Looking to spoil your dog with a wholesome, nutritious treat? Applesauce is the perfect ingredient—sweet, fiber-rich, and full of vitamins that support your dog’s digestive health.
These 5 easy-to-make homemade dog treats are packed with goodness and sure to keep your pup wagging for more!
Delicious Homemade Dog Treats with Applesauce
#1 Applesauce & Oat Crunchies
These tasty, fiber-filled crunchies blend oats and applesauce for a wholesome, digestive-friendly treat your dog will love.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour (or rice flour for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon for a pleasant taste and digestive benefits (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick during baking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the whole wheat flour and rolled oats. Stir them together until they are evenly distributed.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the unsweetened applesauce and water to the dry mixture. If you’re using honey, add it now. Mix everything together until you form a dough. The dough should be a little sticky, but if it’s too wet, you can add a little more flour to reach the right consistency.
- Shape the Cookies: Use your hands or a spoon to drop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each portion slightly to form round cookies. For a more uniform look, you can use a cookie scoop.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown and they’re firm to the touch. Be sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t overbake.
- Cool Completely: Once done, allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. They should be firm but chewy. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage.
#2 Peanut Butter & Applesauce Bites
These tasty bites blend the rich flavor of peanut butter with the mild sweetness of applesauce, creating a healthy and delicious snack for your pup.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour (or rice flour for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- 1 small egg
- 1 tablespoon honey for a natural sweetness boost (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper to make cleanup easier.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the applesauce, peanut butter, and egg, if using honey, add it now. Stir until smooth and well-mixed. Peanut butter may be a bit thick, so you might need to mix it a bit more to fully incorporate it.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the whole wheat flour to the wet mixture, stirring until the dough starts to come together. If the dough is too sticky, you can sprinkle in a little more flour. The dough should be thick but manageable.
- Roll and Cut: On a floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes, or simply form small balls and flatten them with a fork or your hands.
- Bake: Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and firm to the touch. Keep a close eye on the biscuits, as baking time can vary depending on their size.
- Cool: Allow the biscuits to cool completely before serving to your dog. They’ll firm up as they cool, so they should have a satisfying crunch. Store any leftover biscuits in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
#3 Banana & Applesauce Pup Muffins
These soft and tasty muffins combine the natural sweetness of bananas and applesauce, making them a perfect snack for dogs, especially those with dental sensitivities.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour (or rice flour for gluten-free)
- 1/2 ripe banana, mashed
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a mini muffin tin with liners or grease the tin lightly with non-stick spray.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, applesauce, and egg until smooth. If the mixture seems too thick, add a little water (a tablespoon at a time) to achieve a smooth, thick batter.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the whole wheat flour and baking powder. Mix until everything is combined into a dough. The dough should be thick enough to spoon into the muffin tin.
- Fill the Muffin Tin: Spoon the batter into the mini muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full. Smooth the tops with the back of a spoon to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Keep an eye on them as they bake.
- Cool: Let the treats cool completely in the muffin tin before serving. These soft treats are perfect for dogs who need a chewy snack. Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week.
#4 Pumpkin & Applesauce Pup Bites
These nutritious bites combine the goodness of pumpkin and applesauce, offering fiber and vitamins that promote digestive health in a tasty, bite-sized treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour (or rice flour for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats
- 1 small egg
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the pumpkin, applesauce, and egg until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and slightly thick.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly mix in the whole wheat flour and rolled oats, stirring until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour; if too dry, mix in a teaspoon of water at a time until the right consistency is achieved.
- Shape the Bites: Roll the dough into small bite-sized balls or flatten them slightly into mini cookies. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bites are firm and golden brown around the edges.
- Cool: Let the pup bites cool completely on a wire rack before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for longer freshness.
#5 Sweet Potato & Applesauce Chews
These chewy treats combine the benefits of sweet potatoes and applesauce, making them the perfect snack for your dog to enjoy while supporting digestion and hydration.
Ingredients:
- 1 sweet potato, thinly sliced
- 2-3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Coat the sweet potato slices in applesauce and place them in a single layer on the tray.
- Slow Bake: Bake for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway, until dry and leathery. Store in an airtight container.
Why Applesauce is a Great Ingredient for Dog Treats
Applesauce is more than just a tasty addition to your dog’s treats; it provides several health benefits that make it an excellent ingredient. Here’s why applesauce is so great for dogs:
- Digestive Health: Applesauce is a source of fiber, which helps to regulate your dog’s digestive system, supporting healthy bowel movements. It’s also gentle on the stomach, making it an excellent choice for dogs with sensitive tummies.
- Rich in Nutrients: Applesauce provides vitamins A and C, which support your dog’s immune system, skin, and coat health. These vitamins also have antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals, reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
- Low in Calories: Applesauce is naturally low in calories and fat, making it a great option for dogs on weight management diets. It’s sweet enough to satisfy your dog’s craving for a treat without adding unnecessary calories.
- Hydration: The high water content in applesauce helps keep your dog hydrated, which is particularly important during hot weather or after exercise.
Customizing These Treats for Specific Dietary Needs
Not all dogs have the same dietary needs, so it’s helpful to adjust these recipes based on your dog’s preferences or restrictions:
- Gluten-Free: If your dog is sensitive to grains or gluten, you can substitute rice flour, oat flour, or almond flour for the whole wheat flour. These alternatives will still provide a similar texture and consistency, making it easy to create a gluten-free version of these treats.
- Low-Fat: If your dog needs to reduce their fat intake, you can swap out peanut butter for unsweetened applesauce or pureed pumpkin, and avoid using oils or butters in the recipe. These substitutions will still provide moisture and flavor but with less fat.
Final Words
These healthy homemade dog treats with applesauce are easy to make, nutritious, and filled with ingredients that support your dog’s health. Whether you’re making peanut butter applesauce biscuits or pumpkin yogurt frozen treats, each recipe provides your dog with a delicious and wholesome snack.
Best of all, these treats are free from preservatives and artificial additives, so you can feel good about what your dog is eating. Enjoy making these simple, healthy treats and watch your pup’s tail wag with delight!