Also known as Lactation Muffins.
I know this goes against current recommendations for weight management and health…but I’ve become a bit of a night-eater. This happened shortly after giving birth, when Lucy demanded to eat herself, every two to three hours, regardless of the time. And so I’d leave my bed in the middle of the night to nurse her in the living room, where I watched old episodes of “Say Yes to the Dress” and “Seinfeld.” After a week or two of doing this on a near-empty stomach, I realized that I needed to feed the both of us…and these banana oatmeal muffins were born.
Oats do wonders for nursing moms. Throw in some flaxseed and brewer’s yeast, and you’ll have muffins that rival any lactation cookie on the market. But even if you aren’t nursing a child (which I realize most of you are not), these muffins are packed with nutritional goodness, and they taste delicious too. Nutty, moist, and slightly sweet, these would be the perfect snack to enjoy in the morning or late afternoon.
There isn’t a lick of sugar in this recipe (refined or natural) which means that these would also be a great treat to offer to a toddler or child. I make a batch EVERY single week, and I’ll eat one or two in the middle of the night (because at 8 months postpartum, I’m still nursing Lu at least twice after her bedtime).
It doesn’t matter why you make these muffins or what time you eat them. They’re wholesome and delicious. I have a feeling they might become a weekly practice for some of you too.
Banana Oatmeal Muffins (aka Lactation Muffins)
4 large bananas, very ripe
1/2 cup apple sauce
4 TBSP melted coconut oil or butter
1 egg
2 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)
2 tbsp brewer’s yeast (optional)
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup whole oats
1 diced apple (granny-smith or pink lady)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a standard muffin pan with paper liners or grease well. In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. Stir in apple sauce, melted oil/butter, and lightly beaten egg. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Stir in oats.
Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, being careful to not overmix. Gently fold in diced apple. Divide batter into muffin pan and bake in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly before enjoying.
Love that last photo!! These muffins like delectable!!
I’m trying to imagine serving these to Peter and introducing them as “lactation muffins” 😉 I think he’d get a kick out of it! Not only do these muffins look amazingly delicious, they’re great for a snack! Listening to what your body is telling you is so important, and if you need a snack, you need it! 🙂
Lactation muffins!!! Lovey recipe I would love to eat about three at night without any guilt 🙂
Muffins are a perfect nursing snack – you can eat them one handed, they’re all ready to go, and don’t make a mess you have to clean up when all you want is to go back to bed.
Yum! I think I might make some tomorrow morning. These will come in handy with Baby’s arrival any day.
Very healthy!
Such a great recipe! I was totally a night eater while nursing my first 🙂
ooooh these are def. my kind of muffins!!! And I love that I’ll be able to use them someday when I’ve got my own little baby 🙂
K- these look awesome, and I’m totally going to try them with GF Oats, and my GF baking mix…. YUM!!!! and way to go with the nursing! I nursed both my girls a looooooong time- they turned out great, and they do eventually decide they’re beyond it! Enjoy your time together!
Mmm these sound lovely!!
These definitely sound great — no matter the purpose!
These sound absolutely wonderful!! I’ve been looking for a delicious muffin recipe that isn’t chock full of sugar since my hubs is diabetic. These will be brilliant. 🙂
These look hearty and delicious! Would love a few for breakfast.
Eh, I think all the advice about when is “best” and “worst” to eat is totally ridiculous. Do what works for you and REFUSE to feel guilty about it!
These look fabulous, nursing or otherwise. Might have to whip up a batch for the.boy for weekday breakfasts!
Great muffins for you! The pics below of Lucy are amazing, she is a doll and you are one lucky mama to have the little sweetie!
What a lovely recipe! I adore how wholesome and nutritious these muffins are. Cannot wait to try soon :–) x
Wow, no sugar? And packed full of good-for-you ingredients? These are fabulous muffins, Monet. Thanks for thinking of our tastebuds and our waistlines!
I love all the good-for-you ingredients that are in these! Life has been so crazy lately and I’ve been snacking more (since I can’t get to dinner until later) … I need to make some of these to have on hand! Hope you’re having a great week friend!
i worried i would have supply issues so i bought brewer’s yeast…don’t have that issue yet but totally going to make these simply bc they sound yummy and extra benefits don’t hurt 🙂
It is important to take care of yourself and hunger, especially when breastfeeding. 🙂 Love the oatmeal & banana together in muffins. They are not only good for you but also make you feel happy. 🙂
Great looking muffins! And I like the fact there’s no sugar in them — too many muffins are so sweet (too sweet to eat, for me). Really good recipe — thanks.
These look super delicious!
Late nights studying has awakened the inner night snacker in me. I need some of these muffins! I cannot believe they have no added sugars. I love snacks that I know will really fuel me!
Yum! These sound like the perfect late or any time snack. I hope all is well and good, friend!
These sound delicious! I had no idea there was such a thing as lactation cookies (or muffins!), but even though I won’t be needing them for that purpose for a while, I still can’t wait to make these! I love that there’s no added sugar!
Awesome! So if Lucy hadn’t been born, neither would these muffins? They look fantastic no matter when you eat them (I think I would like some as a late-night snack too 🙂 )
I bet my husband would really like these but I’ll leave out the bit about them being lactation muffins. 😉
OOh, these sound delicious, and so healthy for everyone! They’re so pretty, too, with their rounded, nubby tops. Yum. Thank you for sharing!
Perfection! That is all I can say. They look amazing
That’s a great idea. So I suppose you can mix up the fruit so you don’t get bored of banana? Also, because I’m not a massive fan of banana. I could use apple puree?
These look delicious! you’re so inspiring with your constant exploration of healthy low/no sugar treats x