12 Apple Dog Treats Recipes: Baked, Frozen, and No-Bake Options

If you’ve been searching for apple dog treats recipes, you’re in the right place. Apples are one of the most dog-safe fruits out there, and turning them into treats at home means you know exactly what’s going into your pup’s bowl — no mystery preservatives, no fillers, just real ingredients.

Below you’ll find 12 different apple dog treats recipes, organized by cooking method so you can jump straight to whatever fits your kitchen setup. Whether you want apple dog treats baked in the oven, something for the apple dog treats air fryer crowd, cool-down snacks from the freezer, or no-cook options, there’s a recipe card here you can copy straight into your recipe box. We’ll also cover a few ingredient swaps and the basic safety info at the end — but the recipes come first, because that’s why you’re here.

1. Baked Apple Dog Treats (Oven Method)

Baking is the classic way to make homemade apple dog treats. It gives you that crunchy biscuit texture dogs go crazy for, and the treats store well for weeks. Here are three baked recipes, from a simple biscuit to a fancier donut shape.

A. Classic Baked Apple Peanut Butter Biscuits

This is the treat to start with if you’re new to baking for your dog. It uses pantry staples and turns out a firm, crunchy biscuit that holds up well for training rewards.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Bake Time: 25 minutes Yield: About 24 small biscuits

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour (or oat flour for a grain-sensitive dog)
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/3 cup natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp water (only if needed)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix the applesauce, peanut butter, and egg until smooth.
3. Add the flour and cinnamon, and stir until a thick dough forms. Add water a tablespoon at a time if the dough feels too dry.
4. Roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface.
5. Cut into shapes using a cookie cutter or a knife.
6. Place biscuits on the baking sheet with space between each one.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until firm and lightly golden.
8. Cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing.

Notes: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks, or freeze for up to three months. Always double-check that your peanut butter label doesn’t list xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

B. Apple Cinnamon Doggie Donuts

This recipe swaps the biscuit shape for a soft, cake-like donut. It’s a fun option if you’re making a batch for a dog’s birthday or a special occasion — pair it with ideas from our dog birthday cake recipes if you want to go all out.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Bake Time: 15 minutes Yield: 12 mini donuts

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups rice flour or oat flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 small apple, peeled, cored, and finely grated
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and grease a mini donut pan.
2. Whisk together the applesauce, grated apple, coconut oil, and egg.
3. Fold in the flour, cinnamon, and baking powder until just combined.
4. Spoon the batter into the donut pan cavities, filling each about two-thirds full.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes: For a topping, mix plain Greek yogurt with a little mashed apple and drizzle it over the cooled donuts. Skip any added sugar — dogs don’t need it, and it’s not good for them.

C. Apple Oat Cookies

These are a softer, chewier alternative to a biscuit, great for older dogs or picky eaters who prefer something easier to chew.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Bake Time: 18 minutes Yield: About 20 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 small apple, peeled and finely diced
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. In a bowl, combine oats, applesauce, diced apple, egg, and coconut oil.
3. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
4. Drop tablespoon-sized scoops onto the baking sheet, flattening each slightly.
5. Bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are lightly browned.
6. Cool fully before serving.

Notes: These stay soft, so refrigerate them in a sealed container and use within one week for freshness.

2. Apple Dog Treats Frozen (No-Oven Method)

Apple dog treats frozen are perfect for hot days or for dogs who love to lick and chew slowly. These recipes take minutes to prep and just need a few hours in the freezer.

A. Apple Yogurt Pupsicles

A simple, creamy pupsicle that’s an easy first frozen treat to try.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Freeze Time: 4 hours Yield: 8 small popsicles (silicone mold)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tbsp honey (optional, small amount)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk the yogurt, applesauce, and honey together until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into a silicone popsicle mold or ice cube tray.
3. Add a popsicle stick or a small dog biscuit as a handle if using a mold with sticks.
4. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until solid.
5. Pop out of the mold and serve immediately, or store in a freezer bag.

Notes: Use plain yogurt only — flavored or sweetened yogurts often contain xylitol or added sugar, both of which are unsafe for dogs.

