Dairy free lactation cookies, made with coconut oil. Packed with oats, brewers yeast, flax seed and hemp seed that will increase your milk supply while breastfeeding. Or, just a delicious and healthy chocolate chip oatmeal cookie if you’re not nursing!
Ok nursing mamas, these lactation cookies are for you.
After my 6 week postpartum check up, my doctor cleared me for exercise. After all that time I spent on hospital bedrest, and then having extremely limited mobility while recovering from my c section (ouch!), I was excited to be able to go outside with Josh strapped to my chest for long walks in the sunshine.
We go for an hour walk every day around the neighborhood. I do 3 laps up what I lovingly refer to as “hell hill” – a very steep and long street that leaves me breathless and sweating, even in the middle of January. The walking has been so therapeutic for me. I love getting out of the house, getting my heart rate going, and seeing all the people stop and smile as they sneak a peak at little Josh. He is just so dang cute!
A few days after I started exercising, I noticed a decrease in my milk supply. Eeek! I didn’t want to give up my walks, so I started researching ways to boost it naturally. Mother’s Milk Tea and lactation cookies were the biggest recommendations.
I was skeptical about whether or not lactation cookies would really work. If anything, I thought it was just a great excuse to eat more cookies. And with all the extra calories my body is burning while breastfeeding, I’ll take all the cookies I can get. I am craving sweets, and feel way more hungry than I ever did pregnant.
I needed a dairy free lactation cookie, since Josh has acid reflux and eating dairy provokes it. I tried a few different versions. Some that used shortening (ick), some that used Earth Balance vegan “butter”. As much as I love Earth Balance on toast or when scrambling eggs, I don’t like the taste it gives to baked goods.
I experimented with my own version, and wanted to try one that used all coconut oil since I love the subtle flavor and sweetness of coconut oil. Plus, coconut oil has great health benefits. After a few tries, I finally perfected the BEST dairy free lactation cookies made with coconut oil. They are also packed with oats, brewers yeast, flax seed, and hemp seed, which are all nutrient dense and will naturally boost your milk production.
These dairy free lactation cookies are delicious! Shawn is obsessed with him. When he saw them on the counter and ate one, he proclaimed them the best chocolate chip cookies he’s ever had. I told him they are actually lactation cookies, and he stopped mid-chew.
“Are these going to make me lactate Nat?”
I wanted to trick him and tell him yes. Ha! But no, they’re just nutrient dense and can be enjoyed by all.
These cookies have crispy edges, and have a semi soft interior. They’re not dense hockey pucks like other lactation cookie recipes I tried. The oats give them a delicious chew, and the coconut oil gives it a light and pillowy texture, along with giving them a subtle sweet coconut flavor. You do not taste the brewers yeast, flax seeds or hemp seeds at all. And of course the chocolate chips are delicious. I use Trader Joe’s or Kirkland semi-sweet chocolate chips, which are naturally dairy free.
But even better than tasting great? They really do work! I noticed within a few hours that my milk production was back up to what it was before exercising. Josh was back to being a full and happy baby.
And all thanks to eating cookies! I also started eating oatmeal every morning for breakfast and adding a tablespoon of flax seed and hemp seed to it after I heat it up which I think also helps.
Glad to have a happily fed baby once again!
And if you don’t have time to make your own, or want even more lactation boosting snacks, check out these dairy free lactation granola bars from Oat Mama!
Print
Dairy Free Lactation Cookies
Prep Time: 15 mins- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 27 mins
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1–1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (NOT quick cooking oats)
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons brewers yeast
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon ground hemp seed
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup virgin coconut oil, room temperature (not melted)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup dairy free semi-sweet chocolate chips (I prefer Trader Joe’s or Kirkland brands, both are dairy free)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees with the oven rack in the upper and lower third. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium size bowl, combine the oats, flour, brewers yeast, flaxseed, hemp seed, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir to combine. Set aside.
- Using your stand mixer (or in a large bowl with a hand mixer) beat the coconut oil, granulated sugar and brown sugar over medium high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Beat another minute until combined. Turn the speed down to low, and slowly add the dry ingredients. Beat until combined. Add the chocolate chips and beat briefly until just combined.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days.
- Using a medium size cookie scoop (1.5 tablespoons), scoop the cookie dough onto the cookie sheets, 12 per sheet. Will make exactly 24 cookies.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the cookies are just starting to turn golden on the edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before eating. Will keep in an airtight container for 1 week.
