Easy 2-Ingredient Dog Treats: Healthy Homemade Biscuits Your Furry Friend Will Adore!
Reward your beloved canine companion with these incredibly simple, quick, and healthy homemade dog treats. With just a single jar of baby food (of any suitable variety) and a bit of flour, you can whip up delicious, nutritious biscuits that will have your dog wagging their tail with delight!
Every pet parent wants to give their furry best friend the very best, especially when it comes to treats. Store-bought options often contain mysterious ingredients, preservatives, and fillers. But what if you could create healthy, wholesome dog treats in a flash, with ingredients you already know and trust? This recipe for 2-ingredient dog treats is precisely that – a quick, easy, and incredibly rewarding way to show your dog some extra love. It’s a fantastic project for the whole family, kid-friendly and fun, or a simple solo endeavor when you’re in the mood to bake something special for your canine companion.
A Fun Baking Adventure: Cooking with Caleb
Recently, my energetic little cooking buddy, Caleb, who is now a bright 6-year-old, joined me in the kitchen for a series of baking projects. Our favorite creation by far was a batch of these amazing 2-ingredient dog treats. We made them for our beloved black lab, Pippa, and for Caleb’s dog, Charlie. The joy in his eyes as he helped prepare treats for his furry pals was truly heartwarming. We approached it like a gourmet dog treat science lab, experimenting with different flavors of jarred baby food and various types of flour to create a diverse assortment of wholesome biscuits. It was an educational and delicious experience for both of us, and our canine taste-testers certainly approved!
Essential Ingredients for These Easy 2-Ingredient Dog Treats
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: you only need two main components. The first is any type of jarred or pouched baby food. You can even use homemade pureed baby food if you have some on hand! The possibilities are endless when it comes to flavors – from savory meat and vegetable blends to sweet fruit and veggie purees. Just be sure to check the ingredient list for anything that might be harmful to dogs (more on that below).
The second ingredient is flour, and here you have plenty of flexibility too. For a classic dog biscuit, regular all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour works wonderfully, adding a rustic touch. If you’re looking for a nutrient boost or a different texture, consider rye flour. For dogs with sensitivities or if you simply prefer a gluten-free option, oat flour, brown rice flour, or buckwheat flour are excellent choices. Oat flour can be easily made at home by blending rolled oats into a fine powder, offering a cost-effective and healthy alternative. Each flour type contributes slightly different binding properties and nutritional profiles, allowing you to customize these treats to your dog’s specific needs and preferences.
We even attempted a fourth batch using millet flour alone, but found it resulted in a dough that was a bit too crumbly to hold its shape well. However, not all experiments are failures! We simply repurposed these into ‘doggie crumbles’ – a less structured but equally delicious topping or mix-in for their regular food. This taught us that some flours, like millet, might need a bit of a binding partner or a different shaping method to create a cohesive biscuit.
Crucial: Avoid These Ingredients for Dog Safety
While this recipe is designed to be simple and safe for dogs, it is absolutely paramount to be vigilant about the ingredients you choose, particularly when selecting baby food. Many common human foods are toxic or dangerous for dogs. Always thoroughly check the ingredient label of any baby food you use to ensure it doesn’t contain the following hazardous items. This vigilance ensures your homemade treats are not only delicious but also completely safe for your beloved pet. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian or a trusted pet safety resource.
- Onions, Garlic, Leeks, Chives: These allium family members can cause damage to a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. Even small amounts can be problematic.
- Grapes, Raisins, Currants: Extremely toxic to dogs, these can cause acute kidney failure, even in very small quantities. The exact toxic substance is unknown, but the danger is well-documented.
- Xylitol: A sugar substitute often found in sugar-free gum, candies, baked goods, and even some peanut butters. Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs, causing a rapid release of insulin which can lead to a sudden and severe drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and liver failure. Always check peanut butter labels if you use it in other dog treat recipes!
- Chocolate: Contains theobromine, which dogs metabolize much more slowly than humans, leading to toxic buildup. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous.
- Macadamia Nuts: While the exact toxin is unknown, macadamia nuts can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs.