B. Apple Peanut Butter Frozen Bark

This one spreads flat like chocolate bark, so it’s easy to break into pieces for smaller dogs or training rewards.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Freeze Time: 3 hours Yield: About 15 pieces

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter, melted
• 1/2 cup finely diced apple
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)

Instructions:

1. Line a small baking sheet or tray with parchment paper.
2. Mix the yogurt and melted peanut butter together until smooth.
3. Spread the mixture evenly onto the tray, about 1/4-inch thick.
4. Sprinkle the diced apple and flaxseed evenly over the top.
5. Freeze for 3 hours, or until fully firm.
6. Break into pieces and store in a freezer bag.

Notes: Portion pieces based on your dog’s size — this is a rich treat, so smaller dogs should get smaller amounts.

C. Frozen Apple Ice Cubes with Mix-Ins

The easiest frozen option on this list, and one you can customize endlessly.

Prep Time: 5 minutes Freeze Time: 4 hours Yield: 12 ice cubes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup water or low-sodium bone broth
• 2 tbsp finely diced apple or shredded carrot (optional mix-in)

Instructions:

1. Stir the applesauce and water or broth together until combined.
2. Fold in the diced apple or carrot if using.
3. Pour the mixture into an ice cube tray.
4. Freeze for at least 4 hours.
5. Pop out cubes as needed and serve one at a time.

Notes: These are gentle enough for puppies and senior dogs. Swap in bone broth for extra flavor without any added salt or onion, which are unsafe for dogs.

3. Apple Dog Treats Air Fryer (Fast Method)

If you want apple dog treats air fryer style, you’ll get that crispy texture in a fraction of the oven’s bake time, with less risk of overheating your kitchen.

A. Air Fryer Apple Chips

A one-ingredient treat that’s about as simple as homemade gets.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15-20 minutes Yield: 2 apples’ worth of chips

Ingredients:

• 2 medium apples, cored and seeds removed
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Slice the apples into thin rounds, about 1/8-inch thick.
2. Pat the slices dry with a paper towel.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 300°F (150°C).
4. Arrange slices in a single layer in the basket, working in batches if needed.
5. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisp.
6. Let cool completely — they’ll crisp up further as they sit.

Notes: Always remove the core and every seed before slicing. Apple seeds contain a compound that’s harmful to dogs in larger amounts.

B. Air Fryer Apple Oat Bites

A soft, cake-like bite that cooks in minutes — great for training sessions where you need a quick batch.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Yield: About 20 bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oat flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Mix the applesauce, peanut butter, and egg until smooth.
2. Stir in the oat flour until a soft dough forms.
3. Roll into small, teaspoon-sized balls.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray the basket.
5. Place the balls in a single layer, leaving space between each.
6. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
7. Cool before serving.

Notes: These freeze well raw — freeze the rolled balls on a tray first, then transfer to a bag so you can air fry small batches fresh anytime.

C. Air Fryer Apple Banana Poppers

Adding banana brings natural sweetness and a softer bite, which some dogs prefer over a plain apple treat.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 12 minutes Yield: About 18 poppers

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oat flour
• 1/2 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/4 cup finely grated apple
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Combine the mashed banana, grated apple, and egg in a bowl.
2. Stir in the oat flour until a thick dough comes together.
3. Roll into small balls, about a teaspoon each.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
5. Arrange the balls in the basket in a single layer.
6. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway through.
7. Cool completely before serving.

Notes: For an extra treat, dip cooled poppers halfway in plain Greek yogurt and refrigerate until set.

4. No-Bake and Dehydrated Apple Dog Treats

Not every recipe needs an oven or an air fryer. These three options use minimal equipment and are ideal for beginners or for dogs on limited kitchen budgets.

A. No-Bake Apple Energy Bites

These come together in one bowl with zero cooking — just mix, roll, and chill.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Chill Time: 30 minutes Yield: 16 bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup finely grated apple
• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
2. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes so the oats soften slightly.
3. Roll into small, bite-sized balls.
4. Place on a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
5. Store in the fridge in an airtight container.

Notes: These make a great pairing with training sessions — they’re soft, easy to break apart, and don’t crumble like a baked biscuit. If you’re looking for other simple training rewards, check out our guide on dog bones and treats.

B. Peanut Butter-Stuffed Apple Rings

A fun, low-prep treat that uses the apple itself as the “biscuit.”

