ByYou know those brown, spotty bananas on your counter? The ones nobody wants? Don’t toss them. Turn them into 3 ingredient oat banana dog treats.
This is the easiest dog cookie I make. You don’t need a blender, a rolling pin, or a cookie cutter. You need a fork, a bowl, and a spoon. My daughter makes them with me on Saturday mornings, and our golden retriever, Maple, sits right at her feet the whole time.
Here’s the short version. Mash 2 ripe bananas. Stir in 1 egg and 1½ cups of rolled oats. Drop spoonfuls on a lined baking sheet, press them flat with a fork, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 to 18 minutes. They come out soft and chewy, like a little oatmeal cookie.
The Recipe at a Glance
- You need: 2 ripe bananas, 1 large egg, 1½ to 2 cups rolled oats
- Tools: a fork, a bowl, a spoon, and a baking sheet
- Bake: 350°F (175°C) for 15 to 18 minutes
- Makes: about 30 small cookies, about 25 calories each (my estimate)
Love a short ingredient list? See all my three-ingredient dog treat ideas.
Can Dogs Eat Bananas and Oats?
Yes, both are on the safe list when you keep them plain.
The American Kennel Club says bananas are a fine low-calorie treat for dogs. They have potassium, vitamins, and fiber. But they’re also high in sugar. That’s why AKC says bananas should be a treat, not part of your dog’s main diet. We go deeper in our post on whether dogs can eat bananas.
Oats are also a good pick. AKC’s page on oatmeal for dogs says plain, cooked oats can be a healthy choice. Skip flavored packets with sugar or sweeteners. In this recipe, the oats bake right inside the cookie.
The egg holds it all together. AKC says eggs are safe for dogs when they’re fully cooked. Baking takes care of that.
Why Do Riper Bananas Work Better?
Ripe bananas are softer, sweeter, and easier to mash. They also act like glue in the dough. Here’s what I’ve learned from a lot of Saturday mornings:
| Banana looks like | How it works |
|---|---|
| Green or all yellow | Hard to mash. Cookies come out dry and crumbly. |
| Yellow with brown spots | Best choice. Easy to mash, sweet, holds well. |
| Mostly brown and very soft | Still good. Cookies are softer. Add a few extra oats. |
| Black, leaking, or moldy | Throw it out. Don’t use it. |
What Do You Need?
- 2 medium ripe bananas. About 1 cup mashed.
- 1 large egg.
- 1½ to 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats. Start with 1½ cups and add more if needed.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- Bananas: Peeled. AKC notes peels aren’t toxic but are hard to digest and can cause a blockage.
- Rolled oats: Plain only. No instant flavored oatmeal, no sugar, no raisins.
- Egg: Fully baked. No salt.
- Avoid adding: chocolate, raisins, macadamia nuts, or xylitol. The ASPCA lists all of these as dangerous for dogs.
How Do You Make 3 Ingredient Oat Banana Dog Treats?
Step 1: Heat and line. Turn your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a big baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mash. Peel the bananas and put them in a bowl. Mash with a fork until they’re mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine.
Step 3: Add the egg. Crack the egg into the bowl. Stir with the fork until it’s mixed in.
Step 4: Add the oats. Pour in 1½ cups of oats. Stir well. Let the bowl sit for 5 minutes so the oats soak up some liquid. If the dough still looks wet and runny, add more oats, ¼ cup at a time, up to 2 cups total.
Step 5: Drop. Scoop rounded teaspoons of dough onto the sheet. Leave about an inch between them. They don’t spread much.
Step 6: Flatten. Press each one with the back of a fork. This helps them bake evenly. It also makes a cute pattern on top.
Step 7: Bake. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the edges turn golden and the tops feel set.
Step 8: Cool. Let them cool on the sheet for 10 minutes. Then move them to a rack. They firm up as they cool.
Pro Tip
Want them crunchier? After baking, turn off the oven and leave the cookies inside with the door cracked for an hour. They dry out and get a firmer bite. Just know that crunchy cookies break more easily into crumbs in your pocket.
How Many Can My Dog Have?
I did some rough math with USDA FoodData Central numbers. Two medium bananas, one egg, and 1½ cups of oats add up to about 740 calories. Split into 30 cookies, that’s close to 25 calories each.
The rule I follow is from VCA Animal Hospitals: treats should be no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Maple is a big golden, so she gets two or three in a day. A small dog might get one, or even half.
For training, I break each cookie into 4 pieces. That turns one cookie into four rewards.
Vet Tip
Bananas are sweet. If your dog has diabetes or is on a weight-loss plan, ask your vet before giving banana treats. Your vet may suggest a lower-sugar option, like plain green beans or carrots.
Can I Change the Recipe?
Yes. Here are a few ideas that work:
- No egg? Use ¼ cup plain canned pumpkin instead. The cookies are softer and a bit more fragile.
- Add blueberries: Stir in ¼ cup of fresh blueberries. Cut them in half for small dogs. Our banana blueberry dog treats use this combo.
- Use oat flour: If your dog gulps food, swap the rolled oats for 1 cup oat flour. The cookies will be smoother.
- Pumpkin twist: Swap one banana for ½ cup plain pumpkin, like in our pumpkin banana dog treats.
How Do I Store Them?
- Counter: 1 to 2 days in a sealed jar. They’re soft, so they won’t last long out.
- Fridge: Up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Up to 3 months. Lay them flat in a freezer bag.
Questions I Get About These Cookies
Can I use quick oats? Yes. Use the same amount. The cookies will be a little softer and less chewy. If you love oat cookies, our homemade oatmeal dog cookies are another easy bake.
My dough is too sticky. What do I do? Add oats, a little at a time. Very ripe bananas make wetter dough.
Can my dog eat the cookies warm? Let them cool first. Warm banana can be very hot inside.
Are these the same as your other banana recipes? No. This one is chewy and drop-style, with no blender and no cutting. If you want a crunchy, cut-out biscuit or a frozen snack, check out our 4-ingredient banana oat dog treats or the healthy banana dog treats.
Key Takeaway
Ripe bananas, an egg, and rolled oats make a chewy dog cookie with no special tools. Use spotty bananas, adjust the oats until the dough holds, flatten with a fork, and bake about 15 minutes. Count them as treats, and break them up for small dogs or training.
My Final Thoughts
These 3 ingredient oat banana dog treats are my go-to when I have ten minutes and two sad bananas. They’re a fun first recipe to make with kids, too. Just keep an eye on that dough bowl, or your dog might “help” before they’re baked.
If you’re using these as rewards, pair them with short practice sessions. We’ve been using a brain training program for dogs with Maple, and these little cookies are her favorite payday.
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