Last Updated on September 29, 2026 by Shannon
Pumpkin and apples are two ingredients that always seem to show up in my kitchen once fall rolls around. And if I have them, there’s a pretty good chance my dogs are going to get something too.
These no-bake apple pumpkin bites are an easy homemade dog treat made with just four ingredients: pumpkin, applesauce, peanut butter, and oats.
There’s no flour to measure, no dough to roll out, and no oven to turn on. You simply mix everything together, roll the mixture into bite-sized balls, and let the fridge do the rest of the work.
They’re especially handy when you have a little pumpkin puree left over from another recipe. Instead of letting it sit forgotten in the back of the fridge, turn it into a batch of treats for your dog. Judging by the way my dogs supervise anything involving peanut butter, they approve of that plan.
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Why I Like This Recipe
There’s a lot to like about these apple pumpkin dog treats, but the simplicity is probably my favorite part. With just four ingredients and no baking, they’re easy to make when I want something homemade without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
I also like that I usually have these ingredients around the house. Pumpkin puree, unsweetened applesauce, oats, and peanut butter are all pretty common around here, so I don’t necessarily need a special shopping trip when I want to make the dogs something.
The recipe is also easy to adjust when it comes to treat size. Make smaller bites for little dogs or larger ones for bigger dogs. Just remember that treats are extras, so portion size still matters.
And, of course, every dog is different. My dogs may happily volunteer to taste-test anything involving peanut butter, while yours may have completely different opinions. Do what works for your dog.
Ingredients
- ½ cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter
- 2 cups quick oats
Ingredient Notes
Pumpkin Puree
Use plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
Pumpkin pie filling can contain added sugar, spices, and other ingredients you don’t need in your dog’s treats. Check the ingredient label if you’re not sure which one you have.
If you’re opening a new can for this recipe, you’ll have pumpkin left over. You can refrigerate it for another recipe or freeze it in smaller portions to use later.
Unsweetened Applesauce
Look for plain, unsweetened applesauce without unnecessary added ingredients.
I used homemade applesauce when making these treats. Mine was a little runnier than some store-bought applesauce, which affected the consistency of the mixture.
That’s one reason your finished mixture may look slightly different from mine.
Peanut Butter
I use natural peanut butter, which tends to be runnier than conventional peanut butter.
Most importantly, always check your peanut butter’s ingredient label before sharing it with your dog and avoid products containing xylitol, which is dangerous for dogs.
Since different peanut butters vary in consistency, yours can also affect how sticky or firm the mixture becomes.
Quick Oats
Quick oats help hold everything together by absorbing moisture from the pumpkin, applesauce, and peanut butter.
Directions
Combine the pumpkin puree, applesauce, and peanut butter in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Add the oats and mix well. The mixture will be sticky.
Take a small portion and roll it into a ball.
Place it on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
Repeat with the rest of the mixture.
Place the cookie sheet in the fridge and chill for at least a few hours.
Once the apple pumpkin bites have firmed up, remove them from the cookie sheet.
Give one to your anxiously waiting dog.
Store the remainder in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
The Dog Treat Cookbook
Now available for purchase is The Dog Treat Cookbook, a compilation of 42 recipes from this blog. Available for purchase in color on Amazon as both an ebook and a paperback book. A black and white copy is also available here. Click the buy now button to be taken to my author page on Amazon.
Tips
Crumpling the parchment paper before laying it flat on the cookie sheet helps keep the edges from rolling up.
Gently squeezing each portion together before rolling can make the mixture easier to work with.
Consult your vet before giving your dog any new foods, especially if they have any known health conditions or allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bake apple pumpkin bites?
No. These are no-bake dog treats.
After you combine and roll the ingredients, the treats go into the refrigerator for a few hours to firm up.
Why is my mixture so sticky?
The mixture is supposed to be somewhat sticky, and the exact consistency will vary depending on your applesauce and peanut butter. My homemade applesauce and natural peanut butter were both on the runnier side, so your mixture may be a little firmer than mine.
Why is the mixture getting harder to roll?
The oats start absorbing moisture once they’re mixed with the other ingredients.
Because of that, I recommend rolling the treats fairly quickly after mixing rather than letting the bowl sit for a long time.
How long do homemade apple pumpkin dog treats last?
Store the finished treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Since these treats contain moist ingredients and don’t contain preservatives, they should remain refrigerated rather than being stored on the counter.
Can I freeze apple pumpkin dog treats?
Yes. You can freeze these treats for up to four months.
Thaw the treats before giving them to your dog. Freezing is also handy if your dog won’t get through an entire batch within a week.
What kind of pumpkin and applesauce should I use?
Use plain pumpkin puree and plain, unsweetened applesauce. Avoid pumpkin pie filling, and check your applesauce for added ingredients.
If your dog has allergies, dietary restrictions, or a health condition, talk with your veterinarian before adding new foods to their diet.
How many apple pumpkin bites can I give my dog?
That depends on your dog’s size, diet, and the size you make the treats.
A good general guideline is to keep treats to no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, with the majority of their nutrition coming from their regular balanced diet.
You can also make these into smaller bites if you want to give your dog a treat without adding as many extra calories.
Every dog is different, so your veterinarian is the best person to ask if you’re unsure how treats fit into your particular dog’s diet.
More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
If your dog enjoyed these apple pumpkin bites, you don’t have to put the mixing bowl away yet. Sometimes it’s nice to have a few different recipes bookmarked so you can simply use whatever ingredients happen to be in the kitchen.
- Frozen Mint Dog Treats
- Pawfect Apple Banana Bites
- No-Bake Carrot Applesauce Dog Treats
- Baked Banana Oat Dog Treats
Final Thoughts
These no-bake apple pumpkin bites are simple to make, easy to store, and a handy way to use some leftover pumpkin puree.
Your mixture might be a little stickier than mine. Your dog might prefer tiny bites instead of big ones. They might decide pumpkin is fantastic, or look at you like you’ve personally betrayed them.
That’s life with dogs. Do what works for your dog.
No-Bake Apple Pumpkin Bites
Easy no-bake apple pumpkin dog treats made with just four ingredients. Mix pumpkin puree, applesauce, peanut butter, and oats, then roll and chill for a simple homemade treat your dog can enjoy.
Ingredients
- ½ cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter
- 2 cups quick oats
Instructions
- Combine the pumpkin puree, applesauce, and peanut butter in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Add the oats and mix well. The mixture will be sticky.
- Take a small portion and roll it into a ball.
- Place it on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Repeat with the rest of the mixture.
- Place the cookie sheet in the fridge and chill for at least a few hours.
- Once the apple pumpkin bites have firmed up, remove them from the cookie sheet.
- Store the remainder in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
