Peanut butter and banana frozen dog treats are one of the easier things you can make at home, and they tend to go down well even with dogs that are not particularly food motivated. The combination works because banana adds natural sweetness and a soft texture, and peanut butter gives it enough substance to freeze properly and last more than thirty seconds. So it takes a few minutes to prepare and keeps a dog occupied for a decent stretch.
The ratio took a couple of batches to get right. Too much banana and they melt in about ninety seconds. Too much peanut butter and they are too rich to give more than occasionally. Two parts banana to one part peanut butter is roughly a good ratio, and most dogs take to them immediately.
What You Need
Three things:
- A ripe banana. The riper the better. Overripe bananas mash more smoothly and are sweeter, which dogs tend to prefer. A banana that is too firm will leave lumps, which is worth avoiding if your dog is older or has any dental issues.
- Natural peanut butter. Check the label every time you buy a new jar. It must not contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs even in small amounts. Plain peanut butter with no added sugar, salt, or palm oil is what you want. The kind with one ingredient, peanuts, is safest.
- Something to freeze them in. A silicone ice cube tray, a Kong, small paper cups, or a silicone mould all work. Silicone is easiest because the treats pop out cleanly once frozen.
How to Make Them
Mash the banana with a fork until smooth. Add a spoonful of peanut butter and mix it through until the two are combined into a thick paste. The ratio that works well is roughly two parts banana to one part peanut butter, but you can adjust based on what you have. More peanut butter makes the mixture firmer and richer. More banana makes it lighter and sweeter. You can also try the yoghurt variation further down this article.
Spoon the mixture into your chosen mould. For ice cube trays, fill each slot about three quarters full. For a Kong, push the mixture in from the wide end and pack it down so there are no air pockets. Tap the mould on the counter a couple of times to settle everything, then freeze for at least three hours. Overnight is better. The treat should be completely solid before you give it to your dog.
Portion Size by Dog
How much you give depends on the size of your dog and how they handle banana. Banana is higher in sugar than most fruits, so it is worth keeping portions conservative, particularly for smaller dogs or those managing their weight.
- Small dogs – one small ice cube portion is enough. Half is fine if they are very small or sensitive to rich food.
- Medium dogs – one to two ice cube portions, or a small Kong packed about halfway.
- Large dogs – two portions or a standard Kong filled most of the way.
Once a day is enough during warm weather. If your dog is older, their metabolism has slowed compared to their younger years, the Dog Years to Human Years Calculator gives you a clearer sense of where they actually are, and what they handled easily at three is worth reconsidering at ten or twelve.
Related:
Frozen Peanut Butter Dog Treats That Buy You Twenty Minutes of Peace
One Bowl Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits That Last Two Weeks
Frozen Pumpkin Dog Treats (No Oven, Ready in 5 Minutes)
Easy Homemade Chicken Dog Treats That Outperform Every Packet I’ve Bought
Adding Yoghurt
If you want to add another layer, plain unsweetened yoghurt works well with this combination. Use Greek yoghurt if you have it, it is thicker and freezes more solidly than the runny kind. Spoon a layer of yoghurt into the mould first, freeze it for an hour, then add the banana and peanut butter mixture on top and freeze again. The result is a layered treat with two textures that dogs tend to work through more slowly. Check the yoghurt label the same way you check the peanut butter, no artificial sweeteners, no added sugar.
If you want a plain peanut butter version without the banana, frozen peanut butter treats in a Kong work on the same principle and last just as long.
What to Avoid
- Xylitol in peanut butter. It appears in some reduced-sugar and “natural” peanut butters. Read the label on every jar, not just the first time you buy it. Brands reformulate without notice.
- Flavoured or sweetened yoghurt if you are using it. Vanilla yoghurt, honey yoghurt, or anything with added fruit often contains sweeteners that are not safe for dogs.
- Too much banana. A whole banana is more than most dogs need in one sitting. Keep the banana portion to roughly half a banana or less, mixed with the peanut butter.
- Giving frozen treats unsupervised. Some dogs try to bite off large chunks rather than licking. Watch them the first few times to see how they approach it, particularly if they are a fast eater.
When to Skip Them
If your dog has diabetes, pancreatitis, or a condition that requires careful control of fat or sugar intake, check with your vet before offering these. Both banana and peanut butter are calorie-dense, and the combination may not suit dogs with specific dietary restrictions.
If your dog has never had either ingredient before, introduce them separately first. Try a small amount of banana on its own one day, then a small amount of peanut butter another day. Once you know they handle both without issue, the frozen version is a straightforward next step.
Storage
Once frozen, transfer the treats to a freezer bag or airtight container so they do not pick up freezer smells. They keep well for two to three weeks. After that the texture can suffer, though they remain safe to eat. I find it easier to make a small batch every couple of weeks rather than a large one that sits there.
If the treats stick in the mould, run warm water over the base for a few seconds. They should release cleanly. Silicone moulds make this easier than rigid plastic trays.
Worth Making
Peanut butter and banana frozen dog treats are worth making, the ingredients are inexpensive, the recipe adapts easily to what you have, and most dogs take to them immediately. Keep a batch in the freezer and you have something ready whenever you need it.
This article is for informational purposes only. For advice specific to your dog always speak to your vet.