Homemade Peanut Butter & Yam Dog Treats

Dog treats that won’t break the bank (or the blender).

Homemade crunchy biscuits for very good dogs

There is a special look your dog gives you when you “accidentally” drop a scrap of peanut butter toast on the floor. It is part worship, part hunger, and part “about time you contributed something useful to this household,” while they patiently wait for the go-ahead.

That is the look that inspired these homemade dog treats, plus the fun challenge of keeping three (now four!) dogs in treats when options in our little corner of Baja are limited and often expensive. Around here, a lot of people make their own pet food and snacks. It just makes sense.

Before you run for the hills yelling, “I’m not a super chef,” take a breath. If you can mash a yam without breaking a sweat or your will to live, you are qualified. These are simple, made with real ingredients, and far less mysterious than some of those store-bought treats that sound like they are meant for robots instead of dogs.

So grab a bowl, your dog’s undivided attention, and let’s do this. I am actually making a batch as I write this.

Ingredients your dog will brag about at the dog park

• 1 cup mashed yams or sweet potatoes
  Boiled or baked, whatever feels easiest. I usually double this because we have a small pack. Sometimes I make a triple batch and freeze some of the dough or baked treats for later.

• ½ cup natural peanut butter
  The kind without sugar, artificial sweeteners, or a long list of extras. Make sure it does not contain xylitol, which is dangerous for dogs.

• 1½ cups rolled oats
  You can grind them, pulse them in a blender, or leave them whole. I used the Ninja blender this time and it worked great.

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
  Or all-purpose flour if that is what you have on hand.

Instructions

(also known as: why are these dogs already drooling?)

1. Cook and mash the yam or sweet potato
   Boil or bake until soft, then let it cool enough to handle. You can leave the skin on if it is clean and soft. Warm yam actually helps the peanut butter mix in more easily.

2. Mix in the peanut butter
   Stir until everything is smooth and smells suspiciously good. You will think about tasting it. I am not judging you.

3. Add the oats and flour
   Stir or knead until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough, kind of like a toddler’s hand after lunch. If it is too dry, add a spoonful of water at a time. If it is too sticky, add a little extra flour or oats.

4. Roll and cut
   Lightly flour your surface and roll the dough out in a thin layer. Thinner pieces will bake up crunchier, which is great for dog teeth. Use a bone-shaped cookie cutter if you are feeling fancy. I usually go for a pizza cutter and quick strips or squares. The dogs truly do not care as long as they get one.

5. Bake
   Place the pieces on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (about 175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes. They are done when the edges are turning golden and your dog has completely lost all sense of dignity.

6. Cool and crisp
   Let the treats cool completely before serving. If you want them extra crunchy, you can turn the oven off and leave the treats inside for another 10 minutes or so, or give them a few extra minutes of bake time. Crunch helps keep dog teeth cleaner.

Storage

Store the cooled treats in an airtight container on the counter for up to a week. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge or freezer. Around here they rarely last long. My dogs act like it is a national holiday every time they hear the jar open.

Pro tips from one treat-enabler to another

• Hide the peanut butter jar
  Never leave it on the counter. This advice comes from experience that may or may not involve my husband and a mysteriously empty jar.

• Use parchment paper
  It saves you from chiseling baked-on treats off the pan like you are on an archaeological dig.

• Yes, they are technically edible for humans
  The ingredients are simple and safe, but if you find yourself snacking on dog biscuits after 9 p.m., maybe make a second batch for yourself with a few chocolate chips.
  For the record: no chocolate or chocolate chips for the dogs. Ever.

If you try these, I would love to hear how they went for your pup and where you are reading from. Your dog’s review is absolutely welcome too.