Let’s be honest—if your dog could talk, their first word would definitely be “bacon.” Now, picture the pure excitement on their face when they realize you’ve turned their favorite breakfast smell into a mouth-watering treat just for them!
Today, I’m going to show you how to make your pup’s dreams come true with some of the most irresistible bacon dog treats ever.
Get ready to watch your furry friend go wild with happiness! Grab your ingredients, and let’s get cooking! Your furry friend is about to have the best day ever!
Homemade Bacon Dog Treat Recipes
#1 Bacon Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Your dog is going to love this bacon and peanut butter combo. It’s got the crunch of bacon and the creamy peanut butter they can’t resist, mixed with oats and whole wheat flour for a good-for-them snack that’s full of flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- 3/4 cup nonfat milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/3 cup of old-fashioned oats
- 2 strips of cooked bacon, chopped into small bits
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by setting your oven to 350°F (170°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This will keep your treats from sticking and make clean-up easier.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, milk, and egg. Stir until everything is well blended and smooth.
- Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add in the whole wheat flour, baking powder, and oats. It’s best to do this in small portions to prevent clumping.
- Add Bacon: Gently fold in the chopped bacon bits.
- Roll and Shape the Dough: Lightly dust your countertop with flour, then roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thick using a floured rolling pin. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut the dough into shapes.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the shaped dough on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until the bottoms are just starting to turn a light golden color.
- Cool and Store: Make sure treats are fully cooled before offering them to your dog. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
#2 Cheesy Bacon Oat Dog Treats
Bacon and cheese are always a winning pair, and your pup will agree. With crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and oats, these treats are packed with protein and sure to be a hit during snack time.
Ingredients:
- 4 strips of crispy bacon, crumbled
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1½ cups ground oatmeal
- 2 large eggs
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine Bacon and Cheese: In a large bowl, combine the crumbled bacon and shredded cheese. Break them up into small bits.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Mix the oatmeal into the bacon and cheese until everything is well combined.
- Add Eggs: Crack the eggs into the dry mixture and stir until a thick. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle in a little more oatmeal.
- Roll and Shape: Lightly dust your countertop with milled oatmeal, then roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness. Roll into small balls or use cookie cutters to create your desired shapes.
- Bake: Place the shaped dough on your baking sheet and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the treats are brownish and firm to the touch.
- Cool Completely: Allow the treats to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
#3 Pumpkin Bacon Dog Biscuits
For a treat that balances sweet and savory, look no further than this pumpkin bacon recipe. The natural sweetness of pumpkin paired with the salty bite of bacon creates a snack that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. Your dog will be licking their lips after every bite!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 3 cups whole wheat flour (add more if needed)
- 2 slices of crispy bacon, chopped into small bits
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- Cook Bacon: Fry the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Once done, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool, then chop into small pieces.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree and eggs until smooth. Stir in the reserved bacon fat for an extra flavor kick.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the oats and flour, mixing until the dough starts to come together. You can add more flour, ¼ cup at a time, if the dough feels too sticky.
- Fold in Bacon: Gently fold the chopped bacon pieces into the dough, making sure they are evenly distributed.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into shapes, then transfer the shapes to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. The center should be firm but not too hard.
- Cool: Allow the biscuits to cool on a wire rack before giving them to your dog. Store in a sealed container for up to a week or freeze for later.
#4 Bacon Banana Dog Treats
Banana and bacon may sound like an odd combo, but dogs love it. The sweetness of the banana, combined with the savory bacon, peanut butter, and a little cheddar cheese, makes for a treat that’s full of flavor and fun for your dog to snack on.
Ingredients:
- 3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 banana, mashed
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup peanut butter (natural and xylitol-free)
- 1 ⅓ cup oat flour
- 2 ½ tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Bacon: Fry the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease for the dough and crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- Mash the Banana: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe banana with a fork until smooth. Make sure there are no large chunks left.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, bacon grease, and peanut butter to the mashed banana. Stir until everything is well combined and the mixture is smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the oat flour to the wet mixture, stirring until a thick dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a little extra oat flour. Then fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
- Shape the Treats: Scoop small portions of dough and roll them into balls or flatten them into cookie shapes. If you prefer, you can roll out the dough and use cookie cutters for fun shapes.
- Bake: Arrange the shaped treats on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the treats are firm to the touch.
- Cool Completely: Let the treats cool on a wire rack before serving them to your dog. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for longer-lasting treats.
Benefits of Bacon for Dogs
While bacon can be a tasty treat for your dog, it should be given in moderation. Bacon is rich in protein and fat, which can provide a boost of energy and help with muscle repair.
However, it’s also high in salt and fat, so it’s best served as an occasional snack rather than a regular part of your dog’s diet. Bacon also contains essential nutrients like vitamin B12 and selenium, which support your dog’s metabolism and immune system.
When feeding bacon to your dog, always make sure to avoid any seasoning or additives like garlic or onion, which are harmful to dogs.
Feeding Guidelines
When feeding your dog bacon treats, it’s important to remember that moderation is key. These treats should be given sparingly and make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.
For small dogs, 1-2 treats per day is a good limit, while larger dogs can enjoy 2-3 treats. Make sure to introduce bacon-based treats gradually, especially if your dog hasn’t had bacon before, and always monitor for any signs of digestive upset.