Need a boost of energy? These no-bake lactation bites are what you need!
Hey friend! I’m here today to tell you how these lactation bites saved my life. And yes, I am being dramatic but for good reason. (Not really. I’m just normally dramatic.) While we were waiting for Ryder to make his appearance I started doing some research on lactation cookies. With my two older kiddos I wasn’t able to breastfeed very long. Maybe a month or so with each of them. Looking back it was lack of education on my part. But I wanted to be prepared for the new baby so I looked into lactation cookies to help with milk supply.
While looking through the recipes I saw a few common ingredients – brewers yeast, rolled oats and flaxseed. (These are affiliate links to the products I used.) I grabbed the rolled oats and flaxseed from my local grocery store but had to buy the brewers yeast on Amazon.
While I was making a double batch of How Sweet Eats lactation cookies, I started thinking about post-delivery hunger. I knew the hospital wasn’t going to let me eat anything so I wanted to pack some snacks for after the baby was born. I had made energy bites before so I decided to toss in the milk making ingredients found in all the lactation cookies. I made a double batch of the energy bites and left them in the fridge for snacking.
When we were heading to the hospital I grabbed a bag of the bites and tossed them in my bag.
Best.. idea.. ever! After Ryder was born I was SO HUNGRY. I knew I couldn’t order food til I was moved to postpartum so I snacked on my bites. They were such a life saver to have. I recommend every new mom pack snacks in there hospital bag and these no-bake lactation energy bites were perfect.
Also, if you are worried about the ingredients that make these bites “milky”, feel free to omit them. They are a great snack for everyone. And yes, they really do help with milk supply! I eat 2 bites a day and can tell a difference when I haven’t had one.
If you are interested, I created a nursing log printable to go along with these lactation bites. I used one for all three kiddos and it helped me see how long they nursed each day. You can grab it below.
Be sure to check out these easy lactation recipes as well! There are more yummy ways to help naturally increase your milk supply.
No-bake lactation energy bites
A delicious way to increase your milk supply AND energy levels!
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons brewers yeast
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
Notes
Will keep for up to two weeks in a sealed container in the fridge.
Use cooking spray to coat your hands before rolling into balls.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 200Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 65mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 3gSugar: 10gProtein: 5g
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Gabrielle Kiggins says
What exactly are rolled oats? I use quick oatmeal
Kelley says
Hey Gabrielle! Rolled oats are any oats that have been husked. Quick oats will work!
Matheson says
Is it ok to add an extra Tbsp of brewers yeast? Also do you know of flaxseed has the same effect on the milk supply as ground flax? Thank you!
Kelley says
Hey there! Feel free to add extra brewers yeast to the recipe. And I can’t say for sure on the flaxseed vs ground flax. I apologize.
Gabrielle Kiggins says
Hi, I’m wondering the nutrition facts for these? Particularly sugar, carbs, protein, and calories. Thanks
Kelley says
I just updated the recipe. Approximate per bite is – sugar: 7 grams, carbs: 14 grams, protein: 4 grams and calories are 140.
Ali says
Just made these! My son is 10 months and I’m trying to pump more and hoping to up my supply! I got debittered brewers yeast and only tasted peanut butter and chocolate! Yummy 🙂
Kelley says
Good deal Ali! I wish you luck in pumping and hope you see an increase in supply!
Crystal says
I love this recipe! I eat 2-4 bites everyday. I notice a big difference when I don’t. They are so much easier than waiting for cookies to bake and they store well in the fridge and freezer. I like to mix up thr flavor by changing up the “butter” and “chips.” I have made them with nutella, hazelnut spread, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, peanut butter, & cashew. I have also substituted canola oil and olive oil when i was out of coconut oil. They are quick and easy to make and have quickly become a must have for me.
Kelley says
That’s awesome Crystal! I love all the different varieties you’ve made! I think I need to try the almond butter version. Mmmm! Thanks for sharing!
Amanda says
Are you supposed to cook the oats first?
Kelley says
No. They go in uncooked.
Crystal says
I was so impressed by this recipe. I made some changes to it to make it easier for me. I left out the coconut oil. Added all the ingredients into a blender with a little bit of milk. I blended it to a thick, but smooth consistency. I put some of it i a bowl and microwaved it to warm it up. Then used it as a spread on crackers, toast, and biscuits to change it up. It was delicious! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Kelley says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Crystal! What a great way to use the recipe – I love it!
Alisabeth says
I love this recipe! I’m always super hungry during my early morning pumping sessions and these are handy to have made in advance. I added some chia seeds that I had on hand. I ran out and didn’t have any for two days. I definitely noticed a difference in supply.
