Coconut Dog Treats: No-Bake Recipe

Written by

Founder of Pretty Fluffy · Author of Dog Mama

Updated 20 September 20264 min read

As featured in Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine & Cesar’s Way

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over. Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.

All articles by Serena

These coconut dog treats have been a reader favorite for years, and it is easy to see why. Four pantry ingredients, a food processor and half an hour in the fridge are all it takes to turn out a batch of bite-size oat balls rolled in snowy coconut. No oven, no rolling pin, and the ingredients are so simple you could happily share one with your pup.

If your dog loves a no-bake treat, these no-bake peanut butter balls are a lovely coconut-free option, and these frozen strawberry and coconut oil dog treats are perfect for summer.

No-bake coconut dog treat recipe made with oats, peanut butter and coconut oil

How to Make No-Bake Coconut Dog Treats

To make no-bake coconut dog treats, blend softened coconut oil, xylitol-free peanut butter and rolled oats in a food processor until the mixture holds together. Roll it into bite-size balls, coat each one in finely shredded unsweetened coconut, then chill on a lined tray for 30 minutes. The recipe makes about 20 treats.

Ingredients

1/3 cup coconut oil, softened to a scoopable consistency
2 to 3 tablespoons natural peanut butter, xylitol-free
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut

Instructions

Add the coconut oil, peanut butter and rolled oats to a food processor and blend until the oats break down and the mixture clumps together.
Scoop out bite-size pieces with a spoon and roll them into small balls.
Toss each ball gently in the shredded coconut until evenly coated.
Place the balls on a tray lined with baking paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Coconut treats for dogs rolled in shredded coconut, a 4-ingredient homemade recipe

Tips for Treats That Hold Together

Process all three ingredients together rather than blending the oats on their own first. The oil and peanut butter need to work into the oats as they break down, or the balls will crumble. Too dry? Add a little more oil or peanut butter. Too wet? Add a spoonful of oats. When the coconut oil has fully melted on a warm day, chill the mixture for 10 minutes before rolling.

Coconut Oil in Dog Treats: What to Know

Choosing Your Ingredients

Any plain coconut oil works in this recipe, as long as it has no added flavors. Choose unsweetened shredded coconut, since the sweetened kind adds sugar your dog does not need, the same principle behind these sugar-free dog treats. Most important of all, check the peanut butter label for xylitol, a sweetener found in some brands that the ASPCA lists among foods to keep away from pets. The same guidance notes that coconut is unlikely to cause serious harm in small amounts, though its oils can upset the stomach and loosen stools.

How Many Coconut Treats Can a Dog Have?

These dog treats with coconut oil are rich in fat and calories, so think of them as an occasional reward rather than a daily snack. Start with one treat, or half a ball for a small dog, and watch for loose stools over the next day. A common guideline is to keep all treats to around 10 percent of your dog's daily calories.

Dogs Who Should Skip Coconut Treats

High-fat foods are best avoided for dogs with a history of pancreatitis, dogs on a vet-prescribed low-fat diet, and dogs managing their weight. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or any ongoing health condition, check with your vet before introducing a new treat.

Coconut Treat Variations for Dogs

Peanut Butter-Free Version

For dogs who cannot have peanut butter, swap in a few tablespoons of plain pumpkin puree or mashed banana. Both are wetter than peanut butter, so add extra oats until the mixture rolls easily, and expect a softer treat that is best kept in the fridge.

Frozen Coconut Oil Dog Treats

On hot days, coconut oil sets beautifully in the freezer. Press this recipe's mixture into silicone molds and freeze for firmer bites, or try the pina colada dog popsicles bring a tropical twist to summer treat time.

Want more easy homemade dog treat recipes?

52 Weeks of Treats, a dog treat recipe book with simple and healthy recipes for every season

The 52 Weeks of Treats eBook has more than 30 healthy DIY dog treat recipes, from summer Blueberry Pupsicles to hearty winter Beef Bites. It includes a handy allergies guide, quick references for grain-free and dairy-free recipes, and a whole section for special occasions, doggie birthday cake included.

