5 Delicious Lactation Cookies Recipe For Beginners!

Are you looking for healthy varieties of lactation cookies recipe? No worries, we have got the best ones picked out in this article, with reviews from moms all over the world.

What are Lactation Cookies?

Lactation cookies are a healthy and nutritious snack made of galactagogues or food items that increase breast milk production in mothers.

The week leading up to the baby’s birth is filled, with a lot of excitement and anxiety, from making sure everything is ready for the birth to its aftermath. 

This includes the food intake, where lactation cookies are a great help – not only with the constant feeding but in ensuring a healthy supply when it comes to the skin-to-skin contact of the mom and the baby. 

Despite the lack of scientific evidence on whether lactation cookies improve breast milk supply due to nourishing and wholesome ingredients, moms try out these with personal experience. 

Here are the main ingredients of the lactation cookies recipe and their benefits:

1. Oats 

Filled with healthy carbs, fiber, proteins, and vitamins – Oats contain Saponins, which are compounds that energize the immune system and boost the milk supply by raising prolactin levels.

These qualities make it a good ingredient for milk production.

2. Fenugreek 

Fenugreek seeds are filled with Phytoestrogen,¹ which helps balance the estrogen levels in the body, further regulating prolactin levels for lactation (milk supply).

It also improves perspiration, activating one’s letdown reflex for milk production. They are primarily available in capsule form and breastfeeding tea.

However, mothers having Hypo Thyroid, PCOD/PCOS are to avoid this ingredient in their lactation cookies recipe.

3. Flaxseed 

Rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, flaxseed is a healthy ingredient for cardiovascular well-being and the immune system in general. Also helpful in preventing allergies.

It increases milk supply levels with nutrients like vitamin B, Vitamin E, fiber, calcium, and potassium, balancing the lactation cookies recipe.

4. Brewer’s Yeast 

Helpful for nursing mothers, brewer’s yeast is filled with Vitamin B complex important for cellular metabolism. This ingredient is also packed with chromium and selenium, healthy micronutrients, and proteins.

However, make sure the baby or mother is not allergic to this yeast as it can cause digestion problems.

Lactation cookies recipes

To make these lactation cookies packed with the above-mentioned healthy ingredients, look at the recipes below and choose one of your liking.

1. Lactation Cookies Recipe (thick and crunchy)

Looking for a lactation cookies recipe that is crunchy on the inside and thickly filled with deliciousness – This is the best pick for you.

Ingredients

1) Old fashioned Rolled oats (3 cups)

2) Unbleached organic all-purpose flour (1 and a 1/2 cup)

3) Brewer’s yeast (5 tbsp)

4) Ground flax seed (3 tbsp)

5) Baking powder (1/2 tsp)

6) Baking soda (1/2 tsp)

7) Ground cinnamon (1/2 tsp)

8) Salt (1/4 tsp)

9) Organic unsalted butter (12 tbsp)

10) Unrefined organic virgin coconut oil (4 tbsp)

11) Organic cane sugar (1 and a 1/2 cup)\

12) Egg and Egg yolk (1 each)

13) Vanilla extract (2 tsp)

14) Dark chocolate chips or chunks (1 and a half cups) – Ghirardelli is a good brand

Instructions 

1) Preheat oven to 350° F. Take a large bowl – whisk the oats, yeast, flour, baking powder, flaxseed, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

2) In the electric mixer bowl, beat the coconut oil and butter until creamy (on medium speed).

3) Add the sugar to fluffy (around four to five minutes on medium or high speed).

4) Add the egg and egg yolk, and beat till it’s mixed (about 2 to 3 minutes). Put in the vanilla extract as well.

5) Slowly add the dry ingredients until combined (on low speed). Finally, use a spatula to stir the chocolate chips till they spread evenly.

6) Scoop dough into 1-inch rounds and keep them on a baking sheet (2 inches apart).

