The holidays aren’t just for people—our pups deserve some festive joy too! These Healthy Holiday Dog Treats are a great way to include your dog in the seasonal celebrations with ingredients that are wholesome, nourishing, and delicious. Whether you’re baking for your own dog or wrapping up a few treats for their furry friends, these cookies bring all the cozy, feel-good flavors of the holidays without any added sugar, salt, or artificial ingredients.
They’re lightly spiced, naturally sweetened with pumpkin and applesauce, and finished with a festive crunch that dogs love. Think of them as the canine version of a holiday cookie—warm, comforting, and full of love.
Why Your Dog Will Love This Recipe
These treats are crunchy, lightly spiced, and filled with real food ingredients like pumpkin, oats, and applesauce. They deliver that rich, warm holiday flavor without being overpowering—and they’re easy to chew and digest. Your dog will love the subtle sweetness, while you’ll love knowing they’re healthy and made without fillers or preservatives. They’re the perfect reward for a winter walk or a Christmas Eve snuggle by the fire.
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup oat flour (certified gluten-free if needed)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (unsweetened)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1–2 tablespoons water (as needed)
Optional for decoration:
- Plain Greek yogurt for icing
- Dried cranberry bits (unsweetened, no raisins or artificial sweeteners)
Pro Tips
- Use festive cookie cutters like stars, trees, and gingerbread dogs for seasonal flair.
- Roll the dough evenly to about 1/4″ thick for uniform baking.
- Cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup.
- Add water gradually—you want a soft but workable dough.
- Use unsweetened, xylitol-free ingredients to ensure safety.
Tools Required
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Holiday-themed cookie cutters
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Small spoon or piping bag for optional yogurt icing
Substitutions and Variations
- Flour: Swap oat flour with whole wheat, chickpea, or coconut flour
- Pumpkin: Use mashed sweet potato or banana if preferred
- Applesauce: Swap with mashed pear or plain yogurt
- Spices: Add a pinch of turmeric for anti-inflammatory benefits
- Frosting-free: Skip the yogurt icing for a simpler, longer-lasting treat
Make Ahead Tips
Make the dough 1–2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly. You can also shape the cookies and freeze them raw—just bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Once baked and cooled, the treats can be stored or frozen for long-term use, making this a great recipe for holiday batch baking.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, applesauce, and egg. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
Stir in the oat flour, rolled oats, cinnamon, and ginger. Mix until a dough forms. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time if the dough feels too dry.
Step 4: Roll and Cut
Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into shapes using your favorite holiday cookie cutters.
Step 5: Bake
Place treats on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until firm and golden brown.
Step 6: Cool and (Optionally) Decorate
Let treats cool on a wire rack. For optional icing, mix a little plain Greek yogurt with a small spoonful of tapioca starch for thickness and pipe over treats using a small bag.
Step 7: Store or Gift
Once fully cooled and decorated (if using frosting), store in a dry, airtight container or gift in small holiday treat bags or jars.
Serving Suggestions
- Offer one or two as a daily treat
- Pair with a festive bow or tag for gifting
- Serve after a snowy walk or winter play session
- Add to a holiday doggy gift basket
- Use as a Christmas morning surprise for your pup under the tree
Allergy-Friendly Substitutions
- Grain-free: Use coconut or chickpea flour in place of oat flour
- Dairy-free: Skip yogurt icing or use dairy-free coconut yogurt
- Egg-free: Use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) or extra applesauce
- Low-fat: Omit frosting and use banana instead of applesauce
- Sensitive stomachs: Use just pumpkin and oat flour with no added spices
Leftovers and Storage
Let treats cool completely before storing:
- Room temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week
- Refrigerator: Lasts up to 2 weeks if unfrosted
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months in a zip-top bag
- Moisture control: Add a small pouch of dry rice or a food-safe desiccant packet to keep them crisp
If using yogurt icing, store decorated treats in the fridge and use within 5–7 days.
Nutrition & Benefits
These treats are full of fiber and healthy carbs thanks to pumpkin and oats, which support digestion and energy. Applesauce adds a subtle sweetness without sugar, and cinnamon and ginger bring flavor along with digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. By skipping added salt, sugar, and oils, you’re offering a clean, nourishing treat that fits into your dog’s diet—even during the holidays.
Homemade treats like these let you celebrate the season while supporting your dog’s health—without compromise.
Recipe FAQ
Q: Can I make these treats crunchy or soft?
A: Yes—bake longer (30–35 mins) for crunch or reduce to 20 minutes for softer cookies.
Q: Can I use a cookie stamp?
A: Absolutely! These hold their shape well and take stamp impressions beautifully.
Q: Can I freeze the icing?
A: No—Greek yogurt doesn’t freeze well as an icing. Decorate close to serving time.
Q: Are these safe for all dog breeds?
A: Yes—just adjust portion size for smaller dogs and always monitor new foods.
Q: Can humans eat these?
A: They’re 100% human-safe—just lightly flavored and not sweet like human cookies.
Recipe Wrap-Up
These Healthy Holiday Dog Treats are the perfect way to include your pup in the seasonal fun—without compromising on nutrition or safety. With festive shapes, wholesome ingredients, and just the right amount of spice, they’re as fun to make as they are to give. Whether you’re baking for your own dog or preparing little gifts for furry friends, these treats are sure to be the highlight of any holiday season.