Homemade Sweet Potato Dog Treats (Vet-Approved & Simple)

Okay, let’s get one thing straight: dogs deserve snacks just as much as we do. You think your pup doesn’t side-eye your chips with betrayal in their soul? Oh, they do. And while you could toss them a piece of your sandwich crust, why not go the extra mile and whip up something actually made for them?

Enter: Homemade Sweet Potato Dog Treats. They’re easy, they smell amazing, and your dog will basically nominate you for “Human of the Year.” Plus, you’ll feel like the kind of responsible pet parent who has their life together. (Even if you made these while still in pajama pants. No judgment.)

Why Homemade Sweet Potato Dog Treats Are Awesome

Here’s the deal:

• Healthier than store-bought junk. Sweet potatoes are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Translation? Good for tummies, shiny coats, and wagging tails.
• Budget-friendly. Ever looked at fancy “gourmet” dog treats? They’re basically priced like gold-plated kibble. Making them at home saves you serious cash.
• Ridiculously simple. If you can operate an oven without burning your eyebrows off, you can handle this recipe.
• Customizable. Want crunchy? Bake longer. Want chewy? Bake shorter. Want to feel like Martha Stewart for dogs? Cut them into cute bone shapes. Boom—instant Instagram content.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Get ready to raid your kitchen (and maybe your dog’s hopeful stares). You’ll need:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes – the stars of the show.
• 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour – because we’re baking for dogs, not making macarons.
• ½ cup rolled oats – adds crunch and some wholesome fiber.
• 2 eggs – the sticky glue of the dog treat universe.
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce – adds moisture and a little sweetness.
• Optional extras:
  • A sprinkle of cinnamon (which is safe for dogs in moderation).
  • A spoonful of peanut butter (the unsweetened, xylitol-free kind, or you’ll have an emergency vet visit instead of a baking session).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Don’t be that person who forgets and has to wait around later.
2. Cook the sweet potatoes. You can bake, boil, or even microwave them. Just get them nice and soft. Peel off the skin and mash them until they’re smooth—like baby food, but for your fur-baby.
3. Mix the wet stuff. In a big bowl, toss in your mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, and applesauce. Stir until it looks like a sticky orange swamp.
4. Add the dry team. Dump in the flour, oats, and optional cinnamon. Stir, stir, stir. It’ll get thick, but don’t panic—that’s exactly what you want.
5. Form the dough. Roll it into a ball, sprinkle flour on your counter, and flatten it with a rolling pin. Aim for about ¼-inch thickness. (Thicker = chewier. Thinner = crunchier.)
6. Cut into shapes. You can totally use cookie cutters shaped like bones, paws, or even hearts. Or, if you’re lazy (like me on a Tuesday), just cut squares with a knife. Your dog won’t judge.
7. Bake. Place on a lined baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes. If you want them crispier (aka doggie biscuits), bake closer to 35–40 minutes.
8. Cool completely. Do not—repeat, do not—hand your dog a piping-hot treat. They’ll burn their tongue, and you’ll feel like the villain in their personal Disney movie.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the preheat. Rookie move. Your treats will bake unevenly, and your dog will silently resent you.
• Using sweetened peanut butter. Sugar is bad for dogs, and xylitol is straight-up poisonous. Double-check those labels.
• Over-flouring. If you dump too much flour, your dough will be drier than grandma’s Thanksgiving turkey. Stick to the recipe.
• Not cooling before storage. Warm treats in a container = soggy moldy science experiment. Don’t ruin your hard work.
• Cutting them too thick. Your pup doesn’t need a jaw workout. Keep ‘em reasonable.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• Flour swap: If your dog is sensitive to wheat, you can use oat flour, rice flour, or even coconut flour. Just adjust the moisture—coconut flour is thirstier than a cactus.
• No applesauce? Mash up a ripe banana instead. Bonus: dogs love bananas.
• Egg-free option: Use a “flax egg” (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water). It won’t fool your dog—they’re not that picky.
• Peanut butter haters: (I know, shocking.) Swap with pumpkin puree. Still dog-safe, still tasty.
• Extra crunch: Toss in some ground flaxseed or chia seeds. Basically, make your dog’s gut microbiome thrive like a hipster on kombucha.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Can I eat these too?
Technically, yes. They’re just sweet potatoes, flour, and oats. But don’t expect a flavor explosion—it’s basically a bland biscuit. Save the fun snacks for your pup.

2. How long do they last?
In an airtight container, about a week on the counter. In the fridge, 2–3 weeks. Freeze them, and you’re looking at 3 months of guilt-free snacking for your dog.

3. My dog swallowed one whole. Is that normal?
Yes. Dogs treat chewing as optional. Don’t panic unless they start choking.

4. Can I make them chewy instead of crunchy?
Totally! Bake for less time (about 20–25 minutes). But heads up: chewy ones don’t last as long in storage.

5. Do I have to use cookie cutters?
Nope. Your dog doesn’t care if it’s shaped like a paw, a star, or a potato chip. Cookie cutters are purely for your Instagram clout.

6. Are sweet potatoes safe for all dogs?
Generally, yes. But if your pup has health issues (like diabetes), talk to your vet first. Better safe than sorry.

7. My dog is obsessed. Can I give them unlimited treats?
As much as they’d love that—no. Moderation, my friend. Treats should make up only about 10% of their diet. Unless you want a chubby pup who steals the couch.

Final Thoughts

There you have it—Homemade Sweet Potato Dog Treats that are cheap, healthy, and guaranteed to make your pup love you just a little more (as if that’s possible).

The best part? You now have bragging rights. Next time someone at the dog park whips out a bag of overpriced “organic kale dog biscuits,” you can casually drop, “Oh, I just make mine at home. It’s no big deal.” (It is a big deal. Own it.)

So grab your sweet potatoes, preheat that oven, and get baking. Your dog’s tail-wags of approval will be worth every flour-dusted moment.

Continue to Content

Homemade Sweet Potato Dog Treats

Yield: 24 treats (depending on size)

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

These Homemade Sweet Potato Dog Treats are healthy, budget-friendly, and tail-wagging good! Made with simple ingredients like sweet potatoes, oats, and applesauce, they’re the perfect crunchy (or chewy) snack for your pup. Easy to bake, safe, and totally paw-some.

Print

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
• 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour (or oat/coconut flour alternative)
• ½ cup rolled oats
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (or mashed banana substitute)
• Optional: 1 tsp cinnamon (dog-safe)
• Optional: 2 tbsp unsweetened peanut butter (must be xylitol-free)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cook sweet potatoes until soft (boil, bake, or microwave). Remove skins and mash until smooth.

Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mix mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, and applesauce.

Add dry ingredients: Stir in flour, oats, and optional cinnamon or peanut butter. Mix until a thick dough forms.

Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.

Cut into shapes using cookie cutters or a knife.

Bake treats on prepared sheet for 30 minutes, or until firm and lightly golden.

Cool completely before serving to your pup. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Crunchy vs. Chewy: Bake longer (35–40 minutes) for crispy biscuits, shorter (20–25 minutes) for softer chews.

Substitutions: Swap applesauce with banana or pumpkin puree. Use oat or rice flour if wheat-sensitive.

Storage: 1 week on the counter, 2–3 weeks in fridge, up to 3 months in freezer.

Avoid mistakes: Don’t use sweetened peanut butter or any with xylitol—it’s toxic to dogs. Always cool treats fully before storing.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24 dog treats
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 55Total Fat: 1gCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 2g