7) Bake the lactation cookie dough for about 10 to 14 minutes or until the golden bottoms. Let them cool down.

The lactation cookies are ready to eat! You can store them in a sealed container.

Note: If there is remaining dough, it can be frozen; place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for almost 2 hours, then in a Ziplock bag, and store again in the freezer. When ready to bake, keep it for extra two minutes if needed.

2. Lactation cookies (moist ones boosting milk supply)

With all of the healthy ingredients in the lactation cookie recipe, this one serves moist cookies that are just the perfect amount of gooey that touches the taste buds.

Ingredients 

1) Flaxseed meal (2 tbsp)

2) Water (1/4 cup)

3) Softened butter (1 cup)

4) Brown sugar (1 and a half cups)

5) Egg yolks (3)

6) Pure vanilla extract (1 and a half tsp)

7) All-purpose flour (2 cups)

8) Brewers’ Yeast (1/4 cup)

9) Wheat germ (1 tbsp)

10) Baking soda (1 tsp)

11) Salt (1/2 tsp)

12) Cream of tartar (1/2 tsp)

13) Old-fashioned oats (2 and a half cups)

14) Chocolate chips (1 cup)

Instructions 

The preparation and cooking time for this lactation cookie recipe is 25 minutes, and the servings would be a total of 36 cookies.

1) Preheat the oven to 350° F or 175° C. In a small bowl, mix the flax seeds with water, and let them soak (around 5 minutes).

2) Meanwhile, take a large mixing bowl – beat the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar till they are creamy. Incorporate the egg yolks and vanilla.

3) Once done, stir the flaxseed mixture within the butter mixture.

4) Take a separate bowl – Mix the brewer’s yeast, baking soda, wheat germ, tartar cream, and salt. Add this to the butter mixture and stir till it’s properly combined.

5) Now, fold the oats and chocolate chips into the dough

6) Roll the cookie dough into walnut-sized balls, and then place them on a baking tray (each 2 inches apart)

7) Bake cookies in the oven till the edges are golden (around 10 to 12 mins). The baked cookies can cool for a minute on the sheet.

Take it out and let it cool down wholly.

Your delicious lactation cookies are ready to eat.

3. Lactation Cookies recipe (vegan and gluten-free)

Lactation cookies that are vegan and gluten-free, matching in taste to the oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, customized to taste delicious, are worth trying.

Ingredients 

1) Flaxseed meal (1/4 cup)

2) Water (1/2 cup)

3) Coconut sugar (1 cup)

4) coconut oil (1/3 cup – melted and cooled)

5) Vanilla flavoring (1 tsp)

6) Oat flour (1 2/3 cups, gluten-free if needed)

7) Old-fashioned rolled oats (3/4 cup – gluten-free if needed)

8) Brewer’s yeast (1/4 cup)

9) Baking soda (1/2 tsp)

10) Salt (1/4 tsp)

11) Dark chocolate chips (2/3 cup – dairy-free if needed)

Optional: Maldon sea salt (to sprinkle on top)

Instructions 

The preparation and cooking time for these lactation cookies is 25 minutes, with 20 servings in total.

1. Preheat oven at 350° F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and line it.

2) Take a medium bowl – mix the flaxseed meal and water in it. Allow sitting for 5 minutes.

3) Once the flax eggs are ready, mix coconut sugar, coconut oil, and vanilla in the bowl. Whisk till smooth.

4) Then, add the oat flour, rolled oats, bicarbonate of soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix till it’s combined and fold in with chocolate chips.

5) With a medium cookie scoop, place the dough on a baking tray (2 inches apart). This should yield 20 cookies.

For thick cookies: leave them just like that.

For thin cookies: push the cookie top a little bit down (make sure not to flatten it more).

6) Bake the lactation cookies until the edges are golden brown (approximately 10 – 13 minutes).

7) Take them out and sprinkle them with sea salt (optional)

Let them cool down on the baking tray for 10 to 15 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

The best lactation cookies are ready for tasting. Try out this fantastic recipe.

