If you’re looking for a simple way to spoil your dog with something wholesome and delicious, these easy homemade banana dog muffins are the perfect treat.
Made with just a handful of dog-friendly ingredients, they’re soft, nutritious, and full of flavor your dog will love.
Bananas bring natural sweetness and vitamins, while peanut butter adds protein and that irresistible taste dogs go crazy for.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to brighten your dog’s day, these muffins are a quick, healthy alternative to store-bought snacks.
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Ingredients for Banana Dog Muffins
- 1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
- 1/2 Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 Cup Mashed Banana (About 1 Large Banana)
- 1/2 Cup Applesauce
- 1/4 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Choose either a mini muffin pan or regular size muffin pan. Line it with cupcake liners. Do not use non-stick spray unless you have a dog safe variety (not all common cooking sprays are safe for dogs). If you don’t have paper liners for the size muffins you want, you can try baking them without preparing the pan, but they will stick and be difficult (though not impossible) to remove from the pan.
In a mixing bowl, mash one large ripe banana (about ½ cup). Make sure to get out as many lumps as possible.
Add the remaining wet ingredients: ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce, 1 egg, and ¼ cup of all-natural peanut butter (without xylitol). Combine until smooth.
In a separate bowl, add ½ cup whole wheat flour, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon baking soda.
Mix well.
Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture.
Stir gently until fully incorporated.
Fill each muffin cup about ¾ full.
Bake mini muffins for 10 to 15 minutes or full-sized muffins for 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes.
Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean or with dry crumbs, they’re ready! If there’s batter on the toothpick, give them another couple of minutes and check again.
Once baked, allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Once cooled, give one to your dog and store the rest in an airtight container for a couple of days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, freeze in a freezer bag or other freezer-safe airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave for a few seconds to soften.
If microwaving, make sure there are no hot spots before giving it to your dog.
Serving Suggestions
Always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog new foods.
These should be fed to your dog as a special treat and only given occasionally.
Also, limit the size based on the size of your dog. Small dogs should be given a mini muffin or less.
Large dogs can have up to a regular-size muffin, depending on just how large they are and if they are on a diet.
Since Luna is always on a diet (the vet wants to keep her from getting overweight again), I give her no more than half a regular-size muffin or a mini muffin, just like Morgan, and not every day.
I have to watch Morgan’s weight as well, but not as closely as Luna’s, since she isn’t predisposed to hip issues like Luna is.
Regardless of the size of your dog, treats are supposed to take up no more than 10% of their diet daily.
Baking Soda and Baking Powder: Are They Safe for Dogs?
When baking banana dog muffins, you might wonder about the safety of certain ingredients like baking soda and baking powder. These leavening agents are common in recipes, helping baked goods rise and achieve a fluffy texture.
But when it comes to dogs, understanding their safety is key.
What Do Baking Soda and Baking Powder Do in Recipes?
Both baking soda and baking powder are leavening agents. They create gas when mixed with acidic or liquid ingredients, making baked goods rise. Here’s how they function in your dog muffin recipe:
- Baking Soda: Reacts with acids (like bananas or applesauce) to create carbon dioxide gas. This gas creates air pockets, leading to a lighter texture.
- Baking Powder: Contains both an acid and a base, so it doesn’t need an external acid to activate. It’s often used to provide a more consistent rise.
Safe Amounts for Dog Treat Recipes
In low amounts, baking soda and baking powder are safe for dogs.
A pinch or two, like the 1/4 teaspoon in this recipe, is well below harmful levels. Why is this important? Dogs are smaller than humans, so they process these ingredients differently.
If you stick to dog-specific recipes, the levels used are carefully controlled to prevent harm.
Always measure precisely and avoid overdoing it to keep your dog safe.
For more information, the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists has a chart with the toxic levels of baking soda for various sizes of dogs.
Final Thoughts
Making your own dog treats doesn’t have to be complicated, and these easy homemade banana dog muffins prove just that.
With wholesome ingredients and plenty of tail-wagging flavor, they’re a fun way to show your dog a little extra love.
Whether you bake them for training rewards, special occasions, or just because, your dog will be begging for more.
Give this recipe a try and see how quickly these muffins become a favorite in your household!
Banana Dog Muffins
Treat your pup to these easy homemade banana dog muffins, a healthy, tasty snack made with simple dog-safe ingredients. Naturally sweetened with bananas and boosted with peanut butter, these muffins are a fun and wholesome alternative to store-bought treats.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c mashed banana
- 1/2 c applesauce
- 1/4 c peanut butter
- 1 egg
- 1/2 c whole wheat flour
- 1/2 c all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Line a muffin pan with paper liners (use either a mini or regular muffin pan)
- In a mixing bowl, mash one large ripe banana (about ½ cup). Make sure to get out as many lumps as possible.
- Add the rest of the wet ingredients, ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce, 1 egg, and ¼ cup of all-natural peanut butter (no xylitol!). Combine until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix ½ cup whole wheat flour, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon baking soda.
- Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture.
- Stir gently until fully incorporated.
- Fill each muffin cup about ¾ full.
- Bake mini muffins for 10 to 15 minutes or full-sized muffins for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean or with dry crumbs, they’re ready!
- Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Once cooled, give one to your dog and store the rest in an airtight container for a couple of days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.