These chocolate chip lactation cookies really do work to increase milk supply. And unlike many other lactation cookie recipes, this one actually tastes good!

The best homemade lactation cookies

As a new mom trying to naturally boost my own milk production, I tried numerous store bought or homemade lactation snacks, including energy bites, muffins, and of course cookies.

But I was disappointed with all of them. They tasted too bitter, too artificial, or too much like eating a vitamin in the shape of a cookie.

I wanted a snack I’d choose to eat even if I weren’t postpartum.

Enter this easy lactation chocolate chip cookie recipe.

They literally taste like soft and chewy Toll House chocolate chip cookies, hot from the oven.

My friends and family members all love them too!

Also try this healthy Chickpea Cookie Dough

Step by step recipe video

How do lactation cookies increase milk supply?

• Contain galactagogues (ground flax seeds, brewer’s yeast, and oats), which are substances that may boost breast milk production.
• Provide nutrient dense calories.
• High in B vitamins that support metabolism, cellular energy, and nervous system function.

Key ingredients in lactation cookies

Brewer’s Yeast – This inactive yeast is a good source of B vitamins, protein, and iron. Do not substitute active dry yeast (baker’s yeast) or nutritional yeast.

Oat Flour & Rolled Oats – High in fiber and iron to promote natural milk production.

Flax Seeds – Provides healthy fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans that act as phytoestrogens.

Chocolate Chips – While chocolate is generally regarded as fine to consume while breastfeeding, some mothers are advised to cut back or avoid it. You can easily omit the chocolate chips in this recipe or replace them with carob chips, almonds, or raisins.

How to make chocolate chip lactation cookies

Step 1: Measure dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, rolled oats, sweetener, brewer’s yeast, baking soda, salt, and optional chocolate chips and flax meal. Stir very well to evenly incorporate the dry ingredients.

Step 2: Add wet ingredients. Melt the butter, then let it cool. Stir the melted butter, water, and pure vanilla extract into the mixing bowl to form a cookie dough. It should look dry at first. Do not add more water, because you’d get an overly sticky, gummy dough. Instead, keep stirring and breaking up clumps until it turns into cookie dough.

Step 3: Prepare the oven. Refrigerate the cookie dough while you preheat the oven to 325° Fahrenheit (or 162° Celsius).

Step 4: Form cookies. Use clean hands or a cookie scoop to roll and shape the dough into cookie dough balls. Arrange the cookie balls on a nonstick cookie sheet or silicone baking mat. They will spread just a little in the oven, so feel free to press down with a spoon before or after baking if you want a flatter cookie shape.

Step 5: Bake. Place the baking tray on the center rack of the preheated oven, then bake for ten minutes. Remove the pan when the cookies are still a little under baked and let them cool on the counter before handling. They will firm up as they cool.

Step 6: Enjoy! Serve the dairy free lactation cookies with a tall glass of almond milk or your favorite beverage for dunking cookies. (Remember, hydration is so important.)

Step 7: Store leftovers. After cooling completely, leftover cookies should keep for up to five days in an airtight covered container on the counter. A great trick for retaining moisture is to add half a slice of white bread to the container. You can also freeze the cookies for up to two months in a sealed container.

What else can I do with brewer’s yeast?

Blend a tablespoon into fruit smoothies.

Mix into oatmeal or Chocolate Baked Oats.

Stir into baked goods like Black Bean Brownies or Sweet Potato Brownies.

Hide it in Healthy Banana Bread.

Make your own lactation Energy Balls.

Other ways to boost milk supply naturally

• Get enough calories.
• Frequently nurse or pump.
• Don’t stress. (I know, easier said than done.)
• Hydration, hydration, hydration. Make sure you are drinking enough water!
• Talk with a lactation consultant.

While some mothers swear that lactation cookies work, experts are divided on just how much these snacks boost milk supply.

If you still cannot produce enough milk, or decide to stop breastfeeding or supplement with formula for any reason, this is not a failure. Fed is best.

More lactation snacks

Chocolate Chia Pudding (chia seeds)

Chickpea Blondies (legumes)

Applesauce Muffins (oat flour)

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats (rolled oats, nuts)

Healthy Pumpkin Pie (flax, pumpkin)

Almond Flour Brownies (almonds)

Keto Carrot Cake (carrots, almonds)