Lactation Cookies | A Healthy Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

Don’t let the name fool you…these easy Lactation Cookies, aka Breastfeeding Cookies are an amazing oatmeal cookie, packed with some healthy ingredients that are supposed to help nursing moms increase their milk supply…BUT my whole family enjoys them for their healthy benefits as well as just being a delicious cookie recipe!

If name of these cookies scares you a little you should try my Classic Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies instead!

Lactation Cookies stacked with chocolate chips

Lactation Cookies Are Delicious Oatmeal Cookies With Added Health Benefits!

Like I said above, don’t let the name of these cookies scare you! You won’t spontaneously start lactating if you have one (eww). I am not nursing nor pregnant and I make these all the time.

I did start making these cookies years back when I WAS nursing, but have never thought to share the recipe. But since I do get frequent requests for a Lactation Cookie recipe from you guys whether it be via email or Instagram DM, and figured why not?

PLUS, they’re just a good cookie all around. And if you’re looking to pack a little bit of nutrition into a cookie, this is a fantastic recipe…just call them Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and your husband won’t know the difference ?

Why Are They Called Lactation Cookies?

I first heard of Lactation or Breastfeeding Cookies a long time ago, and I am assuming they’ve been around longer than that. But when I was nursing, the thought of these sparked my interest, because any reason to eat a cookie and I am IN!

I’m No Scientist

Let me start my saying I am not a nutritionist, nor do I have any background in the science, but in my research I found that paired with a well rounded, nutritious diet, and plenty of hydration these cookies are full of producing ingredients like:

Oats: Contain saponins (an immune-stimulating compound that may help increase levels of prolactin) which is a key hormone for milk production, along with fiber and antioxidants.
Flax Seed Meal: Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are essential for developing a baby’s immune system and also known to prevent allergies.
Brewer’s Yeast: This is the ingredient I don’t know much about, but it’s in every Breastfeeding Cookie recipe I came across. It does, however, have tons of B vitamins, which are good for everyone!

AND I added some extra nutrition-boosting ingredients to mine:

Walnuts: Contain antioxidants and Omega-3s
Raisins: Contains iron, fiber, and antioxidants
Coconut: High in copper and iron, manganese, and antioxidant

These Cookies Are Actually For Everyone!

I will tell you from personal experience that if you do make these for your family, just call them Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies…because that is essentially what they are. The SECOND you try and give your husband a “Lactation Cookie” he will turn and walk away. Trust me, it’s happened in my house.

But since these cookies are loaded with healthy bits, I make them for my kids a lot and they never know the difference. They are truly soft, flavor packed cookies that you will get a little boost knowing they have some more added nutrition than a regular cookie.

Here Are Some More Oatmeal Cookies You Will Enjoy:

Description:

These cookies are filled with all sorts of goodness! They’re called “Lactation” Cookies because they help boost your milk supply, but we make them a lot as a snack for the whole family!

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons flax seed meal
1/3 cup water
1 cup butter, room temperature (or coconut oil in it’s solid state)
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup Brewer’s Yeast or Nutritional Yeast
2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups Old Fashioned Oats
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
3/4 cup raisins

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Mix flax seed meal with water in a small bowl and let stand for 5 minutes. Mixture will get thick and gelatinous.
In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment mix the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 2 minutes on medium speed. Add in the flax mixture, egg yolks, vanilla, baking soda, salt, and yeast. Mix until combined and smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Turn the mixer to low and add in the flour, mixing until just incorporated. With mixer still on low add in the oats until just combined.
Stir in the chocolate chips, walnuts, coconut, and raisins until evenly distributed.
Using a medium (2- tablespoon) sized cookie scoop, portion the dough out and place on prepared cookie sheet 2- inches apart.
Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.