6 Homemade Pumpkin and Banana Dog Treat Recipes
When two of a dog’s favorite pantry ingredients team up, the result is pure tail-wagging magic. Pumpkin banana dog treats bring together fiber-rich pumpkin and naturally sweet banana in soft, chewy, and frosty forms that dogs love. Both ingredients are simple and affordable — so you can bake a fresh batch any day of the week.
In this guide, you’ll find six homemade pumpkin and banana dog treat recipes: soft-baked rings, freezer paws, chewy coconut bars, flaxseed muffin bites, apple spice bites, and blueberry pupcakes. Each uses plain canned pumpkin (never pie filling) and ripe bananas, with ingredient tables, step-by-step instructions, portion guidance, and storage tips.
Table of Contents
- Are Pumpkin and Banana Safe for Dogs?
- 1. Pumpkin Banana Soft-Baked Oat Rings
- 2. Pumpkin Banana Freezer Paw Treats
- 3. Pumpkin Banana Coconut Chew Bars
- 4. Pumpkin Banana Flaxseed Muffin Bites
- 5. Pumpkin Banana Apple Spice Bites
- 6. Pumpkin Banana Blueberry Pupcakes
- Portion and Serving Sizes
- Storage Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pumpkin and Banana Safe for Dogs?
Yes — both are considered safe for most dogs when served in moderation. Here’s why this pairing works:
- Digestive support: Pumpkin is loaded with soluble fiber, which helps regulate digestion and keeps stools firm. Many veterinarians suggest a spoonful of pumpkin for dogs with mild stomach upset.
- Natural sweetness without sugar: Ripe bananas sweeten treats naturally, so there’s no need for added sugars or syrups that dogs don’t need.
- Vitamins and minerals: Pumpkin delivers vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium; bananas add more potassium plus vitamin B6 and vitamin C.
- Low fat: Both ingredients are naturally low in fat, making these treats a smart choice for dogs watching their weight.
A few ground rules: always use plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and spices dogs shouldn’t have. Choose ripe bananas — too much banana can loosen stools, so treats should stay at the 10% rule (no more than 10% of daily calories). Check with your vet if your dog has diabetes, kidney issues, or food allergies.
1. Pumpkin Banana Soft-Baked Oat Rings
These tender baked rings are gentle on teeth, making them ideal for seniors, puppies, and dogs that prefer a softer chew.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ripe bananas, mashed | 2 medium |
| Plain pumpkin puree | 1 cup |
| Rolled oats | 2 cups |
| Unsweetened peanut butter (xylitol-free) | 3 tablespoons |
| Ground cinnamon | 1/2 teaspoon |
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas until mostly smooth, then stir in the pumpkin puree and peanut butter.
- Fold in the rolled oats and cinnamon until a thick, sticky dough forms.
- Roll tablespoon-sized portions between your palms, then press each ball into a ring or flatten into a disc.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until set but still soft in the center.
- Cool completely on the tray — they firm up slightly as they cool.
2. Pumpkin Banana Freezer Paw Treats
A perfect warm-weather reward, these freezer treats blend pumpkin and banana into a creamy base with a yogurt swirl. Paw-shaped molds make them cute, but any ice cube tray works.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ripe banana, mashed | 1 large |
| Plain pumpkin puree | 3/4 cup |
| Plain Greek yogurt (unsweetened) | 1/2 cup |
| Honey | 1 teaspoon (optional) |
- Blend the mashed banana and pumpkin puree together until smooth.
- In a small bowl, stir the yogurt and honey until smooth.
- Spoon the pumpkin-banana mixture into silicone molds, filling each three-quarters full.
- Top each mold with a dollop of yogurt and swirl lightly with a toothpick for a marbled look.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight until completely solid.
- Pop the treats out of the molds and serve to your dog straight from the freezer.
3. Pumpkin Banana Coconut Chew Bars
These chewy bars have a tropical twist from unsweetened shredded coconut. Bake into strips you can snap to any size.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ripe bananas, mashed | 2 medium |
| Plain pumpkin puree | 3/4 cup |
| Whole wheat flour | 1 1/2 cups |
| Unsweetened shredded coconut | 1/3 cup, plus extra for topping |
| Coconut oil, melted | 1 tablespoon |
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, pumpkin puree, and melted coconut oil.
