Banana Peanut Butter Chew Sticks for Dogs

Some dogs inhale a treat in one bite, and others want something to hold, gnaw, and savor. These banana peanut butter chew sticks are made for the second kind.

They’re shaped like little sticks, baked until firm, and dried until they have a satisfying chew, with the sweet, familiar flavor of banana and peanut butter that most dogs can’t resist.

They use just a few ingredients, there’s no added sugar, and you don’t need a rolling pin or cookie cutters.

If your dog loves my Homemade Beef and Vegetable Chew Sticks or my Easy Homemade Sweet Potato Dog Chews, this is the sweet, fruity version.

Why You’ll Love These Banana Peanut Butter Chew Sticks

A few reasons this recipe is worth making.

Simple ingredients. Banana, peanut butter, oat flour, and a splash of water.

No added sugar. Ripe banana provides all the sweetness.

Satisfying chew. A firm, slow to finish treat for dogs who like to gnaw.

Easy to shape. Roll, cut, and bake. No special tools.

Great for different sizes. Make them short for small dogs or long for big dogs.

Freezer friendly. Bake a batch and keep extras ready.

Are Banana and Peanut Butter Safe for Dogs?

Both are popular, dog friendly ingredients, with a few rules.

Check your peanut butter for xylitol. Xylitol is toxic to dogs and appears in some peanut butter brands. Read the label every time, and choose a plain brand.

Use ripe bananas. They’re sweeter and mash easily. Bananas contain natural sugar, so keep portions modest.

Keep it plain. No sugar, chocolate, raisins, or sweeteners.

Supervise chewing. No homemade chew is indestructible. Take away any small end pieces your dog could swallow whole.

Mind the calories. Peanut butter is rich and calorie dense.

For more peanut butter basics, see my 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Dog Gummies.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into the dough and what each ingredient contributes.

Oat flour forms the base and gives the sticks a chewy texture. You can make it by blending rolled oats until fine. Whole wheat flour also works.

One ripe banana adds sweetness and moisture, and helps bind the dough.

Xylitol free peanut butter adds flavor and richness.

Water, if needed, brings the dough together.

Ingredient List

• 1 1/2 cups oat flour, plus more for shaping
• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/3 cup xylitol free peanut butter
• 2 to 4 tablespoons water, only if needed

How to Make Banana Peanut Butter Chew Sticks

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mash the banana and stir in the peanut butter until smooth.
3. Add the oat flour and mix until a thick dough forms. If it’s too dry, add water a tablespoon at a time. If it’s sticky, add a spoonful more flour.
4. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a rope about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick, or 6 inches for larger dogs.
6. Place the sticks on the baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
7. Bake for 25 minutes, until firm and lightly golden.
8. Lower the oven to 200°F and bake for another 45 to 60 minutes, until the sticks are dry and chewy.
9. Turn off the oven and leave the sticks inside for 30 minutes.
10. Cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing.

Getting the Right Texture

For a softer chew, skip the final low temperature drying and bake only the first 25 minutes.

For a firmer, longer lasting chew, dry them longer at the low temperature until they’re hard.

Roll the sticks to an even thickness so they cook at the same rate.

If the dough cracks as you roll, it’s too dry. Knead in a teaspoon of water.

If it’s too sticky, dust your hands and surface with oat flour.

Recipe Variations

Once you’ve made the base recipe, these are easy to try.

Banana, peanut butter, and oat. Roll the sticks in a little extra rolled oats before baking.

Banana and blueberry. Fold in a few mashed blueberries, like in my Banana, Peanut Butter, and Blueberry Dog Biscotti.

Banana and pumpkin. Replace half the banana with plain pumpkin puree.

Banana and cinnamon. Add a light pinch of Ceylon cinnamon.

Mini chew bites. Cut each stick into small pieces for training treats.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using peanut butter with xylitol. Always check the label.

Skipping the drying step. Without it, the sticks stay soft and spoil faster.

Making them too thin. Thin sticks snap and can be swallowed easily.

Storing them warm. Cool completely first.

Leaving your dog unsupervised. Watch your dog while they chew.

Giving too many. The calories add up quickly.

How Many Chew Sticks Can a Dog Have?

One stick is plenty for a small dog, and one or two for a larger dog.

Treats should make up only a small part of your dog’s daily calories, with the rest coming from a complete and balanced diet.

If your dog has dental problems, pancreatitis, or weight concerns, check with your veterinarian first.

How to Store Banana Peanut Butter Chew Sticks

Because these contain banana and peanut butter, they need cool storage.

Room temperature. Store fully cooled, fully dry sticks in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Refrigerator. Keep them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Freezer. Freeze in a sealed bag or container for up to 3 months.

Check before serving, and discard any sticks that smell off, feel damp, or show signs of mold. For treats built to last longer, see my DIY Dog Biscuits That Last for Weeks.

Can You Freeze Chew Sticks?

Yes, and freezing is the easiest way to keep a big batch fresh.

1. Cool the sticks completely.
2. Arrange them in a single layer on a tray and freeze for about an hour.
3. Transfer to a labeled freezer bag or container.
4. Thaw a few at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

More Homemade Treat Ideas

• Homemade Beef and Vegetable Chew Sticks
• Easy Homemade Sweet Potato Dog Chews
• Banana, Peanut Butter, and Blueberry Dog Biscotti
• Homemade Banana Dog Treat Recipes
• 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Dog Gummies

For a wider look at feeding your dog well, check out 7 Healthiest Homemade Dog Foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are chew sticks safe for dogs? Homemade chew sticks are fine when supervised, but no treat is indestructible. Remove small end pieces before your dog can swallow them whole.

Can I use almond butter? Some dogs tolerate it, but peanut butter is more common. Never use any nut butter with xylitol.

Can I use whole wheat flour? Yes, whole wheat flour works and makes a slightly firmer stick.

Can I skip the banana? Yes, replace it with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce.

Why are my sticks soft? They likely need more drying time at a low temperature.

How long do they last? About 5 days at room temperature, 2 weeks in the fridge, and 3 months in the freezer.

Can puppies have chew sticks? Firm treats can be hard on young teeth, so check with your veterinarian first.

Recipe Card

Recipe name: Banana Peanut Butter Chew Sticks for Dogs

Summary: Chewy, stick shaped dog treats made with oat flour, ripe banana, and xylitol free peanut butter.

Servings: About 12 chew sticks

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: About 1 hour 25 minutes, including drying

Total time: About 1 hour 40 minutes, plus cooling

Estimated cost: Budget friendly

Course: Dog treat

Cuisine: Homemade pet food

Keywords: banana peanut butter chew sticks for dogs, homemade dog chews, dog chew sticks, banana dog treats, peanut butter dog treats

Equipment: Mixing bowl, baking sheet, parchment paper

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups oat flour
• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/3 cup xylitol free peanut butter
• 2 to 4 tablespoons water, if needed

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Mix banana and peanut butter, then stir in oat flour.
3. Roll into 4 inch ropes about 1/2 inch thick.
4. Bake 25 minutes, then dry at 200°F for 45 to 60 minutes.
5. Cool completely before storing.

A Final Note on Making Chew Sticks

Few things are as satisfying as watching a dog settle down with a treat and take their time. Keep the sticks plain, keep portions modest, and stay close while your dog enjoys them.