No-Bake Peanut Butter & Chocolate Lactation Energy Balls

September 11, 2017

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I have a confession . . . I’m having a bit of a love affair . . . with energy balls!

If you’ve never tried an energy ball, they’re little bite-sized snacks packed with protein, carbs, and fats, perfect for a little pick-me-up when your battery is running low. They’re super easy to make, no baking required, and are oh so yummy! I make these things all the time. And I mean All. The. Time. There’s always a container of these in our fridge, just waiting to be devoured!

Now, you may be asking yourself, What’s different about these? What makes these LACTATION energy balls? I’ll tell you! The addition of 2 key ingredients said to help increase milk supply . . . flax seed and brewer’s yeast (I prefer this one by Oat Mama for it’s milder flavor – brewer’s yeast can be bitter). I don’t drink beer and I hate taking pills, so these energy balls were the perfect way to get some of that yeasty goodness into my system without having to gag it down. Don’t need the milky boost? Just leave the flax and yeast out. Easy peasy and still delicious!

During my journey exclusively pumping for Charlie, I’ve struggled a bit with low milk supply, as well as low energy (those tiny humans can really drain a mama). So these bite-sized snacks have become this mama’s best friend! And they’re not just for milky mamas either. They can be enjoyed by the whole family (or hoarded for yourself, if you’d like. You are the one making the milk after all!). My husband and toddler love these energy balls so much I’ve had to start making double batches so that there’s some left for me! Thankfully, they’re as quick to whip up as they are to devour!

Here’s what you’re going to need: oatmeal, peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips (I like to use the mini chips). If you’re going for lactation energy balls, you’ll need ground flax seed and brewer’s yeast too.

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.

Toss the mixture in the fridge to chill for at least 15 minutes. It makes the mixture easier to shape. Once chilled, roll into balls and eat!

To store (if you haven’t eaten them all), keep refrigerated in an air tight storage container.

Seriously, aren’t these so easy?  And they’re so, so yummy! These pictures are making me drool on my keyboard.

Even the picky threenager loves them! She’s always asking for them. She’d eat them all day, if I let her!

Breastfeeding mama and toddler approved!

But don’t just take my word for it. Try them for yourselves!

Print Recipe
Peanut Butter & Chocolate No-Bake Lactation Energy Balls
Yummy little bite-sized balls of deliciousness to help boost your energy level and (if you want it to) you're milk supply.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Passive Time 15 minutes
Servings
dozen
Ingredients
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup ground flax seed (for lactation balls)
  • 3 tsps brewer's yeast (for lactation balls)
Prep Time 10 minutes
Passive Time 15 minutes
Servings
dozen
Ingredients
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup ground flax seed (for lactation balls)
  • 3 tsps brewer's yeast (for lactation balls)
Instructions
  1. In a bowl, add all ingredients except the chocolate chips. Mix until well combined.
  2. Stir in chocolate chips
  3. Place mixture in fridge and allow to chill for at least 15 minutes
  4. Roll into 2-inch balls.
  5. Store in refrigerator and enjoy!
Recipe Notes

If the mixture is sticky and you're having trouble forming the balls, apply a little water to your hands.

 

Recipe courtesy of Jenny @ Love, Jenny (lovejennyblog.com)

http://lovejennyblog.com/peanut-butter-and-chocolate-lactation-energy-balls

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Want more energy balls? Try my Pumpkin Spice version!

Linking at: Skip To My Lou

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69 Comments

  • Lisa

    September 11, 2017 at 4:56 AM

    Great recipe! I love how your baby is eating them! lol. As if she needs more energy! Will have to try to keep some of these in my fridge too!

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:11 AM

      You’re right! She definitely doesn’t need the energy, but who can say “no” to that face? 🙂

      1. Kelly

        June 25, 2019 at 7:55 PM

        I am trying to up my supply. I have ground flaxseed, but I haven’t ordered any of the brewers yeast powder yet. Do you know if the brewers yeast is needed? Or if I can get by with just the ground flaxseed?

        1. Tara Park

          August 5, 2019 at 11:07 PM

          Great question, I’ve been wondering the same about the yeast (I’m not a fan but will include it if needed) and would very much like to up my milk production for my preemie in the NICU right now. (August 6th, 2019)

          Sincerely,
          Hogan’s mommy

        2. jennycranford

          August 6, 2019 at 8:47 AM

          You don’t NEED brewer’s yeast to make the recipe, but it is one of the key ingredients (the other being the flaxseed) that is said to promote increased milk supply. You can totally leave it out, but the milk-boosting benefits may just be less than if you’d added it. It’s entirely up to you! (Now that I’m no longer breastfeeding, I make these balls without the flax or brewer’s yeast all together – just because they’re so yummy!)

          Brewer’s yeast can be pretty bitter by itself, but if you’re worried about the taste, I promise that you can’t taste the bitterness in the balls. But if you’re still worried, the brewer’s yeast from Oat Mama that I linked in the post has a much milder flavor, since it’s made for mixing into recipes and such, so you can always give that one a try!

