Oh my gosh, if you have a dog who drools just hearing the word ‘snack,’ you absolutely have to try this recipe! Seriously, my little guy, Buster, goes absolutely nuts for these. I get so paranoid about what’s in store-bought stuff, so making my own safe treats is my number one mission. That’s why I perfected this recipe for Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs. They take virtually no effort, they’re totally safe, and since they’re frozen, they are the absolute bomb on a hot afternoon!
Trust me, you only need two ingredients to whip up this magic, and you probably have them right now. If you want easy, safe, frozen treats, keep reading! I’ve thrown together all my best tips so yours turn out perfectly smooth the first time around. If you’re looking for more peanut butter goodness for your pup, check out my list of 12 Easy Peanut Butter Dog Treats recipes!
Why You Need to Make These Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
Listen, I’m all about spoiled pups, but I’m also all about peace of mind. These little cups are my go-to because they tick every single box. You’re going to love how fast they come together. And Buster? He loves that they’re frozen and cold!
- Safety first! They are completely xylitol-free, which is a huge relief when you’re whipping up a batch.
- Prep time is basically zero—you mix, you spoon, you freeze. That’s it!
- They make the best summer snack. If you need more frozen ideas, you have to see my guide on Pupsicle Recipes for Dogs!
Essential Equipment for Making Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
You don’t need a fancy kitchen setup for these, thank goodness! The equipment list is super short, which is how I like things when I’m making a quick batch for Buster. You absolutely need two things: a mini muffin tin and those little paper liners that go inside them.
Now, about those paper liners—don’t skip them! I learned the hard way once. When yogurt and peanut butter freeze together, they become rock solid! The paper liners act like a little handle, and they peel right off for easy serving. Trust me, trying to chisel these out of a bare tin is a recipe for a broken treat and major frustration!
Ingredient Notes and Substitution Guidance for Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
This is honestly the most important part, so listen up! The safety of these Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs depends entirely on what you buy. First rule: Your peanut butter MUST be xylitol-free. Even a tiny bit of that sweetener will send your pup to the vet, and nobody wants that drama! Check the label three times—it’s a non-negotiable step.
For the yogurt, keep it simple. You want plain, unsweetened yogurt. No vanilla, no fruit flavors, nothing added! If you happen to be out of plain yogurt but have unsweetened kefir, that works just fine as a swap. It stays creamy and freezes well, just like the yogurt does.
Gathering Ingredients for Your Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
Okay, let’s talk ingredients, because this recipe is gloriously simple. We are only dealing with one main group here—the filling—but those two items are vital. First, grab yourself one full cup of plain, unsweetened yogurt. Remember what I said earlier? It has to be xylitol-free, obviously, and I always keep a container of this on hand for Buster anyway. It makes everything just taste fresh and cool.
Next up, you’ll need a half cup of peanut butter. Again, I’m repeating myself because it’s that serious: read the label. If that jar has xylitol listed anywhere, slide it to the back of the cabinet and find one that relies only on peanuts and maybe salt. The good news is that most conventional, creamy peanut butters work perfectly here. We mix that one cup of yogurt with that one half cup of safe peanut butter, and that’s the entire recipe! It’s amazing what two simple things can do when frozen, especially when you are looking for those 10 Peanut Butter Dog Treats Recipes!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
Alright, this is where the magic really happens, and you’ll see that this is ridiculously easy. Remember those paper liners we tucked into the mini muffin tin? Get that ready first, because once you mix this up, you’ll want to get it into the tin right away so it doesn’t start warming up too much. I always keep my yogurt chilled right until the moment I mix it, just to help that freezing process along!
Step one is lining everything up. Then, grab a small bowl—nothing fancy needed—and toss in the full cup of yogurt and the half cup of peanut butter. Now, mix them! You need to stir until everything looks completely uniform. Think creamy peanut butter frosting—no streaks of white yogurt hanging around! Once that’s smooth, grab a small spoon and start filling those little paper cups. We only fill them about two-thirds of the way up. This leaves room for your pup’s happy little nose to grab the edge later!
Once they are all spooned in, carefully—and I mean *carefully*—carry that tin over to the freezer. We need these to freeze solid, which takes a minimum of two hours, but honestly, leaving them overnight is safer for me. You can check out homemade yogurt dog treats if you want to see how yogurt shines in other ways too!
Expert Tips for Mixing and Filling Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
When you are mixing the peanut butter and yogurt, don’t just stir it lazily! You need some conviction behind that spoon. I always use a small whisk if I have one handy, because it incorporates air and breaks down the peanut butter fast, resulting in a super smooth, thick mixture. If you mix it right, it will hold its shape nicely, which is key for filling later.
