Dunkin’ Dog Treats DIY: Delicious & Affordable Recipes Using Walmart Ingredients
Are you a devoted dog parent who loves spoiling your furry friend? Do you also enjoy the occasional Dunkin’ run for yourself? While you can’t exactly share your Dunkin’ coffee and donuts with your pup, you can create delicious and Dunkin’-inspired dog treats right at home! With the arrival of Dunkin’ dog treats at Walmart, it’s easier than ever to replicate those yummy flavors using affordable ingredients. This article will provide you with several DIY dog treat recipes inspired by Dunkin’ favorites, all made with readily available ingredients from your local Walmart. We’ll cover everything from “donut” shaped treats to “coffee” flavored bites, ensuring your dog gets a healthy and tasty snack.
Why DIY Dog Treats?
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s discuss why making your own dog treats is a great idea:
* **Healthier Ingredients:** You have complete control over what goes into your dog’s treats. This means avoiding artificial colors, preservatives, and excessive sugars or salts that are often found in commercial dog treats. You can choose natural and wholesome ingredients that are beneficial for your dog’s health.
* **Cost-Effective:** Making your own treats is often cheaper than buying pre-made ones, especially if you buy ingredients in bulk from a place like Walmart.
* **Allergy-Friendly:** If your dog has allergies or sensitivities, you can easily tailor the recipes to exclude those ingredients.
* **Bonding Experience:** Baking treats for your dog is a fun and rewarding activity that strengthens your bond.
* **Customization:** You can experiment with different flavors and shapes to create treats your dog will absolutely love.
Essential Ingredients from Walmart
Here’s a list of ingredients you can easily find at Walmart to make these delicious Dunkin’-inspired dog treats:
* **Whole Wheat Flour:** A great base for most dog treats. Opt for whole wheat for added fiber. Look for affordable brands like Great Value.
* **Oat Flour:** A gluten-free alternative to wheat flour. You can buy oat flour or make your own by grinding rolled oats in a food processor.
* **Pumpkin Puree:** A healthy and tasty ingredient that adds moisture and fiber to the treats. Make sure it’s 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
* **Peanut Butter:** A dog-friendly favorite that adds protein and flavor. Choose a natural peanut butter without added sugar, salt, or xylitol (xylitol is toxic to dogs).
* **Applesauce:** Unsweetened applesauce adds moisture and a touch of sweetness to the treats. It’s also a good source of fiber.
* **Plain Yogurt:** Plain, unsweetened yogurt provides calcium and probiotics, which are beneficial for your dog’s digestive health. Make sure it’s xylitol-free.
* **Eggs:** A great source of protein and binding agent for the treats.
* **Bacon Bits (Dog-Friendly):** While real bacon is high in fat, you can find dog-friendly bacon bits that are low in sodium and made with safe ingredients. Use sparingly as a treat topping.
* **Coconut Oil:** A healthy fat that can add a slight coconut flavor and help with baking. Use sparingly.
* **Cinnamon:** A safe and delicious spice that can add warmth and flavor to the treats.
* **Honey:** A natural sweetener that can be used in small amounts. Use sparingly and only if your dog isn’t diabetic.
* **Unsweetened Carob Chips:** Carob is a dog-friendly alternative to chocolate. You can find carob chips online or at some pet stores, but sometimes Walmart carries them in the baking aisle. It mimics the look of chocolate chips for decorating.
* **Dunkin’ Dog Treats:** Of course, the inspiration! Observe the ingredient list of the Dunkin’ dog treats you buy at Walmart. Note the flavors and ingredients to emulate.
Recipe 1: “Donut” Shaped Pumpkin Peanut Butter Treats
These treats are shaped like mini donuts and feature the classic combination of pumpkin and peanut butter.
**Ingredients:**
* 2 cups whole wheat flour (or oat flour)
* 1 cup pumpkin puree
* 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
* 1 egg
* 1/4 cup applesauce
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).** Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. **In a large bowl, combine the flour, pumpkin puree, peanut butter, egg, and applesauce.** Mix well until a dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky.
3. **Lightly flour a clean surface.** Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
4. **Use a donut cutter or two different-sized circular cookie cutters to cut out donut shapes.** If you don’t have a donut cutter, you can use a small glass for the outer circle and a bottle cap for the inner circle.
5. **Place the donut-shaped treats on the prepared baking sheet.**
6. **Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the treats are golden brown and firm to the touch.**
7. **Let the treats cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.**
**Optional “Frosting”:**
* Plain yogurt (smear a small amount on the cooled treat)
* Sprinkle with crushed Dunkin’ dog treats
Recipe 2: “Coffee” Flavored Oatmeal Bites
These bite-sized treats have a subtle “coffee” flavor using dog-friendly ingredients. Note: We are *not* using real coffee or caffeine, as those are harmful to dogs. The flavor is achieved through other ingredients. We are aiming for a flavor profile, not actual coffee.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
* 1/2 cup oat flour
* 1/2 cup plain yogurt
* 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
* 1 egg
* 1 tablespoon molasses (for a slight caramelized flavor)
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon carob powder (for color and a chocolatey flavor that can mimic coffee)
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).** Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. **In a food processor, pulse the rolled oats until they are coarsely ground.** This will help bind the treats together.
3. **In a large bowl, combine the ground oats, oat flour, yogurt, applesauce, egg, molasses, cinnamon, and carob powder.** Mix well until a dough forms.
