Homemade Sunbutter
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Many schools and family events are peanut-free or completely nut-free due to allergy concerns. There are several alternative nut butters, like almond and cashew, but if you want or need to avoid all nuts, the only options I know of are soynut and sunbutter. Soy is another relatively common allergy in young children, so it seems like sunbutter is the best alternative.
What is sunbutter? I was fairly surprised the first time I found out about it – it’s a spread made out of sunflower seeds! It has the same color and texture of peanut butter, with similar nutritional values. The protein and fat contents are almost identical, with sunbutter having slightly less saturated fat plus double the fiber of peanut butter. Sunflower seed buter is also high in magnesium and vitamin E. Unfortunately, it’s fairly expensive compared to peanut butter ($5-8 a jar). Luckily, sunflower seeds themselves aren’t that expensive, and I bought a 1 pound bag of shelled and roasted seeds for $1.69 at Trader Joe’s.
You will need a fairly high-powered food processor or blender to get the seeds to a smooth consistency. Mine wasn’t quite as smooth as store bought sunflower seed butter, but it was very close and I didn’t really notice while I was eating it. My homemade version tasted slightly more strongly of sunflower seeds than how I remember the store bought version tasting, which is strange since they don’t add any other flavors to it. It still had a fairly mild taste, and I think it would be great on bread, crackers, apples, celery, etc.
What are other alternatives to traditional foods do you enjoy?
Recipe:
Homemade Sunflower Seed Butter
Yields around 8 oz.
- 2 C sunflower seeds, roasted
- 2-3 T neutral tasting oil (canola, grapeseed, etc.)
- Your preferred sweetener to taste (I used 1 t agave)
- Salt to taste (if you buy salted seeds, omit salt)
(Edited to add: I just read that if you toast the seeds before blending, it helps them become creamier. Toast in a 225°F oven for around 20 mins, checking often and stirring them around so they don’t burn. Once they brown, remove from oven. Let cool slightly, then proceed with this recipe.)
1. Place sunflower seeds in food processor or blender.
2. Process until seeds turn into a fine meal.
To reach this consistency, I transferred the mixture from a mini food processor to a high-powered blender. A more powerful food processor should be able to grind it more efficiently.
3. Add oil, 1 tablespoon at a time, processing in between until you reach the consistency of a spreadable nut butter. Add sweetener and salt to taste. (Note: Check machine often to ensure it’s not overheating – if it feels hot, turn it off for a few minutes to avoid damaging the motor.)
Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for
No. 1 — May 4th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
What’s the shelf life of something like this?
No. 2 — May 4th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Isn’t sunbutter just amazing? I love it. One question before I make this recipe: do you know how long it will last in the refrigerator? I’d hate to have to throw it away if I don’t eat it quickly enough. Thanks
Eat and Write recently posted our vintage weekend- in kentucky- part 1
No. 3 — May 4th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Oh, how I wish I had a food processor! I could make all kinds of things… AGH!
No. 4 — May 4th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@Chris – I have to admit I’m not quite sure. Every recipe I’ve seen doesn’t mention shelf life, but my guess is it would be ok for a few months in the fridge. If I find out something more solid (and once my batch gets older) I’ll update the recipe.
No. 5 — May 4th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@Eat and Write – I’m not positive, as none of the recipes I found mentioned shelf life, but I think it would be ok for a few months in the fridge. If I find out a more solid answer (and once my own batch is older and I see how it lasts), I’ll update the recipe.
No. 6 — May 4th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
@Andrea – do you have a decent blender? My blender actually came in more handy than my food processor, but it has a powerful motor.
No. 7 — May 5th, 2011 at 8:06 am
Looks really great! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Angie@Angiesrecipes recently posted Cocktail Tomato Cups with Pesto Bocconcini
No. 8 — May 5th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
This is so fantastic! I have never prepared a nut butter myself, but love them and this would be my favorite…excellent
No. 9 — May 6th, 2011 at 7:27 am
I LOVE sunflower seed butter and it’s so easy to make at home! That and cashew butter and my favs!
~Sarah@TheJoyOfCleanEating.com
No. 10 — May 6th, 2011 at 8:49 am
Sunbutter? How lovely! This is such a great idea. I always have sunflower seeds in the house for adding to bread dough, but I am going to make this and spread it on the bread instead.
Hester Casey – Achemy recently posted White Chocolate and Cranberry Oatmeal Blondies – mood enhancing
No. 11 — May 6th, 2011 at 10:04 am
I haven’t tried homemade sunbutter yet but now I want to!
No. 12 — May 13th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
This is must try recipe…I love to use my food processor….just made my recipe in that cool machine…but also I love nut butters…thanks for the post:)
Irena recently posted Homemade Mint Hummus with Mint & Sea Salt Tortilla Chips
No. 13 — July 21st, 2011 at 8:49 am
You said you bought a 1# bag of seeds and used 2 cups for the recipe. How much would the whole bag make? I’m trying to figure out an approximate ratio of a pound of seed to ounces of sunbutter.
No. 14 — July 21st, 2011 at 9:57 pm
@Angela – I don’t know how many cups are in a pound of seeds. I used the remaining for other recipes. I’m sorry I can’t be more help, but I think you’ll have to get a pound and measure it out.
No. 15 — October 14th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
It’s been a few months, so was wondering if the sunbutter is still doing well, or whether you have any answer concerning shelf life
No. 16 — October 7th, 2012 at 1:48 am
Anyone tried the same technique/recipe idea for pumpkin seeds?