Nutter Butter Better Bites

Nutter Butters were a weakness when I was pregnant, good thing my friend didn’t introduce me to them until the 3rd trimester! Until my baby shower I had never had them. She had bags of the minis to make into little acorns and I think I ate an entire bag that day! SERIOUSLY all but a couple that the kids grabbed but was like a mama bear and was protecting that bag like a mama protects her cubs (which is actually a misconception about bears I learned this summer). Still craving them I had to create a healthier option, these Nutter Butter Better Bites!

If you’ve never had a Nutter Butter I’m not sure I want to tell you to try them. I’m torn on one hand I do because they’re good but they really aren’t something you probably want to get hooked on. So prefect solution is just to make these! If you really want to try them I can share mine. I don’t carry them in my purse like I did when I was pregnant but there is a pretty good chance there is a bag stashed, unless the kids found it again!

To further justify my obsession I add in a few whole food ingredients that increase lactation! Some of these are optional and I’ve noted them below but adding optional ingredients like flaxseed add a nutritional boost good for everyone, not just mamas. It just means I have an added reason to eat these delicious bites and a bag that are just for mama that nobody touches! For all my fellow breastfeeding mamas out there looking for lactation recipes you can find them all here.

I even made some into truffles with a peanut butter shell but they aren’t best enjoyed in the warm summer months so I’m going to play with those a bit and share a version later but will add it to the recipe notes.

I’m not sure if I want my love for these cookies to disappear or not, it would just be nice not to have countless ideas inspired by them running through my head. Like even a dessert for a family get together when I was going to make homemade Nutter Butters, only it was too hot so I ended up not making them as I would have had to make a couple dozen cookies.

I’ve always loved peanut butter so I have a feeling that I would have fallen in love with them no matter when I tried them.

So what makes these Nutter Butter Better Bites so good, I mean good for you not just taste good?! They’re made with nutrition packed whole food nutrition like oats, flaxseed, pure maple syrup or honey with optional Brewer’s yeast and or protein or collagen.

Oats while the studies are on both ends of the spectrum on if they really do help with lactation or if it’s a wives tale they make a great base for any energy bite. They’re packed with healthy carbs, fiber, iron, and a rich source of phytochemicals. They are also heart healthy, helping to lower cholesterol and control blood sugar.

Ground Flax Seed adds Omega-3 essential fatty acids, “good” fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Lignans in flax seed have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flax seed is packed with soluble and insoluble fiber which is good for everyone. Like sesame seeds, flaxseed has phytoestrogens that can influence breast milk production.
Flax seed also contains essential fatty acids. Eggs are rich in protein, choline, lutein, vitamins B12 and D, riboflavin and folate.

Brewer’s yeast (the one ingredient I leave out of the families cookies) is a healthy nutritional supplement that contains B vitamins, iron, protein, chromium, selenium, and other minerals. It can not only help produce more breast milk, but it may also give you more energy, have a positive effect on your mood and get rid of the baby blues. If you’re looking for other ways to use brewers yeast here are a few more recipe!

Pure maple syrup is contains manganese, zinc, magnesium, and potassium along with other minerals.

Raw honey is rich in vitamins and minerals and my choice for sweetener in these bites, maple syrup or agave can also be used. Local honey is best for helping with allergies as well.

If you want to use almond butter instead of peanut butter it’s high in protein and essential fatty acids! Amino acids in nuts are building blocks for serotonin which aids in lactation. The best nuts for improving milk production are almonds. Almonds are high in omega 3 which helps hormones product more milk. Or if you want to use tahini instead of peanut butter it’s high in calcium, sesame seeds are one of the best seeds for increasing milk supply. Also a great source of protein and alternative to almond butter.

The nutritional benefits of adding protein or collagen will depend on what you’re using. I like to use plant-based protein like vanilla Ripple or Vega Sport in these. For collagen I like Vital Proteins and Ancient Nutrition Vanilla Collagen Protein which I just stocked up on over the weekend during the Whole Foods sale. I have partnered with all of these brands at one point but they are all products that I purchase with my own money as well and love. I add protein for just that, added protein. I add collagen to mine to help with joint health and to help with my hair (as well as skin) as it’s falling out postpartum and this is by far the worst my hair has ever been which is why I’ve been trying a number of collagen products and packing in biotin rich foods like sweet potatoes. I started taking it before I got pregnant for my skin, joint, and gut health. Again I always recommend doing your own research before adding in any supplements as I’m not a doctor, just sharing what I use and love and my reasons.

Again if you’re a peanut butter lover like me you have to give these a try! Chances are you have everything you need to make them in our kitchen already.

Don’t forget it’s Meatless Monday and there are more great recipes linked up below and as always Deborah and I hope you join us and look forward to what’s cooking in your kitchen.

Print Recipe

Nutter Butter Better Bites

Turning my love for Nutter Butter Cookies into a healthier option with these Nutter Butter Better Bites. With multiple optional additions including one for lactation and breastfeeding mamas! Vegan and gluten free friendly.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Servings

bites (1.5 TBSP) or 18-24 bites

Ingredients

• 1/2 c peanut butter
• 1/2 c pure maple syrup or local honey
• 1 1/3 c oat flour, or course ground outs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 c peanut butter powder for dusting

OPTIONS (I add all 3 for lactation and either flaxseed protein, or both for the family)

• 2 TBSP ground flaxseed
• 2 TBSP brewers yeast (Mommy Knows Best Brewer's Yeast)
• 1 serving plain or vanilla protein or collagen powder (when using vanilla protein or collagen omitting vanilla extract)

Prep Time 15 minutes Servings bites (1.5 TBSP) or 18-24 bites Ingredients 1/2 c peanut butter 1/2 c pure maple syrup or local honey 1 1/3 c oat flour, or course ground outs 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/3 c peanut butter powder for dusting OPTIONS (I add all 3 for lactation and either flaxseed protein, or both for the family) 2 TBSP ground flaxseed 2 TBSP brewers yeast (Mommy Knows Best Brewer's Yeast) 1 serving plain or vanilla protein or collagen powder (when using vanilla protein or collagen omitting vanilla extract)

Instructions

1. You can make these by hand or in a food processor.
2. To make them by hand you will need to grind your oats to a course flour like consistency, or oat flour for smoother bites. You can also use oat flour.
3. In a bowl mix together peanut butter, maple syrup/honey, and vanilla extract.
4. In another bowl, or food processor if you used one, add any dry additions to the oats and just pulse or mix to combine.
5. Add dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture and stir with a spatula. I end up using my hands after it's mostly combine as it warms the peanut butter and mixes better. Depending on your peanut butter and additions if the mixture is too dry add a tablespoon of dairy free milk or water. If it's too wet to form into balls add a little more oat flour.
6. If making in a food processor you can blend everything together except the peanut butter powder.
7. Form into balls with your hands or using a small scoop.
8. Roll into peanut butter powder and place in the refrigerator to set, about 15 minutes, before putting in an airtight container in the refrigerator, or freezer, for longer storage.
9. Pull out 1-2 when you're ready to enjoy and you can eat them chilled (from the refrigerator, let thaw pulling from the freezer) or letting the come to room temp or warming for 10 seconds in the microwave.
10. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

*I use a simple salted natural peanut butter, just nuts and salt. If using one with oil they may be a little softer.

*If I add vanilla protein powder or collagen I omit vanilla extract.

Optional Peanut Butter Magic Shell freeze bites for 10 minutes before rolling in a combination of 1/3 cup peanut butter, 3 TBSP coconut oil, and  1 TBSP local honey mixed together.

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