        3. Sabrina Hummel

          March 23, 2021 at 2:30 PM

          How long before having my baby should I make these? I am currently 35 weeks pregnant and don’t want them to go bad before I need them. Also how many a day should I eat so I don’t over do it on boosting my milk

    2. Ellie

      May 31, 2018 at 8:27 AM

      I have a two month old baby girl and based off past experience, I was afraid of not being able to keep up with her demand. I made a batch of these more or less for the energy and a bit of a hand with supply. Oh my gosh! I had just one that night and my supply took a huge jump within half an hour!

      I’ve been having two a day (one morning and one at bedtime) for the last week and I’ve already got a freezer stash going. These are amazing and super yummy!

      1. jennycranford

        May 31, 2018 at 8:17 PM

        Yay!! I know the struggle of low supply all to well, so I’m super happy to hear that these are working well for you! Thanks for sharing!

    3. Amanda

      November 20, 2019 at 11:08 PM

      How many is 1 serving? How many are recommended per day?

      1. jennycranford

        November 30, 2019 at 7:45 AM

        I’m not a nutritionist, so I can’t speak to a specific serving size/ servings per day. Personally, I ate two at a time, but that’s just because I wanted to.I ate however many I felt like I needed to get the boost I wanted. If my supply was fine that day, maybe all I ate was two. If my supply took a hit for some reason, then I ate more. It’s all subjective and personal to what works best for you.

  • Tanvi Rastogi

    September 11, 2017 at 5:53 AM

    Those look quite good and easy to make. Love the pictures.

    ❥ tanvii.com

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:11 AM

      Thank you! They’re super easy!

  • cara

    September 11, 2017 at 7:27 AM

    These look delicious! I’m all about pb & chocolate anything!

  • Ayanna @ 21FlavorsofSplendor

    September 11, 2017 at 8:42 AM

    Yummy! I love that they are quick and easy. My daughters will eat pretty much anythings with chocolate in it.

    1. Kendra B

      August 25, 2019 at 5:54 PM

      Omgosh! I was looking for lactation balls, and came across your recipe! I thought I had flaxseed here, but turns out it was chia seeds. LOL also- active yeast, not brewer’s yeast. So i made the non lactation version instead & will add the magic next time. ☆☆☆☆☆ SUPER YUM!!

      Kendra
      http://Www.helga-marie.com

      1. jennycranford

        August 25, 2019 at 8:12 PM

        So yummy by themselves, right? I haven’t breastfed in over a year but still regularly make these for my family. So, so good!

        1. Tova

          September 27, 2019 at 1:39 PM

          Can I make them the week before im due and freeze them and will they still be good? If so what would be the freeze unfreeze process recommended?

  • Logan

    September 11, 2017 at 10:27 AM

    I need these in my life! They look so good!

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:13 AM

      You definitely do! They’re so yummy!

      1. Carina Exley

        March 11, 2020 at 11:37 AM

        Hey! I’m 38 weeks pregnant and am thinking these would be great to make in bulk as easy snacks for once baby arrives! Do you know how long they last in the fridge or if they freeze well?
        Thanks!

  • Justine Y @ Little Dove

    September 11, 2017 at 4:34 PM

    These sound so great! Thanks for sharing, I ‘m definitely pinning for the future!

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:13 AM

      I hope you love them! 🙂

  • michaela daisy

    September 11, 2017 at 6:56 PM

    I love that these are ‘no-bake’! Thanks for the awesome recipe!

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:14 AM

      Thanks!

  • Ashley Newell

    September 11, 2017 at 7:19 PM

    These look awesome! I’m deathly afraid of lactating now that my daughter is 4.5 but I think I can make an adapted version. 🙂

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:15 AM

      Ha ha! I promise they won’t make you lactate! (or else I’d be in trouble, since my daughter eats them) 🙂

  • Amanda

    September 11, 2017 at 7:31 PM

    They look like a great option!! Such a quick snack! I love that you have the option to make more (and the recipe upgrades all the ingredients should I want to make more)!

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:15 AM

      I usually make a double batch since we eat them so fast! They are a super quick and easy to snack to have on hand

  • Angela Amores

    September 11, 2017 at 8:17 PM

    Oh these are so good!!! I ate these when I was pregnant, and even after breastfeeding. They are so good!!
    Angela

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:16 AM

      Right?! So yummy!

  • Jacquie

    September 11, 2017 at 11:28 PM

    Pinning this recipe- will need in November!

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:16 AM

      Congrats! They’re super easy to make, so even a busy mama with a newborn can whip these up quick!

  • Julie

    September 12, 2017 at 3:10 AM

    These look so yummy!

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:17 AM

      Thanks!

  • Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy

    September 12, 2017 at 3:44 AM

    Ok, well clearly I need to make these stat. They look so tasty, although, I think I would eat them all in one sitting.

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:17 AM

      I struggle hard not to eat them all at once too! They’re so good!

