Every December, I tell myself I’m not going to stress over making anything “Pinterest-perfect,” and then suddenly I get the urge to make something small and festive for my dog, Nora. If you’re the same way, you’ll understand why I wanted something super simple this year. No baking trays everywhere, no flour clouds in the air, no complicated dough.

That’s how these Dog Treats Christmas Easy DIY bites happened. They’re basically a no-bake mix of carrots, quinoa, and a few other things I already had in the kitchen. They look surprisingly cute once they firm up, and the best part is that Nora actually likes them — which is not always the case with dog treat recipes online.

If you want something quick, healthy, and festive without turning your kitchen upside down, this is honestly a good one.

1 tablespoon natural peanut butter (xylitol-free only!) 🥜

Most holiday dog treat recipes use the same staples: pumpkin, oats, peanut butter. Nothing wrong with that, but sometimes it’s nice to switch things up. This recipe is more “real food,” which makes it feel a bit different in a good way.

The carrots give it a warm orange color.
The spinach adds a little Christmas green.
The coconut flakes look like snow.

And the quinoa… well, it does a surprisingly good job holding things together.

It’s not fancy in a “chef” way — it’s more like that random recipe you make once and think, “Why was that actually so easy?”

Nora approved it instantly, and that alone made it worth sharing.

(All simple, safe, pantry-style ingredients)

• 1 cup mashed cooked carrot

• ½ cup cooked quinoa

• ¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

• 1 tbsp chia seeds

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp ginger powder

• ¼ cup finely chopped spinach

• 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce

• Optional: 1 tbsp natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)

That’s it. No oven. No flour. No rolling pins. No stress.

And yes — the ingredients look a little random, but they work together really well.

Once your base mixture looks smooth and blended, it’s time to give it those subtle Christmas vibes.

Sprinkle in the ginger powder, coconut flakes, and chia seeds. Don’t worry — it doesn’t have to be perfect. Just shake them in and stir.

The chia seeds start absorbing moisture almost immediately, which is what helps the treats firm up later in the fridge. Think of them as the “glue” of this whole recipe. The ginger adds a gentle holiday smell, and the coconut flakes look a little like snow without trying too hard.

Mix everything together until it looks even. You should see:

• Orange from the carrots

• White from the coconut

• Little chia specks throughout

It’s simple, a little messy, and exactly the kind of real-life kitchen moment every pet owner knows.

Nothing fancy — just honest ingredients that come together easily.

Finely chop the spinach — the smaller the pieces, the better it blends into the mixture. You don’t want big leaves sticking out, so think “confetti-size” pieces.

Once it’s chopped, mix the spinach into the bowl with everything else.
You’ll see the colors start to come together right away: soft orange from the carrots, little green flecks from the spinach, and the coconut mixed throughout.

It ends up looking naturally festive without using any dyes or fancy ingredients — just simple, real food colors that feel a bit like Christmas in a bowl.

Drizzle the olive oil over the mixture and stir it in until everything is coated and starts coming together.

You’ll notice the texture change a little — that’s normal. Olive oil helps the treats stick without drying out.

If the mixture feels too thick or crumbly, add 1–2 teaspoons of water and mix again until it softens.

If it feels too wet or loose, sprinkle in a bit more coconut flakes to help it firm up.

Keep adjusting until the texture reminds you of soft cookie dough — easy to scoop, easy to shape, and not too sticky.

Take a small amount of the mixture in your hands and roll it into little bite-sized balls.
You don’t have to make them perfect — just aim for pieces your dog can easily eat.
If you prefer flat treats, press the mixture gently between your fingers to make small “coins.” Either shape works.

Place the treats on a plate or a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Spread them out a bit so they don’t stick together.

Put the tray in the fridge for about 30–40 minutes.

During this time, the chia seeds absorb moisture and help the treats firm up, so they hold their shape better.

Once they feel solid to the touch, they’re ready to serve or store.

Simple, quick, and no baking required.

Based on general AKC and PetMD guidelines, the ingredients here are commonly used in homemade dog treats and are safe in moderation for most dogs.

Still:

• Start with small servings

• Stick to unsweetened applesauce

• Don’t add extra ginger

• Treats should be occasional, not meals

• If your dog has allergies, adjust the ingredients

If you’re ever unsure, asking your vet is always the safest option.

Here’s the truth:
Nora is picky. She’ll sniff something for ten seconds before deciding whether it’s even worth trying.

This time? She didn’t hesitate at all. She took the treat, chewed it, swallowed it, and sat down immediately like, “Okay. More.”

She now sits in front of the fridge after dinner because she knows that’s where these treats live.

So I’d say this Dog Treats Christmas Easy DIY recipe passes the Nora-test.

Fridge:

Keeps well for 3–4 days in a sealed container.

Freezer:

Store for up to 2 months.
Let thaw for a few minutes before serving if your dog prefers softer treats.

Here are a few things that could throw the recipe off:

• Using flavored applesauce

• Adding too much ginger

• Not chopping spinach small enough

• Not letting them chill long enough

• Making giant treat balls

Nothing dramatic — all easy fixes.

If you’re missing something, here are easy swaps:

• Parsley → instead of spinach

• Millet → instead of quinoa

• Mashed pear → instead of applesauce

• Beet powder → for red tint

• Turmeric → for golden yellow

Everything stays dog-safe and holiday-looking.

Dog Treats Christmas Easy DIY
– No-bake
– Real ingredients
– Soft and easy to chew
– Done in under an hour
– Festive colors
– Nora-approved

These treats aren’t fancy or complicated, and honestly, that’s why I like them so much. They don’t require special equipment, they don’t make a mess, and they don’t take more than a few minutes to mix together.

And if you’re someone who enjoys doing just one little holiday thing for your dog each year, these are perfect. They’re quick, they’re healthy, and they’re made by you — which your dog feels, even if they don’t understand the holiday.

This Dog Treats Christmas Easy DIY recipe has already become part of our December routine, and I hope it brings a little extra joy into yours too.