Lactation Cookie Recipe
If you’re a new mama, or if you know a new mama, take it from me: these cookies are LIFE SAVERS. Not only can they increase milk supply in those early days of breastfeeding, but also they’re incredibly delicious and such a wonderful treat for getting through those tough postpartum days! Even Cody loved these (yes, my husband ate these, and contrary to what he feared, no he did not suddenly start producing milk).
I made a big batch of these Lactation Cookies right before having my baby and froze them, so they were ready to go for postpartum. The cookie dough can also be frozen and then thawed out for quick baking! All you need is some rolled oats (old-fashioned oats), ground flaxseed, brewer’s yeast, and a few other cookie dough ingredients to make these tasty lactation cookies in about 20 minutes!
RELATED: Surviving the Fourth Trimester
What are Lactation Cookies?
Breastfeeding cookies, nursing cookies, and lactation cookies are all the same thing. But what exactly are they?
Lactation cookies are oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that can help boost milk supply for a nursing mother. The combination of rolled oats, flaxseed meal, and brewer’s yeast helps with the production of milk and can help a new mom with her breastfeeding journey during those early, difficult postpartum days.
Do Lactation Cookies Really Work?
I swear by them. After two c-section babies that both arrived much earlier than expected, my milk supply was definitely not ready to go and we struggled for weeks. I finally made these cookies and ate them 3 times a day (along with Mother’s Milk Tea), and within a couple of days my milk supply skyrocketed! So I truly believe that yes, lactation cookies really do work.
Disclaimer: Always consult your doctor for medical advice! This is just my story and what worked for me during this season of life.
Where to Buy Lactation Cookies?
You can buy lactation cookies on Amazon, at Target, Walmart, and many grocery stores. However, I will say that they are pretty expensive, you only get a few, and many of them do not contain brewer’s yeast, which is a key ingredient for milk supply. Not to mention, homemade cookies taste WAY better! 😉
Ingredients/Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious cookies:
Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats – The base of this recipe is old-fashioned rolled oats!
Whole Wheat Flour – I love using whole wheat flour in these cookies, but regular all-purpose flour works great, too. A gluten-free flour alternative works as well!
Brewer’s Yeast – Brewer’s Yeast helps increase milk supply! So we’re adding it to these cookies. Oddly enough, it actually adds a unique and delicious flavor that makes these cookies super addicting!
Ground Flaxseed – Ground Flaxseed can also help increase milk supply and add healthy fats and protein, making these cookies nutritious and delicious!
Coconut Oil – These breastfeeding cookies use coconut oil instead of butter, which makes them dairy-free. However, good ‘ol regular butter works great, too!
Raw Cane Sugar – Brown sugar is a great alternative.
Eggs – Easily make these cookies by using flax eggs instead of regular eggs if desired.
Dark Chocolate Chips – These are my favorite dairy-free dark chocolate chips for all cookie recipes!
Can I Make Lactation Cookies Without Brewer’s Yeast?
Yes! Simply replace the amount of brewer’s yeast in the recipe with vanilla protein powder or more flour.
How to Make the BEST Lactation Cookies
Making lactation cookies is SO incredibly easy!
- Mix the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir the liquid ingredients in a separate medium bowl.
- Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, then mix and add dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Roll the dough mixture into medium-sized cookies.
- Place on a baking sheet and bake for about 12-15 minutes for each batch!
TIP: Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of each cookie to make these extra delicious!
Questions
When should I start eating lactation cookies?
You can start eating lactation cookies as soon as the baby arrives! Even weeks or a couple of months after having a baby, lactation cookies are still effective and helpful for breast milk production.
How many lactation cookies should I eat every day?
I recommend eating 3 cookies a day for increased breast milk supply!
Can men eat lactation cookies?
Yes! The only “unconventional” ingredient in lactation cookies is brewer’s yeast. So NO, they will not cause a man to start producing milk, but YES they will help a nursing mama increase or bring in her milk supply!
Can I freeze lactation cookies?
Absolutely! I loved making a big batch of these cookies and freezing half of them for later. Simply thaw them out the night before or heat them for a few seconds in the microwave and enjoy!
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, and the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Healthy Cookie Recipes
- Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Giant Air Fryer Cookies
- Vegan Cookie Bars (Gluten-Free)
- Oat Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Vegan Salted Caramel Chocolate Cookies
More Postpartum Resources
- 6 Healthy Freezer Meals For New Moms (Or Anyone!)
- C-Section Awareness Month: Overcoming Guilt
- Tips for Surviving The Fourth Trimester
- Getting Back In Shape After Baby
- Baby Gut Health – What I Wish I Had Known
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below! Also, I would love to be friends on Instagram: @jar.of.lemons!
The BEST Lactation Cookies (Dairy Free)
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/3 cup brewer's yeast
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup coconut oil (slightly melted)
- 1 cup raw cane sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (dairy-free)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix the oats, flour, brewer's yeast, flaxseed, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix the coconut oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and almond milk together.
- Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together.
- Fold the chocolate chips into the dough.
- Form the dough into cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for about 12-15 minutes.
- Enjoy or store for later!
Video
Notes
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of each cookie to make these extra delicious!
- Lactation cookies can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days, in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, and the freezer for up to 3 months.
Ansia says:
I made these cookies yesterday. I have a lot of almond flour so Iused it. I didn’t have brewers yeast, I used nutritional yeast. It came out really good. My children and their dad said they were really good and tasty! I like that your recipe had lots of oatmeal, flaxseed, brewers yeast, and cocnut oil. Very nutritional!! Some other recipes had only table spoons of them. Which is just crazy! I got an extra ounce in one pump session and two extra ounces in my morning pump! Instead of 8oz, I got 10oz Thank you!❤️❤️
Jar Of Lemons replied:
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Ansia! Thanks for letting me know how turned out!