Looking for a delicious treat that supports your gut health and hormone balance? These Prebiotic Oatmeal Cookie Bites are the perfect answer to your sweet cravings while providing essential nutrients for women’s health. Packed with fiber-rich oats, omega-3 fatty acids, and hormone-supporting ingredients, these cookies make the perfect afternoon snack or post-dinner treat for women experiencing hormonal fluctuations, whether from perimenopause, endometriosis, PCOS, or postpartum changes.

Ingredients:

•  1½ cups rolled oats
• 1 cup almond flour
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ⅓ cup coconut oil, melted
• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
• 2 pasture-raised eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup dark chocolate chunks (70% or higher)
• ⅓ cup chopped walnuts

How to Make Hormone-Balancing Prebiotic Oatmeal Cookie Bites:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, almond flour, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt (plus maca powder if using).
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly mixed.
5. Fold in the dark chocolate chunks and chopped walnuts.
6. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes to firm up slightly.
7. Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, form the dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Slightly flatten each cookie with your palm.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
10. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Why These Oatmeal Cookie Bites Support Hormone Balance

• The beta-glucans in oats act as prebiotics, feeding beneficial gut bacteria that are essential for proper hormone metabolism and reducing inflammation.
• Ground flaxseeds contain lignans that help modulate estrogen levels, providing support for women with PCOS, endometriosis, or experiencing perimenopause symptoms.
• Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and support overall hormone production.
• Eggs provide choline, a nutrient essential for liver health and proper hormone detoxification.
• Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels, which is crucial for managing insulin resistance often seen in PCOS and preventing mood swings associated with hormonal fluctuations.
• Dark chocolate contains magnesium, a vital mineral for over 300 enzyme reactions in the body and often depleted during times of hormonal stress or heavy menstrual cycles.

These cookies aren’t just delicious – they’re designed with women’s hormonal health in mind. The prebiotic fiber from oats helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which is increasingly recognized as crucial for hormone balance. Research shows that gut bacteria play a key role in metabolizing and recycling hormones, particularly estrogen.

For women experiencing hormonal challenges, whether from perimenopause, endometriosis, PCOS, or postpartum changes, these ingredients work synergistically to provide support. The healthy fats from coconut oil, walnuts, and eggs provide the building blocks for hormone production, while the natural sweetness from maple syrup prevents the blood sugar spikes and crashes that can trigger hormone imbalance symptoms like mood swings, fatigue, and cravings.

Storage Tips:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months. These cookies make excellent make-ahead snacks for busy women looking to support their hormonal health throughout the week.