Okay, let’s talk about making something truly special for your furry best friend! If you’re anything like me, you want to spoil them rotten, but you also want to make sure that every crunch counts toward their health, not some weird ingredient list you can’t pronounce. That’s why I’m obsessed with these super easy Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats. Seriously, they come together faster than my morning coffee routine!
These aren’t just treats; they are little baked declarations of love. They’re festive enough for a holiday gathering, simple enough for a Tuesday afternoon, and packed with good things. There is just something so heartwarming about knowing exactly what went into the snack your dog is happily chomping down on. Trust me, once you see their happy face, you’ll want to keep these on rotation all year long!
Why You Will Love These Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats
Honestly, these treats are a lifesaver for busy pet parents who still want to aim for clean eating habits, just like we do for ourselves! They are packed with good stuff, and the prep time is ridiculously short.
- They are so simple—you only need about five total ingredients.
- Pumpkin and applesauce mean awesome natural fiber for happy tummies.
- Your dog will absolutely go wild for the sweet, warm scent!
- You control every single ingredient that goes into their snacks.
- They bake up firm, so they won’t crumble all over your floor!
If you need even more inspiration for easy snacks, check out my roundup of other easy pumpkin dog treats. You won’t regret it!
Gathering Ingredients for Your Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats
When we talk about feeding our pups, quality absolutely matters! We want clean, recognizable things going into their bodies, right? That’s the same mindset I bring to my own plate, and it certainly applies here when whipping up these Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats. We are keeping this list short and sweet. Stick to the fresh stuff, and you’ll have the most incredibly tasty and healthy treats your dog has ever sniffed!
I always check the labels, especially on the puree and applesauce, just to be sure we aren’t bringing questionable additives into the kitchen. For more inspiration on wholesome recipes, you can check out my other favorites here!
Dry Ingredients for Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats
These form the sturdy base of our treats. You only need two things here, no complicated spices needed!
- 2 cups Whole Wheat Flour. Now, if your dog has a slight sensitivity or you just prefer something different, my secret is to swap that out for oat flour or even rice flour! It works like a charm.
- 1 tsp Cinnamon. Just a tiny pinch for that cozy, homemade scent bonus!
Wet Ingredients for Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats
This is where all the wonderful moisture and flavor come from. Pay close attention to the pumpkin choice here—it’s crucial for safety!
- 1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree. Listen closely: this MUST be pure pumpkin puree. Don’t grab the can labeled “Pumpkin Pie Filling”—that stuff is loaded with sugar and weird spices that are *not* for dogs.
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Applesauce. Again, unsweetened is the way to go to keep these treats totally clean!
- 1 large Egg. This is our binder to make sure these delicious things actually hold their shape!
Essential Equipment for Making Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats
You don’t need a fancy professional setup for these! That’s the beauty of keeping things simple. Having these basic tools ready means you can mix up a batch of these wonderful Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats on a whim.
Grab these few easy things before you start mixing:
- A good large mixing bowl—we need space for stirring everything properly!
- A rolling pin. We want to get that dough nice and thin.
- Cookie cutters. Pick your favorite shapes! Squares, circles, bones—whatever makes your dog happy.
- A baking sheet ready to go.
If you need some help finding the perfect cutters or want to browse more simple gear, I always keep my favorite baking supplies listed over here.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats
Okay, let’s get this dough made! It’s so straightforward, but following these steps calmly is how we guarantee those perfectly textured, long-lasting Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats. Preheat your oven right now—we want everything ready to go before the dough comes together, so nothing sits around getting sticky!
Here is the breakdown of exactly how I handle everything from mixing to cooling. Don’t rush the cooling part; that’s key to getting them firm!
- First things first, get that oven warming up to 350°F (175°C). You don’t want to waste time once the dough is ready. While it heats, line your baking sheet with some parchment paper. I always use parchment; it saves scrubbing duty later, which I happily skip any day!
- Grab your biggest mixing bowl! We are combining all the dry stuff here: your whole wheat flour (or your preferred substitute) and that touch of cinnamon. Just give it a quick whisk to make sure that cinnamon is evenly distributed.
- In a separate, smaller bowl—this keeps our measurements accurate—whisk together the wet ingredients. That means your pumpkin puree, unsweetened applesauce, and that single egg. Whisk it until it looks perfectly smooth and emulsified—no chunks of egg allowed!
- Now comes the magic combo! Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Start mixing gently. You’ll notice it comes together into a stiff dough surprisingly fast. Don’t panic if it feels a little tacky. My trick? If it’s too sticky to handle comfortably, add just one tablespoon of extra flour at a time until you can comfortably work it without everything sticking to your hands.
- Time for the fun part! Lightly flour your surface—yes, even with parchment ready to go, rolling needs some slip! Dust your rolling pin, too. Roll that beautiful dough out evenly until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. Thicker treats take longer and might stay softer in the middle, so keep it even!
- Grab those cookie cutters and start punching out fun shapes. Remember, the size and thickness directly impact the bake time, so try to keep them consistent for even results. Pop those cutouts onto your prepared sheet, leaving a little space between them.
- Bake these little wonders for 20 to 25 minutes. You are looking for the edges to just start turning that lovely light brown color, and the whole treat should feel firm when you gently touch the surface.
- Patience is a virtue, especially right here! Once they’re out, slide that parchment sheet onto a wire cooling rack. They need to cool completely! Trying to store them warm just leads to condensation and soft spots on your otherwise perfectly crisp
homemade dog food creations.
Tips for Success When Baking Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats
Even with a recipe this easy, sometimes you hit a little snag, right? That’s okay! Baking for our pups should be fun, not frustrating. I’ve learned a few little secrets over the years specifically for these Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats that make sure you knock them out of the park every single time.
