Reviewed by Marcus Maximo · Updated May 2026
Bully Pupsicles is the most popular frozen dog treats recipe in Australia. Natural Farm 6" Extra Thick Bully Sticks are coated in xylitol-free peanut butter, then frozen overnight in low-sodium bone broth. The Bully Stick acts as an edible popsicle handle, eliminating the splinter and choking risk of wooden sticks.
Prep time 15 minutes, freezes overnight, yields 4 to 6 pupsicles at roughly 110 kcal each. Designed for hot Aussie summer days (35°C to 40°C+), heatwaves, and bushfire smoke recovery.
This guide covers the Bully Pupsicles recipe for adult dogs (6 months and older) in Australia. For all 3 vet-aligned recipes plus safe ingredient lists, see the Homemade dog treats Australia guide.
Bully Pupsicles recipe
15 min prep · freezes 3 months · yields 4 to 6 pupsicles
Calorie note: for a 10 kg Cavoodle (600 kcal/day), 1 pupsicle is ~18% of daily calories. For a 30 kg Labrador (1,200 kcal/day), ~9%. Reduce kibble accordingly.
Ingredients
The edible popsicle stick
- 4 Natural Farm 6" Extra Thick Bully Sticks ($38.99 AUD, 4-pack, for medium to large dogs)
- OR 5 to 6 Natural Farm 6" Collagen Sticks ($24.99 AUD pack, for Cavoodles, Maltese, Pugs, smaller breeds; joint support bonus)
The liquid base
- 2 to 3 cups low-sodium bone broth (Undivided Food Co or Meadow & Marrow at Coles or Woolies)
- Critical: no onion, garlic, or salt in ingredient list
The coating
- 3 to 4 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter, xylitol-free (Mayver's, Pic's, or Bega Smooth)
Tools
- Silicone moulds, muffin tin, or small plastic cups (Kmart or Big W, around $10 AUD)
- Cling wrap or aluminium foil
- Freezer space (overnight)
Ready to make it? Get the Bully Stick base shipped from Brisbane in 1 to 5 business days.
Shop 6" Extra Thick Bully Sticks 4-packSmaller dog? Use 6" Collagen Sticks at $24.99 AUD instead.
Step-by-step instructions
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1
Coat the Bully Sticks with peanut butter
Cover about 2/3 of each Natural Farm Extra Thick Bully Stick with xylitol-free peanut butter, leaving the top portion as a handle. More peanut butter helps the freeze adhere.
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2
Fill the moulds with bone broth
Pour low-sodium bone broth into silicone moulds, muffin tins, or small cups. Fill 3/4 full, leaving room for the Bully Stick and expansion during freezing.
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3
Insert the Bully Sticks vertically
Place each peanut butter-coated Bully Stick into a mould, peanut butter end down. Leave 2 to 3 cm exposed at the top as the handle. If sticks tip, cover with cling wrap and poke sticks through to hold upright.
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4
Freeze overnight
Freeze flat for at least 8 hours. The bone broth needs to freeze solid around the peanut butter coating. In humid climates (Brisbane, Cairns), 12+ hours tends to give a firmer result.
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5
Pop out and serve
Pop pupsicles from moulds. For plastic cups, run warm water on the outside to loosen. Serve on a lick mat or in a shaded outdoor area. Always serve on tile or lino, never carpet, since frozen treats melt and stain.
Variations
Once the basic recipe is mastered, swap ingredients to match your dog's preferences or sensitivities.
Aussie fruit
Add blueberries, watermelon chunks, or banana slices to the bone broth before freezing.
Greek yoghurt
Replace half the broth with plain Greek yoghurt for a creamier texture and probiotics.
Pumpkin
Add 2 tablespoons of kent or jap pumpkin puree (NOT pie filling) for digestive support.
Cucumber
Blend cucumber into the broth for extra hydration and lower calories.
Storage tips
Freezer (3 months)
Store in airtight containers or freezer bags up to 3 months. Separate layers with baking paper. Label with the date. Make a batch on Sunday during summer heatwaves.
Not the fridge
Pupsicles don't work in the fridge: they need to stay frozen solid. Pop straight from freezer to serve.
Safety and ingredient notes
Why Bully Sticks, not wooden popsicle sticks
Wooden popsicle sticks are a choking and splinter hazard for dogs. Vet Voice Australia warns about wooden objects causing intestinal injury. Bully Sticks are fully digestible, ~93% protein from grass-fed beef, single-ingredient, and slow-roasted for 72 hours with no chemicals. After the frozen broth melts, the Bully Stick remains as a long-lasting chew.
Toxic foods to keep out of the recipe
Xylitol (artificial sweetener in many supermarket peanut butters) is deadly to dogs. Always check the label, even on brands you trust. Avoid chocolate, grapes, sultanas, onion, garlic, and macadamia nuts. Some pre-made bone broths contain onion or garlic powder, even labelled "low sodium". Full list: RSPCA Australia poisonous substances guide.
