Apple Banana Dog Treats Recipe | Soft & Healthy

It was a Sunday morning. My dog, Juniper, was doing her usual breakfast routine—sitting at my feet, staring at my bowl, occasionally licking the air in case something magical floated down to her. I had an apple in one hand and a banana in the other. I was trying to decide what to eat.

She looked at the apple. She looked at the banana. She looked at me like “why not both?”

I laughed. Then I thought: why not both? For her, not for me.

I grated the apple. I mashed the banana. I mixed them together with oat flour and a little coconut oil. The dough came together—pale green from the apple, sweet-smelling from the banana, soft and slightly sticky. I rolled it out, cut it into little circles, and baked them.

The kitchen smelled like a fruit market. Juniper sat by the oven door, nose twitching, tail thumping.

When those biscuits came out—golden brown, speckled with apple and banana, tender and sweet—she ate one like it was the best thing she’d ever tasted. Then she sat. Then she gave me her paw. Then she sat again.

That was the day apple banana treats became a regular rotation. Here’s how to make them.

Why Apple and Banana Are a Perfect Pair

Apple Benefits:

• Vitamin A and C: Supports immune function and vision.

• Fiber: Aids digestion and helps with stool quality.

• Natural sweetness: No added sugar needed.

• Low calorie: Keeps treats light.

• Hydrating: Apples are about 80% water.

The Apple Rule: Remove the core and seeds completely. Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide in the digestive system. Core thoroughly. Seed-free is the way to be.

Banana Benefits:

• Potassium: Supports heart and muscle function.

• Vitamin B6: Supports brain function and nervous system.

• Natural sweetness: Very ripe bananas are sweet without added sugar.

• Creamy texture: Mashed banana acts as a natural binder.

• Gentle on stomachs: Easily digestible for most dogs.

The Banana Rule: Use very ripe bananas—the browner, the better. Brown bananas are sweeter, softer, and easier to mash. Green bananas will work but will be less sweet and create a drier biscuit.

Why They’re Better Together:

The Recipe

Ingredients

Yield

Approximately 20-25 biscuits (1-2 inches each).

Prep time

15 minutes active. 18-22 minutes baking. Total: about 40 minutes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

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

Step 2: Make Oat Flour (If You Don’t Have It)

Oat flour is just finely ground rolled oats. It’s easy to make at home.

Method: Add 1½ cups of rolled oats to a food processor or blender. Pulse until they become a fine powder. This takes about 30-60 seconds.

No food processor? Buy oat flour from the store. Bob’s Red Mill makes a good one.

Why oat flour? Oat flour creates a tender, digestible biscuit. It’s also naturally gluten-free (choose certified gluten-free if your dog has sensitivities).

Step 3: Prepare the Apple

Peel the apple completely (skin is safe but can be tough in baked goods). Cut the apple into quarters. Remove the core and every single seed.

Grate the apple using the fine side of a box grater. You want small, almost-pulverized shreds, not long strings. One medium apple yields about ¾ to 1 cup of grated apple.

Pro tip: After grating, place the apple shreds in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze gently to remove excess moisture. Apple is very juicy. Too much juice makes the dough sticky and the treats soggy.

Step 4: Mash the Banana

Use a very ripe banana—the browner, the better. Ripe bananas are sweeter, softer, and easier to mash.

Peel the banana. Place it in a large mixing bowl. Mash thoroughly with a fork until smooth. No large lumps. You want a pudding-like consistency.

Step 5: Mix Wet Ingredients

Add to the mashed banana:

• Grated apple (squeezed)

• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil (if using)

Mix until well combined. The mixture will be thick, pale tan, and smell like fresh fruit.

No coconut oil? Skip it. The banana and apple provide enough moisture.

Step 6: Add Oat Flour

Add 1½ cups of oat flour to the wet mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until a soft dough forms.

The dough test: The dough should be soft, slightly sticky, and hold together when pressed. If it’s too dry and cracking, add water 1 teaspoon at a time. If it’s too sticky (unlikely with oat flour), add oat flour 1 tablespoon at a time.

Pro tip: Let the dough rest for 5 minutes after mixing. Oat flour absorbs moisture slowly. The dough may firm up during the rest.

Step 7: Roll and Cut

Lightly dust your work surface with oat flour. Turn out the dough. Pat it into a flat disc.

Roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness. This is the sweet spot—thick enough to hold the fruit pieces, thin enough to bake through.

Pro tip: Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. Fruit doughs can be sticky. Parchment prevents sticking and makes cleanup instant.

Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Apple-shaped cutters are adorable. Bone shapes, circles, or hearts work beautifully.

No cookie cutters? Use a knife to cut the dough into small squares. Or roll the dough into 1-inch balls and flatten with a fork.

Step 8: Bake

Place treats on the prepared baking sheet, spaced about ½ inch apart. These treats do not spread much.

Bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through (at the 9-11 minute mark) for even browning.

How to tell they’re done:

• Edges are lightly golden brown

• Treats feel firm to the touch

• The kitchen smells like apple banana bread (heaven)

• A toothpick inserted into the thickest treat comes out clean

• The fruit flecks have darkened slightly (normal)

Step 9: Cool Completely

Transfer treats to a wire cooling rack. Cool for at least 30 minutes. Treats continue to firm up as they cool.

Do not skip this step. Warm treats trap moisture and mold faster. Cool treats are perfectly tender.

Storage & Shelf Life

Pro tip: Because these treats contain fresh apple and banana (moisture) and no preservatives, they have a shorter shelf life than dry biscuits. Store in the refrigerator for maximum freshness.