To prevent drips when spooning into the mini liners, try using a teaspoon to scoop, then use the edge of the bowl or a small rubber spatula to scrape the bottom of the spoon clean before lowering it into the paper cup. This keeps the sides of your liners clean so the paper peels off perfectly later!
Freezing and Serving Your Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
This is the hardest part, honestly, because waiting is tough when you know your dog is going to love these Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs! You need to let these babies freeze completely solid. I always give them at least two full hours in the freezer, but if you’re making them ahead of time, just leave them overnight. The colder, the better for a hot day!
Once they are firm as little rocks, it’s time for the fun part! Just take the tin out and pop one liner off before handing the treat over. My dog, Buster, loves how cold and refreshing they are—it’s his favorite way to cool down after playing fetch. If you’re looking for other cool alternatives, you might want to check out my Watermelon Peanut Butter Dog Treats!
Storage Guidelines for Leftover Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
Luckily, these little gems are super durable because they are already frozen treats! This is where having a good airtight container really comes in handy. I always pop mine into a Ziploc bag or a solid plastic container once they are completely solid.
You can keep these tasty Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs in the freezer for up to one full month! That means you can make a huge batch and have happy snacks ready for weeks. It’s great knowing a safe treat is always hiding in there when you need a quick reward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
I get so many questions whenever I post pictures of Buster enjoying these frozen treats. It makes sense, because safety is number one when we talk about dog snacks, even simple ones like these Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs. Here are the top things folks ask me!
Can I use regular peanut butter in Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs?
You absolutely can, BUT—and this is huge—it *must* be free of xylitol! Please, please, please triple-check that label. Xylitol is toxic to dogs, and it’s hidden in sneaky places in some “natural” peanut butters. If the label doesn’t explicitly say xylitol-free, use something else. Your dog’s safety is worth the extra second of checking the ingredients list!
How long do these Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs last?
Because they are frozen solid, they last for ages! I mentioned it before, but it’s worth repeating: store them in an airtight container in the deep freeze. I’ve kept them for a full month this way and they are still perfect treats. They’re just waiting patiently for the next warm day!
Can I add other dog-safe ingredients to these Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs?
Oh, you certainly can get creative if your dog tolerates things well! If you want to add a little texture or maybe another flavor burst, a sprinkle of certified plain rolled oats on top of the mixture right before freezing works beautifully. It gives a nice little crunch. For other fantastic frozen ideas, you should peek at my Peanut Butter Banana Frozen Dog Treats post!
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
I always try to keep an eye on what Buster is eating, even with his special treats. Now, I have to give you the big heads-up right away: these numbers are just an estimate, right? Since we’re using different brands of yogurt and peanut butter, what ends up in your pup’s cup might be a little higher or lower in fat, for example.
But based on the recipe amounts, here’s a general idea of what one of these little cups packs in. It’s pretty straightforward! I usually just use this as a guide when I’m planning those bigger meals for him, just to make sure everything balances out across the week. When you’re looking for more general feeding ideas, I really like the balanced approach in my guide to 10 Easy Homemade Dog Food Recipes.
- Calories: Around 100 per cup.
- Protein: Roughly 5 grams.
- Fat: About 8 grams.
See? Simple stuff! They are richer than plain yogurt, obviously, thanks to that peanut butter, so I usually only give one a day, especially when it’s hot outside and he needs that cool snack. Keep in mind that if you decide to swap out yogurt for, say, heavy cream (which I don’t recommend!), those fat and calorie counts are going to jump way up fast!
Share Your Success Making Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
I hope you and your furry best friend are already enjoying these cool, safe snacks! Seriously, seeing Buster’s happy little face when I pull these Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs out of the freezer is what makes all the recipe testing worth it.
When you make a batch, please, I’m begging you, come back and let me know how it went! Did your dog give you the silly ‘more’ eyes? Were they super easy to peel out of the liners? Drop a comment below letting me know you tried them, or maybe even give them a star rating if you’re feeling generous!
And if you took a cute picture of your pup enjoying their frosty treat, tag me on social media! I absolutely love seeing my recipes being used in real kitchens for real good dogs. Happy baking—or, well, happy *freezing*!
Mini Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a small bowl, mix the yogurt and peanut butter until they are fully combined.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared paper liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Place the muffin tin in the freezer for at least 2 hours, or until the cups are completely solid.
- Remove the liners before serving the treats to your dog.
