These no-bake cherry lactation bites are a tasty little cookie for any occasion, but they are especially great for a new mom. These little cookies are naturally gluten-and-dairy-free, provided that you use nutritional yeast or gluten-free brewer's yeast.
They are just a great, easy and tasty recipe that would work with any nut butter and dried fruit, but the cherries are so good my grandson sometimes just eats them first and nibbles on the rest of the cookies later.
And they couldn’t be easier to make. Just stir the ingredients, roll them into bite-sized balls, and - just like that - you have a tasty snack that just happens to contain ingredients to stimulate milk production.
They are a quick and comforting snack during a time when a little nurturing goes a long way!
Galactogogues
The main galactogogues in these cookies are the oats, brewer’s yeast and fennel. Just say "ga-lac-to-gog" which is the name of a substance that encourages milk production in new moms.
But of course, anyone can enjoy these cookies and I hope no one will be put off by the name!
The only ingredient you might not otherwise add to a no-bake oat bite is the brewer's yeast or nutritional yeast. Be careful to use gluten-free brewer's yeast if you prefer it to nutritional yeast. I often add nutritional yeast to a recipe for a cheesy taste, as in my Cheesy Green Chile Black Bean Dip and my Creamy Mac and Cheese Chicken Soup. Brewer's yeast doesn't taste cheesy in these bites, and it contributes some B vitamins to boot, but a gluten-free one can be tricky to find.
For a similar recipe, but baked, try these Almond-Butter Oat Lactation Cookies.
How can you vary these no-bake bites?
- Substitute chocolate chips for the dried fruit - unless the chocolate is likely to keep mama awake at night!
- Use different dried fruit (tart fruit like dried unsulfured apricots are best)
- Add your favorite spices, like ginger, cinnamon or allspice
- Substitute quinoa flakes for the oats for a grain-free version
Steps in making No-Bake Cherry Lactation Bites:
- Stir the ingredients except the fruit together in a bowl or combine in a stand mixer.
- Fold in or knead in the fruit.
- Form into 2-tablespoon balls, roll smooth and place on a tray in the refrigerator (though the bites are edible right away).
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the oats get hydrated a little.
- Keep the bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week, if they last that long (which they won't!)
Other cookie recipes you may enjoy
Dark Chocolate-Dipped Paleo Matcha Shortbread Cookies
Raisin-Sweetened Oatmeal Cookies - Gluten-Free
Pecan Almond Flour Red White and Blue Cookies
Almond Flour Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sharing this recipe to Fiesta Friday # 380 this week, co-hosted by Angie @ FiestaFriday and Liz @ Spades, Spatulas & Spoons
If you make this or any of the recipes on A Meal In Mind, please let me know! Or if you like the recipe, leave a comment, rate it, post pictures on Facebook or Twitter. Hashtag a photo #amealinmind on Instagram. I’d love to see what you come up with. Thank you so much!!
Beth
Best No-Bake Cherry Lactation Bites Gluten Free
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Stand mixer, optional
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats or quinoa flakes, see note
- ½ cup ground flaxseed
- 3 tablespoons brewer’s yeast or nutritional yeast
- 1 cup almond butter
- ⅓ cup honey or less
- 2 teaspoons ground fennel
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup chopped dried cherries or apricots
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or water as needed
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the ingredients. If your nut butter is rather firm, you may need to knead everything together by hand at the end. Or, if you have a stand mixer, stir all the ingredients except the dried cherries and mix on low speed until everything is well combined.
- If needed, add a tablespoonful or so of avocado oil or water to hold the dough together.
- Fold or knead in the dried cherries.
- Roll mixture into 2-tablespoon-sized smooth balls and place on a tray. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set (or enjoy right away). Letting the balls sit will hydrate the oats a bit.
- Once the bites have set, transfer them to an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Please pin for later!
Anna
These were so easy to make and were perfect on our road trip last weekend! My partner asked me today if I can make them again! Thanks for this yummy recipe!
Beth
I'm so glad you enjoyed them, Anna. These little bites are on my to-make list too!
Tristin
I wish I had had this recipe when I was a brand new mom. But, these sound so good I will be making these for my family.
Beth
I sure wish I had known about these cookies too! But I'm glad to be able to make them for my daughter-in-law - she appreciates them so much.
GUNJAN C Dudani
This is such an awesome way to use cherries. I love to keep energy balls in stock and this one is up on my to do list for today.
Beth
Oh, the cherries really do make these special - so far it's our favorite energy-ball fruit.
Veronika
These energy bites looks absolutely delicious! Going to save it to try sometime soon!
Beth
Thanks so much, we really think this combo of ingredients is great.
Tammy
Ooh brewer's yeast! These sound so good for you...perfect snack to keep on hand!
Beth
This recipe is turning out to be a keeper for all of us, thanks Tammy!
heidy
I was very impressed with the flavors in this lactation bites recipe, and we all enjoyed it. Thanks for posting specific easy to follow instructions and tips! That made life so much easier. Have a great Sunday!
Heidy
Beth
So glad you appreciated the stepwise instructions for these little bites, Heidy! It's always great to know they help.
Jacqueline Debono
Back when I was a new mom (I breast fed 4 boys!) I knew nothing about foods that stimulate lactation! So interesting! Curious to try these lactation bites as they sound delicious!
Beth
Wow, having raised two boys I'm trying to imagine 4! But I knew nothing about foods to stimulate lactation either. The only problem with these bites is that everyone in the family likes them and I have to set aside "mama's".
Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table
Having searched high and low for gluten-free lactation cookies when I was a new mom, I wish I had your recipe then!!! But that's OK, because now I am pinning it for the next time the need arises 😉
Beth
I know how hard it can be to find a simple GF recipe like this, Ksenia. Glad to know you have pinned it!
Ramona
This no-bake cherry lactation looks amazing and I love how it is even gluten-free! I will definitely be trying this out soon. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Beth
Hi, Ramona, if you like energy bites you'll enjoy these for sure. You are so welcome!
Moop Brown
These bites seem super nutritious and the fact that they are no-bake makes them perfect for busy mornings or days.
Beth
I think no-bake is one of the best recipe ideas ever - these are so easy because of it.
Marissa
Making these this weekend. Though I think you should put a note that brewer's yeast is not naturally gluten free. Naturally, it is a byproduct of the brewing process and contains barley (thus gluten). You have to buy specially marked gluten free brewer's yeast. Still sounds like a tasty recipe, but thought this should be explained in case anyone is new to a gluten free diet.
Beth
Thank you, Marissa, for the comment. I have edited the recipe to reflect your very important point. In making multiple batches of these over the last several months I've most often used nutritional yeast since it's gluten-free and easier to find than the brewer's yeast.