Here are my top three things to keep in mind:
- Don’t Over-Mix the Dough: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, stop stirring as soon as you see no more flour streaks. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, and that makes your final treats tough instead of pleasantly firm. We want a happy chew, not a workout!
- The Thickness Test is Everything: I mentioned rolling to 1/4 inch, but this is important for texture. If you like a slightly softer, more biscuit-like treat that’s easier on older dog teeth, roll them a touch thicker—maybe 3/8 inch. If you want them rock hard and perfect for long-term storage, roll them thinner! It changes everything.
- Wait for the Cool Down: Seriously, don’t rush them off the rack. They finish firming up as they cool down completely. If you pack them away while they feel even slightly warm, they will definitely stick together in the airtight container. Let them chill out completely first!
For tools that make cleanup even easier, check out my favorite essential gear right here. Happy baking!
Storage and Making Ahead with Your Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats
You’ve made a huge batch of these amazing Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats, which is fantastic because who wants to bake every single day? Planning ahead is key to a clean and simple routine, just like I try to do with my own meals!
The good news is these hold up really well. You should store any leftovers in an airtight container right in the refrigerator. They usually stay great for up to one whole week—which gives you plenty of time before needing to worry about a reheat!
If you’re making them for a longer haul, definitely pop those cooled treats into a freezer bag or container! Freezing lets you keep them fresh for much longer. For more batch-cooking ideas for your pup, take a peek at my other favorite recipes here.
Understanding the Nutritional Benefits For Dogs in Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats
When we make treats for our pups, we should absolutely treat it like we’re prepping a healthy meal for ourselves—aiming for support, not just empty calories! That’s why using pumpkin and applesauce in these Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats is so brilliant. They sneak in huge nutritional value without us having to add any yucky supplements.
Pumpkin, for example, is practically a superfood for dogs! It’s absolutely loaded with fiber, which is amazing for keeping their digestive system running smoothly. If you’ve ever dealt with an upset tummy, you know how important regularity is! Applesauce, especially when unsweetened, brings in some Vitamin C and balances out that earthy pumpkin flavor.
These two simple ingredients help these qualify as great Healthy Dog Meal Ideas because they keep the treats low in fat but high in beneficial fiber. It’s about giving them fuel that supports their energy and keeps them feeling great between meals. Seeing ingredients like this makes me feel so much better about treating Gus! If you are looking for more ways to boost canine wellness through diet, check out my thoughts on supporting gut health here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats
I get so many questions when I post photos of Gus happily munching on these! It’s great that so many of you are focused on providing your dogs with wonderful, clean snacks. Since these Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats are so simple, most confusion comes from ingredient swaps. Here are the top things I hear people asking about!
Are these homemade dog food treats safe for puppies?
They are generally safe for older puppies once they are fully weaned and have started on solid food well. That said, puppies have super sensitive tummies! Because we are using whole wheat flour here, I always suggest trying just one small, soft piece first. If your puppy is under six months, you might want to consider rolling the dough thicker like I mentioned earlier, so they are softer, or even substituting the wheat for oat flour completely for easier digestion.
Can I skip the egg in my Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats recipe?
Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend skipping it if you want the classic, firm texture. The egg acts as the main binder that holds all that moist pumpkin and applesauce together when baked. If you absolutely must skip it for allergy reasons, you can try replacing it with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let it sit for 5 minutes). Just know it might result in a slightly crumbly treat!
How hard should the final treat feel?
This is totally up to you and your dog’s chewing style! If you bake them for the full 25 minutes at the specified 1/4 inch thickness, they will come out fairly firm, perfect for something you can store for a week in the fridge. If you want a crunchier cookie, leave them in for an extra 5 minutes. If you prefer a softer biscuit, roll them thicker! Always check the center to ensure they aren’t wet inside, though.
If you bake a batch and still have questions, there are tons of great tips on consistency in my other favorite dog treat recipes!
Share Your Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats Creations
Now it’s your turn to get baking! I truly hope your pup absolutely adores diving into these wholesome Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats just as much as mine does. Once you’ve tried them, I’d love to hear all about it!
Please pop down into the comments below and tell me what shape you picked for your cookies, and most importantly, what Gus (or Bandit, or Luna!) thought of them! And if you snapped a cute picture of the taste-testing mayhem, share it on social media and tag me so I can see your wonderful work. Happy treating!
For more inspiration on clean living and wholesome support, check out the rest of my blog right here!
By EMILIA, founder of MeltItClean.com
Hey there, I’m EMILIA, the founder over at MeltItClean.com—your go-to spot for figuring out real wellness habits and natural living that doesn’t require you to completely overhaul your happy life every five minutes. I spent years caught in that cycle: the constant dieting, the crazy challenges, and then ending up feeling drained and bloated. It was frustrating!
I realized my body, just like our furry friends’ bodies, needs support, not constant restriction. It needs clean, intentional fuel to thrive! That’s what Melt It Clean is all about—empowering you with habits that stick, whether that’s for your own energy or for making sure your dog’s Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats are packed with goodness.
My goal was always simple: create a space where people feel informed and supported without getting sucked into overwhelming fads. And honestly, making sure Gus gets wholesome, simple snacks like these pumpkin treats? That’s just another way of showing that clean-living support right down to the dog bowl. You deserve energy, and your dog deserves the best fuel!
If you want to dig deeper into my own wellness journey and how I approach clean eating for myself, you can read more about my story on my main page.
Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, applesauce, and egg until smooth.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix until a stiff dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place the shapes on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the treats are firm.
- Let the treats cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing.
