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Lactation Cookies

4.86 from 7 votes
These lactation cookies use wholesome ingredients that are recommended to help women boost milk supply; like oats, flaxseeds and brewer's yeast. They're chewy, healthy and vegan!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
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Sep 11, 2021 (Last updated Jan 7, 2025) by Hannah Sunderani

Lactation Cookies

Hiya friends! Today I am sharing my Lactation Cookies recipe, to help us mommas boost our milk supply. Yep, you can actually increase your milk production with chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! Who would have thought?!

These lactation cookies are healthy, vegan and SO tasty!! They use wholesome ingredients that are recommended to help women boost milk supply; like oats, flaxseeds and brewer’s yeast. It’s an easy recipe to bake and batch-freeze so that you have them on hand whenever you need.

Both these cookies and my lactation brownies have been a perfect postpartum snack. These cookies also make for a great breakfast-to-go, and I love snacking on them during those night feeds.

lactation cookies recipe

It took me a few rounds to perfect this lactation cookies recipe, and I can confidently say they are absolutely delicious! Even my husband and dad love them! I had to start swatting their hands away because, well – these cookies are for the bubba!

Our bubba, Oliver is 2 weeks old (HOW!?) and I can confidently say that my milk is coming in strong!! Of course there are many factors that contribute to improving milk supply, but I truly believe these cookies and a healthy plant-based diet have contributed to my milk production.

So, let me tell you exactly how to make these lactation cookies, so. you can enjoy them and all the benefits of increased milk supply!

lactation cookies recipe

Lactation Cookies Recipe (to boost milk supply!)

This lactation cookies recipe is:

  • vegan
  • healthy
  • made with ingredients that boost milk supply
  • easy to make
  • perfect for batch-baking
  • freezer-friendly
  • SO tasty!

I know you’re going to love these lactation cookies as much as I do, and I’m sure you’ll reap all the benefits too.

Watch the how to video:

What are lactation cookies?

So, what are lactation cookies and how do they differ from regular chewy chocolate chip cookies? Lactation cookies aim to boost milk supply and nourish the postpartum body with specific ingredients known to do so – baked into a delicious cookie!

Typically, lactation cookies recipes, and those on the market, are high in whole grain carbohydrates (according to Parents.com, this can make you feel relaxed and help with let-down), they are naturally sweetened, and contain healthy fats.

Lactation cookies contain ingredients that are known to increase breast milk production – such as oats, flaxseeds, and brewer’s yeast. But the thing is, purchasing lactation cookies can be costly! So why not make them at home? It’s easy!

lactation cookies recipe

Do lactation cookies work?

There are many things that can contribute to improving milk supply. According to The Bump, the best way to increase milk supply is to relax, eat healthy food, and nurse baby often.

So, let’s talk about the nutritious ingredients in this cookie recipe that helps with milk production:

the ingredients

Foods that help increase milk supply

Oats

Oats are probably the most popular breast milk makers. According to Today’s Parent: oats have a higher concentration of dietary beta-glucan than any other food. Beta-glucan  is a type of fiber that’s said to raise the levels of the breastfeeding hormone prolactin, and higher prolactin levels can have a positive effect on breast milk production. See this article about oats from Very Well Family for more about the nutritional benefits of oats and breastfeeding.

In addition to this recipe, I’ve got lots of tasty oatmeal recipes on the blog for you to nosh on, including this really tasty, easy, and popular Chocolate Oatmeal Recipe. My Chocolate Chip Banana Baked Oatmeal has been another godsend, and hubby really enjoys this recipe too!

Flaxseeds

According to The Bump, flaxseeds are among the best ways to increase milk supply thanks to their healthy fats content. I’ve used ground flaxseeds in this recipe, which is really beneficial because flaxseeds can be hard to process in whole form. Ground flaxseeds also make for a great “vegan egg” substitute, which binds the lactation cookies together. It’s a win-win!

Brewer’s Yeast

Of the ingredients in this cookie recipe, this is likely the most unfamiliar. Brewer’s yeast is typically sold in powdered form (or as a supplement), and its most often used to make beer and wine. I bought mine on Amazon (affiliate link).

Brewer’s Yeast is said to be effective at increasing milk supply, and is often a main ingredient promoted in store-bought lactation cookies. This is because it’s packed with iron, protein and B vitamins, which increase milk production.

As I mentioned, I couldn’t find brewers yeast at my local grocery store, and so I ordered it on Amazon (affiliate link). It tends to have a bitter flavour, so I ordered the “reduced bitterness”version. It worked really well in this cookie recipe – they don’t taste bitter at all!

How to make lactation cookies

It’s really simple to make these lactation cookies, and anyone can do it! (Husbands, are you listening?)

Essentially we will start by combining all the dry ingredients into a small bowl. Cream together the vegan butter and sugar in a separate bowl with a hand mixer, and add the maple syrup and vanilla. Then, add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir everything to combine.

how to make

Finish by adding the vegan chocolate chips and coconut flakes.

how to make

Roll the dough into balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven at 350F/180C for 12 minutes, and you have yourself some lactation cookies that are deliciously chewy, sweet, and chocolatey!

how to make lactation cookies

Can you freeze lactation cookies?

Absolutely! You can freeze this recipe for up to 6 months. Store in an air-tight container.

