7 Frozen Kong Recipes

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Frozen Kongs are a dog owner’s secret weapon. They’re a treat, a physical distraction, and a mental stimulant, all at the same time! Here are seven Kong-stuffing recipes made with regular ingredients you probably have around the house.

Since you’ll be whipping up these recipes from scratch, it’s a good idea to have at least two or three Kongs on hand (or a slow-feeder bowl or lick mat). This way you can prep multiple treats and freeze them for later.

In this guide:

• What is a Kong?
• A word about portion control
• 7 Kong filling ideas

What is a Kong?

A Kong is a super-sturdy chew toy designed to hold dog treats. This keeps dogs engaged and entertained while offering a rewarding challenge. Kongs come in a variety of sizes to suit different dogs.

Kongs are great because they keep my dog occupied and happy. But knowing what to put in a Kong is another challenge entirely. The Kong filler recipes below use healthy food instead of the mystery ingredients that often plague pet store treats. 

How to fill a Kong

Filling a Kong is always easier before your treat is frozen. The durable rubber is freezer-safe, so make one of the recipes below, scoop it into the Kong with a small tea spoon or butter knife, then put the whole toy in the freezer to allow it to harden. The kong stuffing ideas below mostly use thicker substances that shouldn’t drip too much, but it’s a good idea to put your Kong on top of a paper towel or dish to prevent any of the ingredients from leaking before they have a chance to freeze.

A word about portion control

Dog nutrition experts suggest that treats should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s total caloric intake. It’s easy to overfeed dogs with snacks, particularly with high-calorie foods like peanut butter.

Kongs come in various sizes. I recommend using a Kong that is appropriate for the size of your dog to avoid overfeeding. I’ve included the calorie content for each recipe below to help guide your portions. You can use a calorie calculator to help determine your dog’s requirements.

Kong stuffing recipes

Here are seven Kong stuffing ideas. They’re great for curious puppies to picky senior dogs, and you can adapt them based on the ingredients you have. But remember to always pay attention to the calorie count of the ingredients you use and the size of your dog. Also, always double-check everything you use to make sure it’s safe for dogs.

• Banana Nutty Kong
• Coconut Puppoccino Whip
• Harvest Feast Kong
• Pumpkin Pup Kong
• Peanut & Probiotic Kong
• Bananakin Crunch Kong
• Apple Crisp & Cream

Banana Nutty Kong

You can’t go wrong with banana and peanut butter! This one is sure to please, it’s cheap, and it’s easy to make. I adapted it for dogs from a smoothie I make for my family.

Ingredients:

• ½ Banana
• 1 Tablespoons of natural peanut butter (no added sugar or palm oil; salt-free is preferred)

Instructions: 

1. Use a fork to mash and blend the ingredients until combined.
2. Scoop the mixture into the Kong. Freeze the stuffed Kong for a treat that lasts longer.

For small Kongs, cut the recipe in half.

Calories:

• 1/2 banana = 53 calories
• 1 Tablespoons of peanut butter = 94 calories

This recipe provides roughly 147 calories.

Remember to divide the recipe into portions appropriate for your dog.

Coconut Puppuccino Whip

This dairy-free recipe requires some special equipment, but the end result is a delicious treat for both you and your dog. Try it out!

Ingredients:

• 1 canned coconut cream or coconut milk (Refrigerated coconut milk will not work for this recipe)
• Whipped cream dispenser

Instructions: 

1. Pour coconut cream into a bowl, both liquid and solid. Mix thoroughly with a small whisk until it becomes an even texture. 
2. Chill in the refrigerator overnight, or until quite cold, so the cream will hold its shape. Give the cream a gentle stir to ensure the contents are evenly distributed. 
3. Pour the cream into the canister of your whipped cream canister and seal it.
4. Follow the instructions that came with your canister to insert and activate the charger. Shake the coconut milk gently. Test the thickness of the cream. If it’s too runny, shake it again.
5. Spray your coconut cream into the kong until filled. Serve immediately. Your pup will love you!