52 Weeks of Treats dog treat recipe eBook banner

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Are coconut dog treats safe for dogs?

In small amounts, yes, for most healthy dogs. Coconut and coconut oil are not toxic, but they are high in fat, which can cause stomach upset or loose stools if a dog eats too much. Use xylitol-free peanut butter and unsweetened coconut, start with one treat, and skip these treats for dogs with a history of pancreatitis.

Should the coconut oil be melted or solid?

Soft is best. Coconut oil that is scoopable, like soft butter, blends evenly with the oats and helps the balls hold their shape. Fully melted oil works too, but the mixture will be looser, so chill it for about 10 minutes before rolling. Rock-hard oil straight from a cold pantry will not mix properly.

Why won't my coconut dog treats stick together?

The most common cause is blending the oats separately. Put the coconut oil, peanut butter and oats into the food processor together and blend until the oats break down and the mixture clumps. If it still crumbles, add a teaspoon more peanut butter or coconut oil at a time until it presses into a ball.

Can people eat these coconut treats too?

Yes. Every ingredient is an everyday pantry food, so a taste test is perfectly fine. The recipe has no added sugar or salt, so most people find them mild. Keep the dog batch clearly labeled in the fridge, and never add chocolate, raisins or sweeteners to a version you plan to share with your pup.

How long do homemade coconut dog treats last?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these treats keep for up to a week. Coconut oil softens at warm room temperature, so the fridge is the safest home for them. For longer storage, freeze the treats in a single layer, then keep them in a freezer bag and thaw a few at a time.

Homemade coconut dog treats, 4-ingredient no-bake treats for dogs

This recipe is for treats only and should not replace your dog's regular meals. Always check with your vet about any major changes to your dog's diet.

Join the Conversation19 Comments

Share a thought, ask a question, or tell us about your own dog. We read every comment.

Carissa21 September 2015

Did you use the oil as a liquid or in solid form?

suzanne miles8 March 2015

These look yummy. Can people eat them also?

Charlotte17 February 2015

Mine did not stick together. I even added more peanut butter and coconut oil. I ended up putting the mixture in a baking pan and pressing it in. AFter I refrigerated it I tried cutting in squares and it fell apart. What did I do wrong? The dogs do like it but I have to feed them the loose oats.

Sindee29 October 2014

Hi Serena,

The recipe looks fantastic but any substitution suggestion for the peanut butter?

Thanks.

Evan8 October 2014

These are high in saturated fat and calories, especially for little guys or ones prone to pancreatitis. Something more vegetable based might be better.

Serena Faber Nelson8 October 2014

Hi Evan, They’re definitely designed for treats only, and we have lots of vegetable based treats in our recipe section – hope you can check them out! 🙂

Rowanvamp02 August 2014

We just made these tonight and the dogs went wild!!! First off please pay attention to the directions and don’t take shortcuts like we and just food process the oats..MISTAKE you MUST COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS for it to work or you will not get a solid like consistency to form into ball. We DIDN”T follow directions and it wouldn’t form into a ball no matter how many oats we added!!! NOW we did correct our mistake and added it all into the food processor as the directions state and VOILA it WORKED!!! Now we have lovely treats in the fridge all ready for bedtime snacks.

Andrea30 March 2014

I made them tonight, kids enjoyed making them, and so did the puppies… but think I made them wrong due to how messy they were while making! lol

Rowanvamp02 August 2014

IF they were messy did you follow the directions excalty we just made them tonight and DIDN”T food process it all together just the oats and it was a mess!! Try it again and just process all the ingredients together..it worked for us!

michael10 December 2013

What a great recipe! I can’t wait to try these! It says it makes 20 but I only have 1 dog. Should they be stored in the refrigerator and how long do they last?

Serena Faber Nelson11 December 2013

Thanks! They can be stored at room temperature (or the fridge for hot days) and best consumed within the week. Or you can freeze them and then thaw later on 🙂

Angie14 September 2013

Oh yum… I’m definitely going to make these for our doggie. One of the things I’ll do on Maternity Leave! Hope you don’t mind I’d like to post this recipe on my blog but will definitely make sure I credit and state you as the source 100%