Notes for recipe variations:

1) These cookies can also be made with almond flour with these simple ingredients:

• Blanched almond flour (1 2/3 cup) – to replace oat flour
• Oats (1 instead of 3/4 cups)

Bake them a little more to get softer lactation cookies.

2) In case someone is allergic to brewer’s yeast, unsweetened shredded coconut (1/2 cup) can also be used.

4. Best Lactation Cookies Recipe (a traditional take)

If someone needs lactation cookies that taste like the traditional oatmeal chocolate chip cookie – this one is the right pick to try out. 

Ingredients

1) Softened butter (125 gm)

2) Brown sugar (150 gm)

3) Egg (1)

4) Vanilla paste (1 tsp)

5) Oats (110 gm)

6) Flour (100 gm)

7) Baking powder (1 tsp)

8) LSA – Linseed, Almonds and Sunflower seeds (mostly available in New Zealand and Australia) – 30 gm

9) Brewer’s yeast (1-2 tbsp)

10) Chocolate chips (150 gm)

Instructions 

1) Preheat oven to 180° C

2) Beat the softened butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and egg in a bowl

3) Add the dry ingredients and mix well.

4) Stir the chocolate chips in the mixture (it might be slightly sticky)

5) Place the rolled cookie balls in a lined tray. Use a fork to flatten the balls a little bit.

6) Bake the lactation cookies:

10 minutes will lead to a soft and chewy texture

15 minutes – crunchy texture

7) Let it cool down on the baking tray, then transfer it to the cooling rack.

One of the best lactation cookies is ready to serve and eat warm. These lactation cookies can be stored in an airtight container.

Variations in ingredients

1) Gluten-free flour like almond flour can be used instead of wheat flour.

2) Granulated coconut sugar can also be used in place of brown sugar.

3) Coconut oil can be used instead of butter for a dairy-free recipe.

5. Oatmeal Lactation Cookies Recipe

Lactation cookies, an American dessert filled with healthy ingredients, are the options one is looking for, especially if fans of oatmeal cookies.

Ingredients

1) Coconut oil (1/2 cup)

2) Brown sugar (3/4 cup)

3) Egg (1)

4) Vanilla (1 tsp)

5) Milled flaxseed (2 tbsp)

6) Water (3 tbsp)

7) Whole wheat flour (1 cup)

8) Brewer’s yeast (2 tbsp)

9) Cinnamon (1 tsp)

10) Salt (1/2 tsp)

11) Oats (1 and a 1/2 cup)

12) Raisins (1 and a 1/2 cup)

13) Whole flax seed (2 tbsp – optional)

Instructions 

The preparation and cooking time for these lactation cookies is 32 minutes, serving 12 people.

1) Preheat oven to 350° F. Take a bowl – mix the coconut oil and sugar till it’s soft. Then, add egg and vanilla to the mix.

2) For the flax mixture, Combine the flaxseed and water and add them to the mixing bowl.

3) Add the brewer’s yeast, flour, cinnamon, and salt to the bowl and mix.

4) With your hands – mix the oats, whole flaxseed, and brewer’s yeast.

5) Scoop the batter on a lined baking tray with parchment paper. Flatten it if needed.

6) Bake for almost 12 minutes.

Your healthy oatmeal cookies are ready to serve warm.

Note: More coconut oil can be used instead of butter.

Fun fact: Everyone can consume lactation cookies (not a lot at a time, especially for nursing mothers)

6. Healthy Lactation Cookies Recipe (boosting milk supply)

Along with the usual nutritious elements of the lactation cookies – this one has low – Glycemic coconut sugar, making it extra healthy to consume.

