Vegan, gluten free, no oil and refined sugar free. Oat cookies filled with ingredients to help nursing moms but delicious enough to be devoured by everyone!
Yes, you read that right...lactation is in the title! Lol. No, these cookies will not make you lactate on first bite. They are simply filled with ingredients that are supposed to be good for breast milk.
As most of you know, I had my 3rd baby boy exactly 3 weeks ago today! He is the first baby I've had since we changed our diet. With my first two boys, I was not able to breastfeed much, almost none with my first, as I never got my milk.
I had a little bit with my second, but no where near enough. So I was very curious to see what would happen this time around. Well, I definitely have some milk! It's not a ton, and I'm not sure how long it will last, but it's there, so I am doing what I can to keep it.
Foods That Help With Nursing
The first thing I did was get online and start to research whole foods that help with milk production. I found a bunch of good resources and spent a good amount of time reading about it.
Basically I learned that, other that staying really hydrated and eating a healthy whole food diet (which I do), some of the nutrients in food that may help with milk supply are iron, protein, and B vitamins.
Also, there are herbs like fenugreek and fennel that help as well. So with all my new info, of course my brain began creating. I had heard about others baking "lactation cookies" in the past, and oat cookies are something I am definitely obsessed with, so I figured it's a perfect reason to create another cookie for the blog! And Mother's Milk tea is a common way to get in some of those lactation promoting herbs, and what goes better with tea than cookies!
Since I literally had JUST gotten home from the hospital, and being on my feet baking cookies was not in the cards, my amazing wonderful hubby offered to be my "legs" in the kitchen while I stayed on the couch and tried to communicate to him my crazy recipe idea for these new cookies of mine.
He was a rockstar and before I knew it trial 1 was complete! It took 3 trials to get these just right, and just right they sure were! I'm talking deeeeelicous! Every ingredient I used was carefully thought out.
So What's In These Oat Cookies?
They are filled with nutrients, many of which have shown to help contribute to healthy lactation. Here's a list of everything I used that contains loads of goodness like iron, protein, or B vitamins:
oats, almond flour, nutritional yeast, molasses, flax, raisins, macadamia nuts, coconut butter versus oil, and dates versus refined sugar
These cookies turned out SO darn good! The texture is soft and chewy with crispy edges. They are not only vegan, but they are made without any refined sugar or oil and are gluten free!
So popping a few in my mouth not only gives me an absolutely delicious and healthy snack, but also feels awesome to know I am doing something to help my milk! And another bonus is that these freeze pretty darn well. I made a huge batch of these oat cookies and keep them in the freezer. Then I take a few out every morning and eat them throughout the day. They keep great!
Keep in mind that I am not certified to promise any of this will help increase your milk, and all my info has come from resources online that I read to help me, but as I see it, eating some healthy cookies is not a bad idea in general!
Plus, these are filled with healthy ingredients and nutrients, so breastfeeding or not they are a great snack. My two boys and my husband love them so they serve our whole family well!
If you try making my oat cookies, make sure to let me know! I love hearing your feedback on my recipes. You can also tag me on Instagram at veggiesdontbite #veggiesdontbite so I don’t miss it! Hope you enjoy!
Vegan Chocolate Chip Raisin Macadamia Nut Oat Lactation Cookies
Ingredients
Dry
- 2 cups gluten free rolled oats
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup tapioca flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
Wet
- 1 cup coconut butter
- 1 cup date paste
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 flax eggs 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed plus 6 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Add ins
- 1 cup chopped raisins
- 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts
- 1 cup dark chocolate pieces or vegan chocolate chips optional for sweeter cookie
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Mix 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed with 6 tablespoons water to make flax eggs and set aside.
- Mix together the oats, flours, baking soda, nutritional yeast, cinnamon and salt in a bowl and set aside. Make sure you break up any clumps, using a whisk works well.
- Add the coconut butter, date paste, molasses, flax eggs and vanilla into a large bowl and using a stand or hand mixer, beat until mixed well.
- Using the paddle attachment on your stand mixer or a spoon, mix in dry ingredients putting in half first, then the rest. Mix until just combined. Add in raisins, macadamia nuts, and chocolate chips if using. Mix together well.
- Using a spoon or small ice cream scooper, drop balls of dough on parchment lined cookie sheets. Pat down flat with your fingers. You want them about 2 inches in diameter.
- Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 13-15 minutes or until they become golden brown at the edges. Cookies will harden a bit more as they cool.
Notes
- My date paste recipe may make a little over one cup, depending on how big your dates are.
- I use the whole thing in this cookie recipe. These also keep well in the freezer. I make a big batch to store and then take a few out each morning. They keep great!
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
For all you breastfeeding moms out there, especially for those of you not in a place to make your own cookies, I found these awesome bars that have been created by a certified lactation consultant.
They are called Boobie Bars, how cute is that?! You can order them online here. These also have ingredients that have shown to help with lactation, but they are more "official" because they have research behind them...I ordered some to try, especially for those weeks I'm booked with awesome recipes to create for you all and making cookies just isn't in the cards. Bonus is that they are vegan and they have a gluten free option! Can't wait to get them!
Emily Kemp
I LOVE the sound of these they look so delicious!
lenia
Well, these cookies call my name, dear Sophia! Since I breastfeed my babyboy (what an amazing experience!) they sound ideal! Thank you and your kind hubby for making these!
