Homemade Gingerbread Man Dog Treats Recipe

Get ready to spoil your pooch with a tasty homemade gingerbread man dog treats recipe that’s absolutely perfect for all the fall and winter holidays!

Owning a pet is a funny thing. You love to spoil them, love them and snuggle them, but sometimes you just want them to calm down so you can have a break.

I’m home alone with my pets a lot so I adore them but also need a little break from their wild antics at times, especially when I’m trying to work!  My favorite thing to do is reward their good behavior with a treat so the wild antics are few and far between. For example, if they go into their crate at night without causing a scene, they get a treat. If they don’t destroy the house while mother is working, they get a treat.

Since the holidays are coming up fast, I decided they needed something extra special and different than the ones they usually get. Plus, I wanted to make it fall flavored because, well, there’s that spoiling thing again.  Here are the homemade gingerbread man dog treats I ended up with!

Make sure you print out the recipe card for later and check the video tutorial below. FYI, affiliate links included below. We earn a commission if you make a purchase.

Homemade Gingerbread Man Dog Treats

These easy holiday dog treats use just 5 ingredients, and chances are you have all of them right in your pantry!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 Cup Peanut Butter
• 1 Cup Flour
• 1 ½ Tablespoons Ground Ginger
• 1 ½ Teaspoons Cinnamon
• ¼ Cup Water

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until ingredients begin to form a doughy substance. You may need to add more water if your ingredients will not form together into a ball.
2. Use your hands to mold ingredients into a ball.
3. Place on wax paper and roll out dough with a rolling pin.
4. Once rolled out to about ½ inch thick, use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out the treats.
5. Place on a greased pan and cook for about 45 minutes, flipping the treats over halfway through.
6. While treats are cooling, place a bit of heated peanut butter in a squirt bottle and use it to draw the eyes, mouth, and buttons, if desired. Make sure to not make the peanut butter too runny.

Why Ginger Is Good for Dogs

Ginger isn’t just a festive spice for humans—it actually has some great health benefits for dogs, too. Used in moderation, it can be a natural way to support your pup’s digestive and immune systems. Ground ginger may help soothe nausea and upset stomachs, making it useful for dogs who get carsick or have sensitive tummies. It’s also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help with joint pain and arthritis, especially in older dogs.

In fact, some holistic vets recommend ginger as part of a natural wellness routine because of its antioxidant and immune-boosting benefits. Just be sure to use small amounts (like in this recipe), as too much ginger can lead to mild digestive upset in some dogs.

Benefits of Ginger for Dogs:

• Helps reduce nausea and motion sickness

• Soothes digestive upset

• May reduce inflammation and joint pain

• Contains antioxidants that support immune health

• Can act as a gentle circulatory stimulant

Flour Alternatives for Dogs with Allergies

If your dog has a wheat allergy or grain sensitivity, you can still whip up a batch of these gingerbread treats with a simple swap. There are plenty of dog-safe flour alternatives that still create a workable dough for rolling and cutting shapes. Oat flour is a favorite for many pet parents—it’s easy to digest, mild on sensitive stomachs, and has a naturally sweet flavor dogs love. Rice flour is another gentle option that works well in most baked treat recipes.

Coconut flour is grain-free and full of fiber, but it does absorb more moisture than other flours, so you’ll likely need to add a little extra water to the dough. You can also try chickpea flour (also called garbanzo bean flour), which is high in protein and gluten-free.

Dog-Safe Flour Alternatives to Try:

• Oat flour – mild, nutritious, and easy to work with

• Rice flour – gentle on the tummy and good for crispier treats

• Coconut flour – grain-free but requires extra moisture
• Chickpea (garbanzo) flour – high-protein, gluten-free option

Always introduce new ingredients slowly and watch for any reactions. And as always, check with your vet if you’re unsure which flour is best for your dog’s specific dietary needs.

Print this recipe for later:

A word about the peanut butter: we’ve had a few readers write in with concerns about using peanut butter in dog treats. Peanut butter is safe as long as it does not contain xylitol. At this time, that list only contains 5 brands, and they’re primarily sold in nutrition stores or specialty shops. None of the “big name” peanut butter brands contain xylitol at this time.

Looking for more fun dog treat recipes for the holiday season? Check out these reader favorites:

Holiday Dog Treats Recipe: Christmas Trees

Candy Cane Doggie Biscuits with NO Artificial Coloring!

Do you have any favorite homemade dog treats recipes that are perfect for the holidays? Share in the comments!