Why each ingredient matters
- Bully Sticks: ~93% protein, fully digestible, tends to support dental health through chewing. Shop the 4-pack at $38.99 AUD.
- Bone broth: collagen for skin and joints, glucosamine for joint support, hydrating, minerals (calcium, magnesium).
- Peanut butter: protein, healthy fats, vitamins B and E. High-value taste tends to motivate training and reward behaviour.
DIY Bully Pupsicles vs commercial frozen treats
Worth the 15 minutes of weekend prep? Comparison across cost, calories, ingredient transparency, and reusability of the Bully Stick base.
| Comparison | DIY Bully Pupsicles | Supermarket frozen |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per treat | ~$2 to $3 AUD | $4 to $6 AUD |
| Calories per treat | ~110 kcal | 150 to 200 kcal |
| Ingredient list | 3 (transparent) | 12+ (sugar, cream, additives) |
| Edible popsicle stick | Yes (Bully Stick chew) | No (or wooden, hazard) |
| Engagement time | 30+ minutes | 5 to 10 minutes |
Takeaway: 15 minutes of weekend prep delivers a treat that costs less, has fewer calories, transparent ingredients, and an edible chew handle the supermarket can't match.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest frozen dog treats recipe in Australia?
The easiest is Bully Pupsicles: 3 ingredients (Bully Stick, low-sodium bone broth, xylitol-free peanut butter), 15-minute prep, freezes overnight. The Bully Stick acts as an edible popsicle handle, eliminating the choking and splinter risk of wooden sticks.
How many pupsicles per day during a heatwave?
1 to 2 per day for medium to large dogs (Labrador, Kelpie, Border Collie, Staffy). 1 per day for small breeds (Cavoodle, Maltese, Pug). Each pupsicle is ~110 kcal, so keep total treats under 10% of daily calories. During extreme heat (40°C+), prioritise shade, fans, and unlimited water first.
Are frozen dog treats safe in Aussie heat?
Yes. Frozen treats are recommended by Australian vets during heatwaves. Aussie dogs cannot regulate body temperature efficiently above 35°C. Frozen treats tend to provide cooling, hydration, and 20 to 30 minutes of mental enrichment. Always serve outdoors or on tile floor, since frozen treats melt fast. Use a lick mat for small breeds prone to brain freeze.
What bone broth brands are safe in Australia?
Aussie brands typically safe: Undivided Food Co, Meadow & Marrow, Honest to Goodness (Coles, Woolworths, IGA health aisles). Look for low-sodium, NO onion, NO garlic, no artificial flavourings. Or make your own from leftover roast bones simmered in water 8 hours with no seasoning, then freeze in ice cube trays.
Can puppies have frozen dog treats?
Puppies over 6 months can have pupsicles with supervision and smaller portions. Cut Bully Sticks in half, or use Natural Farm Bully Bites as a smaller base. For puppies under 6 months, skip the Bully Stick base and freeze only bone broth in small ice cube tray portions.
How much do Bully Sticks cost for this recipe in Australia?
For medium to large dogs: Natural Farm 6" Extra Thick Bully Sticks 4-pack at $38.99 AUD (GST inclusive) covers one batch. For smaller breeds: 6" Collagen Sticks pack at $24.99 AUD, which adds joint support. Free shipping over $70 AUD. Subscribe and Save 15% off available on recurring deliveries.
What makes Natural Farm different in Australia?
Every Bully Stick is odour-free, single-ingredient grass-fed beef pizzle, fully digestible, slow-roasted 72 hours with no chemicals. Vertically integrated manufacturing in human-grade facilities under international quality standards, aligned with PFIAA standards for the Australian market. Ships Australia-wide from Brisbane warehouse, 1 to 5 business days. Unlike commodity bully sticks sold in supermarket pet aisles, every Natural Farm chew has single-supplier traceability.
Where can I buy Bully Sticks for this recipe in Australia?
Natural Farm Bully Sticks Australia are available directly from naturalfarmpet.com.au, shipped Australia-wide from our Brisbane warehouse. Free shipping over $70 AUD. Delivery 1 to 2 business days to Brisbane and Sydney, 2 to 3 days to Melbourne, 3 to 5 days to Perth and regional areas.
Part of the Natural Farm Australia dog treats recipes cluster. The pillar overview is the Homemade dog treats Australia guide, covering safe ingredients, foods to avoid, and all three recipes side by side. The two sibling recipes are Doggy Crostini (the presentation-grade party treat) and Ants on a Log (the lowest-prep training reward).
Why buy from Natural Farm Australia
Free shipping over $70 AUD. Delivery 1 to 5 business days Australia-wide.
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