Short answer: To make dog treats at home, mix 2 cups of whole wheat or oat flour with 1 cup rolled oats, then stir in 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth, and 1 egg. Roll the dough 1/4-inch thick, cut into shapes, and bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until firm and crisp. Cool completely before serving. That's the whole recipe — everything below explains the why, the safe swaps, and how to keep treats interesting.
I'm Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. We spend our days sourcing single-ingredient chews, so people often ask me whether homemade treats are worth the effort. They are — you control every ingredient, you can tailor them to your dog's taste, and they usually cost less than the bag at the store. Here's how I'd walk a first-timer through it.
Why make your own dog treats?
There are three practical reasons homemade treats are worth a Saturday afternoon:
- You control the ingredients. No mystery preservatives, no fillers — you know exactly what your dog is eating.
- You can customize. Swap flours for a sensitive stomach, rotate flavors, or size treats down for a puppy.
- It's cost-effective. Most recipes use pantry staples you already have.
The one rule that matters most: know which ingredients are off-limits. Grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, and anything sweetened with xylitol are toxic to dogs. The ASPCA's list of people foods to avoid is a good reference to keep on the fridge.
How do you make dog treats? A simple starter recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (use oat flour for gluten-sensitive dogs)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Mix the dry ingredients — combine the flour and rolled oats in a large bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients — stir in the applesauce, broth, and egg until it forms a thick dough.
- Roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thick.
- Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter or knife.
- Bake on a parchment-lined sheet for 25–30 minutes, until crisp.
- Cool completely before serving.
Store the treats in an airtight container for up to two weeks, or freeze them for a few months. Because these are baked with no preservatives, they won't last as long as store-bought — that's the trade-off for knowing what's in them.
Can you make grain-free or single-ingredient treats?
Yes. If your dog does better without grain, dehydrated meat is about as simple as it gets: thin-slice lean beef, chicken, or sweet potato and dry it low and slow until leathery. That's the same idea behind our single-ingredient chews — one whole-food ingredient, nothing added. If baking feels like a project, a dog-safe peanut butter treat (peanut butter with no xylitol) is an easy no-fail option.
How do I keep homemade treats interesting?
Dogs get bored of the same flavor, so rotate:
- Change the puree. Pumpkin and mashed banana both work in place of applesauce.
- Add texture. A spoonful of ground flax seed changes the mouthfeel (skip nuts unless you're certain they're dog-safe).
- Go seasonal. A little cinnamon in winter or fresh mint in summer keeps things fresh.
For everyday chewing between baking days, a natural chew does a job a biscuit can't — it keeps a dog busy and helps scrape teeth. We built our chews to be 100% natural, single-ingredient, 100% real meat, fully digestible, with no rawhide, and ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms. If you're chew-shopping for texture and safety, our guide to whether trachea dog treats are safe walks through what to look for.
Are homemade dog treats healthy?
They can be, as long as treats stay treats. Veterinarians generally recommend that treats make up no more than about 10% of a dog's daily calories, with the rest coming from a complete, balanced diet. The American Kennel Club's nutrition guidance is a solid starting point, and it's always worth a quick check with your own vet if your dog has allergies or a health condition.
The bottom line
Making dog treats at home is genuinely simple: flour, oats, applesauce, broth, and an egg, baked at 350°F for about half an hour. Start with the basic recipe, keep the toxic-foods list handy, and rotate flavors so your dog stays interested. And for the everyday chew habit that a baked biscuit can't cover, that's where a good single-ingredient chew earns its keep.
This post was last updated at July 15, 2026 23:09