Filakia polla to you and your wonderful kids!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Lenia!! I hope things are going well for you!
chrysta@noshed
Im really intrigued by these. I dont have any kiddos yet but they they sound really delicious. I love all the healthy wonderful ingredients!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much Chrysta! Yes, they are great for everyone not just mamas...my husband and kids love them too. And they are a great healthy snack that tastes like a cookie!
Nichole
These cookies look fantastic!! I feel like I can only get so creative with my morning bowl of oatmeal. I would much rather have one or two of these! Plus, they are packed with much more nutrients! I can't wait to try these to see if they help my supply. My daughter self-weaned at 6 months, but here I am 4 months later, Still Pumping!! 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Hi Nichole! Thanks so much! I also eat oats for breakfast. If you follow me on Instagram I'm always posting new ideas for them! You'll love these cookies. They are perfect for a snack throughout the day too. Let me know if you try them. I love hearing feedback! And congrats on your little girl! My second self weened at 6 months too. Cold turkey, spit it out like it was poison! Lol. Although I was supplementing anyway because I didn't make much milk so it was a little easier for me.
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker
Wow. Never thought I'd be looking at a recipe for lactation cookies! haha 🙂 You're so creative though -- I think all "medicinal" type food needs to come in cookie form 😉
veggiesdontbite
Lol Audrey!! Thank you! They are definitely good for anyone! My hubby and kids love them. But I agree, all medicine should be in the form of a cookie!!
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen
What an awesome idea for new mommies, Sophia!! Love all the goodness in these ! Need to try these cookies - they sound delish!! Yummmy!!!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Ceara! They are super tasty! My whole family loves them. Let me know if you give them a try!
Mandy
These look delicious, Sophia!!! I, too, tried everything under the sun (all of which you've included in your cookies), but had zero milk come in. I am so happy to hear things are going well for you this time around! Keeping you in my thoughts. I am definitely making these because (1) I'm intrigued by the use of nutritional yeast in a cookie and (2) all of my favorite ingredients are rolled into one yummy cookie! Can't wait to make these!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much Mandy! Yes, I know where you were because I was right there with my other two kiddos. But happy to have something this time! We shall see how long it lasts. But as I've told you it's much worse to stress about it all and be an overstressed mom to your baby. So I'll take each day as it comes and if I need to supplement so be it. But for now I'll just shove these cookies into my mouth and pray for the best
Anna Pry
i never needed lactation help but i would eat these cookies anyway! they look so good
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much Anna! They are definitely not just for breastfeeding mamas! My whole family enjoys them and they are packed full of healthy stuff so awesome for anybody and a perfect healthy snack. I need all the help I can get so I make it a personal goal to eat multiple cookies a day 😉
Nissrine @ Harmony a la Carte
Sophia these looks and sound fantastic.
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit
I never would've imagined that so many of my favorite ingredients would also be good for lactation! I love freezing oatmeal cookies and actually eating them cold straight from the freezer! It makes them kinda brittle but yet still chewy...idk maybe I'm just weird 🙂 lol
veggiesdontbite
Ha Natalie! I love them right out of the freezer too! And these came out so chewy that they are perfect! I think overall when you eat healthy then you find all those whole foods are good for so many reasons. Thanks so much for checking out the recipe!
The Vegan 8
I tried adding nutritional yeast to my oatmeal yesterday and it was horrible!! Lol! I only added 2 tbsp but I had to force myself to eat it to not waste it. I'm sure it's much milder in the cookies with all the other sweetners, lol! They look scrumptious! I love how chunky and chewy they look!
veggiesdontbite
LOL Brandi! Thank you so much! I think that when you combine it with all the other ingredients and bake it, it gives it a milder and different taste. And I only add a tablespoon so not too much. The cookies are definitely nice and chewy!
Jenn
We are soon to be making it official that I will never again have to breastfeed (hubby's taking one for the team this time as I have done enough). I had so much milk after both of my pregnancies I could have fed all three of your children too! LOL! Breastfeeding twins was quite a site...I should have taken a picture....but who would I show it to? Ha! Anyway, even though I didn't need any help in that department, I would have loved some yummy cookies to snack on!! These look delicious! I would have never guessed nooch to be an ingredient...very interesting. Great job, Sophia! And keep up the great work of nursing your little babe!
veggiesdontbite
Ha Jenn! Thanks so much! I would have loved to see that picture! We are also going to make it "official" soon too...just need to find a good doc 😉 These cookies are packed with nutrients so awesome for growing toddlers and adults as well. They serve multiple purposes in our house and the whole family loves them! I saw online that the B vitamins in the nutritional yeast were good for breastfeeding moms, especially those that don't eat meat. I put nutritional yeast in my Pumpkin Caramel Pie and it gave it a nice buttery undertone, which is what it does here too. It pairs really well with the molasses to deepen the flavor of the cookie. If you ever want a healthy and tasty snack you should definitely give theses a try!
Linda @ Veganosity
Well this ship has sailed for me, but the cookies look delicious! 🙂 I hope they help you!
Your husband is awesome, it sounds like you're a great team.
veggiesdontbite
Lol Linda! Thank you!! My whole family loves the cookies so you can definitely still enjoy them! Plus they are super healthy so I figure if my boys are going to get treats, healthy ones are the way to go. My hubby is awesome and I couldn't have survived without him!