ByI started making these on a Sunday when my dog had gone through an entire box of store-bought biscuits in about four days. These banana oat dog treats use 4 pantry ingredients, take about 30 minutes start to finish, and the biggest thing that makes them safe is this: no added sugar, no chocolate, and no xylitol anywhere near the bowl.
Key takeaway: Banana and oats are both safe, dog-friendly staples on their own. The only ingredient in this recipe that needs a label check is peanut butter, if you add it. Always confirm it’s xylitol-free.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 18-20 minutes
- Total time: about 30 minutes (plus cooling)
- Yield: ~24 small treats
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Storage: 1 week at room temp, 2 weeks in the fridge, 3 months in the freezer
If baking really isn’t your thing today, that’s fair. You can always grab a bag of dog treats and save this recipe for a rainy afternoon.
Why banana and oats work for dogs
Banana is on the AKC’s list of dog-safe fruits, and it’s a good source of potassium and fiber when you keep the portion small. Oats are a gentle, easy-to-digest grain that a lot of vets recommend over wheat for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Together they make a treat with no added sugar, which matters more than most people realize. If you’re trying to figure out your dog’s regular rotation, I’ve written more on what dogs can eat every day. For a deeper dive on the fruit itself, I’ve also covered what to know before feeding your dog banana in a separate post.
Photo idea: an overhead flat-lay on a wood cutting board, with two ripe, spotted bananas, a small glass bowl of rolled oats, one egg, and a cinnamon stick, shot in soft natural light with a linen napkin in one corner.
The Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, ground into flour (or 1¾ cups pre-made oat flour)
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- 2 tbsp natural, xylitol-free peanut butter (optional, see safety note below)
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mash the bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth.
- Crack in the egg and stir until combined.
- If using peanut butter, mix it in now.
- Grind the oats to a rough flour in a blender or food processor (skip this if you’re using store-bought oat flour).
- Add the oat flour and cinnamon to the wet mixture. Stir until it forms a thick, sticky dough.
- Drop spoonfuls onto the baking sheet, or roll the dough to ¼-inch thick and cut shapes with a cookie cutter.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until firm and lightly golden at the edges.
- Let the treats cool completely on a wire rack, at least 30 minutes, before serving or storing.
Photo idea: a mid-process shot from slightly above, hands mashing banana with a fork in a stainless bowl, oats and cracked egg visible just out of focus in the background.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
Peanut butter must say “peanuts” only. No xylitol, no added sugar. If you’re not sure, my peanut butter safety guide walks through label reading.
Use a ripe banana, not green. Green bananas are more likely to upset a dog’s stomach.
Skip mix-ins like raisins, grapes, or chocolate chips entirely; they’re on the ASPCA’s list of foods to avoid.
Never use the plain “flour” swap of almond flour without checking with your vet first for small breeds. See also what dogs can’t eat.
Vet Tip: The ASPCA notes that even small amounts of xylitol can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar in dogs, so it’s worth double-checking any peanut butter label before it goes anywhere near the mixing bowl.
How many calories are in each treat?
Roughly 15-20 calories per treat, if you split the batch into 24. That’s an estimate based on the ingredients, not a lab measurement, but it’s useful for portioning. The AKC recommends keeping treats under 10% of a dog’s daily calories. If you’ve ever wondered how many treats a day is actually too many, that 10% math is the rule of thumb to build around. I also wrote about the first time I got that ratio wrong, which is worth a read if your dog is already on the food end of overweight.
Can puppies have these treats?
Yes, in small pieces, once they’re eating solid food. Break a treat into pea-sized bits for a puppy and watch for any tummy upset the first time you introduce it, the same way you would with any new food.
Can I freeze these?
Yes. Freeze them in a single layer first, then transfer to a bag or container once solid so they don’t stick together. They’ll hold for about 3 months in the freezer. If you like keeping tabs on how much your dog is actually eating between the fridge, the freezer, and the counter jar, a Dog Health Tracker makes that easier than trying to remember it.
Substitutions and variations
- Grain-free swap: Replace the oat flour with chickpea (garbanzo) flour, same measurement.
- Egg-free swap: Use 2 tablespoons of unsweetened applesauce or an extra ¼ mashed banana in place of the egg.
- Small dog scaling: Use a ½-teaspoon scoop instead of a tablespoon, and cut the bake time by 2-3 minutes.
- Large dog scaling: Roll the dough a bit thicker and double the batch. These freeze well, so there’s no downside to making extra.
- Nutrition boost: Stir in a spoonful of plain pumpkin puree for extra fiber, or mix in a scoop of a dog joint or coat supplement if your dog is already on one.
Photo idea: the finished treats cooling on a wire rack, with a dog (a golden retriever or similar medium breed works well) sitting just below the counter’s edge, nose up, clearly waiting.
A quick word on homemade vs. store-bought
If you’re weighing whether it’s even worth the effort, I broke down the actual difference in my post on whether homemade treats are healthier than the usual bag from the store. Short version: you control every ingredient, which matters most for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs. And once the treats come out of the oven, that first taste-test moment is a good one to catch on camera. A dog camera set up nearby means you don’t have to choose between filming and holding the tray.
Photo idea: a labeled glass jar of finished treats on a kitchen counter, next to a small chalkboard or paper tag reading “Banana Oat, baked [date].”
More questions dog owners ask
Q: Are banana oat treats safe for dogs with a sweet tooth or weight issues? A: Yes, more so than most treats. There’s no added sugar here, just what’s naturally in the banana. If your dog is watching their weight, keep portions small and check out how many calories your dog should eat to lose weight for the bigger picture.
Q: Can I give my dog these every day? A: In small amounts, yes, but rotate with other everyday-safe treats so no single food dominates their diet.
Q: Is peanut butter necessary for this recipe? A: No, it’s optional. The banana and egg already bind the dough, so leaving it out just means a slightly milder-tasting treat.
Q: Why cinnamon and not another spice? A: Cinnamon is one of the few spices considered dog-safe in small amounts, and it adds flavor without needing salt or sugar.
Q: What if I want something even simpler than this? A: Try my easy homemade peanut butter oat dog treats. Same basic method, different flavor.
If you make these, watch the first one disappear before you’ve even set the tray down. That’s usually the real review.
