Dog Donut Recipe
Every dog deserves a donut every now and then, and this base recipe makes it easy to whip one up whenever the occasion calls for something a bit more festive than a regular biscuit, the same spirit behind treats like my Peanut Butter Bacon Doggie Donuts and my Meatloaf Dog Cake.
This version keeps things simple, a plain, lightly sweet dough shaped into rings and finished with a light peanut butter glaze, so it works well on its own or as a starting point for whatever flavor twist you want to try next.
I like keeping this basic dough on hand because it’s so easy to adapt, much like the way I build on a base recipe for treats such as my Carrot Cake Dog Treats and my Homemade Peanut Butter Pumpkin Soft Dog Treats.
Once you’ve got the base down, you can swap in different mix ins or toppings depending on what you’re celebrating or what your dog happens to be in the mood for.
Why You’ll Love This Dog Donut Recipe
A few reasons this base recipe is worth keeping in your rotation.
Classic donut shape. A simple ring cutter turns an ordinary biscuit into something that feels festive.
Easy to customize. This dough works as a base for countless flavor variations.
Simple ingredients. A short list of pantry staples is all you need to get started.
Great for celebrations. Perfect for a birthday, gotcha day, or any occasion worth marking with something special.
Freezer friendly. A batch keeps well, so you can prepare ahead of any celebration.
Is This Recipe Safe for Dogs?
This base recipe avoids the ingredients that make a human donut unsuitable for dogs, but a couple of points are worth understanding.
Peanut butter, used in both the dough and the glaze, 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 before buying peanut butter for a dog recipe.
No refined sugar or frosting is used here. Traditional donut glaze relies on powdered sugar, which isn’t necessary or appropriate for a dog treat. This recipe uses a thin peanut butter glaze instead, which adds flavor without any added sugar.
Portion size matters, since these are meant to feel like a special occasion treat rather than a daily biscuit. Keep servings modest, especially for smaller dogs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into the dough and glaze.
Plain pumpkin puree adds moisture and a mild natural sweetness to the dough.
Natural peanut butter, free of xylitol, brings flavor to both the dough and the glaze.
An egg helps bind the dough together.
Oat flour or whole wheat flour gives the dough enough structure to hold the donut shape.
A small amount of extra peanut butter, melted, forms the simple glaze.
Ingredient List
For the dough
- 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup natural peanut butter, no xylitol
- 1 egg
- 1 3/4 cups oat flour or whole wheat flour
For the glaze
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter, melted
How to Make This Dog Donut Recipe
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and egg until smooth.
- Add the flour a half cup at a time, stirring until a firm dough begins to form.
- 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 16 to 18 minutes, until the donuts feel firm and the edges look lightly golden.
- Let the donuts cool completely on a wire rack before adding the glaze.
- Warm the extra peanut butter slightly until pourable, then drizzle or spread it over the cooled donuts.
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
This base recipe is easy to build on. Once you’ve made it plain, these variations are worth trying.
Bacon peanut butter donuts. Fold in a small amount of well drained, cooked bacon for a smoky twist, similar to our Peanut Butter Bacon Doggie Donuts recipe.
Carob glazed donuts. Some dog safe carob products can be used as a chocolate like glaze alternative, since real chocolate is toxic to dogs and should never be used.
Fruit topped donuts. Add a few small pieces of blueberry or banana on top of the glaze before serving.
Mini donut bites. Use a smaller cutter to make bite sized versions, great for portioning at a party.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using peanut butter with xylitol. Always double check the label, even on brands you’ve used before.
Using real chocolate as a topping. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and should never be substituted in place of the peanut butter glaze.
Cutting the dough too thin. A thinner ring can be fragile once baked, so aim for the suggested quarter inch thickness.
Adding the glaze while the donuts are still warm. This can cause the glaze to melt into the donut instead of setting on top, so wait until they’re fully cooled.
Overbaking. Watch the donuts during the final few minutes, since a thinner ring shape can bake faster than a solid biscuit.
How Many Donuts Can a Dog Have?
Since this is meant to feel like a special occasion treat, one donut is a reasonable serving for most dogs on a celebratory day, generally staying within about ten percent of your dog’s daily caloric intake overall for the day.
Smaller dogs should stick to a smaller portion or a mini version. As always, treats should remain an occasional addition to a balanced diet rather than a regular replacement for meals.
