This easy dog ice cream recipe uses bananas, peanut butter, and plain yogurt to create delicious frozen treats for any puppy friend! These copycat Frosty Paws treats are a tasty way to cool down on a hot day.
The fact that you are here right now means that you enjoy spoiling your fur baby! Why not make a cozy dog bed out of a crib mattress or a puppy placemat to soak up food and water spills?
The word “ridiculous” means nothing to Ruby and I. We made a batch of homemade dog ice cream for Toby and are darn proud with how they turned out! Now every time we open the freezer, he's right there hoping for a little dessert.
The local ice cream shop in town sells dog ice cream. Once I realized all it was were the scrapings from inside the ice cream case (minus anything chocolate), I thought it was a waste to buy it! I was basically paying for freezer-burned regular ice cream shavings.
Why We Like This Recipe
- Simple ingredients. Bananas, plain yogurt and peanut butter. If you want to be extra you can add a mini bone or doggy treat, but you don't have to.
- Easy to make. Simply blend the ingredients together, then pour into muffin liners. That's it! This is quite possibly the easiest ice cream recipe to make. Ever.
- Freezes for up to two months. Make a bunch of ice cream cups to store in a freezer bag for up to two months!
- Inexpensive. Toby absolutely loves the containers of Frosty Paws ice cream for dogs that you can find at the local grocery store, but they run about $3 for 6 small cups. I made him 12 homemade cups for the same price and ours include a special biscuit treat inside each one as a bonus.
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What Others Are Saying
Brilliant way to use my over ripe bananas & the dogs love them 🐾💕---Kate
Tips and Tricks
- How to easily remove the ice cream cups from the muffin pan. When frozen solid, remove the pan from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for about 5 minutes. This allows the cups to loosen from the pan and makes the liners easy to remove from the ice cream for storing.
- Use fresh or frozen bananas. Got old bananas in the freezer? They work perfectly for this recipe. Fresh or frozen, over-ripe or perfectly yellow. It doesn't matter. If you have bananas that are going to go bad, peel them and put them in the freezer. Then pull them out another day for bread, a smoothie, or ice cream for dogs. Let them come to room temperature first unless you are using them in a smoothie.
- Create fun shapes! Use silicone molds or ice cube containers to freeze the ice cream mixture into fun shapes like dog paws or bones. We used muffin cups which are super easy too!
Recipe Ingredients
- Plain Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt is the best choice for dogs because it contains less lactose. The dog treats in the photos are made with plain yogurt, and the ones in the video are made with plain Greek yogurt. We've used both, and both are Toby-approved.
- Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is a safe snack for dogs as long as it does not contain Xylitol. I have yet to see a brand that I've purchased that contains that ingredient, but always check before feeding it to your dog.
- Bananas: This is a great recipe for using over-ripe bananas that you need to use up.
How To Make Peanut Butter and Banana Ice Cream For Dogs
Step 1: Slice bananas and place in a blender or food processor with peanut butter and yogurt. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Line a muffin pan with liners and fill each cup about ⅔ full with the mixture. Place a mini biscuit in the center of each one and freeze until solid (about 3 hours).
Step 3: When frozen solid, remove the pan from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for about 5 minutes. This allows the cups to loosen from the pan and makes the liners easy to remove from the ice cream for storing.
Bonus Tip
When I shared this idea with friends, one said that she freezes beef broth and makes popsicles for her dogs. I think we will try that next!
Dog Ice Cream FAQs
Yes, and they like it! But not all peanut butters are created equal. Most are dog-safe, but watch out for any that use the sugar substitute, Xylitol (sometimes labeled "xyz"), it is fatal for dogs and can be found in a few brands of specialty nut butters. Here is an article that lists those brands who use xylitol. I haven't ever seen it listed as an ingredient in the brands that I use, but it's always a good idea to double check before using it to make ice cream for dogs or any kind of dog treat. You can also blend pumpkin puree and bananas instead of peanut butter or strawberries and bananas and that's tasty for your pet friend, too.
