Get the recipe: Homemade Sunflower Seed Butter (The Only Version My Kids Will Eat)
After one too many disappointing jars of store-bought sunflower seed butter, I decided to make my own - and I'm never going back. This creamy homemade version is made with toasted sunflower seeds, cozy spices, and a drizzle of maple syrup for a nut-free spread that's downright irresistible. It's also the only sunflower seed butter my kids will eat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw sunflower seeds
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp cloves
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- In a medium pan, toast sunflower seeds over medium-low heat for 10 minutes or until seeds are golden brown, stirring frequently. Let cool slightly.
- Transfer the seeds to a food processor and run the machine for 2 minutes. The seeds will start to look like thick sand.
- Add in coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- Run the food processor for another 7-8 minutes, scraping down the sides if needed. The Sunbutter will be thick at first, but as you get closer to the 7 minute mark, the butter will become smooth and creamy.
- Transfer to an air-tight container.
Notes
Yield: 2 cups
Storage: Store in an airtight container for 1 month. I like to keep my nut and seed butters in my pantry so they don't get too thick, and they last me at least 1 month. You can also keep them in the fridge for longer storage.
Sunflower Seeds: If you can find unsalted, roasted sunflower seeds, you can use them in place of roasting your own. I can sometimes find these at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.
Recipe Tips:
- Choose raw, unsalted sunflower seeds as they’re often much lower in sodium than roasted seeds.
- Be patient when grinding sunflower seeds - it does take several minutes for the seeds to break down.
- If serving to babies or younger toddlers, make sure to prepare safely, as nut butters can be a choking hazard due to their thicker nature. To minimize the risk, blend seed butter until very smooth and mix with milk or breastmilk, water or yogurt to thin it. Or spread a very thin layer on crackers or toast.
- Feel free to get creative - experimenting with some tasty additions to this seed butter like chia seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseed, cocoa powder or vanilla is so much fun!
Calories: 93kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 16mg, Potassium: 89mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 7IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg
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