- Dairy: Many adult dogs are lactose intolerant and consuming dairy products can lead to digestive upset, including vomiting and diarrhea.
- Raw Bread Dough: The yeast in raw dough can cause the dough to rise in your dog’s stomach, leading to bloating, severe pain, and potential alcohol poisoning as the yeast ferments.
- Caffeine: Found in coffee, tea, and energy drinks, caffeine is a stimulant that can cause restlessness, heart palpitations, and tremors in dogs.
- Alcohol: Even small amounts of alcohol can be toxic, leading to respiratory depression, central nervous system depression, and even death.
- Excessive Salt: Too much salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning, causing vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and even death.
It’s always a good practice to check a reputable veterinary source for a comprehensive and up-to-date list of foods dogs should avoid. You might notice some lists mention “stone fruits.” It’s important to clarify that the danger with stone fruits (such as plums, cherries, peaches, and apricots) lies in their pits, which contain cyanide, a toxic substance. The flesh of these fruits, however, is generally safe for dogs to consume in moderation. Therefore, if the baby food you select contains pureed stone fruit flesh without any pits, it is perfectly fine to use for these 2-ingredient dog treats. Always prioritize your dog’s health and safety when choosing ingredients!
Mixing the Dough: Simplicity at Its Best
Creating the dough for these dog treats couldn’t be easier. Begin by emptying the entire jar or pouch of baby food into a spacious mixing bowl. Next, gradually add your chosen flour. Start with about one cup, then begin mixing with a sturdy spoon. As the ingredients combine and the dough begins to stiffen, it will become too challenging to stir effectively. This is your cue to switch to using your hands. Knead the mixture until it comes together, resembling the consistency of pliable playdough. The goal is a firm, non-sticky ball of dough that is easy to handle and roll. You might need to add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until you achieve this perfect texture. The exact amount of flour will vary depending on the moisture content of your baby food and the absorbency of the flour you choose, so trust your instincts and adjust as needed.
Roll, Cut, & Bake: Bringing Your 2-Ingredient Dog Treats to Life
Once your dough reaches the ideal playdough-like consistency, it’s time for the fun part: rolling and cutting! Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out the dough to a thickness similar to that of a standard pencil – about ⅛ to ¼ inch. I remember telling Caleb this tip, and he, being the clever little chef he is, immediately grabbed a pencil from my jar and laid it beside his dough to accurately measure the thickness. What a smart approach!
Once rolled, use cookie cutters to create any shape you desire. Bone shapes are classic for dog treats, but circles, stars, or even small squares work just as well. Gently place the cut-out biscuits onto an ungreased baking sheet. You can arrange them quite close together, as these 2-ingredient dog treats won’t expand much during baking. Don’t worry about the dough scraps; simply gather them, knead them back into a ball, and re-roll to cut out more biscuits until all the dough is used up. Any remaining tiny bits can be rolled into small balls and flattened into mini dog cookies – nothing goes to waste!
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake the biscuits for 25-30 minutes, or until they are firm to the touch and appear dry. The baking process transforms the soft dough into a sturdy biscuit, but the real key to their crunchiness and extended shelf life comes next. After baking, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. For optimal crispness and longevity, leave the dog treats out on the counter, uncovered, overnight. This allows any residual moisture to fully evaporate, ensuring they become wonderfully hard and crunchy. This thorough drying process is crucial for preventing mold and keeping the treats fresh for longer.
Share the Joy: Baked Dog Treats for Your Furry Friends
Once your homemade 2-ingredient dog treats are thoroughly dried out and hardened, they are ready to be enjoyed! Store them in a paper bag or a breathable container at room temperature. A paper bag is ideal because it allows for air circulation, preventing moisture buildup and helping to maintain their dry, crunchy texture. If stored correctly and fully dried, these wholesome biscuits can last for 3-6 months, making them a convenient and long-lasting snack option for your pet. Imagine the savings and the peace of mind knowing exactly what your dog is eating!
Now comes the best part: sharing your culinary creations with your most appreciative critics. Present one of these delicious, healthy homemade treats to your favorite doggy friend and watch their eyes light up. The sheer joy and gratitude they express will be all the reward you need. There’s truly nothing quite like seeing your pet happy with something you’ve made with love. These treats aren’t just food; they’re a tangible expression of your care and affection, and your dog will undoubtedly think you’re the most wonderful human in the world for them!
