Name: 35-Minute Homemade Banana and Peanut Butter Chew Stick Dog Treats
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Pet Food
Ingredients: 1 ripe banana; 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (unsalted and xylitol-free); 1 cup whole wheat flour (or oat flour for gluten-free option); 1/4 cup rolled oats; 1 tablespoon coconut oil

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You should’ve seen my dog Max’s face the first time I pulled these homemade banana and peanut butter chew sticks out of the oven – his tail went crazy, and he sat at attention like he was waiting for a five-star restaurant meal! That’s when I knew this recipe was special. I’d been searching for healthy dog treats without all the mystery ingredients you find in store-bought ones, and these simple, wholesome chew sticks became our go-to.

What I love most is knowing exactly what’s going into my pup’s treats. Just real food – ripe bananas for potassium, natural peanut butter (always xylitol-free!), and whole grains. No weird preservatives or fillers. And honestly? They’re so easy to make that I often whip up a batch while waiting for my morning coffee to brew. My kitchen smells like a bakery, Max gets excited, and I get peace of mind – win, win, win!

Pro tip from experience: make extra. These disappear fast in my house – sometimes before they’ve fully cooled if I don’t watch Max closely enough!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Trust me, once you try making these banana and peanut butter chew sticks for your pup, you’ll never go back to store-bought treats. Here’s why:

Super simple to make – Just 5 basic ingredients and 35 minutes from start to tail-wagging delight
Budget-friendly – Costs pennies compared to fancy pet store treats
Healthier for your dog – No mystery ingredients or artificial preservatives
Customizable – Easy to adjust for pups with sensitive tummies or allergies
Smells amazing – Your kitchen will have that warm peanut butter bakery scent
Puppy-approved – My Max goes nuts for these (and every dog I’ve shared them with does too!)

The best part? Watching your dog’s happy dance when they realize you’re pulling their special treats out of the oven!

Ingredients List

Gathering these simple ingredients is the first step to making your pup’s new favorite treats! Here’s exactly what you’ll need (and why each one matters):

1 ripe banana – The spottier, the better! Overripe bananas mash easily and add natural sweetness dogs love
1/2 cup natural peanut butter – Must be unsalted and xylitol-free (this artificial sweetener is dangerous for dogs)
1 cup whole wheat flour – Or oat flour if your pup needs gluten-free options
1/4 cup rolled oats – Adds texture and fiber (not instant oats!)
1 tablespoon coconut oil – Helps bind everything together and gives a shiny finish

See? Nothing weird – just real, wholesome ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Now let’s turn them into something special!

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these dog treats! Just grab these basic kitchen tools:

Mixing bowl – Any medium-sized bowl will do
Fork or potato masher – For squishing that banana perfectly
Baking sheet – Standard size works great
Parchment paper – So your chew sticks don’t stick
Knife or pizza cutter – For slicing your dough log into perfect pup-sized sticks

That’s it! No special equipment required – just the everyday stuff you already have in your kitchen drawers.

How to Prepare Homemade Banana and Peanut Butter Chew Sticks for Dogs

Alright, let’s get baking! I promise this is so easy you’ll wonder why you ever bought dog treats. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a batch of tail-wagging goodness in no time.

Mixing the Dough

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) – trust me, you’ll want it nice and toasty by the time your dough is ready. Now grab that ripe banana and mash it in your bowl until it’s gloriously smooth (no lumps means happy pups!). Stir in the peanut butter and coconut oil until everything’s creamy and combined – it’ll smell amazing already! Slowly add the flour and oats, mixing as you go. The dough should come together nicely – not too sticky, not too dry. If it sticks to your fingers, just add a tiny bit more flour.

Shaping and Baking the Chew Sticks

Time to get hands-on! Turn your dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a log shape about as thick as your thumb. Using a knife or pizza cutter, slice it into pup-sized sticks – I make mine about 4 inches long. Place them on your parchment-lined baking sheet with a little space between each one. Pop them in the oven for 20-25 minutes until they’re golden and firm to the touch. Pro tip: rotate the pan halfway through for even baking!

Cooling and Storing

Here’s the hardest part – making your dog wait! Let the chew sticks cool completely on the pan (about 30 minutes) before serving. They’ll harden more as they cool. Store any extras in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week – if they last that long!

Tips for Success

After making dozens of batches of these chew sticks, I’ve learned a few tricks to perfect them every time:

Banana ripeness matters – The spottier the banana, the sweeter and easier to mash (and more delicious for your pup!)
Dough too sticky? Add flour 1 tablespoon at a time until it’s workable – different banana sizes affect moisture
Check peanut butter labels – Always confirm it’s xylitol-free before mixing it in
Make a test stick – Bake one first to check your oven’s temperature (some run hot or cold)
Cool completely – They’ll firm up as they cool, making them the perfect chewy texture

Remember: When in doubt, do a tiny taste test yourself – if you like it, your dog will love it!

Variations and Substitutions

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can switch things up! Here are some fun twists I’ve tried (all Max-approved, of course):

Gluten-free? Swap the whole wheat flour for oat flour – works like a charm!
Pumpkin power Replace half the banana with canned pumpkin for a seasonal twist (great for sensitive tummies)
Extra crunch Mix in a tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds for added texture
Peanut butter alternatives Sunflower seed butter works beautifully for pups with nut allergies
Mini bites Roll small balls instead of sticks for training treats

The possibilities are endless – just keep the base ratios similar and always check new ingredients are dog-safe before adding them!

Nutritional Information

Here’s the scoop on what’s in these tasty chew sticks (per serving): about 60 calories, 3g of healthy fats from peanut butter and coconut oil, and just 2g of natural sugar from the banana. Remember, these numbers are estimates – actual values may vary slightly depending on your specific ingredients and brands used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long do these homemade dog treats last?
These banana peanut butter chew sticks stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. If you want them to last longer, you can store them in the fridge for up to two weeks or freeze them for 2-3 months!

Q2. Can I give these to my puppy?
Absolutely! Just make the sticks smaller for little pups – I cut them about half the size for puppies. Always supervise your dog with any chew treat, especially young ones who might try to gobble too fast.

Q3. Is peanut butter safe for dogs?
Yes, but you must use natural, unsalted peanut butter without xylitol (an artificial sweetener toxic to dogs). I always double-check the label – better safe than sorry!

Q4. My dog has allergies – can I modify the recipe?
Of course! Try sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter, or use gluten-free oat flour. Every dog is different, so when trying new ingredients, start with small amounts to check for reactions.

Q5. Why didn’t my chew sticks get crunchy?
They’re meant to be chewy, not rock-hard! If they seem too soft, just bake them a few minutes longer next time. Remember they’ll firm up more as they cool completely.

Share Your Experience

I’d love to hear how your pup liked these homemade chew sticks! Did they go crazy for them like Max does? Snap a photo of your dog enjoying their treats and share it in the comments below – nothing makes me happier than seeing happy pups with their homemade goodies. Your feedback helps me (and other dog parents) learn what works best!