This whipped cream also tastes great on top of pies, coffee, or straight into your mouth when your family isn’t watching! If you don’t have a whipped cream canister, you can also use a standing mixer or beat the chilled coconut mixture with a whisk until stiff peaks form.

Calories: 

• ½ cup coconut cream =  250 calories

When whipped, this snack provides around 250 calories in total.

Harvest Feast Kong

This is a great recipe to make around Thanksgiving, since you’ll probably already have many of these ingredients on hand for your own dinner. You can find it and several other seasonally appropriate recipes in our list of fall themed Kong recipes.

Preparing this recipe separately from your meal will ensure your dog doesn’t eat any toxic foods, such as onions.

Ingredients:

• ½ Sweet potato
• ½  cup of diced green beans
• ½ cup of carrots
• A few tablespoons of bone broth (dog-friendly with no onions)
• A few tablespoons of pumpkin puree, 100% pure

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a baking tray with parchment paper. 
2. Dice your veggies into bite-size pieces. 
3. Roast veggies for about 20 min or until a fork can easily pierce the flesh of the potato and carrot pieces. 
4. Add the cooked veggies, several tablespoons of pumpkin puree, and a tablespoon of bone broth to a mixing bowl. Mix together. 
5. Add more pumpkin and a little bit more broth, if needed, to make a thick base that holds the veggies. Add broth sparingly; you don’t want it too runny or it will leak out of the Kong.
   
   Calories: 

• ½ small sweet potato =  40 calories
• ½ cup carrots = 25 calories
• ½ cup green beans = 16 calories
• 2 tablespoons Bone broth = about 10 calories
• ¼ cup pumpkin puree =  20 calories

This snack provides around 111 calories per total recipe.

>> Read more: Homemade Dog Bone Broth

Pumpkin Pup Kong

Ingredients:

• ½ to 1 Tablespoons natural peanut butter (no added sugar or palm oil; salt-free is preferred)
• ¼ cup canned 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix which contains added spices

Instructions: 

1. Mix the peanut butter into pumpkin puree until well blended
2. Add the desired amount to your Kong.
3. Freeze the stuffed kong for a longer-lasting treat.
   
   Calories: 

• ¼ cup pumpkin puree = 42 calories
• 1 Tablespoons of peanut butter = 94 calories

This recipe provides about 136 calories in total.

Peanut & Probiotic Kong

A little peanut butter goes a long way in this recipe to make it a low-calorie treat. Try it yourself! You may find a new favorite dip for your apples.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, unsweetened

Instructions: 

1. Use a small spoon to stir the peanut butter into the yogurt.
2. Stuff the mixture into the Kong.
3. Freeze the stuffed kong until the creamy mixture is firm.

Calories: 

• ¼ cup Greek yogurt = 56 calories
• 1 teaspoon peanut butter = 31 calories

This recipe provides about 87 calories.

Bananakin Crunch Kong

Ingredients:

• 1/2 of a banana
• 1/4 cup 100% pure pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup dry dog food or training treats

Instructions: 

1. Mash the banana in a bowl.
2. Add the pumpkin puree and stir until combined.
3. Mix in dog food or training treats and stuff your Kong.
4. Freeze if desired or serve immediately.

Calories:

• ½ cup banana = 53 calories
• ¼ cup pumpkin puree =  20 calories
• ¼ cup dog food = varies in calories

This snack provides about 73 calories plus the calorie count of the dog food you choose.

Apple Crisp & Cream

Ingredients: 

• ½ an apple
• ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt, unsweetened

Instructions:

1. Dice the apple into small pieces 
2. Mix the apple and yogurt together until well blended. (Add a few training treats into the mix for an exciting addition!) 
3. Using a spoon, stuff the kong with the mixture
4. For more of a challenge, freeze the stuffed Kong until firm.

Calories: 

• ½ apple = 45 calories
• ½ cup yogurt = 113 calories

This snack provides 158 calories per recipe.

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