How To Make Healthy, Natural Sunflower Seed Butter (Simple Recipe!)

January 15th, 2016

By Dr. Edward Group

Guest writer for Wake Up World

Sunflower seed butter is creamy, versatile, delicious, and it’s an awesome substitute for nut butter. This recipe from Oh She Glows is much more than just plain ground sunflower seeds — it also features cinnamon, coconut sugar, and coconut oil. And it tastes amazing!

Sunflower seeds offer several extraordinary health benefits. As a great source of fiber, essential vitamins and minerals, and and essential oils, sunflower seeds are one of the healthiest seeds. Half a cup provides vitamin E,[1] B6, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc.[2]

Some research suggests sunflower seeds are a heart healthy functional food because they contain phytosterols, phytonutrients that promote normal cholesterol levels.[3] Sunflower seeds also contain two nutrients that promote cardiovascular health — vitamin E and folate. A potent source of magnesium, it promotes a healthy mood [4] while its selenium content makes it a powerful antioxidant, and great for thyroid health. [5]

Sunflower Seed Butter Recipe

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 16 ounces

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper (optional)
• Food processor or blender
• Spatula

Ingredients

• 3 cups of organic, raw, unsalted, shelled sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup organic coconut (palm) sugar
• 1 tbsp organic unrefined coconut oil
• Pinch of Himalayan crystal salt
• 1/2 tsp organic cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Spread sunflower seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet (preferably lined with parchment paper) and place in the oven. Seeds are ready once they have a golden hue, about 10-15 minutes depending on your oven. Watch closely so they don’t burn.
3. Allow roasted seeds to cool a few minutes, then pour into food processor. Discard any burnt seeds.
4. Process seeds on high until they have a loose, grainy consistency, about 2 minutes. Use a spatula to push the powder down. Add coconut oil in dollops and process until fully combined, about 2 minutes.
5. Scrape the bowl down with a spatula. Evenly add remaining ingredients to the food processor. Process for 2-4 minutes. The sunflower seed butter will look chunky at first but will get smoother the longer it’s processed. Process the mixture until you reach the desired consistency.
6. Use a spatula to scrape butter into an airtight container and refrigerate for about 2 hours before using (it will remain spreadable). The sunflower seed butter will stay fresh for about two months in the refrigerator.

Need a peanut butter fix instead? Try this homemade peanut butter cup recipe!

Article References:

[1] “Vitamin E: Factsheet for Health Professionals.” National Institutes of Health. 3 Nov. 2016. Web. 6 Dec. 2016.

[2] “Nutrition Data: Sunflower seed kernels, toasted, without salt nutrition facts & calories.” Nutrition Data. 2014. Web. 6 Dec. 2016.

[3] Moghadasian, MH, and JJ Frohlich. “Effects of Dietary Phytosterols on Cholesterol Metabolism and Atherosclerosis: Clinical and Experimental Evidence.” The American journal of medicine. 107.6 (2000): 588–94. Web. 6 Dec. 2016.

[4] Serefko A, Szopa A, Wla P, Nowak G, Radziwo-Zaleska M, Skalski M, Poleszak E. Magnesium in depression. Pharmacol Rep. 2013;65(3):547-54.

[5] Hawkes WC, Richter D, Alkan Z. Dietary Selenium Supplementation and Whole Blood Gene Expression in Healthy North American Men. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2013 Aug 18.

About the author:

Dr. Edward F. Group III (DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM) founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.

Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the internet.

For more information, please visit Global Healing Center.

Recommended articles by Dr. Edward Group:

• The Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
• The 9 Best Fermented Foods for Your Gut
• 14 Foods that Cleanse the Liver
• Top 5 Foods for the Pineal Gland
• 6 Things You Must Know About Colloidal Silver
• The Importance of a Kidney Cleansing Diet
• The 9 Best Herbs for Lung Cleansing and Respiratory Support
• 7 Best Foods to Support Kidney Function
• Lung Cleansing With Peppermint Oil
• How Fluoride Damages Pineal Gland Health
• The Top 20 GMO Foods and Ingredients to Avoid – and Why
• How Does the Alkaline Diet Affect Gut Health?
• 15 Best Essential Oils and Their Health Benefits