How Do You Make Frozen Dog Treats?
The quick answer: blend one ripe banana, 1/2 cup of xylitol-free peanut butter, 1 cup of plain yogurt, and 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed until smooth, pour the mixture into silicone molds or an ice cube tray, and freeze for at least four hours. Pop them out and serve. That is the whole recipe — four ingredients, about ten minutes of hands-on time, and a treat that helps your dog cool off on a hot day.
I’m Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. We’re best known for our single-ingredient chews, but homemade frozen treats are one of the easiest snacks you can make at home, and they fit the same no-junk approach we take to everything a dog eats.
The 4-Ingredient Frozen Dog Treat Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free — this matters, see below)
- 1 cup plain, unsweetened yogurt (a source of probiotics)
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (for omega-3 fatty acids)
Instructions
- Blend. Combine the banana, peanut butter, yogurt, and flaxseed in a blender until smooth.
- Pour. Fill silicone molds or an ice cube tray. Bone-shaped molds are a nice touch, but any small mold works.
- Freeze. Set in the freezer for at least four hours — overnight is better.
- Serve. Pop the treats out and give them to your dog outside or on a washable surface, since they melt as they are eaten.
This makes roughly 12–24 treats depending on mold size, and they keep in the freezer for up to two months in a sealed bag or container.
Which Ingredients Can I Swap?
This recipe is forgiving. Swap the banana for plain pureed pumpkin (not pie filling), stir in a few blueberries for antioxidants, or use plain bone broth as the base for a savory version. Keep any additions to dog-safe foods — skip grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, and anything sweetened with xylitol.
Are Frozen Treats Good for Dogs?
In moderation, yes. Frozen treats help dogs stay cool and hydrated on hot days, and the cold can soothe sore gums in teething puppies and older dogs with sensitive teeth. The American Kennel Club lists frozen treats as a simple, safe way to keep dogs comfortable in summer (AKC).
Like any treat, these should stay within the “10% rule” — treats are best kept to about 10% of your dog’s daily calories, with the rest coming from a complete, balanced diet. Because this recipe includes peanut butter and yogurt, it is more calorie-dense than it looks, so size the molds to your dog and go small for little breeds.
Why Does the Peanut Butter Have to Be Xylitol-Free?
Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in some peanut butters, and it is highly toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and, in larger doses, liver failure. Always read the label and choose a peanut butter with no added sweeteners. The FDA has a plain warning on this (FDA: Xylitol and Your Dog).
How Frozen Treats Fit a Natural Chew Routine
Homemade frozen treats are a fun, low-effort snack, but they are a supplement — not a chew. For the daily chewing dogs actually need, the kind that supports dental health and keeps them busy, we stick to 100% natural, single-ingredient chews with no rawhide, no chemicals, and no artificial ingredients. If you like the peanut butter angle, our guide to peanut butter dog treats covers safe store-bought and homemade options. And if you have a teething puppy who loves the cold, a frozen treat plus a puppy-appropriate bully stick is a good pairing.
Everything we sell is 100% real meat, fully digestible, and ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms — 100% high-quality guaranteed. A batch of frozen treats from your own kitchen is a great way to round that out. As always, supervise your dog with any treat or chew.
This post was last updated at July 17, 2026 18:24
