How Do You Make Frozen Treat Pops for Dogs?
Short answer: blend one ripe banana, 1/2 cup of xylitol-free peanut butter, and 1 cup of plain unsweetened yogurt with a splash of water, pour the mix into ice-pop molds or small paper cups, and freeze for a few hours until solid. That is a dog-safe frozen treat pop — a cooling, low-fuss snack you can make at home in minutes. Below is the full recipe, a few safe swaps, and how to serve them without any tummy trouble.
I’m Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. We spend most of our time on single-ingredient, 100% natural chews, but frozen treat pops are one of the easiest homemade extras to keep in the freezer for hot days.
The Basic Treat Pop Recipe
This version is simple, cheap, and easy on most dogs’ stomachs.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free — always check the label)
- 1 cup plain yogurt (unsweetened, unflavored)
- 1/4 cup water, to help it blend
Equipment: ice-pop molds or small paper cups. Skip popsicle sticks unless you’re certain your dog won’t chew or swallow them.
Directions:
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into molds or cups.
- Freeze a few hours until solid.
- Unmold or peel away the cup and serve.
Are Treat Pops Safe for Dogs?
Yes, as long as you watch the ingredients. The one non-negotiable is xylitol: this sweetener is found in some peanut butters and is toxic to dogs. The American Kennel Club recommends always checking that peanut butter is xylitol-free before sharing it with your dog. Plain banana, plain yogurt, and plain peanut butter are all dog-friendly in moderation.
Treats — frozen or not — should make up no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories, a guideline echoed by VCA Animal Hospitals. Keep pops small, especially for little dogs, and introduce any new food slowly.
Easy Ingredient Swaps
Treat pops are forgiving, so match them to your dog’s taste and stomach:
- Swap yogurt for plain pumpkin puree (not pie filling) for a gentler, fiber-rich base.
- Use unsalted bone broth and water for a savory, lower-calorie pop.
- Blend in a few blueberries or a little mashed sweet potato for variety.
- Prefer a peanut-butter-forward treat? Lean on the peanut butter and cut the banana.
Tips for Serving Treat Pops
Always supervise the first few pops so you can see how your dog handles the cold and the texture. Serve them outside or on an easy-to-clean floor, because they melt. If your dog gulps food fast, a shallow silicone mold slows them down better than a tall pop.
What About Long-Lasting Chews?
Frozen pops are gone in a few minutes. For dogs that want something to work on, pair them with a longer-lasting chew. Our bully sticks are single-ingredient, 100% real meat, fully digestible, and contain no rawhide — ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms and 100% high-quality guaranteed. A cool pop plus a bully stick covers both the quick reward and the long chew.
The Bottom Line
Homemade treat pops are one of the simplest ways to keep your dog cool and happy in warm weather. Blend, pour, freeze, and serve — just keep the ingredients dog-safe, skip the xylitol, and keep portions in check. Your dog gets a fun, hydrating snack, and you get a freezer full of easy treats.
This post was last updated at August 6, 2026 22:32