Making homemade dog treats is not just about providing a snack; it’s about nurturing the bond you share with your pet. It gives you complete control over their diet, ensuring they avoid artificial additives, excess sugars, and unhealthy fats often found in commercial treats. Plus, it’s a wonderfully economical way to keep your dog supplied with delicious snacks. Experiment with different baby food flavors – pumpkin, sweet potato, green bean, or various meat purees – to find your dog’s ultimate favorite. You can even try combinations! The possibilities are truly endless with just these two simple ingredients.
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Guten Appetit!
2-Ingredient Dog Treats
Margaret Bose Johnson
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15 minutes
30 minutes
45 minutes
Dog Treats
American, Canadian
18
dog biscuits (2½-inches long)
Ingredients
-
1
jar or pouch
(128ml/4.5oz) of baby food
(or ½-cup homemade baby food, ensure flavor is safe for dogs) -
1-1½
cups
(120-180 g) flour (gluten-free or regular),
like gluten-free oat, buckwheat, or brown rice flour; or regular (non-gluten-free) all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, or rye flour (adjust quantity for desired dough consistency)
Instructions
- Empty the entire contents of a baby food jar or pouch (approximately 128ml/4.5oz) into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Add 1 cup (120g) of your chosen flour to the bowl. Begin mixing with a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula. As the dough starts to come together and becomes too stiff to stir, switch to mixing and kneading with your hands.
- Continue kneading the dough, gradually adding more flour one tablespoon at a time, until it forms a cohesive ball that is soft, pliable, and no longer sticky to your hands. The final consistency should resemble thick, moldable playdough. The exact amount of flour required will vary depending on the moisture content of the baby food and the specific type of flour used.
- Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out the dough to a uniform thickness, ideally about the thickness of a pencil (approximately ⅛ to ¼ inch). For an even thickness, you can place a pencil on each side of the dough and roll your rolling pin over them, using them as guides.
- Using a bone-shaped cookie cutter, or any other fun shape you prefer (such as circles, hearts, or stars), cut out your dog biscuits. Gather any dough scraps, gently knead them together, and re-roll to cut out additional biscuits until all the dough is used up. Any very small remaining bits can be rolled into flattened, round “mini cookies.”
- Arrange the cut-out dog biscuits onto an ungreased baking sheet. You can place them relatively close together as they will not spread or expand significantly during baking.
- Preheat your oven to 350℉ (180℃).
- Bake the biscuits for 25-30 minutes. They should be dry and firm to the touch when finished. Carefully remove them from the baking sheet and transfer them to a wire cooling rack. To ensure they become completely dry, hard, and crispy, leave the dog biscuits uncovered at room temperature on the rack for at least 24 hours, or overnight. This step is crucial for preventing mold and achieving the desired crunchy texture.
- Once fully dried and hardened, store the dog treats in a breathable container, such as a paper bag or a loosely sealed jar, at room temperature. When properly dried, these homemade 2-ingredient dog treats can last for an impressive 3-6 months, making them a perfect staple for your pet’s treat jar.
Notes
Generally, pureed meats and most pureed fruits and vegetables are safe and healthy for dogs to eat in moderation. Always err on the side of caution.
Be aware that some gluten-free flours (like millet flour, for example) may not possess the same binding properties as traditional wheat-based flours. If you find your dough is too crumbly and doesn’t roll or cut well with the specific gluten-free flour you are using, don’t despair! Simply roll or shape small bits of the dough into flat, round “cookie”-shaped discs by hand and bake them as directed. Your dog will still find these ‘doggie crumbles’ or irregularly shaped treats absolutely delicious and won’t mind the rustic appearance.
Tip for Oat Flour: To make your own cost-effective and healthy oat flour, simply take regular rolled oats (ensure they are plain, not flavored or sweetened) and process them in a blender or food processor until they reach a coarse, flour-like consistency. This homemade oat flour is excellent for dog treats and provides a good source of fiber.
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