- Stir in the whole wheat flour and shredded coconut until a soft dough comes together.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and sprinkle extra coconut over the top.
- Bake for 22–26 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then cut into bars or snap into bite-sized pieces.
4. Pumpkin Banana Flaxseed Muffin Bites
Light and fluffy thanks to a little baking powder, these muffin bites get an omega boost from ground flaxseed. A mini muffin tin keeps them perfectly portioned.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ripe banana, mashed | 1 large |
| Plain pumpkin puree | 1/2 cup |
| Whole wheat flour | 1 cup |
| Ground flaxseed | 2 tablespoons |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Water | 1/4 cup |
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin.
- In a bowl, mix the mashed banana, pumpkin puree, and water until smooth.
- Stir in the flour, flaxseed, and baking powder just until no dry streaks remain.
- Spoon the batter into the mini muffin cups, filling each two-thirds full.
- Bake for 14–16 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool fully.
5. Pumpkin Banana Apple Spice Bites
Grated apple adds moisture to these tiny training-sized bites. They stay soft for days, so they work beautifully as everyday training rewards.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ripe banana, mashed | 1 medium |
| Plain pumpkin puree | 1/2 cup |
| Sweet apple, grated (seeds and core removed) | 1/2 cup |
| Oat flour | 1 1/4 cups |
| Ground cinnamon | 1/4 teaspoon |
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine the mashed bananas, pumpkin puree, and grated apple.
- Stir in the oat flour and cinnamon until a soft, sticky dough forms.
- Pinch off pea-sized to dime-sized pieces and roll into small balls.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, until dry and set on the outside.
- Cool fully, then use as training treats or toss into your dog’s food puzzle.
6. Pumpkin Banana Blueberry Pupcakes
Save these pupcakes for birthdays and gotcha days. Juicy blueberries fold into a pumpkin-banana batter for a festive treat that needs no frosting.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ripe bananas, mashed | 2 medium |
| Plain pumpkin puree | 3/4 cup |
| Whole wheat flour | 1 1/2 cups |
| Fresh or frozen blueberries | 1/2 cup |
| Baking soda | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Egg | 1 |
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a standard muffin tin with paper liners (or grease it well).
- In a large bowl, whisk the mashed bananas, pumpkin puree, and egg until smooth.
- Stir in the flour and baking soda until just combined, then fold in the blueberries.
- Fill each muffin cup two-thirds full with batter.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, until the tops spring back lightly.
- Cool completely before serving one to your birthday dog — freeze the rest for later.
Portion and Serving Sizes
Homemade treats are wholesome, but they still count toward daily calories. Follow the 10% treat rule:
- Small dogs (under 20 lbs): 1–2 treats per day.
- Medium dogs (20–50 lbs): 2–3 treats per day.
- Large dogs (over 50 lbs): 3–4 treats per day.
If your dog is new to pumpkin, introduce treats gradually — a sudden influx of fiber can cause gas.
Storage Instructions
- Baked treats (rings, bars, muffin bites, apple bites, pupcakes): Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer paw treats: Keep in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Serve frozen — no thawing needed.
- Freezing baked treats: All baked recipes freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat pumpkin and banana together?
Yes. Plain pumpkin puree and ripe banana are both safe for dogs — pumpkin adds fiber for digestion while banana adds natural sweetness and potassium. Keep portions moderate, since both are higher in natural sugars and carbs than meat-based treats.
Should I use canned pumpkin or fresh pumpkin?
Plain canned pumpkin puree is easiest — make sure the label says 100% pumpkin with no added sugar, salt, or spices. Avoid pumpkin pie filling entirely. Cooked fresh pumpkin works too, but it has more water, so reduce other liquids slightly.
How ripe should the bananas be?
Use ripe bananas with a few brown spots for the best flavor and easy mashing. Skip green bananas (too starchy) and bananas that have gone mushy-black.
Can I make these treats grain-free?
The freezer paw treats are naturally grain-free. For the baked recipes, swap wheat flour for coconut or almond flour — expect a denser texture and check 3–4 minutes earlier.
My dog is allergic to eggs. Which recipes are egg-free?
Recipes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are all egg-free as written. Only the pupcakes include an egg; replace it with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, rested 5 minutes).
