple touches the grater.

Every fall, my neighbor leaves a bag of bruised apples on my porch. “For the dog,” she says. One October I had more apples than ideas, so I grated one into a bowl of oats with some applesauce from the fridge door. My old Lab gobbled the first test cookie and then sat at the oven like he was waiting for a bus. That’s how this recipe was born.

What Parts of an Apple Are Safe for Dogs?

The flesh is safe, and the peel is fine for most dogs. The core, seeds, and stem are not.

The American Kennel Club says apple seeds contain a small amount of cyanide, which can harm dogs in large doses, and that the tough core and stem could cause choking. The ASPCA’s apple plant page also lists the stems, leaves, and seeds as containing cyanide.

What You’ll Need

• 1 medium apple, cored, seeds removed, and grated (about 1 cup, packed)
• ¾ cup plain unsweetened applesauce
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

Yes, that’s apple twice. The grated apple gives little juicy bits. The applesauce is the glue that holds everything together, so you don’t need an egg.

Step by Step

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
3. Blend 1 cup of the oats into a fine flour.
4. Put the oat flour and the other 1 cup of whole oats in a bowl.
5. Cut the apple into quarters and cut out the core and seeds.
6. Grate the apple on the large holes of a box grater.
7. Squeeze the grated apple gently over the sink to drop extra juice.
8. Add the grated apple and applesauce to the oats.
9. Stir until every oat looks wet.
10. Let the bowl sit for 5 minutes so the oats soak up the moisture.
11. Scoop level tablespoons of dough onto the tray.
12. Flatten each one with the back of a wet spoon to about ⅓ inch thick.
13. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until the edges turn golden.
14. Cool on the tray for 10 minutes, then move to a rack.

Can I Add Cinnamon?

A tiny pinch is okay for most dogs, but it isn’t needed. The apple already smells great.

The AKC says cinnamon isn’t toxic to dogs, but cinnamon essential oil can be. It also notes that cinnamon can irritate the mouth and that breathing in the powder can make a dog cough. If you want that apple-cinnamon flavor, my simple apple cinnamon dog treats show you how much to use. Never swap in nutmeg or apple pie spice.

How Many Apple Cookies Can My Dog Eat?

Each cookie has about 33 calories. For most medium dogs, one or two a day is plenty.

Here’s my math using USDA FoodData Central: about 95 calories for the apple, about 77 for the applesauce, and about 610 for 2 cups of oats. That’s roughly 780 calories for 24 cookies.

The AKC suggests limiting fresh apple to a slice or two, because too much can upset your dog’s stomach. And VCA Animal Hospitals says treats should be no more than 10% of daily calories. I keep a simple log with a dog health tracker so I can see if his weight starts creeping up.

Why These Work Well for Older Dogs

They’re soft. My Lab is 12 now, and he doesn’t love hard biscuits anymore. These break apart with almost no effort, so he can enjoy them without working his teeth too hard.

Because they’re soft, you can also tear them into tiny pieces for small dogs. If your senior needs gentler food in general, talk with your vet. A rotating variety meal plan was one way I kept my picky old guy interested in his bowl.

Swaps and Variations

• Apple and pumpkin: Use ½ cup plain canned pumpkin in place of ½ cup of the applesauce. Or go full pumpkin with my 3 ingredient pumpkin dog treats.
• Pear instead of apple: Grate a firm, cored pear. Remove the seeds the same way.
• Crunchier cookies: Flatten them thinner and bake 5 minutes longer.
• Add carrot: Swap half the grated apple for grated carrot. My carrot apple dog treats are built around that combo.

Need more ways to use up a jar of applesauce? I collected them in easy homemade dog treats with applesauce.

How to Store Them

Keep them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze the rest for up to 3 months.

Fresh fruit makes these moist, so they don’t belong on the counter for long. I freeze them flat on a tray, then pack them in a bag. A frozen apple cookie is a nice cool chew after a long walk. And on weeks when I’m out of apples, a bag of ready-made dog treats saves the day.

Got three things in the pantry? You will find more ideas in my 3-ingredient treat collection.

FAQ

Q: Can I use apple juice instead of applesauce?

A: No. Juice is too thin to hold the cookies together, and many juices have added sugar.

Q: My dog ate an apple core. Should I worry?

A: The AKC says a small number of seeds is unlikely to cause harm. Watch your dog for signs of choking or tummy trouble, and call your vet if you notice anything.

Q: Can puppies eat 3 ingredient apple dog treats?

A: Usually, yes, in small pieces once they’re on solid food. Ask your vet first, and start with half a cookie.

Q: Why did my cookies fall apart?

A: The dough was too wet, or the oats didn’t soak long enough. Squeeze the grated apple and let the dough rest for 5 minutes before scooping.

Q: Are apples too sugary for dogs?

A: Apples have natural sugar, so they’re a treat, not a meal. If you’re unsure about sweet foods in general, read my post on whether you can give your dog sweet treats.

One apple, one jar of applesauce, and a cup or two of oats. That’s a whole tray of soft cookies your dog will love. Just core it carefully, and keep the spice drawer closed.

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