Listen up, fellow pet parents who treat their dogs like their actual children during the holidays (no judgment here – my dog has more Christmas outfits than I do). These 7 homemade Christmas dog treats are about to make you the Santa Paws of your household.
Each recipe in this festive collection is like a little Christmas miracle in treat form. From candy canes to gingerbread-inspired biscuits (without the harmful spices, of course), these treats will have your four-legged friend doing their happy dance around the Christmas tree.
The best part? While your pup thinks they’re getting special holiday indulgences, you’ll know they’re actually getting wholesome, healthy ingredients. It’s like sneaking vegetables into a kid’s meal, except your dog will actually be excited about it.
Just remember: being the household treat-maker comes with great responsibility. Your dog might expect this level of holiday dedication year-round!
Christmas Dog Treats
1. Peanut Butter & Oat Christmas Stars
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oat flour
- ½ cup natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water (as needed for dough consistency)
Instructions:
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, mix oat flour, peanut butter, and egg until a dough forms. If it’s too thick or dry, add water gradually to reach a firm but pliable consistency.
- Shape: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a star or snowflake cookie cutter to cut festive shapes.
- Bake: Place treats on the baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
Air Fryer Option: Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Place shaped treats in the basket in a single layer and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check for doneness and let them cool before serving.
2. Pumpkin & Apple Holiday Bones
Ingredients:
- ½ cup pure pumpkin puree
- 1 small apple, finely grated
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
Instructions:
- Preheat: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, grated apple, and egg. Stir well until everything is evenly mixed.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the whole wheat flour, mixing until the dough is firm and easy to handle. You may need to knead it slightly to bring it all together.
- Shape: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thick. Use bone-shaped cutters. Finish with a festive touch by writing “hoho” on each treat with frosting!
- Bake: Arrange the treats on the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until firm. Let cool completely before serving.
Air Fryer Option: Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Arrange treats in a single layer and cook for 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway. Allow treats to cool before serving.
3. Cinnamon & Sweet Potato Snowflakes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potato
- 1 egg
- 1 cup oat flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the mashed sweet potato, egg, and cinnamon. Slowly add the oat flour, mixing until a dough forms.
- Shape: Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut into snowflake shapes with cookie cutters.
- Bake: Arrange on the baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes or until firm and slightly golden. Let them cool completely before serving.
Air Fryer Option: Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Cook treats for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Allow them to cool before serving.
4. Cranberry & Coconut Candy Canes
Ingredients:
- ½ cup dried cranberries (unsweetened, chopped)
- 2 tablespoons shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 1-2 tablespoons water
Instructions:
- Preheat: Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine cranberries, coconut, flour, and egg. Add water gradually if the dough feels dry until it comes together.
- Shape: Take small pieces of dough, roll into ropes, and bend them into candy cane shapes.
- Bake: Place candy canes on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Let cool before serving.
Air Fryer Option: Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Arrange treats in the basket and cook for 7-8 minutes, checking halfway. Cool before serving.
5. Apple & Cheddar Christmas Trees
Ingredients:
- 1 small apple, grated
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 cup oat flour
Instructions:
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine grated apple, cheddar cheese, and egg. Add oat flour gradually, mixing until a dough forms.
- Shape: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness and use tree-shaped cutters.
- Bake: Arrange trees on the baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, until firm. Allow treats to cool completely.
Air Fryer Option: Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Place treats in a single layer and cook for 6-8 minutes. Flip halfway through, then let cool before serving.
6. Banana & Carrot Gingerbread Pups
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1 small carrot, grated
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed banana, grated carrot, honey (if using), and whole wheat flour until a dough forms.
- Shape: Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to make gingerbread man shapes, or, if you’re feeling crafty, shape them by hand!
- Bake: Place treats on the baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes. Let cool completely before serving.
Air Fryer Option: Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Cook treats for 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway. Cool completely before feeding.
7. Minty Breath Freshener Stars
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oat flour
- ½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix oat flour, chopped parsley, egg, and melted coconut oil until well combined.
- Shape: Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness and use a star-shaped cutter.
- Bake: Arrange on the baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes until firm. Cool before serving.
Air Fryer Option: Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Arrange treats in the basket and cook for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway. Let cool completely before offering them to your dog.
Shaping Ideas for Festive Dog Treats
Getting creative with the shapes and designs of your dog treats can add a festive flair that celebrates the holiday spirit! Here are some Christmas-themed ideas to make your dog treats look extra special, along with a few tips to make them fun and easy:
Candy Cane Twists: Take small portions of dough and roll them into thin ropes, then twist two ropes together and gently curve one end to form a candy cane shape. This works best with a slightly thicker dough and looks even cuter if you add a pinch of red food coloring made from natural beet powder to one rope for that classic red-and-white effect.
Gingerbread Pups: Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to create classic Christmas gingerbread shapes that look adorable. For a touch of color, you can add tiny dog-friendly “buttons” using a bit of shredded carrot or tiny blueberry pieces.
Snowflake Cutouts: Snowflake cookie cutters come in various intricate designs that make beautiful winter-themed treats. Once baked, lightly dust with a pinch of oat flour for a “snow-dusted” effect to keep them looking frosty.
Christmas Trees: Tree-shaped cookie cutters are perfect for holiday treats. For a decorated look, sprinkle a little finely chopped parsley on the dough before baking to give the trees a “green” appearance. You could even add tiny “ornaments” by pressing small bits of dried cranberries or grated carrot into the dough.
Star-Shaped Treats: Stars are a versatile shape that works for any holiday. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter and, after baking, drizzle a tiny bit of dog-safe peanut butter as “icing” or top with a sprinkle of cinnamon for added flair.
Dog Bones with a Bow: Use a standard bone-shaped cookie cutter and make the treats look holiday-ready by tying a festive ribbon (remove before serving) around each treat for presentation. These are especially cute if you’re gifting treats to other dog parents.
Holiday Wreaths: Shape the dough into small, thick rings to resemble wreaths. Before baking, you can press small bits of dried cranberries into the dough as “berries” and use a fork to make tiny “leaf” marks around the ring.
“Ho Ho” Dog Bone Treats: Use a round cookie cutter to shape the dough into small, bone-shaped treats. Once baked and cooled, create a simple dog-friendly frosting using Greek yogurt mixed with a touch of peanut butter. Pipe the letters “Ho Ho” onto each treat with the frosting.
Present-Shaped Dog Treats: Roll out the dough and cut it into small squares to create “gift box” shapes. Once baked, let them cool, then drizzle a bit of peanut butter or Greek yogurt frosting in a cross pattern to look like ribbon. For the “bow,” add a small dollop of frosting or a tiny piece of dog-safe fruit like blueberry on top.