Notes
Freezer Tip: Scoop all 24 raw cookie dough balls onto 1 parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze on the baking sheet, about 1 hour. Put all the frozen raw dough balls in a freezer safe Ziploc bag. Bake frozen dough balls at 350 degrees for 13 minutes.
This way is great if you only want to bake a few cookies at a time, rather than all 24 at once!
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Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
January 19, 2016 at 5:08 amI’ve never heard of a lactation cookie before! This sounds perfect for all of those nursing moms out there. And for me, this sounds like a delicious cookie!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
January 19, 2016 at 3:02 pmI remember hearing about lactation cookies and wondering what they were…they look pretty delicious if you ask me ;) So glad you are all clear for walks/activity!
Izzy @ She Likes Food says
January 19, 2016 at 7:52 pmWe need more pictures of little Josh!! I’ve never heard of lactation cookies before but I love the idea that cookies can do some good, haha! I don’t think I could stop eating them :)
Kelly says
January 19, 2016 at 10:58 pmYay, so glad you get to go out on your walks again! Getting out for some fresh air sounds perfect and so do these cookies! I lived off steelcut oats (and still do) and it totally helps with milk production! I’m so glad these cookies are helping you too, love all the goodies you added in here!
Layla | GimmeDelicious says
January 20, 2016 at 5:09 amI hope you and your baby are doing well! I never knew there was such a thing as lactation cookies but I wish I’d known when I was breastfeed. I will keep these bookmarked for my next pregnancy <3 Thanks for sharing!
Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen says
January 20, 2016 at 5:28 amThese cookies look AMAZING, Natalie!They look so soft and chewy! You had me laughing with Josh’s reaction when you told him these were lactation cookies!
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
January 20, 2016 at 9:43 amNat, I am glad your doctor cleared you for exercise. I also love walking and this really helps to feel better and energetic. Your little one is so cute. I love seeing his pictures on Instagram.
These cookies looks amazing ;-)
★★★★★
Keri @ Fashionable Foods says
January 20, 2016 at 12:03 pmI literally laughed out loud about Shawn! So glad the lactation cookies worked for you to get your supply back up! If you’re in a pinch and don’t have any cookies on hand, you can try some pure coconut water in a smoothie – it worked so well for my sister when she was nursing. These cookies look SO amazing, and full of yummy stuff! I know a few nursing moms that are also dairy free, so I’ll make sure to share this with them :)
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
January 21, 2016 at 7:44 pmHaha! I’m pretty sure these cookies would have garnered the same reaction here too! But then we would just scarf them down because they look in-cred-ible. So glad to hear you’ve cooked up something that is delicious, that works, and fits in with your little man’s dietary needs. :)
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
January 22, 2016 at 4:20 pmSo! My friend who is a lactation consultant told me that it IS possible for men to lactate. I refused to believe her until I finally Googled it, and, lo and behold… it’s a thing. Apparently. LOL! I think Shawn is safe with the cookies, though. ;) These look super yummy! Will definitely be baking up a few batches in a couple months!
Meg @ With Salt and Wit says
February 21, 2016 at 5:27 pmNatalie, how did you know I have been craving cookies?! I am whipping these up to help with my supply too!
Natalie says
February 24, 2016 at 8:47 pmJust made another batch last night! Can’t get enough of these. And best excuse to eat cookies, right? *wink*
Laura says
March 29, 2016 at 7:17 pmHow many cookies do you recommend in a day? I just made these and they are AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS. I just had 2, but could easily eat a bunch in a day :)
Natalie says
March 30, 2016 at 8:22 amAren’t they so good?! Best excuse to eat cookies, right? So when I was really trying to boost my milk supply, I would have 1 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon, and 2 at night. Just to give my body tons of good nutrients and calories to boost milk supply. And I was also drinking a TON of water. I was trying to have 8 ounces every hour. Within a week, my milk was back, and then it was REALLY back, and I had to cut back on the cookies. Hope they help you out momma! Biggest hugs to you.
Trish says
December 4, 2016 at 10:12 pmHi.. I was just wondering if making 6-8oz an hour with these cookies will cause less hindmilk and hence less weight gain for the little one? Was your little one gaining weight fine? As much as I want to have a freezer stash, but I also don’t want to cause the little one to not get enough hindmilk which is so essential for them!
Kelli says
April 21, 2016 at 8:54 amI just whipped up a batch and they are WONDERFUL!! But I do have a question, were yours crumbly?? Mine are falling apart. I wonder what I did wrong? I followed the recipe. Any ideas?? Crumbly or not, they are awesome!