  • hanna – platforms and pacifiers

    September 12, 2017 at 8:42 AM

    These look awesome!! I’ll totally be making some soon!

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:18 AM

      Great! I hope you love them!

  • Mary

    September 12, 2017 at 10:30 AM

    These are always so good to have in the fridge. Trying your version! 🙂

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:18 AM

      So quick and easy and yummy! What busy lady doesn’t love that?

  • Alicia Snow

    September 12, 2017 at 3:10 PM

    These sound delicious! I used to make lactation cookies and they were always such a yummy treat.

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:19 AM

      Oh boy! I had to stop making lactation cookies because I ate waaayyyyy too many! (I have a serious sweet tooth) These are healthier, so I don’t feel so bad about eating a few extra of these instead 🙂

  • Tammy Gabel

    September 15, 2017 at 8:26 AM

    This look so good! I’m saving to make with my girls 😊

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:20 AM

      These are great to make with kids! My toddler loves to help me with these 🙂

  • Antonia

    September 22, 2017 at 6:49 PM

    These look and sound amazing! Definitely going to have to make a batch this week!

    1. jennycranford

      September 28, 2017 at 10:20 AM

      I hope you like them!

  • Elizabeth

    August 6, 2018 at 9:20 AM

    Can these be stored in the freezer? I’m 38 weeks preggo and could go any day now so I am trying to stock the freezer with easy things to grab 🙂

    1. jennycranford

      August 6, 2018 at 6:21 PM

      I’ve never tried it myself, but I don’t see why not. I imagine you’d just need to thaw them a bit before munching on them 🙂

  • Babs

    September 3, 2018 at 2:01 PM

    How many do you normally eat in a day?

    1. jennycranford

      September 10, 2018 at 5:19 PM

      Me, personally? Way too many! LOL For you? I’m not a nutritionist so I wouldn’t be able to recommend how many to eat a day. I personally ate 4-6 a day. If you’re worried about eating too many, maybe start with 2 or 3 and work up from there if needed. Hope that helps! 🙂

  • Shari

    October 12, 2018 at 3:40 PM

    Would you reccomend freezing them? My daughter is coming Monday and I want to be prepared. I have to build a stash quickly

    1. jennycranford

      October 13, 2018 at 10:25 AM

      While I’ve never frozen them myself, I’m sure you could. Just thaw them before eating (since frozen peanut butter is HARD). Congrats on your new bundle of joy!

  • Adree | The Keele Deal

    October 22, 2018 at 7:13 AM

    I love energy balls! I’m going to have to try these and see if my kiddos like them!

    1. jennycranford

      July 12, 2019 at 1:39 PM

      My girls love them!

  • Mary Leigh

    October 22, 2018 at 12:52 PM

    I want to give these a try! They look simple enough to make!

    1. jennycranford

      July 12, 2019 at 1:39 PM

      Yes! Super simple and super yummy!

  • Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins

    October 23, 2018 at 10:25 PM

    I made some of these the other day minus the lactation ingredients and they were yummy! It’s good to know that adding the lactation helpers don’t affect the taste.

    1. jennycranford

      November 13, 2018 at 9:32 AM

      Thanks! They are super yummy! Now that I’m not breastfeeding anymore, I’m still making them for the family because they’re just. so. good!

  • lactation snacks

    May 3, 2019 at 7:59 AM

    hi thanks for the posts

    1. jennycranford

      July 12, 2019 at 1:37 PM

      My pleasure! 🙂

  • Kristina

    June 26, 2019 at 11:33 AM

    I made these and ate two because they are so good!! Also double my supply!! My little one thanks you!! 🤗🤱

    1. jennycranford

      July 12, 2019 at 1:38 PM

      Yay! I’m so glad they helped! I admire you that you stopped at two. I could never seem to control myself around them!

  • Melanie

    July 21, 2019 at 10:27 AM

    How long do they stay good in the refrigerator? They sound delicious! I’m about to make a batch.

    1. jennycranford

      July 22, 2019 at 5:29 PM

      I’d say up to a couple weeks (although mine never make it that long – yum!)

  • Ashley

    April 28, 2020 at 6:19 PM

    Does anyone know how many calories this recipe is?

    1. Rachel

      May 14, 2020 at 1:40 PM

      Ashley, as long as I did my math right (pretty sure I did lol) they should be roughly 150 calories per ball. That is if you end up with 24 balls.

  • Rachel

    May 11, 2020 at 3:27 PM

    Already made a batch of these and they are amazing. I could eat a ton of these in one sitting…so it makes me wonder. Do you have the calorie count on these lol?

  • Amalie

    August 9, 2020 at 10:27 AM

    I looked through the comments trying to find if there’s something I can substitute for the honey?? In super excited to make them!

    1. jennycranford

      August 13, 2020 at 8:27 AM

      Hi Amalie! I haven’t ever used anything other than honey, but maybe real maple syrup or agave syrup might work as a substitute?

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