Dogs love peanut butter as much as humans do, and for the same reasons.
Not only is it an excellent source of protein for our beloved pets, but it is full of fat, sugar and salt that would otherwise be absent from their ‘wild’ diet.
It’s not just all about pure indulgence though, as peanut butter also contains heart-healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin – which helps with their skin and coat health.
So, the next time you’re in the mood for baking, be sure to throw in some lovely peanut butter-infused desserts and treats for your faithful companion at home.
Just a word of caution, do be selective with the kind of flour you use and be aware of any potential allergens.
The types of flour you can use
Coconut, almond, potato, lentil, chickpea, whole wheat, oat, barley and buckwheat.
The types of flour you should avoid
White or all-purpose flour.
The type of peanut butter you should use
Raw, unsalted peanut butter is the best option. When using other types or brands, make sure they don’t contain Xylitol, grape jelly or chocolate. All these ingredients are toxic to dogs.
Now that’s out of the way, on to the baking recipes!
1. Dog Dog-nuts (serves 6)
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup oats
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 2 eggs
- Cooking spray
- Greek yoghurt
- Bacon bits
- Donut pan
Method
Preheat the oven to 190°C, and spray the donut pan with cooking spray. Mix flour, oats, peanut butter, coconut oil and eggs in a bowl.
Next, distribute the mixture into a donut pan and bake for 15 minutes. Once baked, cool and dip one side in yoghurt and sprinkle with bacon bits.
2. Peanut Butter Pupcakes (serves 12)
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 150g peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- 75g honey
- 100g flour
- 75g oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 125ml water
- Plain cream cheese and dog biscuits for topping
Method
Mash the bananas in a bowl and add peanut butter, eggs and honey. Mix well before adding flour, oats and baking powder. Add a little water if necessary until they all combine nicely.
Preheat oven to 180°C and get 12 cupcake cases ready. Split the batter evenly into the 12 cases and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until browned on top.
Cool the pupcakes, and spread a teaspoon of cream cheese on top. Stick dog biscuit on top of the cream cheese as a bonus and for a decorative element.
Don’t forget to remove the cupcake cases before serving!
3. Peanut Butter Coconut Oil Treats
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon unprocessed coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- A molding tray of your choice
Method
Liquefy coconut oil in a small pan over medium-low heat and cook until melted. Add peanut butter and cinnamon and stir until thoroughly mixed. Make sure the mixture is thick yet pourable.
Once done, pour the mixture into a molding tray and freeze until it sets. Carefully remove from tray and seal in an airtight container and place it in the freezer until serving time.