★★★★★
Natalie says
May 5, 2016 at 8:06 pmI’m so glad you liked them Kelli! Mine do get a bit crumbly on the very outer edges, but the rest of the cookie is sturdy. Is your coconut oil still a solid when you are making them?
Kasey says
June 13, 2016 at 5:07 pmI have never used ground hemp seeds before. At the store I saw ground hemp seed hearts, is that the same thing?
Natalie says
June 25, 2016 at 11:18 amYes! Same thing : )
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
April 29, 2016 at 12:41 pmJust made these! They are so yummy. I want some for my freezer and also have a couple friends who just had babies that I’m taking meals to next week– so I’ll definitely be making a couple more batches! I told my hubby, “they taste like the smell of brewing beer” (he homebrews) lol and he said, “omg, that sounds delicious!” Haha! I could taste the yeast, but it didn’t bother me… Just made me even more excited to have a beer in 2 weeks ;)
Natalie says
May 5, 2016 at 7:51 pmI am soooo happy to hear you made them! These would be the perfect dessert to bring to new mommas. I bring it to all my new mommy friends. And smart to have these ready to go in your freezer! I’m so dang excited for you Jess! And your husband comes home today, right?! So now baby girl can come at any time!
Gabby says
July 3, 2016 at 3:32 pmWhen I made these they spread out super thin!! What did I do wrong??
Lee says
July 31, 2016 at 11:14 amShould the coconut oil be liquid or solid when mixed? Room temperature is liquid, but you note that it shouldn’t be melted, and the liquid form mixed with sugar doesn’t get light and fluffy the way a solid would.
Thanks,
Lee
F says
October 22, 2016 at 5:59 pmYeah, depending on the temperature of where you live, room temperature coconut oil can be solid or liquid.
After making these with room temperature (liquid state) coconut oil, I’m guessing that isn’t how it’s intended! My cookies spread out so thin and turned into one huge uni-cookie that crumbled into pieces when I tried to take off a piece.
Kori says
April 14, 2019 at 2:07 pmI had the same issue. I was watching them bake through the glass on my oven door and all the coconut oil oozed out and then the cookies all flattened. I noticed when I reread the recipe I used whole hemp seeds. I am going to grind them and try again. I did start with solid coconut oil, for the record and other than the ground hemp, followed the recipe exactly.
Nikki says
August 22, 2016 at 4:55 pmI have never left a message on someone’s blog before but I really felt like this was a must. I made these cookies over the weekend and they are absolutely delicious. I just added coconut flakes since I had some in my pantry. Everyone in my house loved the cookies, hands down some of the best home made cookies I’ve ever had with an added benefit. Thank you so much and will definitely be making these again next weekend. It was also great because my daughter has a milk protein allergy, so this was perfect. Also, thanks for the tip, I’m now eating oatmeal for breakfast regularly. I haven’t seen any changes in my supply yet but I’ll keep at it.
★★★★★
Natalie says
August 31, 2016 at 1:26 pmThis makes me so happy Nikki! Thank you for letting me know. My son had issues with dairy, and I gave it up for 7 months. And I felt so much better after eliminating dairy, now I’m off it permanently. Congrats on your baby girl! You’re doing great momma!
Bayli says
February 8, 2017 at 12:23 pmOkay first time blog commenter here too!! lol they are soooo good! I’m trying to stop myself after my second one! Thanks for sharing your recipe :)
Natalie says
February 10, 2017 at 2:23 pmI’m so glad you like them Bayli! My very favorite cookie, even when I’m not nursing!
Ola says
November 10, 2016 at 6:45 amI have to eat non dairy made these cookies with nutritional east instead of brewers and also I put raisins instead of chocolate and they came out so good absolutely delicious. The only tip when you place them on the baking sheet make some room between they raised a lot and mine looked like one big cookie. They also came out very crunchy can any body tel me how to make them more chevy and moisture?
Bekah says
November 21, 2016 at 8:37 amThese are absolutely delicious. Dangerously so! I didn’t have any soy-free chocolate on hand (it’s very hard to find), so I substituted dried cherries and they turned out great. The cookies are flat but have a great crispy and chewy texture. My milk supply has been up since starting on these, though I also take fenugreek and blessed thistle. In any case, they are packed with nutrients, which must be helpful for nursing moms. Thank you so much for the recipe.