Kelley says
Thanks Alisabeth! SO glad you enjoy the bites! They are super handy for sure! The chia seeds is a good idea!
Luie jaworskk says
How much chia seeds did you add?
Kelley says
I don’t recall but I would start with a teaspoon or two and add more as needed. I hope that helps!
Rachel Lazzari says
These are so delicious! I’ve even served them as a snack when non-nursing friends come over and they love them. All the ingredients are so healthy and it still satisfies this nursing mama’s sweet tooth 🙂 the ingredients have become must-haves…and when I’m running low I go ahead and make another batch (or a double). Hehe. Thanks so much for sharing!
Kelley says
Yes! Everything is so good for you in them! I am so happy that you like them. And they really are great for non-nursing friends as well. I pack them in the kids lunches too.
Danyale Martin says
Great recipe, thanks for sharing!
Kelley says
So glad you enjoyed them!
Sally says
I have everything but flax seeds. Can I substitute something else?
Kelley says
The flax seed acts as binder so maybe a little more oats or a touch of flour will help. I wouldn’t add the whole 1/2 cup of flour but a little at a time until it binds together. I hope that helps! Let me know how they turn out!
Alexis says
Will freezing these decrease the nutritional value?
Kelley says
Not that I’m aware of. I froze mine, thawed them and keep them in the fridge and they seemed to work just fine.
Lauren says
I was at the grocery store in a snow storm so I couldn’t be running all over town especially with my LO with me.. they didn’t have Brewers yeast so I hot nutritional yeast flakes or something.. it’s active dry yeast (same strain as Brewers) with added niacin and B12! O read that’s the reason Brewers yeast is beneficial for lactation, bc of the b vitamins! So we shall see! Also, you will need to cut back on the yeast if you’re not using actual brewers
Kelley says
Interesting. Let me know how they turn out!
Olga says
Kelley, thank you very much! I like this bread! Wonderful combination of ingredients. It look so yummy!
Cristy says
Kelley, do you consider these pretty healthy? Do you happen to know how many calories are in a bite?
Kelley says
Yup! They are a healthy snack for sure! They come out to about 150 calories per bite and are packed with good for you ingredients!
Jessica says
What’s the nutritional values in these?
Kelley says
I just updated it to include the nutritional info! Here is the breakdown – Calories: 200 Total Fat: 12g Saturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 7g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 65mg Carbohydrates: 20g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 10g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 5g
Elizabeth says
This recipe is filed under “gluten free” however brewers yeast is not gluten free.
Brittanie says
What would you reccomend in place of the brewers yeast? I dont have any and cant order some for a bit ? (were poor ??)
Kelley says
You can add more flax seed, chia seed, or even coconut.
Morgan says
I also added: 2 TBSP Moringa Leaf Powder, 1/4 C Chia Seeds, 1/2 C Fenugreek Seeds, 1 C dates (chopped in a food processor), 1/4 C unsweetened coconut flakes and 5oz reduced sugar dried cranberries. They are so good! I was worried I was ruining the recipe but the maple syrup taste of the fenugreek and sweetness of the dates and cranberries counter balances the taste of brewers yeast and moringa leaf powder.
Reasons for additions is according to my independent research each of these additional ingredients is also said to increase milk supply.
Kelley says
That sounds yummy! And I’ve read that those ingredients help supply as well! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Andrea says
I’ve never cooked with coconut oil. I’m at the grocery store and see some that is solid and some that is liquid. What kind should I be using?
Kelley says
Either works. You melt it before you add it in, so solid or liquid will work.
Lisa says
Thanks for the recipe Kelly! Tastes great, just put them in the fridge so bet will be even better tomorrow. Wondering if the calorie count is 140 or 200, was listed differently in the comments on separate occasions.
Trish says
I’m allergic to coconut, so I can’t use coconut oil. What can I use as an alternative? Would it be the same amount?
Kelley says
You can try butter in place of coconut oil. I haven’t tried so I’m not sure how it will turn out. I would use the same amount. Let me know how it goes!
Trish says
I will! I’m going to try to make them today or tomorrow. I’m guessing I’ll need to melt the butter.Gas
Kelley says
Yup – you’ll have to melt the butter. Excited to see how they turn out!
Trish says
Made these today in the 30 minutes my son let me not hold him. Butter worked just fine as a substitute to coconut oil. Just had one after refrigerating for a few hours, very good. Next time I’m going to make the balls smaller and use mini chips. I really like this recipe as you don’t taste (or at least I couldn’t) the Brewers yeast like other recipes.
Kelley says
Yay! I’m so glad they turned out Trish! Thank you for sharing!!
Annebakerim says
The first feeling is freshness, sweetness. I will definitely put it on my culinary list. Thank you for sharing!!