Dogs love treats in all shapes and forms, and there are so many commercial options to choose from. But when it’s a hot summer day, a frozen treat tends to hit the spot much better than a commercial or homemade biscuit. It might be tempting to share your ice cream with your pup when they’re sitting next to you and salivating as you chow down. However, there might be additives in human ice cream that won’t be great for your dog.
So, consider getting creative and making frozen treats for your canine companion to enjoy throughout the summer months—or any time of the year, for that matter! Here are 10 of our favorite frozen dog treat recipes that you can use or be inspired by to come up with your own dog-friendly recipes.
A Quick Note About Silicone Trays and Molds
The recipes highlighted here utilize silicone ice cube trays or treat molds, which come in various sizes, shapes, and colors.
If you cannot or don’t want to purchase silicone trays or treat molds, you can simply use a plastic ice cube tray or line the cups of a muffin tin with plastic wrap and pour the mixture in. Alternatively, to save space, you can carefully pull the edges of the plastic wrap up and over the mixture, twist the ends to create a sealed “bag,” and then place the bags full of treat mixture in the freezer.
The 10 Vet-Approved Frozen Dog Treat Recipes
1. Frozen Peanut Butter, Banana, and Beef Nugget (Dogster Recipe)
Frozen Peanut Butter, Banana, and Beef Nugget (Dogster Recipe)
Equipment
- Silicone ice tray
- Blender
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp. unsweetened peanut butter
- 1 banana
- 1/3 cup wet beef dog food
Instructions
- Break apart the banana, and put the pieces in the blender with the peanut butter and dog food.
- Blend the food until it reaches a thick, creamy consistency, adding 1 tablespoon of water at a time if necessary.
- Spoon the mixture into a plastic ice cube tray, and put the tray in the freezer.
- When the mixture has thoroughly frozen through, it’s ready to serve!
Notes
2. Frozen Blueberry Treats
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Freezing Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 8
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- ½ cup blueberries
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/3 banana
- Blender
- Silicone ice tray
- Place all the ingredients in the blender, and blend until completely smooth, which should take about 90 seconds.
- Pour the mixture into your silicone mold, and place the mold in the freezer for about an hour before serving.
3. Frozen Pumpkin Peanut Butter Treats
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Freezing Time: 2 hours
- Servings: 15
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- ½ cup pumpkin purée (not canned pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp. unsweetened peanut butter
- A pinch of cinnamon
- Bowl
- Whisk
- Silicone molds or ice tray
- Put all the ingredients in a bowl, and whisk them until they are thoroughly combined and the consistency is creamy.
- Pour the mixture into silicone molds or an ice tray, and gently tap the container on the counter to get rid of air bubbles.
- Freeze and serve.
4. Frozen 2-Ingredient Treats
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Freezing Time: 2 hours
- Servings: 12
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- 1 banana
- ½ cup unsweetened peanut butter
- Blender
- Silicone ice or mold tray
- Put all the ingredients in a blender, and pulse until the mixture gets thick and smooth.
- Add a little water (about 1 tablespoon), then blend again. Continue this process until the mixture is loose enough to pour into silicone molds or ice trays.
- Freeze the treats for about 2 hours or until they’re frozen through before serving.
5. Frozen Mint and Honey Treats
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Freezing Time: 2 hours
- Servings: 12
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- 5 ounces plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
- ¼ cup honey
- Food processor
- Silicone tray/mold
- Place all the ingredients in a food processor, and blend until everything is well combined.
- Spoon the mixture into a silicone mold tray, and freeze for about 2 hours before serving.
6. Frozen Carrot Apple Treats
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Freezing Time: 2 hours
- Servings: 12
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- 3 peeled carrots, chopped
- 1 large apple, chopped
- ½ cup of water
- Blender
- Silicone mold/tray
- Baking tray
- Place the ingredients and water in a blender, then blend everything until it’s smooth and runny.
- Pour the mixture into your silicone molds, and freeze for about 2 hours before serving.
7. Frozen Autumn Treats
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Freezing Time: 4–5 hours
- Servings: 24
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 carton low sodium beef bone broth
- Blender
- Silicone molds/trays
- Put all the ingredients in a blender, and combine until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the mixture into the silicone molds, and freeze for 4–5 hours before serving.
8. Frozen Frosty Breath Treats
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Freezing Time: 6 hours
- Servings: 12
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup mint leaves
- ½ cup parsley leaves
- Blender
- Silicone mold/tray
- Put the chicken broth and coconut oil in a blender, then blend on high until liquified.
- Place the rest of the ingredients in the blender, and pulse until everything is minced and well combined.
- Spoon the mixture into a silicone mold or tray and freeze for about 6 hours before serving.
9. Frozen Strawberry Treats
- Prep Time: 5–10 minutes
- Freezing Time: 3 hours
- Servings: 12
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- 10 fresh strawberries
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp. honey
- Blender
- Silicone mold/tray
- knife
- Wash the strawberries and slice off the green stems.
- Put all the ingredients in a blender, and blend on high until smooth and no strawberry chunks are detectable.
- Pour the mixture into silicone molds/trays, and freeze for about 6 hours before serving.
10. Frozen Berry and Yogurt Treats
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Freezing Time: 5–6 hours minimum
- Servings: 12
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 10 strawberries
- 20 blueberries
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Silicone tray/mold
- Cut the strawberries into small bite-sized chunks.
- Place strawberries and blueberries in each silicone tray or mold cup. Cover with yogurt.
- Tap the tray on the counter to get rid of air bubbles and distribute the berries throughout the yogurt.
- Freeze the yogurt for at least 6 hours before serving.
Conclusion
With so many awesome frozen dog treats to choose from, you can help ensure that your pup enjoys something different and interesting throughout the year. You can mix and match the ingredients in many of these recipes and try different fruits and veggies. Think outside of the box, and create your own homemade dog treat recipes!
- See also: Why Do Dogs Hide Their Treats?
Featured Image Credit: HandmadePictures, Shutterstock
A Quick Note About Silicone Trays and Molds
