Peanut Butter Bacon Doggie Donuts
There’s something about a donut shape that makes a treat feel like an occasion, and these peanut butter bacon versions have become my go to whenever I want to make a regular Tuesday feel a little more special.
The combination of rich peanut butter and a small amount of smoky bacon gives these a flavor dogs go absolutely crazy for, while the classic ring shape makes them easy to hang on a treat display or slide onto a stick for a fun photo.
I like that these bake up firm enough to hold their shape well, which makes them just as good for a birthday party spread as they are for an everyday reward.
Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Bacon Doggie Donuts
A few reasons these are worth baking for your next celebration.
Fun donut shape. A simple ring cutter turns an ordinary biscuit into something that feels festive.
Bold flavor combination. Peanut butter and bacon together are hard for most dogs to resist.
Great for parties. These look adorable arranged on a small stand or strung on a dowel for a puppy birthday party.
Sturdy texture. These hold their shape well, making them easy to display or photograph.
Freezer friendly. A batch keeps well, so you can prepare ahead of any special occasion.
Are Peanut Butter and Bacon Safe for Dogs?
Both ingredients are popular in homemade treats, but each comes with its own considerations.
Peanut butter should always be a plain, natural variety with no added xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs even in small amounts. Always check the label, especially on brands marketed as reduced sugar.
Bacon is high in fat and sodium, and rich, fatty foods have been linked to pancreatitis in dogs, particularly in large amounts. This recipe uses a small amount of bacon spread across a full batch, keeping each individual donut reasonable. Blotting the cooked bacon well before adding it to the dough helps reduce excess grease. Turkey bacon works as a leaner substitute if you’d like to cut back on fat further.
Portion control matters most here, since these donuts combine two rich ingredients. They’re best treated as a special occasion treat rather than a regular addition to your dog’s daily diet. Dogs with a history of pancreatitis or other digestive sensitivities should avoid bacon based treats, or only have them with a veterinarian’s guidance.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into the dough and topping.
Natural peanut butter, free of xylitol, forms the base flavor of these donuts.
Cooked bacon, chopped small and well drained, adds a smoky flavor throughout the dough.
Plain pumpkin puree helps bind the dough and adds moisture without needing much added fat.
Oat flour or whole wheat flour gives the dough enough structure to hold the donut shape.
A small amount of extra peanut butter, melted, optional, can be used as a simple drizzle on top once the donuts have cooled.
Ingredient List
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter, no xylitol
- 2 slices bacon, cooked crisp, drained, and chopped small
- 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
- 1 3/4 cups oat flour or whole wheat flour
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter, melted, for drizzling, optional
How to Make Peanut Butter Bacon Doggie Donuts
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the peanut butter and pumpkin puree until smooth.
- Add the flour a half cup at a time, stirring until a firm dough begins to form.
- Fold in the chopped bacon, distributing it evenly throughout the dough.
- If the dough feels too sticky to handle, add a bit more flour a tablespoon at a time.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it to about a quarter inch thickness.
- Use a donut shaped cutter, or two round cutters of different sizes, to cut out the donut shapes and remove the center circles.
- Place the shaped donuts on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a bit apart.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the donuts feel firm and the edges look lightly golden.
- Let the donuts cool completely on a wire rack before adding any peanut butter drizzle or serving.
- If using the optional drizzle, warm the extra peanut butter slightly until pourable, then drizzle it over the cooled donuts in a zigzag pattern.
Getting a Good Shape
A few tips help these hold their signature donut look.
Roll the dough evenly before cutting, since an uneven thickness can cause one side of the donut to bake faster than the other.
If you don’t have a donut cutter, a wide round cutter for the outer edge and a small round cutter or bottle cap for the center works just as well.
Handle the dough gently once cut, since the center hole can make the ring more delicate than a solid biscuit shape.
Recipe Variations
Once you’ve made the base recipe, these variations are worth trying.
Mini donut bites. Use a smaller cutter to make bite sized versions, great for portioning at a party.
Turkey bacon version. Swap in turkey bacon for a leaner take on this recipe.
Cheddar peanut butter donuts. Fold in a small amount of shredded cheddar along with the bacon for extra flavor.
Plain peanut butter donuts. Skip the bacon entirely for a simpler version that’s still full of peanut butter flavor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using peanut butter with xylitol. Always double check the label, even on brands you’ve used before.