★★★★★
Yassmin wazwaz says
June 24, 2019 at 1:24 amWhat can I use instead of hemp seeds?
Natalie says
June 24, 2019 at 10:08 amFlax seeds or chia seeds!
Jasmine says
December 2, 2016 at 9:46 amI love how crisp these are. I didn’t have hemp seed and had to do half the oats as quick 1 minute but they still turned out great. I’ll be making some more for other breastfeeding friends :)
★★★★★
Anna says
January 5, 2017 at 6:22 pmDelish cookies……. My son is allergic to eggs, so i replace it with some coconut milk. I find that every time i make them, some cookies go missing. Lol
★★★★★
Jackie says
January 20, 2017 at 5:35 pmThanks so much for these! I am dairy free for my little one right now, and at the 7 month mark my supply started to go down. I made these (with nutritional yeast) and my supply boosted! Thanks so much, just made another batch.
Emily says
March 27, 2017 at 5:11 pmAre the flax and hemp seed necessary or can I leave them out? Thanks!
Natalie says
May 1, 2017 at 10:13 pmNot necessary, you can leave them out if you don’t have any on hand and want to make the cookies right away. But if you can, get them! Adds tons of nutrients!
Theresa says
April 7, 2017 at 2:10 pmJust made these. In oven as I type ;) My son has ACID REFLUX as well. But I couldn’t find dairy free chocolate chips at walmart! :( I’ve been trying hard to cut out dairy but it’s more of a challenge then I thought. Any tips?!
Natalie says
May 1, 2017 at 10:11 pmCutting out dairy and really acidic foods helped my baby a ton. We also put him on baby Zantac. He still has issues with dairy. When he eats dairy, he has really loose stools and throws up sometimes. I think it gives him heartburn. So no dairy for us! I transitioned him to my homemade almond milk when I weaned him off breastmilk. He loves it! No issues at all. Just make sure you baby doesn’t have a nut allergy first.
And I have a TON of dairy free recipes for you! https://www.tasteslovely.com/category/recipes/dairy-free/
Best of luck momma! You’re doing great!
Emily says
April 22, 2017 at 1:57 pmThese are awesome. I used sprouted flour instead of regular and coconut sugar instead of white and brown regular. I ate a lot of these the first few days my little one arrived and she gained her birth weight back in a week. I did start over producing a bit so I backed off the cookies and got back to optimal production. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!!!
Natalie says
May 1, 2017 at 10:00 pmYea! I am so glad you liked them Emily! And over producing is a great excuse to get a real big freezer stash going ;-)
Maggie says
May 29, 2018 at 7:49 amThe first time I made these they spread out extremely thin and the thin crispy edges made them a mess to eat. They were still delicious though, so I devoured them embarrassingly fast giving me the opportunity to make another batch with some changes.
The second time around I only used 3/4 cup of coconut oil and upped the flour to 1 cup, and the oats to 1 3/4 cup and they came out perfect.
★★★★
Natalie says
May 29, 2018 at 1:07 pmI’m about to have baby #2 and will be needing these cookies for sure! Can’t wait to start making them again. Glad you found a ratio that worked perfectly for you. Best of luck with your little one and keeping your milk supply up. You’re doing great momma!
Maggie says
June 1, 2018 at 1:59 pmThank you and congratulations! I had my second on May 3rd. :)
Natalie says
June 5, 2018 at 11:38 amCongratulations Maggie! I’m due with my second on June 29! So soon! It just get’s easier with 2, right? *wink* Hahaha! Hope you love the cookies and they help your milk supply as much as they help mine!
Beth Washington says
June 13, 2018 at 10:28 amThank you for this recipe! My supply just dropped and I’ve been so down…. I am dairy free and soy free for my little guy, and I am allergic to wheat, gluten, and corn. Would almond flour be a good substitution for the all purpose flour?
Natalie says
June 13, 2018 at 1:35 pmSo glad you found my recipe! I really hope these cookies help, they help me a ton when my supply needs a boost. I’m due with my 2nd in the next 2 weeks, so these cookies are going to be back in the rotation very soon!
My favorite gluten free flour blend is by King Arthur Flour, this one: https://amzn.to/2tcoriz
It doesn’t have gluten, wheat or corn so hopefully it will work with your diet.
Also, eat a lot of oatmeal! When I needed a supply boost I had these overnight oats for breakfast and noticed a huge difference: https://www.tasteslovely.com/vanilla-almond-overnight-oatmeal-with-blueberries/
Gillan says
October 18, 2018 at 10:50 amAny recommendations for no oats? I am gluten free but also allergic to oats. :(
Natalie says
October 24, 2018 at 2:31 pmHmmmm, you have me a little stumped. Maybe brown rice flour?
