Grain Free Peanut Butter Mini Dog Treats
Verified Jun 17, 2026
These crunchy, grain-free mini dog treats are baked with plant-based ingredients like sweet potatoes, peas, and peanut butter, plus small amounts of fruits and veggies. They’re designed as a flavorful reward rather than a complete diet, offering moderate protein and fat in a bite-sized, heart-shaped biscuit. At about 7 calories per treat, they can work well for training or occasional snacks when portions are controlled.
A nicely formulated, grain-free, plant-based treat that uses sweet potatoes, peas, and peanut butter instead of grains, with added fruits and vegetables for variety. Protein and fat levels are appropriate for a crunchy biscuit, and the calorie content per piece is relatively modest, which is helpful for training or frequent rewarding. This is best used as an occasional complement to a complete and balanced dog food, not as a primary source of nutrition.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Uses recognizable, generally wholesome ingredients like sweet potatoes, peas, peanut butter, and fruits rather than low-value fillers.
- Moderate protein (14%) and fat (9%) for a baked biscuit treat, with about 7 calories per mini treat, which can help with portion control.
- Grain-free and made without corn, soy, or meat by-products, which may suit dogs whose owners prefer to avoid those ingredients.
- Naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract instead of synthetic preservatives, while still maintaining product stability.
Considerations
- This is a treat, not a complete and balanced food, so it should only make up a small portion of your dog’s daily calories.
- Peanut butter and peas are significant ingredients; dogs with known legume or peanut sensitivities should avoid this product.
- Cane molasses adds sugar, which is fine in small amounts but means these shouldn’t be overfed, especially for dogs needing strict weight control or with certain metabolic issues.
- There are no animal-based protein sources listed, so it may not be ideal as a protein-focused option for very active or working dogs that need high-quality dietary protein from treats.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
02
Potato
Potato is commonly used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate source and functional binder, supplying starch, fiber, and modest amounts of vitamins (B6, C) and potassium—often included as cooked or dehydrated flakes, starch, or protein concentrates. While it provides energy and helps formulate grain‑free recipes, potatoes are not a primary protein for dogs or cats (and are not nutritionally required for obligate‑carnivore cats), can contribute to excess calories or affect blood glucose in diabetic animals, and must be cooked and free of green skins or sprouts to avoid solanine toxicity; allergies are uncommon but possible.
03
Yellow Pea
Yellow pea is a common plant-based ingredient in dog and cat foods used as a source of digestible protein, starch and both soluble and insoluble fiber, and it also contributes B vitamins and minerals. It can help increase protein and fiber content and replace grains, but formulators must balance essential amino acids and process peas to reduce anti-nutrients, and pet owners should know that very high inclusion of pulses in some grain‑free diets has been scrutinized for possible links to canine DCM, so feeding complete, balanced diets and veterinary monitoring is recommended.
04
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is commonly used as a palatability enhancer or occasional treat in pet diets, providing concentrated fats, modest protein, some fiber and micronutrients like vitamin E and B vitamins. Because it is calorie-dense and can contain added salt, sugar or harmful sweeteners, it should be offered sparingly and only in xylitol‑free formulations — avoid regular use in pets prone to obesity or pancreatitis.
05
Cane Molasses
Cane molasses is a viscous sweetener and palatability enhancer used in pet foods and treats to add simple carbohydrates, help bind ingredients, and contribute trace minerals like iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium along with small amounts of B vitamins. It can improve taste and texture but is high in sugars and calories, so it should be used sparingly—excessive intake can contribute to weight gain, dental issues, or unstable blood glucose in diabetic or obese pets.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
Brand
Darford is a premium brand of all-natural, oven-baked dog treats crafted from North American ingredients. The brand targets pet owners seeking healthy, natural, and preservative-free treats for their dogs, with product lines that include Grain Free, Zero/G, and Organic varieties.
Visit DarfordManufacturer
Darford maintains its own production facilities in British Columbia, Canada, and conducts all baking and quality control in-house. The company adheres to stringent food safety standards and follows guidelines similar to those for human-grade food manufacturing.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Darford Grain Free Peanut Butter Mini Dog Treats has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Darford ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Darford. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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