One thing about me is I love a good bliss ball. Kind of hard not to love an easy-to-make, no-bake, nutritious and delicious little energy bite. They’re the best on-the-go, anytime-snack that doubles as a dessert treat.

And since I entered my pregnancy/postpartum/mom era earlier this year, it was only right I came up with a nursing mama-friendly version. Enter: my Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Lactation Bliss Balls.

Disclaimer though for all my girlies who are not in their breastfeeding era: don’t worry, you can still enjoy these bliss balls. Just omit the brewer’s yeast, that’s it!

SURVIVAL BY BLISS BALLS

When I tell you I literally survived on these cutie bliss balls as a quick snack during my first two weeks as Hayes’ mama, I’m not even kidding.

I made the first batch the day my water broke (!!) to help my postpartum milk supply, and honestly, in hindsight, I should’ve tripled the recipe to stay stocked up longer.

Because what’s great about this nutritious little snackie is that it lasts in the fridge for a few weeks, or the freezer for a few months. Which is super helpful whether you make for yourself as a new mom, or if you’re prepping for any of your mama friends. They make for a great addition to a postpartum gift basket!

DELICIOUSLY WHOLESOME

Just talking about these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Lactation Bliss Balls is taking me back to super smol baby Hayes. I miss it!!

But anyways, rather than take a full trip down newborn memory lane, I want to share a few of the health benefits for the ingredients that make up this deliciously wholesome snack.

If you’re wondering what makes these “lactation” bites helpful for boosting milk supply, well, there’s a few key ingredients that are good for just that, and more:

• Dates: this tasty little fruit is rich in nutrients like iron, potassium and magnesium, all of which are important for both mama and baby. Dates may also help to increase the production of prolactin, a hormone that’s essential for milk production. Plus, they’re a good source of fiber and can help to provide a quick energy boost from their natural sugars.
• Organic Sprouted Oats: oats are a key ingredient in these lactation bites not just for the texture and taste, but because they contain iron which is known to have a positive effect on breast milk supply. I like to use organic sprouted oats specifically, since sprouted oats are higher in magnesium, protein and fiber.
• Raw Almonds: almonds add a nice crunch, are a good source of calcium, and are packed with many nutrients that support milk production – including protein, iron, zinc and healthy fats.

• Hemp Seeds: another zinc and iron-rich ingredient, both important nutrients for mama and baby. They’re also a great source of plant-based protein!
• Chia Seeds: I love adding chia seeds to energy bites for another way to pack in some plant-based protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
• Brewer’s Yeast: a nutritional supplement that may also be helpful in increasing milk production for breastfeeding mama’s. It’s high in nutrients like complex b vitamins, iron, protein and selenium, and is a probiotic that can help to create a healthy gut environment.

BLISS BALLS AND BABIES

And of course, can’t forget the other ingredients that make up these nourishing and delish bliss balls. Whether for taste or additional health benefits, ingredients like the creamy peanut butter, honey, vanilla protein powder, vanilla bean paste, cinnamon and chocolate chips really round out the texture and flavor – no pun intended, lol.

I hope you all enjoy these as much as I have been. Let me know what you think when you make ‘em. Sending lots of love to all the new mama’s and mama’s-to-be out there!

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

• Dates
• Creamy peanut butter (or sub any nut butter)
• Organic sprouted oats
• Raw almonds
• Hemp seeds
• Honey
• Vanilla protein powder (my favorite protein powders can be found HERE)
• Chia seeds
• Brewer’s yeast (if not making for a breastfeeding mama, feel free to remove)
• Vanilla bean paste (or extract)
• Cinnamon
• Dairy-free dark chocolate chips
• Almond milk (optional)

HOW TO MAKE MY PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP LACTATION BLISS BALLS

Note: if not breastfeeding, feel free to remove the brewer’s yeast.

Add dates to a medium bowl and pour hot water over the top to let soften for 10-15 minutes. Drain and pit the dates.

Add drained + pitted dates to a food processor with peanut butter, almonds, hemp seeds, honey (liquid consistency, warming first if needed), protein powder, chia seeds, brewer’s yeast, vanilla and cinnamon. Blend until a dough consistency forms. If too thick to blend, add a few tablespoons of almond milk.

Remove dough and add to a large bowl with oats and chocolate chips. Stir together until combined, then form into 1-inch bite sized balls. Enjoy!

To Store:

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks, or the freezer for up to 3 months.

RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS & QUESTIONS

Aside from having the option to omit the brewer’s yeast if you’re not breastfeeding, there are a few additional subs you can make. Any nut butter will work – like almond or cashew butter instead of the PB. Or, keep it nut-free by using sunflower seed butter and omitting the almonds (I haven’t tested this so you may need to play around with the ratio of the other ingredients to get a nice balance of flavor and texture).

Vanilla extract works instead of vanilla bean paste, as well as regular organic oats instead of sprouted oats. Option to use whichever chocolate chips you’d like for a mix-in, or even add/sub for raisins, or cranberries for a fruitier taste.

My favorite protein powders can be found HERE and all my kitchen, cooking and baby favorites (+ more!) can be found here in my Amazon storefront.

ARE BLISS BALLS ACTUALLY HEALTHY?

Bliss balls (or protein balls or energy bites, however you prefer to refer to them) make for a great on-the-go, healthier snack, and/or can even be enjoyed as a tasty treat anytime of day. When they’re made with real, whole food sources, they can be fiber-filled, protein-packed, nutrient-rich, and will help keep you fuller for longer between meals.

DO YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE BREWER’S YEAST?

If you’re a breastfeeding mom, or making for a friend with a newborn, you can definitely include brewer’s yeast, but it’s not necessary either way if you simply prefer to make without it, or are not in your breastfeeding era. Brewer’s yeast adds nutritional benefits that may help with milk production, but will not majorly change the overall recipe if you remove it. These bliss balls will still be just as nutritious and delicious!

LOVE THESE BLISS BALLS? HERE ARE MORE HEALTHY, POSTPARTUM-FRIENDLY RECIPES TO TRY:

Preggy Date Cinnamon Roll Smoothie

Gluten-Free Chocolate Banana Blender Muffins

Freezer-Friendly Postpartum Meals

Chicken & Wild Rice Soup    

Click here to watch the reel I made of this recipe 🙂