Kelsey says
September 16, 2018 at 4:14 pmThese are amazing!!! I rarely ever comment on blogs but felt it necessary :) Thanks for the great recipe. I’ll probably make them even when I’m no longer nursing!
★★★★★
Natalie says
September 18, 2018 at 7:46 amI’m so glad you liked them Kelsey! This made my day! Means so much you took the time to let me know you liked my recipe. I have a new little one too (2 months old), and am enjoying these cookies on the regular again. I make them when I’m not nursing too, ha! I just replace the nutritional yeast with flour.
Naomi says
September 17, 2018 at 8:11 pmWhat if I don’t have brewers yeast? I am wanting to make these and I looked around town, no one carries brewers yeast. I know I can order online but what if I left it out?
Natalie says
September 18, 2018 at 7:49 amBrewers yeast is what boosts the milk supply! You can leave it out, will still by yummy cookies. I’d replace the brewers yeast with flour. Otherwise, order online for the full lactation boosting benefits.
If you need a milk boost in a jif, try a stout beer like Guinness!
Brandi says
October 22, 2018 at 3:58 pmThank you very much for sharing this recipe! When I had to go dairy-free I was really struggling with my milk supply. This was very helpful. Thanks!
★★★★★
Natalie says
October 24, 2018 at 2:35 pmI really hope this helps Brandi! You’re doing great momma!
Deborah / Momennial Moment says
December 21, 2018 at 1:22 pmThese lactation cookies are amazing. They work sooo well. In fact, too well!! I had to ration myself which was hard to to because all I wanted to do was stuff my face with them! I’ve recommended them to a few of my friends who are struggling with low supply starting out and they are huge fans as well. Even my husband says these are his new favorite cookie. Once I assured him he wouldn’t start lactating he was happy to dig in. He even requested them for Christmas this year! Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Natalie says
January 3, 2019 at 9:48 amYeah! I’m so glad you like them! They really do work. And hey, you’re a new momma, I think you deserve a few extra cookies : ) Thank you so much for making my recipe and letting me know you liked it! Means the world! Congrats on your baby! You’re doing great Momma!
Julie says
May 22, 2019 at 1:35 pmI remember loving this recipe while breastfeeding and wanted to make some for a friend who just had a baby. Would it work to sub a gf flour blend or whole wheat for the all purpose? What about subbing honey for the sugar? I’m not much of a baker so I never know what things will affect the end result…
★★★★★
Natalie says
May 27, 2019 at 2:01 pmAw! What a great friend you are! Yes, any GF flour blend will work as a substitution. Yes, you can sub honey too! Just use the same amount as the recipe calls for with your substitutions.
Tiffany says
June 14, 2019 at 7:29 pmHi, my cookies are crumbly and crispy and look almost like granola. I used 1 and 1/2 cups rolled oats as stated and my coconut oil was solid at room temp and hard after refrigeration. Your photos of the cookies don’t look like they have the same amount of oats mine did- were your oats chopped? They taste good but I don’t know what I did wrong. Thanks!
Natalie says
June 24, 2019 at 9:42 amOh darn! Sorry yours didn’t turn out! I use the organic old fashioned rolled oats from trader joe’s. They’re not cut, they’re the big flat kind. Glad they still taste good!
Jordan says
July 11, 2019 at 3:31 amMine was crumbly when i took it out of the fridge. I used my hands to form balls, so my body heat softened them up. Baked perfectly
Natalie says
July 15, 2019 at 12:15 pmGlad they turned out! Thanks Jordan! You’re sharing such great tips!
Jordan says
July 11, 2019 at 3:29 amInstead of an egg, I made a flax egg by adding 3 tbs water to the tbs of flax seed to make them vegan. Turned out great. Now I just hope they work!
Natalie says
July 15, 2019 at 12:09 pmOh that is so good to know! That would make these vegan! Glad to hear a flax egg works as a substitute!
Shay says
August 14, 2019 at 10:03 pmHello! I am so excited to try this recipe. It looks delicious. I do have a question; I was not able to find ground hemp seed but rather hulled hemp seed. I’d this okay to use? Or should I use hemp seed powder? Thank you!
Natalie says
August 15, 2019 at 3:26 pmYes! Hulled works too! Great source of protein and Omega’s!