Ingredients 

1) Ground flax seeds (1/4 cup)

2) Water (1/2 cup)

3) Melted coconut oil (6 tbsp)

4) Coconut sugar (1 cup)

5) Debittered brewers yeast (1/4 cup)

6) Vanilla (1 tsp)

7) Cooking soda (1/2 tsp)

8) Sea salt (1/4 tsp)

9) Oat flour (2 cups – gluten-free if required)

10) Old-fashioned oats (1/2 cup)

11) Dark Chocolate (2/3 cup) – optional

Instructions 

1) Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a silicone baking mat.

2) Take a large bowl – combine the flaxseeds with water, stir to mix thoroughly.

3) Add the coconut oil, coconut sugar, Brewer’s yeast, cooking soda, vanilla, and salt – stir to combine.

4) Gradually add in the oat flour till the dough forms – then fold in the dark chocolate chips and oats (1/2 cup).

5) Put the dough scoops on the baking tray. You can flatten the cookies slightly as well.

6) Bake at 350° F (around 10 to 12 minutes or till the cookies are golden around the edges). With a longer baking time, the cookies will turn firm.

Let them cool down, and then transfer them to the wire rack.

Extra chocolate chips can always be added to make these lactation cookies a tad bit delicious.

Note: The lactation cookies will soften if stored at room temperature, so placing them in the fridge is recommended for decent shelf life and good texture.

Benefits of lactation cookies

The milk-boosting factor is accounted for through all these lactation cookie recipes. But, Since they are not proven to benefit mothers directly, here is a list of health factors on why these lactation cookies should be consumed:

• General health improvement 

With all the healthy proteins, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and many other nutrients, lactation cookies help the body function in the metabolic process.

For example, the iron in oats and flaxseed prevents anemia by regulating the blood-producing rates.

• Preventing Constipation 

With oats as an essential ingredient in lactation cookies, a sufficient quantity of dietary fibers eases bowel movements, primarily caused by postpartum difficulty.

Oats are also helpful in losing any pregnancy weight gained.

• Helpful for Postpartum Depression 

Research proves that the combined nutrients of brewer’s yeast and flaxseed combat postpartum depression (also known as baby blues).

Even with less sugar, the recipes are testimonies of deliciousness and health.

• No harm in consumption 

Due to all-natural ingredients and customized flavors per preference, no harm has been found in consuming these healthy snacks.

Of course, necessary alterations to the recipe can be made for someone who has allergies. But, a very meagre amount is used in each lactation cookie, so it doesn’t cause an overall health problem.

• Filled with Nutrition 

Not only are these cookies tasty and healthy to munch on, but they serve as an alternative to cookies made of processed foods.

More Lactation Cookies Recipes

If you couldn’t find your choice of a healthier alternative in the above list, we have got more wonderful recipes to try out:

• Healthy Oatmeal chocolate chips cookie recipe

Lactation cookies made with healthy oatmeal and brewers yeast are a decent choice for nursing mothers looking for a vegan and gluten-free alternative. Click here for the recipe.

• Paleo chocolate chip lactation cookies recipe

Lactation cookies, naturally gluten-free and egg-free, with a crispy and soft texture, are a healthier and tasty choice that everyone needs to try out. Click here to try out these oatmeal cookies.

• Peanut butter Chocolate chip lactation cookies recipe

Lactation cookies that are made of brewers yeast and flax meal, dotting an additional tasty and crunchy ingredient – peanut butter is an amazing choice to try out.

What’s more, in case of a peanut allergy- Sun Butter is a good choice. Click here to get the recipe.

• No-bake lactation cookies recipe

Want an easy recipe that can be whipped up using the same healthy ingredients, with additional honey and dry fruits? These lactation cookies not only taste amazing but can be just frozen instead of baked. Click here to try it out.

• Oat and Raisin Lactation cookies recipe

Lactation cookies that combine whole grain and dried fruits scream as a healthy choice for nursing moms. Click here to check out this recipe. 

• Cinnamon and Date Oatmeal lactation cookies recipe 

With all the nutritious spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this lactation recipe is a must-try for all those who like a spicy and sweet version. Click here for the recipe.

