ByMy dog parks herself by the oven the second she smells apples on the counter. She knows what’s coming.
These apple cinnamon dog treats take about 40 minutes start to finish, using just five ingredients: apple, egg, applesauce, oat flour, and a small pinch of cinnamon. What makes them dog-safe is what’s left out. No added sugar, no xylitol, and no apple seeds or core, since those are the parts that actually cause problems.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20-25 minutes
- Total time: about 40 minutes, plus cooling
- Yield: about 24 small treats
- Difficulty: Easy
- Storage: 1 week at room temp, 3 months in the freezer
Key takeaway: Apples are safe for dogs in the flesh and skin. The seeds and core are the one thing to keep out. This whole recipe is built around that single rule.
Why apples make a good dog treat
Apples give dogs fiber and vitamin C without much fat or protein, which is why they show up so often as a low-calorie snack option. According to the American Kennel Club, apples are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and antioxidants, with plenty of fiber especially in the peel. That fiber is part of why apple pieces are a popular training reward too. They’re easy on the stomach in small amounts.
The one thing to watch is portion size. PetMD notes that apple treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories, so these are for snacking, not for filling a bowl. If you’re curious how that plays out day to day, our guide on how many treats a dog should have a day breaks down the math further.
How do I make apple cinnamon dog treats?
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and grated (about 1 cup)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (no added sugar)
- 1 1/2 cups oat flour (or rolled oats blended into flour)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground Ceylon cinnamon
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Peel and core the apple, then grate it. Check the grated apple for stray seeds.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg and applesauce.
- Stir in the grated apple and cinnamon.
- Add the oat flour a little at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll it to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter, or just slice into small squares with a knife.
- Place the pieces on the baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until firm and lightly golden at the edges.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing. Warm treats are softer than they’ll end up once cooled.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- Apple: Peel, core, and remove every seed. The core and seeds are what vets warn about, not the flesh.
- Applesauce: Use the plain, unsweetened kind. Skip anything “spiced,” since spice blends sometimes sneak in nutmeg.
- Cinnamon: True Ceylon cinnamon if you can find it, and keep the total amount small. A little goes a long way here.
- No peanut butter in this recipe, but if you ever add it to a treat, check the label for xylitol first. It’s dangerous to dogs even in tiny amounts.
Pro Tip: Grate the apple instead of dicing it. It blends into the dough faster, and it’s much easier to spot a stray seed in shredded apple than in a chunk.
Vet Tip: Cinnamon is classified as non-toxic to dogs by the ASPCA, but “non-toxic” isn’t the same as “no limit.” Dogster’s vet-reviewed guide confirms cinnamon is safe for dogs but can cause gastrointestinal upset and liver strain if a dog gets too much. As a general rule, Bestie Paws Hospital suggests keeping cinnamon to roughly 1/8 teaspoon per 15 pounds of body weight when added directly to food. This recipe uses far less than that, spread across a whole batch of treats.
Are these treats safe for puppies?
Generally yes, in small, soft pieces. Puppies can eat apple safely once they’re eating solid food, but cut the pieces smaller than you would for an adult dog to lower any choking risk. If your puppy is still transitioning between foods or has a sensitive stomach, ask your vet before adding anything new, even something as mild as this. For more on introducing food carefully, our post on hand-feeding your dog safely has some useful groundwork.
How many can my dog have?
Treat these like, well, treats. Keeping them under about 10% of your dog’s daily calories is the standard guidance vets point to, and one or two small pieces a day is plenty for most dogs. Bigger dogs can handle a bit more, smaller dogs less. If you want a fuller answer, we cover the day-to-day version of this question in what treats can dogs eat every day.
Can I freeze these treats?
Yes. Once they’re fully cooled, freeze them in a sealed bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw a few at room temperature before handing them over. If you want to catch the look on your dog’s face the first time they get one straight out of the freezer, setting up a dog camera nearby is a fun way to watch them enjoy it even when you’re in another room.
If you like keeping an eye on how treats add up alongside meals over the week, a dog health tracker can help you stay on top of that without doing the math by hand every time.
Can I change the ingredients?
Grain-free option: Swap the oat flour for a pet-safe gluten-free baking blend, or coconut flour (use less than the recipe calls for, since coconut flour soaks up a lot more liquid).
Egg-free option: Replace the egg with 3 tablespoons of plain pumpkin puree. The dough will be slightly softer, which is fine.
Size-of-dog scaling: For small dogs, use a mini cutter or drop half-teaspoon portions. For large dogs, press the dough into a thin pan and cut it into bigger bars once baked.
Other fruit swaps: Not every dog loves apple. Banana works well in the same base recipe if you want a change, and you can check our banana oat dog treats recipe for a version built around that.
Nutrition boost: If your dog could use a little extra support for joints or skin, stirring a scoop of a dog-safe supplement into the dough before shaping it is an easy way to fold it into a treat they already like.
Using these as training rewards? Cut them smaller than you’d think you need to. Dogs respond just as well to a pea-sized piece as a whole treat, and it stretches the batch further. Our guide on high-value dog treats goes deeper on that if you’re working on something like teaching a dog to sit or other basic commands.
Rather skip the baking?
Some days baking just isn’t happening, and that’s completely fine. My dog is just as happy with a bag of ready-made dog treats pulled from the pantry. If you want recommendations before you buy, our best treats for dogs guide is a good place to start, and if you’re weighing homemade against store-bought in general, this comparison is worth a read.
FAQ
Q: Can puppies eat apple cinnamon dog treats? A: Usually yes, in small soft pieces once they’re on solid food. Check with your vet first if your puppy has a sensitive stomach or is still transitioning diets.
Q: How many of these treats can my dog have in a day? A: One or two small pieces is a reasonable amount for most dogs, staying within the general rule of keeping treats under 10% of daily calories.
Q: Can I use applesauce instead of fresh apple? A: Yes. Swap the grated apple for an extra 1/4 to 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce, and expect a slightly wetter dough, so add oat flour gradually until it holds together.
Q: Do I need to peel the apple? A: Not strictly, the skin is safe once washed. Peeling just gives a smoother dough and is a good idea if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Q: Can I freeze the dough instead of baking it right away? A: Yes. Shape it into individual pieces first, freeze them on a tray until solid, then transfer to a bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Every dog is different. If your dog has allergies, a chronic condition, or a sensitive stomach, check with your vet before introducing a new treat, even a mild one like this.
