Easy Diy Healthy Dog Treats & the Best Kibble Dog Food Additives for your Dog: Perfect Frozen Treats
Easy DIY Healthy Dog Treats & the Best Kibble Dog Food Additives for your Dog: Perfect Frozen Treats is a easy American recipe that serves 4. 50 calories per serving. Recipe by Work From Home Dog Mom on YouTube.
Prep: 45 min | Cook: 15 min | Total: 1 hr 15 min
Cost: $14.57 total, $3.64 per serving
Ingredients
- 8 oz Shiitake Mushrooms (cleaned, sliced)
- 1 cup Broccoli Florets (cut into small pieces)
- 2 medium Bananas (peeled and cut into ¼‑½ inch pieces)
- 2 cups Fresh Spinach (lightly cooked)
- 2 cubes Beef Bone Broth Cubes (low‑sodium, unsalted)
- ½ cup Mulberries (fresh or frozen, lightly cooked)
- 1 cup Watermelon (seedless, cubed)
- ½ cup Strawberries (hull removed, halved)
- ½ cup Plain Unsweetened Greek Yogurt (full‑fat, no added sugar)
- ½ cup Canned Pumpkin (pure pumpkin puree, no spices)
Instructions
Steam Shiitake Mushrooms
Clean the shiitake mushrooms, slice them thinly, and steam in a steamer basket for about 5 minutes until tender.
Time: PT5M
Puree Mushrooms
Transfer the steamed mushrooms to a blender and blend until completely smooth.
Time: PT2M
Portion Mushroom Puree
Spoon the mushroom puree into silicone molds, smoothing the tops, then place the molds on a freezer‑safe plate and freeze until solid.
Time: PT3M
Prepare Banana Pieces
Peel the bananas and cut them into ¼‑½ inch pieces. Spread the pieces on a plate in a single layer.
Time: PT5M
Freeze Banana Pieces
Place the plate in the freezer until the banana pieces are completely frozen, then transfer them to a freezer bag for daily serving.
Time: PT0M
Steam and Puree Broccoli
Cut broccoli into small florets, steam for 5 minutes, then blend in the blender until smooth.
Time: PT7M
Portion Broccoli Puree
Fill silicone molds with the broccoli puree, smooth the surface, and freeze until solid.
Time: PT3M
Cook Spinach and Mulberries
Lightly steam the spinach for 3‑4 minutes, then combine with mulberries and beef bone broth cubes in the blender; blend until smooth.
Time: PT5M
Portion Spinach‑Mulberry Mix
Spoon the mixture into silicone molds, smooth, and freeze until firm.
Time: PT3M
Prep Fresh Fruit Snacks
Cube seedless watermelon and halve strawberries; keep them refrigerated for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Time: PT5M
Assemble Yogurt and Pumpkin Portions
Scoop plain Greek yogurt and canned pumpkin into small airtight containers for quick daily servings.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 50
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbohydrates
- 8 g
- Fat
- 1 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
Dietary info: Grain‑Free, High‑Fiber, Low‑Sugar, Dog‑Friendly
Allergens: Dairy (Greek yogurt), Potential bone broth sensitivity
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Shiitake Mushrooms: Portobello mushrooms, Button mushrooms
- Instead of Broccoli Florets: Cauliflower florets, Green beans
- Instead of Bananas: Cooked sweet potato cubes
- Instead of Fresh Spinach: Kale, Swiss chard
- Instead of Beef Bone Broth Cubes: Chicken bone broth cubes
- Instead of Mulberries: Blueberries, Raspberries
- Instead of Watermelon: Cantaloupe
- Instead of Strawberries: Raspberries
- Instead of Plain Unsweetened Greek Yogurt: Plain kefir
- Instead of Canned Pumpkin: Mashed sweet potato
Equipment Needed
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Steamer Basket or Pot with Lid
- Blender or Food Processor
- Silicone Molds (ice‑cube or mini‑muffin)
- Freezer‑Safe Plate
- Freezer Bag
- Measuring Cups
- Spatula
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Steam shiitake mushrooms to break down cell walls
- Steam broccoli before pureeing
- Blend all purees until completely smooth
- Freeze each treat until solid before serving
- Cut bananas into uniform pieces before freezing
Chef Tips from the Video
- Steam vegetables rather than boiling to retain more nutrients for your dog.