To refresh: If treats become dry or hard, microwave for 5-8 seconds to soften.

Recipe Variations

Variation 1: Apple Banana & Peanut Butter

Add 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter (xylitol-free) to the wet ingredients. Peanut butter adds protein and makes these extra irresistible. Reduce oat flour to 1¼ cups.

Variation 2: Apple Banana & Cinnamon

Add ½ teaspoon of Ceylon cinnamon to the dry ingredients. Cinnamon adds warmth and has anti-inflammatory properties. The kitchen will smell like apple pie.

Variation 3: Apple Banana & Coconut

Add ¼ cup of unsweetened shredded coconut to the dough. Reduce oat flour by 2 tablespoons. Coconut adds healthy fats and a tropical flavor.

Variation 4: Apple Banana & Carrot (Extra Nutrition)

Add ¼ cup of finely grated carrot to the wet ingredients. Carrot adds vitamin A and beautiful orange flecks. Reduce apple to ½ apple.

Variation 5: Apple Banana & Turmeric (Anti-Inflammatory)

Add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder and a pinch of black pepper to the dry ingredients. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory (great for senior dogs). The pepper activates the turmeric.

Variation 6: Apple Banana & Oat Clusters (No Rolling)

Skip the rolling and cutting. Drop teaspoon-sized portions of dough onto the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. These rustic clusters are faster to make and just as delicious.

Variation 7: Soft Apple Banana Bites (For Seniors or Puppies)

Add an extra 2 tablespoons of water to the dough. Reduce baking time to 12-14 minutes. Remove treats when firm but still slightly soft. Store in the refrigerator only (5-7 days).

Variation 8: Dehydrated Apple Banana Chips (Extra Crunchy)

Roll the dough very thin (⅛ inch). Cut into small shapes. Dehydrate at 135°F for 6-8 hours, or bake at the lowest oven setting (170°F or lower) with the door cracked for 3-4 hours. The result is crispy, fruit-flavored chips.

Variation 9: Frozen Apple Banana Pops (No-Bake)

Skip the flour and baking entirely. Mix grated apple, mashed banana, and ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt. Spoon into silicone molds. Freeze for 4+ hours. Serve frozen. These are like fruit popsicles.

Variation 10: Apple Banana Training Bites (Tiny Size)

Use a ½-teaspoon scoop. Drop tiny portions onto the baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. These tiny bites are perfect for training pouches and portion control.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Why These Are Great for Training

Apple banana treats hit the sweet spot for training rewards:

Pro tip: For training sessions, break each biscuit into 4-6 small pieces. Your dog gets more rewards, and you control portions better.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can dogs eat apples and bananas together?
Yes, apples and bananas are both safe and healthy for dogs. Together, they create a naturally sweet, fiber-rich, vitamin-packed treat. Always remove apple seeds and core. Use very ripe bananas for best sweetness and texture.

2. Can puppies eat apple banana treats?
Yes, from 4 months old. Use the soft-baked variation (bake for 12-14 minutes). Cut treats into small pieces. Puppies have sensitive digestion—start with a tiny piece and monitor. Both apples and bananas are safe for puppies.

3. Can I use green apples instead of red?
Yes. Green apples (Granny Smith) are tarter and firmer than red apples. They work well in this recipe. The biscuits will be slightly less sweet and have a brighter flavor. Your dog may love them or may prefer sweeter red apples.

4. How do I make these treats without coconut oil?
Skip it. The banana and apple provide enough moisture. You can also substitute with 2 tablespoons of unsweetened applesauce or 2 tablespoons of melted coconut butter. Olive oil works too but has a stronger flavor.

5. Why do I need to squeeze the moisture out of the apple?
Apples are very juicy. If you add wet grated apple to the dough, the excess moisture will make the dough sticky and the treats soggy. Squeezing the grated apple in a clean kitchen towel removes excess water and ensures a perfect texture.

6. How long do these treats last?
1 week in an airtight container at room temperature. 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator. 3-4 months in the freezer. Because these treats contain fresh fruit (moisture), they spoil faster than dry biscuits. Store in the refrigerator for maximum freshness.

7. Can I add other fruits to this recipe?
Yes. Safe additions include: mashed blueberries, pureed strawberries, grated pear (remove seeds), or mashed raspberries. Keep the total fruit amount at 1½ cups (e.g., 1 apple + 1 banana + ¼ cup blueberries). Do not add grapes or raisins (toxic to dogs).

8. My dog has a grain allergy. Can I still make these?
Yes. Use coconut flour instead of oat flour. Coconut flour is highly absorbent—use ¾ cup coconut flour (not 1½ cups) and add an extra 2-3 tablespoons of water. These treats will be denser and more crumbly. For a less crumbly grain-free option, use almond flour (safe for dogs in small amounts).

Final Thoughts

The Sunday I accidentally created apple banana treats, I didn’t plan anything special. I just had an apple, a banana, and a dog who looked at me like I was the keeper of all good things. I mashed and mixed and baked. And she wagged and chewed and loved.

That’s the beauty of these treats. They’re not complicated. They’re not fancy. They’re just two fruits that happen to be perfect together, held together with a little oat flour, baked into something your dog will adore.

Your dog doesn’t know that apples have vitamin C. They don’t know that bananas have potassium. They know that the golden, fruit-speckled biscuit in your hand smells like heaven and tastes like love—and that you made it just for them.

So grate that apple. Mash that banana. Roll that dough. Your dog is waiting for something sweet, simple, and made just for them.

Now go make some apple banana magic.