Easy 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Dog Treats Recipe
Easy 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Dog Treats are a simple, nutritious homemade snack for your furry friend made with whole wheat flour and pure pumpkin puree. These treats are easy to prepare, healthy, and perfect for dogs of all sizes. The recipe uses only two wholesome ingredients and requires basic kitchen equipment, making it accessible for any pet owner. Baking at a moderate temperature produces crunchy, flavorful treats that dogs will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 20-30 treats depending on cutter size 1x
- Category: Pet Food & Treats
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1¼ cups whole wheat flour
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Baking Environment: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Create Your Work Station: Place a second piece of parchment paper on your countertop for rolling the dough. Keep extra flour nearby for dusting as pumpkin dough is slightly sticky.
- Mix the Simple Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour and pumpkin puree. Stir with a wooden spoon until partially mixed, then knead gently by hand until the dough is smooth and cohesive, slightly tacky but not overly sticky. Adjust consistency if needed by adding flour or pumpkin incrementally.
- Roll to Perfect Thickness: Lightly dust the parchment work surface with flour. Roll out the dough evenly to about ¼ to ½ inch thickness. Turning the dough periodically helps maintain an even thickness, which ensures uniform baking and texture.
- Cut Your Shapes: Use dog bone cookie cutters or any pet-safe shapes to cut the dough. Press straight down to avoid sealing edges. Arrange cut treats on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about ½ inch apart for proper air circulation.
- Maximize Your Dough: Gather leftover dough scraps, gently press together, and roll out again to cut more treats until all dough is used. This usually yields about 20-30 treats depending on the cutter size.
- Bake with the Cool-Down Method: Bake the treats for exactly 25 minutes. Then, turn off the oven and leave the treats inside with the door closed to cool slowly and continue drying for a crisp texture without overbaking.
- Final Cooling and Testing: Once the oven and treats are completely cool, remove the treats. They should be firm and slightly golden on the edges. Let them cool an additional 10 minutes on the baking sheet before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use only plain pumpkin puree; never pumpkin pie filling as it contains harmful spices and sugars for dogs.
- Whole wheat flour can be substituted with oat flour, rice flour, or coconut flour (reduce quantity to ¾ cup for coconut flour).
- Store treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Limit daily treats to 10% of your dog’s total calorie intake based on size: small dogs (½-1 treat), medium dogs (1-2 treats), large dogs (2-3 treats).
- For grain-free variation, substitute flour with almond or coconut flour.
- Add 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed for extra fiber, or 1 tablespoon xylitol-free peanut butter for protein enhancement.
Keywords: pumpkin dog treats, homemade dog treats, easy dog treats, healthy dog snacks, two ingredient dog treats, pumpkin puree treats