- Use silicone ice‑cube molds for perfectly sized bite‑size treats.
- Rotate flavors weekly to keep your dog’s palate excited.
Troubleshooting
Treats are too soft after freezing
Make sure the freezer is set to 0°F (‑18°C) and leave the molds in the freezer for at least 2‑3 hours.
Puree is gritty or lumpy
Blend longer or add a splash of water/bone broth until completely smooth.
Dog refuses to eat a new treat
Introduce the new flavor in very small amounts mixed with familiar kibble or wet food, and repeat over several days.
Storage
Refrigerator: Fresh fruit (watermelon, strawberries) keep up to 3 days; yogurt and pumpkin up to 5 days.
Freezer: All pureed treats and frozen banana pieces store up to 3 months.
Room temperature: Do not store any of these treats at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Freeze all pureed treats in silicone molds; they keep for up to 3 months.
- Portion yogurt and pumpkin into single‑serve containers for quick daily use.
- Label each container with the date prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of homemade dog treats in American pet‑care culture?
In the United States, homemade dog treats have grown in popularity as owners seek healthier, preservative‑free alternatives to commercial snacks. The movement reflects a broader trend toward natural pet nutrition and the desire to control ingredient quality for canine health.
What traditional regional variations exist for dog food toppers in American cuisine?
While there is no historic regional cuisine for dogs, many American pet owners adapt local produce—such as New England apples, Southern sweet potatoes, or Pacific Northwest berries—into homemade toppers, mirroring regional human food traditions.
How are homemade dog treats typically served in the United States?
Most owners freeze bite‑size treats for easy portion control, or serve fresh fruit and yogurt as a quick snack. Treats are often given as training rewards or mixed into kibble to add moisture and flavor.
What occasions or celebrations are homemade dog treats associated with in American pet culture?
Dog birthdays, adoption anniversaries, and holidays like National Dog Day are common times owners bake special treats. Seasonal flavors—watermelon in summer or pumpkin in fall—are popular for these celebrations.
How does this homemade dog treat recipe fit into the broader American pet‑nutrition tradition?
It aligns with the grain‑free, high‑fiber, antioxidant‑rich trend that emphasizes whole‑food ingredients like mushrooms, berries, and bone broth, reflecting the current focus on joint health and immune support for dogs.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for dog treats versus acceptable substitutes?
Traditional wholesome ingredients include plain meat broth, pumpkin, carrots, and apples. Acceptable substitutes in this recipe are mulberries for other antioxidant berries, broccoli for cauliflower, and Greek yogurt for plain kefir if dairy is tolerated.
What other American‑style dishes pair well with these homemade dog treats?
These treats complement a balanced homemade dog diet that might include roasted chicken, sweet potato mash, or a grain‑free kibble base. Adding a small spoonful of the spinach‑bone broth mix to a chicken‑and‑rice meal boosts nutrition.
What makes these homemade dog treats special or unique in American pet cuisine?
The use of shiitake mushrooms for immune support, mulberries for antioxidants, and the freeze‑and‑serve method provides a nutrient‑dense, shelf‑stable snack that many commercial products lack.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making these homemade dog treats?
Common errors include over‑salting the broth, using sweetened yogurt, freezing treats for too short a time, and giving dogs large pieces that could cause choking. Follow the steaming and freezing steps precisely for safety and digestibility.
Why does this recipe steam vegetables instead of boiling them?
Steaming preserves more vitamins and breaks down the plant cell walls without leaching nutrients into water, making the puree more nutritious and easier for dogs to digest.
Can I make these dog treats ahead of time and how should I store them?
Yes. Freeze all pureed treats in silicone molds and store in airtight freezer bags for up to three months. Yogurt and pumpkin can be portioned in the refrigerator for up to five days.
What does the YouTube channel Work From Home Dog Mom specialize in?
The YouTube channel Work From Home Dog Mom specializes in practical, dog‑focused cooking tutorials, nutrition advice, and lifestyle tips for pet owners who work from home, offering easy recipes that fit a busy schedule.
How does the YouTube channel Work From Home Dog Mom's approach to dog nutrition differ from other pet‑food channels?
Work From Home Dog Mom emphasizes quick, freezer‑friendly treats that use whole‑food ingredients and minimal equipment, catering to owners with limited time, whereas many other channels focus on elaborate meals or commercial product reviews.
Last updated: September 6, 2026