4. **Roll the dough into small balls (about 1/2 inch in diameter).**
5. **Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet.**
6. **Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the treats are firm to the touch.**
7. **Let the treats cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.**
Recipe 3: Peanut Butter and Bacon Swirl Treats
This recipe combines two of dogs’ favorite flavors: peanut butter and bacon (dog-friendly bacon bits, of course!).
**Ingredients:**
* 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
* 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
* 1/4 cup applesauce
* 1 egg
* 1/4 cup dog-friendly bacon bits
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).** Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. **In a large bowl, combine the flour, peanut butter, applesauce, and egg.** Mix well until a dough forms.
3. **Divide the dough in half.**
4. **In one half of the dough, mix in the dog-friendly bacon bits.**
5. **Roll out each half of the dough separately to about 1/4 inch thickness.**
6. **Place the bacon-flavored dough on top of the plain peanut butter dough.**
7. **Roll the two layers of dough together to create a swirl effect.**
8. **Cut out the dough into desired shapes using cookie cutters.**
9. **Place the treats on the prepared baking sheet.**
10. **Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the treats are golden brown and firm to the touch.**
11. **Let the treats cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.**
Recipe 4: “Munchkins” Inspired Apple Cinnamon Bites
These small, bite-sized treats are reminiscent of Dunkin’s Munchkins donut holes, with the delicious flavors of apple and cinnamon.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup whole wheat flour
* 1/2 cup applesauce
* 1/4 cup grated apple (peeled and cored)
* 1 egg
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).** Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. **In a large bowl, combine the flour, applesauce, grated apple, egg, and cinnamon.** Mix well until a dough forms.
3. **Roll the dough into small balls (about 1/2 inch in diameter).**
4. **Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet.**
5. **Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the treats are lightly golden brown and firm to the touch.**
6. **Let the treats cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.**
Recipe 5: Glazed “Donuts” with Yogurt Frosting (Optional)
This recipe is similar to the pumpkin peanut butter donuts, but with an added yogurt “frosting” for a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
**Ingredients (Dough):**
* 2 cups whole wheat flour (or oat flour)
* 1 cup pumpkin puree
* 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
* 1 egg
* 1/4 cup applesauce
**Ingredients (Frosting):**
* Plain yogurt
* Optional: A tiny drop of honey (use sparingly and only if your dog isn’t diabetic)
* Optional: Crushed Dunkin’ Dog Treats for sprinkles
**Instructions:**
1. **Follow steps 1-7 from Recipe 1 (Pumpkin Peanut Butter Treats) to make the donut-shaped treats.**
2. **Let the treats cool completely.**
3. **Once the treats are cool, dip the top of each treat in the plain yogurt.**
4. **Immediately sprinkle the yogurt-covered treats with crushed Dunkin’ Dog Treats (optional).**
5. **Place the frosted treats on a wire rack to allow the yogurt to set.**
6. **Refrigerate the treats until the yogurt is firm before serving.**
Important Considerations and Tips
* **Always check with your veterinarian before introducing new foods into your dog’s diet.**
* **Be mindful of portion sizes.** These are treats, not meal replacements. Offer them in moderation.
* **Store the treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month.**
* **Adjust baking times as needed based on your oven.**
* **If your dog has allergies, substitute ingredients accordingly.** For example, use coconut flour instead of wheat flour if your dog is allergic to wheat.
* **Avoid using any ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and xylitol.**
* **If you’re using honey, use it sparingly.** Too much sugar can be harmful to dogs.
* **When using peanut butter, always check the label to ensure it does not contain xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs.**
* **Consider adding supplements like glucosamine or chondroitin to support your dog’s joint health.**
* **Get creative with shapes!** Use different cookie cutters to make fun and interesting shapes.
* **Monitor your dog for any signs of digestive upset or allergic reactions after introducing new treats.**
Creative Variations and Flavor Combinations
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and ingredients to create your own unique Dunkin’-inspired dog treats. Here are a few ideas:
* **Blueberry Oat Treats:** Add fresh or frozen blueberries to the oatmeal bites recipe.
* **Sweet Potato & Apple Treats:** Combine sweet potato puree and grated apple for a naturally sweet and nutritious treat.
* **Carrot & Zucchini Bites:** Grate carrots and zucchini and add them to any of the basic dough recipes for added vitamins and minerals.
* **Cheese & Herb Treats:** Add shredded cheese and chopped herbs (such as parsley or rosemary) to the dough for a savory treat.
* **Coconut & Banana Treats:** Mash a ripe banana and add shredded coconut to the dough for a tropical flavor.
The Dunkin’ Inspiration
Really pay attention to the Dunkin’ dog treats you purchase at Walmart. What are the main ingredients listed? What is the texture? Try to mimic those aspects in your homemade recipes. If the Dunkin’ treat is crunchy, bake your treats longer at a lower temperature to dehydrate them slightly. If it’s soft and chewy, use more wet ingredients like applesauce or pumpkin puree. The Dunkin’ dog treats will serve as your guide to replicating familiar and enjoyable flavors for your pup.
Final Thoughts
Making your own Dunkin’-inspired dog treats is a fun, rewarding, and cost-effective way to spoil your furry friend. By using simple ingredients from Walmart and following these recipes, you can create delicious and healthy treats that your dog will love. Remember to always prioritize your dog’s health and safety by choosing dog-friendly ingredients and avoiding anything that could be harmful. Happy baking! And happy treating!
Where to Find Dunkin’ Dog Treats at Walmart
You can typically find Dunkin’ dog treats in the pet aisle at Walmart. Availability may vary depending on your location. You can also check Walmart’s website or app to see if they are in stock at your local store.
Remember to always supervise your dog while they are enjoying their treats and provide fresh water.