Place all ice cream cups into a gallon sized ziplock bag and keep in the freezer.
Absolutely! If you have bananas that are going to go bad, peel them and put them in the freezer. Then pull them out another day for bread, a smoothie, or ice cream for dogs. Let them come to room temperature first unless you are using them in a smoothie.
According to 1-800-PetMeds, plain Greek yogurt is the best choice for dogs because it contains less lactose. The dog treats in the photos are made with plain yogurt, and the ones in the video are made with plain Greek yogurt. We've used both, and both are Toby-approved.
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PEANUT BUTTER BANANA DOG ICE CREAM RECIPE
Ingredients
- 2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 ripe bananas
- 3 Tbsp. peanut butter
- 12 mini dog biscuits/mini cookies
Instructions
- Slice bananas and place in a blender with peanut butter and yogurt. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Line a muffin pan with liners and fill each cup about ⅔ full. Place a mini biscuit in the center of each one and freeze until solid (About 3 hours).
Sherry says
Our dogs love peanut butter anything! Thanks so much for sharing at Merry Monday.
Jen Young says
So simple & easy! I thought I might just add a peanut butter warning though.
I was at the vet with my dog recently. She mentioned that some peanut butter manufactures have started using xylitol (sometimes listed XYZ on the ingredient list) as a sweetener. She said it can be fatal for dogs. She told me to read the label before I gave it to my dog. Although I don't give my dog people food in general I do let her have a lick of PB occasionally.
With one online search I found some news articles about it. So be sure to read the label on your peanut butter before making this recipe!
Brandy says
Thanks for the warning! I had no idea. I think sticking with natural peanut butter would be a safe bet, for sure!
apoconant says
Is there a cat variation? :3
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CJ Huang says
Looks like your dog's really enjoying these treats! I'm liking how you added a treat on top, just to make it even better. 🙂
DearCreatives (@DearCreatives) says
Oh my goodness. Our English Bulldog would love these. Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight Party. Pinned & shared.
JESS44903 says
What a neat idea!! 🙂
Would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, and tips: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Miz Helen says
Your helper is just adorable!! Our Max would just love these special treats, and what a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and hope you are having a great day!
Miz Helen
Lori says
I love this! Doggies need ice cream treats too! Thanks for sharing at DI & DI 🙂 We enjoy seeing your creativity each week!
Olivia- Reinvented Collection says
Hi Brandy,
I have a giant Black Lab too. Actually, he is half Golden Retriever too. He is my baby. Frosty Paws here in Anchorage are almost $7 per box. I've been making my Sebastian freezy treats for years now. Sometimes I sprinkle Chia Seeds on the top for added nutrition or I add a cap full of vanilla to the yogurt. The Milk Bone is a cute touch, though.
Thank you for sharing with Thursday Favorite Things.
Olivia
Brandy says
Chia seeds are a great idea! I remember Alaska prices, we lived in Kodiak for 4 years. Definitely makes it worth it to make your own treats!
200 Saturdays until Paris says
Oh how fun! I know that our two dogs will love this. I am going to do this for them! Thanks for sharing!
Sheena says
Those are so cute!!! I love homemade treats for my pups!!
Jane says
These look adorable with the topper. Haven't met a dog yet that diet wait by the freezer for a refreshing treat!
Donna says
can my cat eat this too?
Brandy says
Hi Donna! I don't know much about cats so I'd suggest looking up if they can have ice cream or not. Toby gulps these right down, but is bigger and has bigger teeth than a cat. Good luck!
Courtney's Cookbook says
I love doing this for my dog-- that excited doggy face must be universal. Your ice cream looks much cuter than mine, though! 😉 I should definitely start adding an extra treat on top.
homeonthecornerblog says
Every dog deserves a treat, especially a cold one on a hot day! Thanks for sharing!