• Chocolate chip and M&M lactation cookies recipe  

For all chocolate lovers, two delicious flavors of chocolate chips and M&M would be the best choice for your lactation cookies. Click here to try out the recipe.

• Flourless Lactation cookies recipe

Make your cookies healthier without flour, just with ingredients like almond butter, coconut sugar, and oatmeal, and the recipe will become more nutritious. Click here to try it out.

• Lactation cookies recipe without brewer’s yeast

For those allergic to brewer’s yeast, this is the perfect choice of cookies containing two of the milk-producing elements Flaxseed and Oats. Click here to check it out.

• Lemon poppyseed Vegan Lactation Cookies Recipe 

Looking for a gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based cookie packed with all the healthy ingredients? This one is a good choice – with a classic muffin flavor, the addition of vitamin-rich lemons will help increase immunity and provide better digestion. Try this recipe out.

Other Homemade Lactation Cookies Recipe

1. Biscuit bites: With only a short cooking time, these lactation cookie bites contain the same ingredients and flavors as the other recipes. If you ever want to whip up something quick, this is the best choice.

2. No Sugar Lactation Cookies recipe: Not a fan of sugar? Use cinnamon and preferred nuts to make lactation cookies equally healthy as the sugared ones.

3. Raisin Berry Lactation Cookies recipe: With this recipe, you get a tropical flavor with an extra number of berries and raising in it. What’s more? They also contain fenugreek powder.

4. Pumpkin lactation cookies recipe: For all the spicy lovers – the pumpkin spice in this lactation cookie recipe will tingle your taste buds. 

Other lactation-boosting choices 

Not a fan of cookies? No worries, we also have alternatives that boost milk supply in other food and drink choices:

• Chocolate peanut butter and Banana (lactation-boosting milkshake) These have two nutritious ingredients: oats and flaxseed. Apart from that, the Banana and peanut butter make it extra healthy and tasty. If you like these ingredients, check this recipe out.
• Green lactation Smoothie: If someone is not a fan of oats but still needs the milk-boosting elements – this shake that contains nutritious fruits and vegetables like spinach and strawberries with healthy almond milk is an excellent choice to try out.
• Breastfeeding Granola Bars These are made with the same milk-boosting ingredients found in the above lactation cookies. Granola bars also spot healthy dry fruits and nuts. You can have these delicious bars in place of the cookies; try them out here.
• Peanut Butter and Apple Pie Lactation Smoothie: Yes, you read that right. Apple pie can be made into a delicious lactation ingredient as the hero fruit – apples help in general well-being from controlling one’s blood sugar to reducing cholesterol. The added peanut butter just makes it more delicious; check it out.
• Banana Bread: Despite being made with all the baking ingredients, this bread made of ripe bananas is a healthy choice for mothers because of the milk-producing elements like flaxseed, brewer’s yeast, and fenugreek. Although banana bread isn’t the healthiest choice, this recipe might make the cut easy.
• Pumpkin Spice Lactation Smoothie: For all the fans of a pumpkin spice latte – a better choice would be this pumpkin smoothie, which tastes just the same, packed with healthy ingredients like coconut milk, cinnamon, and carrot, which makes it nutritious with the added spice of the pumpkins.
• Salmon Salad with Lactation Boosting dressing: This nutritious salad will not only give one the necessary vitamins for producing milk but is also filled with plenty of proteins from ingredients like roasted salmon to avocados. It is a must-try for all non-vegetarians, click here for more information.

To try out any of these cookie recipes, click here. 

If you liked this article, Click here to check out other healthy cookie recipes. 

Also read: Spinach Smoothie Benefits

1. Reinli, Kathrin, and Gladys Block. “Phytoestrogen content of foods—a compendium of literature values.” Nutrition and cancer 26.2 (1996): 123-148. ↩︎

Last Updated on March 26, 2024 by ayeshayusuf