Prep Time: 10 minutes Yield: 8-10 rings

Ingredients:

• 1 large apple, cored and sliced into 1/2-inch rings
• 3 tbsp natural peanut butter
• Optional: a light sprinkle of granola or crushed plain oats

Instructions:

1. Core the apple and slice it into rings, discarding the core and all seeds.
2. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter into the center hole and over one side of each ring.
3. Sprinkle with crushed oats or granola if using.
4. Serve fresh, or refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Notes: This is best served fresh since apple rings brown and soften over time. It’s a good option if your dog needs a treat right now with almost no prep.

C. Dehydrated Apple Rings (Low-and-Slow Oven Method)

Dehydrating apples creates a chewy, shelf-stable treat that lasts much longer than fresh apple slices.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 2-3 hours Yield: 2 apples’ worth of rings

Ingredients:

• 2-3 medium apples, cored and seeds removed
• Optional: light dusting of cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to its lowest setting, ideally 170-200°F (75-95°C).
2. Slice the apples into thin, even rounds.
3. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
4. Dust lightly with cinnamon if using.
5. Bake for 2-3 hours, flipping the slices halfway through, until dry and slightly leathery.
6. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Notes: These will keep at room temperature for up to a week, or longer in the fridge. They’re a great pantry-style treat for road trips — pair them with tips from our travel essentials for dogs guide if you’re planning a trip.

5. Ingredient-Based Variations to Try

Once you’ve got a base recipe down, these ingredient swaps let you build new flavors without changing the method.

Apple and Pumpkin Variation: Replace half of the applesauce in any baked or frozen recipe with plain canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling). This adds fiber and works especially well in the biscuit and pupsicle recipes.

Apple and Banana Variation: Swap a quarter of the applesauce for mashed ripe banana in baked recipes. It adds natural sweetness and a softer texture, which is helpful for dogs who struggle with harder biscuits.

Grain-Free Apple Variation: Substitute the wheat or oat flour in any baked recipe with a 1:1 mix of coconut flour and almond flour, or a store-bought grain-free baking blend. Note that coconut flour absorbs more liquid, so you may need an extra egg or a splash of water to keep the dough workable.

These swaps also pair well with a general homemade dog food recipes approach if you want to batch-cook treats and meals together — our homemade dog food recipes collection has more ideas along those lines.

6. Quick Answers: Health and Safety Basics

Apples are a genuinely good snack for dogs. They’re low in fat, high in fiber, and packed with vitamin C. That said, a few quick rules apply to every recipe above:

• Always remove the core and seeds. Apple seeds contain a compound that releases cyanide when broken down, and while a seed or two from an occasional bite isn’t usually dangerous, it’s best to remove them entirely when cooking in bulk.
• Skip added sugar. Dogs don’t need sweeteners, and artificial sweeteners like xylitol are toxic even in small amounts. Always check peanut butter and yogurt labels.
• Moderation matters. Treats, including these, should stay under about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Apples are a healthy snack, not a meal replacement — for full meal ideas, our homemade dog treats guide is a good next stop.
• Watch for individual sensitivities. Some dogs have sensitive stomachs or grain intolerances, so introduce any new recipe in small amounts first.
• Storage matters for freshness. Baked treats last longest at room temperature in a sealed container; frozen and dehydrated treats have their storage windows noted above.

If you’re setting up a spot to keep all these treats organized, take a look at our dog treat station ideas for inspiration on storage and display. And if you’re ever unsure whether a specific human food is safe, it’s worth checking case by case — our post on whether dogs can eat cheerios is a good example of how that kind of research works.

Final Thoughts

Twelve recipes is a lot to choose from, but you don’t need to make them all at once. If you’re just getting started, the Classic Baked Apple Peanut Butter Biscuits are the easiest entry point — simple ingredients, forgiving technique, and a treat that stores well. From there, the air fryer recipes are worth trying if you want that same crunchy texture without heating up the whole kitchen, and the frozen treats are a lifesaver on hot days when your dog needs something to lick and chew slowly.

The real advantage of making apple dog treats recipes at home isn’t just saving money — it’s control. You know exactly what’s in every bite, you can adjust for allergies or sensitivities, and you can rotate through baked, frozen, air-fried, and no-bake options so your dog never gets bored with treat time. Start with one recipe, see what your dog likes best, and build your own treat rotation from there.