How to Store Dog Donuts
Room temperature. Once fully cooled and glazed, store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
Refrigerator. For a bit of extra freshness, keep them in the fridge for up to one week.
Freezer. For longer storage, freeze the donuts in a sealed bag or container for up to three months. It’s best to freeze them without the glaze and add it fresh after thawing.
Can You Freeze These Donuts?
Yes, and freezing is a great way to prepare ahead of a party or celebration.
- Bake and cool the donuts completely, without adding the glaze.
- Arrange them in a single layer in a freezer safe container or bag.
- Label the container with the date.
- Thaw at room temperature, then add a fresh peanut butter glaze just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different flour? Yes, both oat flour and whole wheat flour work well in this recipe, so you can choose whichever suits your dog’s needs.
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 mix ins to the dough? Yes, this base recipe is meant to be a starting point, so feel free to fold in small amounts of dog safe extras like shredded carrot or a bit of cooked bacon.
Can I use chocolate as a topping? No, chocolate is toxic to dogs and should never be used in a dog treat recipe.
How long do these donuts last? Up to three days at room temperature, up to a week in the fridge, and up to three months in the freezer when frozen without the glaze.
Can puppies have these treats? In small amounts, most puppies can enjoy these, but check with your veterinarian first, especially for young or small breed puppies.
Can I make a bigger batch for a party? Yes, this recipe doubles well, so feel free to scale it up if you’re celebrating with a group of dogs.
Homemade Dog Donuts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease the donut pan so the baked treats release easily.
- Add the whole wheat flour and baking powder to a mixing bowl. Stir to distribute the baking powder evenly.
- Add the egg, pumpkin puree, applesauce, and peanut butter. Mix until the ingredients form a thick, smooth batter.
- Add the water gradually and mix again. The batter should be thick enough to hold its shape but soft enough to spoon into the donut pan.
- Spoon the mixture into the donut cavities, filling each one about three quarters full. Smooth the tops with the back of a spoon.
- Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until the donuts are firm and lightly golden around the edges.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the donuts cool for several minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- Allow the donuts to cool completely before serving them to your dog.
- Storage: Keep the cooled donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for longer storage.
- Serving: Give these as an occasional treat rather than replacing your dog’s regular balanced diet. Break a donut into smaller pieces for smaller dogs.
- Peanut Butter Safety: Always check the ingredient label and make sure the peanut butter contains no xylitol. Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs.
- Common Mistake to Avoid: Avoid adding sugar, chocolate, raisins, grapes, or artificial sweeteners to homemade dog treats. Also let the donuts cool completely before serving.
- Texture Tip: For softer donuts, avoid overbaking them. If your dog prefers a firmer crunchy treat, allow the finished donuts to cool completely and leave them exposed to air briefly before storing.
Recipe Card
Recipe name: Dog Donut Recipe
Summary: A simple, adaptable donut shaped dog treat made with pumpkin and peanut butter, finished with a light peanut butter glaze.
Servings: About 12 donuts, depending on size
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 17 minutes
Total time: 32 minutes, plus cooling time
Estimated cost: Budget friendly
Course: Dog treat
Cuisine: Homemade pet food
Keywords: dog donuts, dog donut recipe, peanut butter 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 plain pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup natural peanut butter, no xylitol
- 1 egg
- 1 3/4 cups oat flour or whole wheat flour
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter, melted, for glaze
Instructions:
- Whisk pumpkin, peanut butter, and egg together.
- Stir in flour until a firm dough forms.
- Roll out and cut into donut shapes.
- Bake 16 to 18 minutes until golden.
- Cool completely, then top with peanut butter glaze.
A Final Note on Serving These Donuts
This base recipe has become the one I reach for whenever I want to make something feel a little more special, whether that’s a birthday, a holiday, or just a really good week.
Once you’ve got the dough down, it’s easy to make it your own with whatever flavor twist fits the occasion.
More Homemade Treat Ideas
If your dog enjoyed these, these recipes are worth trying next.
- Peanut Butter Bacon Doggie Donuts
- Meatloaf Dog Cake
- Carrot Cake Dog Treats
- Homemade Peanut Butter Pumpkin Soft Dog Treats
For more ideas on feeding your dog well beyond treats, check out 7 Healthiest Homemade Dog Foods.