Other recipes you might like:

If you’re digging this recipe, you might also like these quick, simple, and healthy snacks:

lactation cookies

So, there we have it, a delicious lactation cookies recipe to help you with let down and boost milk supply! These cookies are easy to make, vegan, healthy and delicious! I know you’re going to love snacking on these, and I hope they work as well for you as they have for me.

If you do make this recipe please let me know in the comments below what you think! I truly love hearing from you, and I’m always here to answer any questions you might have. And, let me know if you’d like me to share other tips I’ve used for helping with milk production! I’d love to share if it’s helpful!

And of course, if you make this recipe, tag me on Instagram with your pictures using the hashtag #twospoons. Nothing makes me happier than to see your recreations.

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SF

Lactation Cookies

4.86 from 7 votes
These lactation cookies use wholesome ingredients that are recommended to help women boost milk supply; like oats, flaxseeds and brewer's yeast. They're chewy, healthy and vegan!
lactation cookies
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Serves 16 cookies

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small mixing bowl, combing the oats, flour, brewers yeast, ground flaxseeds, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt. Mix to combine.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the vegan butter and coconut sugar with a hand mixer on medium speed, approx. 1 minute. Pour in the maple syrup and vanilla and mix again on medium speed to combine.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the mixture, bit-by-bit, then mix to combine with a spatula. Add the chocolate chips and shredded coconut. Mix again.
  • Roll the cookies into balls, about the size of a golf ball, and place on baking sheets. Press down with your fingers to slightly flatten. (If the dough is too sticky for rolling, pop in the fridge to chill-out for 10 to 20 minutes). Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until golden on the bottom and lightly golden on top. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

Watch The Video

Notes

These lactation cookies can be frozen for up to 6 months. Store in an air-tight container. 
I bought my brewer’s yeast on Amazon (affiliate link).

Approvals

Nutrition

Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 122mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 273IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
DID YOU

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  1. Amazing cookies
    Do they have to be refrigerated or can they be left in countertop in a container ?

  2. The best oatmeal cookie recipe! I’ve made them twice in a last 2 weeks! I’ve been working hard on my milk supply so these cookies definitely help! Making another batch tomorrow! I’ve been making them with dried cranberries instead of chocolate( just because I’m eating too many sweets already….guilty lol) and they taste just like the ones from my childhood!

  3. They are quite bitter I think from the brewers yeast? I bought debittered brewers yeast, they taste good but the bitter flavour definitely still comes through quite a bit. Maybe it’s the specific brand of brewers yeast but I was definitely not expecting them to be as bitter as they are. Might use less next time, the cookie itself has good texture and flavour.

  4. If I only have regular iodized table salt, how much would I add? Came out a little salty the first time I made them but were still delicious.

    • Hi Laura! I typically use sea salt in my recipes, so perhaps this is why it came out a little more salty for you. My recommendation would be to half the salt with the brand of slat that you’re using and then taste the batter. You can always sprinkle in more to taste. (Good news is that since the recipe is vegan there’s no harm in tasting the raw batter!) Hope you make this recipe again and thanks for your question!

  5. Hi, what kind of maple syrup did you use? Will it have good flavor with normal table maple syrup like aunt jemima maple syrup, the real maple syrup is really expensive. And can I make this non vegan and use normal butter?

  6. Hello! The cookies are really yummy. Just a question regarding the shelf life for these cookies….. hoe long can they be stored for without freezing?

  7. Hello! I have a question regarding the storing. You mean the batter can be frozen up to 6 months or the cooked cookies themselves?

    • Hi Chhavyda! I mean the cooked cookies can be stored frozen for up to 6 months. 🙂 I have not tried freezing the raw batter so can’t say how it will bake, but I do know the (cooked) cookies freeze well. 🙂

  8. Can you make the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it prior to baking them? I assume yes but would like your advice!

    • Hi Nyla! Although I haven’t tried it you could substitute the all purpose flour with 1:1 gluten-free flour. (Bob’s Red Mill is a great brand!). If you do try let me know how it goes!! 🙂

  9. I can’t see the brewers yeast that you bought from Amazon. Would you please send a picture of it?

    • Hi Dimple! The brewers yeast that I used was from a brand called Everland. I’d recommend that you buy one that’s “debittered.” Following that recommendation, I don’t think the brand you choose will matter! 🙂

  10. For the nutrition information – how many cookies per serving? I see there are 16 cookies in a batch, but how many cookies = the 184 cal, carbs, etc?

  11. Is the coconut sugar interchangeable with normal sugar? And I can leave the coconut flakes out? Allergic to coconut

  12. How many can I have in one sitting? I see it makes 16. I made it this evening and I already at 1.5 cookies haha, and want more!!

  13. If I’m making these just because they look yummy (not for lactation), can I leave out the Brewer’s yeast?

  14. Delicious! Cookies!
    I didn’t have all the ingredients at home so I had to use regular butter, the cookies looked perfect and tasted delicious. Husband approved hehe. I will be making them again this weekend with the original all vegan ingredients, I’ll make sure to update comment.
    Thank you for sharing this recipe, I have a lot of friends that are first time mamas and I’m already loving making these cookies for them

  15. Haven’t tasted the cookies yet but the dough is super crumbly. The only thing I did different was use real butter instead of vegan butter so that shouldn’t be the issue.