Using too much bacon. A couple of slices spread across a full batch is plenty of flavor without excess fat.
Skipping the draining step. Bacon that isn’t well drained adds extra grease to the dough.
Cutting the dough too thin. A thinner ring can be fragile once baked, so aim for the suggested quarter inch thickness.
Adding the peanut butter drizzle while the donuts are still warm. This can cause the drizzle to melt into the donut instead of setting on top, so wait until they’re fully cooled.
How Many Donuts Can a Dog Have?
Since these donuts combine peanut butter and bacon, both rich ingredients, they’re best saved for special occasions rather than a daily treat, generally staying under about ten percent of your dog’s daily caloric intake overall. One donut is a reasonable serving for most dogs on a celebratory day. Dogs with a history of pancreatitis or other digestive sensitivities should avoid bacon based treats altogether, or only have them with a veterinarian’s guidance.
How to Store Peanut Butter Bacon Doggie Donuts
Refrigerator. Because these contain bacon, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
Freezer. For longer storage, freeze the donuts in a sealed bag or container for up to three months. If you’ve added the peanut butter drizzle, freeze them in a single layer first so the topping doesn’t stick to other donuts.
Always check treats before serving, and discard anything that smells off or shows signs of spoilage.
Can You Freeze These Donuts?
Yes, and freezing is a great way to prepare ahead of a party or celebration.
- Let the donuts cool completely before freezing, including any peanut butter drizzle.
- Arrange them in a single layer in a freezer safe container or bag.
- Separate layers with parchment paper if stacking.
- Label the container with the date.
- Thaw a few in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bacon safe for dogs? In small amounts, cooked bacon is generally considered safe as an occasional treat, though its high fat and sodium content means moderation matters, especially for dogs prone to pancreatitis.
Can I skip the bacon? Yes, these donuts still taste great as a plain peanut butter version if you’d prefer to leave the bacon out.
Do I need a donut shaped cutter? No, two round cutters of different sizes work just as well to create the ring shape.
Can I add a peanut butter drizzle? Yes, once the donuts have fully cooled, a light drizzle of melted peanut butter adds a nice finishing touch.
How long do these donuts last? Up to five days in the fridge and up to three months in the freezer, since the bacon content means they shouldn’t sit at room temperature.
Can puppies have these treats? In small amounts, most puppies can try these, but check with your veterinarian first, especially for young or small breed puppies.
Can dogs with pancreatitis eat these treats? It’s best to avoid bacon based treats entirely for dogs with a history of pancreatitis, and to check with your veterinarian about safer treat options instead.
Recipe Card
Recipe name: Peanut Butter Bacon Doggie Donuts
Summary: Festive, ring shaped dog treats made with peanut butter, pumpkin, and a touch of crisp bacon, perfect for celebrations.
Servings: About 12 donuts, depending on size
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 19 minutes
Total time: 39 minutes, plus cooling time
Estimated cost: Budget friendly
Course: Dog treat
Cuisine: Homemade pet food
Keywords: dog donuts, peanut butter dog treats, bacon dog treats, dog birthday treats, homemade dog biscuits
Equipment: Mixing bowl, rolling pin, donut cutter or two round cutters, baking sheet, parchment paper
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter, no xylitol
- 2 slices bacon, cooked crisp, drained, and chopped small
- 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
- 1 3/4 cups oat flour or whole wheat flour
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter, melted, for drizzling, optional
Instructions:
- Whisk peanut butter and pumpkin together.
- Stir in flour until a firm dough forms.
- Fold in chopped bacon.
- Roll out and cut into donut shapes.
- Bake 18 to 20 minutes until golden.
- Cool completely, then add optional peanut butter drizzle.
A Final Note on Serving These Donuts
These have become my favorite treat to make whenever there’s something worth celebrating, whether that’s a birthday, a gotcha day, or just a really good week. There’s something fun about seeing a little donut shape in the treat jar, and the combination of peanut butter and bacon rarely disappoints.
More Homemade Treat Ideas
If your dog enjoyed these, these recipes are worth trying next.
- Homemade Bacon Dog Treats
- Pumpkin Peanut Butter Pretzel Dog Treats
- Dog Treats with Sweet Potato and Bacon
- Homemade Peanut Butter Pumpkin Soft Dog Treats
For more ideas on feeding your dog well beyond treats, check out 7 Healthiest Homemade Dog Foods.
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