Breakfast & snacks
Chocolate Collagen Lactation Energy Balls
A no-bake chocolate snack made with dates, almond butter, flaxseed and collagen. These are easy to prep ahead, simple to eat one-handed and ideal for keeping in the fridge or freezer when you need something quick between meals.
Originally from Restorative Roots By Holly Stein. Adapted by the author from a recipe in Danielle Walker’s Eat What You Love.
View the full recipe
Why this matters postpartum
Postpartum hunger can hit fast, especially when sitting down for a full meal isn’t realistic. These energy balls combine dates, almond butter and flaxseed for carbohydrates, fats and fibre, with collagen peptides adding protein. They’re also small enough to eat with one hand and can be made in advance, which makes them particularly useful for feeding sessions, middle-of-the-night hunger or keeping beside a nursing or pumping station. The recipe is positioned as a lactation snack, but no individual food or ingredient is guaranteed to increase milk supply. Adequate overall nutrition, hydration and frequent milk removal are much more important to milk production.
What's in it
A quick look at the key ingredients so you can check allergies and dietary needs before you cook.
Full measurements, method and the creator's own tips live on Restorative Roots.
Prep, storage & freezer tips
- Make ahead: These require no baking and can be made in about 10 minutes.
- Fridge: Store the finished energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Freezer: They freeze well, making them a great option to prepare before baby arrives.
- To serve from frozen: Let them soften for a short time on the counter or thaw them in the fridge before eating.
- For gluten-free: Choose certified gluten-free oat flour if avoiding gluten because oats can be cross-contaminated during processing.
Frequently asked
Q.Are these freezer friendly?
Yes. The creator specifically recommends freezing them. Make a batch ahead and thaw individual portions as you need them.
Q.Will these increase milk supply?
They contain ingredients such as oats and flaxseed that are commonly included in lactation snacks, but there isn’t strong evidence that a particular food reliably increases milk production. Think of these primarily as a convenient, nutrient-dense postpartum snack rather than a treatment for low supply.
Q.Are they dairy-free?
Yes, there are no dairy ingredients in the recipe as written. If you have a significant allergy, check the labels on the collagen, cocoa and other packaged ingredients for cross-contact information.
Q.Are they gluten-free?
They can be. Oat flour is naturally gluten-free, but regular oats can be exposed to gluten during processing. Use certified gluten-free oat flour when necessary.
Q.Can I make them nut-free?
Not as written because they contain almond butter. A seed butter may work as a substitute, although it could change the texture and flavour.