Homemade dog biscuit recipe with oatmeal

Name: Homemade dog biscuit recipe with oatmeal
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 20 biscuits
Cuisine: x
Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat flour (or oat flour if your dog’s sensitive to wheat); 1 cup rolled oats (not instant); 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1/4 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free); 1 egg; 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or water)

I’ll never forget the first time I tried making homemade dog biscuits with oatmeal for my golden retriever, Max. I was so excited to bake him something healthy that I completely forgot to check if the oats were cooked enough. Let’s just say the result was more like crunchy gravel than soft treats—Max still ate them, but he gave me the side-eye for days. After a few disasters (including one batch that stuck to the pan like cement), I finally nailed it. Now, these oatmeal biscuits are his favorite, and he’ll sit in the kitchen drooling the whole time I make them.

Recipe Card

Recipe Title	Homemade dog biscuit recipe with oatmeal
Servings	About 20 biscuits (depending on size)
Prep Time	10 minutes
Cooking Time	25 minutes
Calories	~45 per biscuit

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat flour (or oat flour if your dog’s sensitive to wheat)
1 cup rolled oats (not instant—trust me, texture matters!)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup peanut butter (xylitol-free—this is non-negotiable!)
1 egg
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or water if you’re out)

The first time I used instant oats, the biscuits turned out weirdly gummy—Max still ate them, but they stuck to his teeth. Whole wheat flour gives them a nice crunch, but if your dog has a sensitive stomach like mine sometimes does, oat flour works just as well. And that peanut butter? Make sure it’s 100% safe—I once grabbed the wrong jar and panicked when I saw xylitol on the label. Crisis avoided, but lesson learned!

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—don’t skip this unless you enjoy scraping burnt bits for an hour.
In a big bowl, mix the flour and oats. Stir in the applesauce, peanut butter, and egg until it looks like wet sand.
Slowly add the chicken broth until the dough comes together. It should be thick but not sticky—add a sprinkle more flour if it’s too wet.
Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thick. Use cookie cutters or just cut squares with a knife—Max doesn’t care if they’re fancy.
Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool completely unless you want a very impatient dog burning his tongue.

My biggest mistake? Not letting them cool all the way. Max once snatched one off the counter and spent the next minute dramatically spitting it out like it was lava. Also, if your dough’s too sticky, don’t just dump in more flour—add it slowly, or you’ll end up with hockey pucks (ask me how I know).

These biscuits are Max’s absolute favorite—he’ll do tricks he hasn’t done in years just for one. I love that they’re free of junk and fillers, and the oats are great for his digestion. The only downside? Now he expects fresh biscuits every week, and I’m basically his personal chef.

One time, I got creative and added a tiny bit of cinnamon (dog-safe amount, of course). Max loved it, but my sister’s dog wouldn’t touch them—turns out, some pups are purists. So now I keep it simple unless I know the dog’s preferences.

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein
45	7g	1.5g	2g

I was surprised how balanced these are—the oats give slow-release energy, and the peanut butter adds just enough protein. If your dog’s watching their weight, you can make smaller biscuits. For sensitive pups, swap the wheat flour for oat or coconut flour—Max’s tummy handles it way better.

Ingredient Swaps

Ingredient	Substitution
Whole wheat flour	Oat flour, coconut flour
Peanut butter	Pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
Chicken broth	Water or bone broth (no onions!)

I tried pumpkin puree once when we ran out of peanut butter—Max was skeptical but came around after the third biscuit. Coconut flour makes them denser, so add a bit more liquid. And bone broth? Huge hit, but double-check it’s pet-safe—some store brands have garlic.

Tips

If your dough’s too crumbly, add broth a teaspoon at a time. I once overdid it and ended up with soup.
Store these in an airtight container—they’ll last a week, or freeze for up to 3 months. Max once found the container and “helped himself” to a week’s supply.
For extra crunch, bake 5 minutes longer. Just watch them—burnt biscuits smell awful, and your dog will judge you.

The freezer tip saved me after Max’s snack raid. Now I keep a stash in there, and he gets one as a special treat. And that extra crunch? Perfect for teething puppies—my neighbor’s lab pup goes nuts for them.

FAQ

Can I use steel-cut oats instead of rolled oats?
Technically yes, but they’ll be super crunchy—maybe too much for smaller dogs. I tried it once, and Max loved them, but my friend’s chihuahua gave up after two chews.

My dog’s allergic to eggs. What can I use instead?
A flaxseed “egg” (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water) works great. I used it for my cousin’s allergic bulldog, and he devoured them—no tummy troubles!

Why did my biscuits puff up like pillows?
Probably too much baking powder (if you added any)—stick to the recipe. Mine did that once, and Max looked genuinely confused when they deflated in his mouth.

That’s everything I know about making homemade dog biscuits with oatmeal for Max! Give it a shot, and if your dog’s anything like mine, you’ll have a new best friend. And if they ignore your hard work? Well, my cat once walked away from these—some pets just have no taste.