No-Bake Banana Peanut Butter Dog Treats (Energy Bites)
No-bake banana, oat and peanut butter balls for dogs. How to choose a peanut butter without xylitol (E967), how many to give and how to store them.
- Time
- 15 min + 30 min resting
- Makes
- 30 pieces
- Type
- Treat
- Difficulty
- Easy
- 52 % banana
- 35 % rolled oats
- 13 % 100% peanut butter
Follows THE RULE. All 3 ingredients are on our safe list: nothing that could harm your dog.
These banana peanut butter dog treats are no-bake balls made with ripe banana, rolled oats and peanut butter. They take fifteen minutes with a fork and a bowl, and they are perfect to carry in your pocket on a hike.
First, the important part: the peanut butter has to be 100% peanuts and, above all, free of xylitol (E967), a sweetener that can kill dogs in small amounts and shows up in some "light" or "protein" spreads. With the right jar in hand, this is one of the easiest recipes on the site.
Why it works
Ripe banana is the sweet, moist base, and it holds the mix together without egg or an oven. Oats add body, fiber and slow-release energy. Peanut butter brings the smell that drives almost every dog wild, plus protein and fat, which is why it goes in a small amount: these are nourishing bites, but also calorie-dense ones.
Step by step
Grind the oats
Pulse the oats for 20-30 seconds in a food processor until they look like coarse flour. This makes the balls more compact.
Mash the banana
In a bowl, mash the banana with a fork until there are no big lumps left.
Add the peanut butter
Stir in the peanut butter until the color is even. If it is very stiff, warm the open jar in the microwave for 10 seconds.
Bring it together with the oats
Add the ground oats and mix with a spoon, then with your hands. You want a dough you can shape without it being too sticky; if it sticks, add another tablespoon of oats.
Shape the balls
Roll balls of about 3/4 inch (2 cm), like a large marble, and set them on a plate lined with parchment paper.
Chill
Put the plate in the fridge for 30 minutes so they firm up and can be picked up without losing their shape.
How many a day?
As a treat, keeping under 10% of what they eat each day.
— pieces a day at most
| Weight | 3 kg | 5 kg | 10 kg | 15 kg | 20 kg | 30 kg | 40 kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pieces/day | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
Puppy, senior, very active or on a diet? Calculate the exact portion.
- Energy
- 19.5 kcal/piece
- Protein
- 17 % dry matter
- Fat
- 18 % dry matter
Values estimated from the ingredients (BEDCA/USDA data). A treat: keep treats under 10% of what they eat each day.
Storage
Fridge: 5 days in a closed container. The banana darkens a little over time: that's normal. Freezer: 2 months; freeze them spread out on a tray and then move them to a bag. In summer you can give them straight from the freezer or leave them out for 10 minutes first.
If you don't have…
- You can't find a 100% peanut butter without xylitol, or your dog needs to avoid fat
- 40 g (about 3 tablespoons) cooked mashed pumpkin instead of the peanut butter, plus 1-2 extra tablespoons of oats: they come out lighter
- You don't have a banana
- 120 g (about 1/2 cup) cooked, mashed pumpkin or sweet potato
- Your dog doesn't tolerate oats
- Rice flour in the same amount
Cooking tips
- The 10% rule: treats shouldn't go over 10% of the day's calories. These balls are energy-dense, so for a small dog one a day is usually enough; the table in the recipe tells you how many fit their weight.
- For dogs under 10 kg (22 lb), roll the balls the size of a chickpea: same enjoyment, half the calories.
- They make a great hiking treat: they hold up for a few hours in your pocket without falling apart.
Safety
- XYLITOL: check the peanut butter label every time you buy it. Xylitol (E967, also sold as "birch sugar") causes a sudden drop in a dog's blood sugar and liver damage even in small amounts. It turns up in some "light", "sugar-free" or "protein" spreads. The ingredient list should say peanuts and nothing else. If your dog has eaten anything with xylitol, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right away; in the US you can also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline.
- This is a fatty treat: don't use it if your dog has had pancreatitis or is on a low-fat diet.
- Peanut allergy is rare in dogs, but it exists. The first time, give half a ball and keep an eye on them for the rest of the day.
- Match the size to your dog: a whole ball can choke a dog that swallows without chewing.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat peanut butter?
Yes, as long as it is 100% peanut butter with no salt, no sugar and no xylitol. It is fatty and high in calories, so use a small amount, as a treat or to fill a toy. The problem isn't the peanuts but the additives: xylitol is deadly to dogs, and some brands use it in their light or high-protein versions.
How do I know if peanut butter has xylitol?
Read the ingredient list, not the front of the jar. Look for the words xylitol, E967 or "birch sugar". Be wary of "light", "sugar-free", "keto" or "protein" spreads, which are the ones most likely to use it. The safest choice is a spread whose only ingredient is roasted peanuts. If you have doubts about a brand, don't use it.
Can dogs eat bananas?
Yes, banana is a safe fruit for dogs and provides potassium and fiber. It is fairly high in natural sugar, so give it as a treat: a few slices for a small dog and half a banana at most for a large one. Never give the peel, which is hard to digest and can cause a blockage.
Are raw oats safe for dogs?
Yes, rolled oats can be given uncooked in small amounts, as in these balls, because they are already steamed and flattened at the factory. Grinding them helps them digest better. Use plain oats with no sugar or chocolate, and avoid muesli and granola, which often contain raisins, nuts or honey.
What's in it, in detail
- Bananas Yes
- Oatmeal Yes
- Peanut butter In moderation
- Peanuts In moderation
If they liked it, try
The fridge list
The foods your dog can eat, can have in moderation and must never eat, on a single printable page.