Lunchbox Secret Weapon: Sunflower Seed Butter
It’s allergy season around here.
Lulu is allergic to bedtime. Not only does she have to say her prayers three times each night, but she has to say them in different voices for each of her stuffed animals. About ten minutes in, I usually end up praying myself: “Dear God, let this be over soon.”
Gigi is still allergic to pants. This explains why she wore a frilly fuchsia sundress to a soccer game yesterday. At least there’s no danger of losing her in a public place. Between the huge hair and the florescent ruffles, the only place she’d blend in would be a Vegas show.
Pea Daddy is apparently allergic to his Kindle. He still hasn’t opened it since his birthday six weeks ago. His schemes for getting an iPad are becoming more elaborate and involve me getting a part-time job at the Apple store so he can use the discount. Yeah, that’s gonna happen.
And I’m still allergic to sleeves. Along with sleep, non-caffeinated beverages and television shows that have a script and/or no elimination ceremony.
But the more relevant allergies to our Facebook chat regarding eating right for back-to-school this morning involved peanut allergies. And good alternatives to PB&J and really just peanut butter in general.
Enter the humble sunflower seed.
Sunflower seeds are obviously peanut-free, gluten-free and soy-free. They are lower in saturated fat then peanuts and higher in iron and fiber.
Get this–you can make sunflower seed butter out of them.
And you should.
Sunflower Seed Butter
Makes 2 cups
- 2 c. sunflower seeds (raw, roasted, salted or unsalted)
- 1-2 T. neutral tasting oil (canola, grapeseed, etc.)
- salt to taste (optional)
- stevia to taste (can substitute any sweetener you like, i.e. sugar, agave, etc.)
Add sunflower seeds to a high speed blender or food processor and start blending.
Stream in oil a tablespoon at a time, until the seeds go from a chunky paste into a creamy blend.
Adjust salt and sweetener to taste. Transfer to a jar or resealable container–if not eating the whole batch immediately.
It’s a no-brainer that sunflower seed butter is delicious on toast.
Hello, breakfast.
But it’s also fantastic with apple slices (sprinkled with a little pumpkin pie spice), carrot sticks, celery, cucumber rounds or zucchini sticks.
Hello, snack.
But here’s where it gets interesting. You can swap sunflower seed butter for peanut butter, tahini or almond butter in some great recipeas that you made not have tried.
*Sweet recipeas like:
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cereal Mix
Chocolate Cherry Almond Smoothies
Peanut Butter Blondies with Chocolate Ganache
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes
*And savory recipeas like:
Noodle Salad with Peanut Mmmm Sauce
Original Mmmm Sauce (sub 2 T. sunflower seed butter for almonds)
Better Than Ever Black Bean Burgers
*Or try simple sandwich combos like:
Sunflower Seed Butter + Banana
Sunflower Seed Butter + Jelly
Grilled Sunflower Seed Butter + organic or non-dairy cheese (don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it)
Hello lunch…or dinner…or late night snack.
Come to think of it, maybe I’m developing a peanut allergy myself…nothing a little sunflower seed butter and some unscripted TV won’t cure. Enjoyed in a tank top, of course.
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As requested per this morning’s Facebook chat:
For more school lunch ideas, check out this post.
For freezable dinner ideas for those rushed school nights, check out this post.
For healthy college dining ideas, check out this post.
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*Reader Appreciation Week Recap:
Day 1: How The Book Came to Be
Day 2: It Bears Repeating: Make My Man Eat Plants
Day 3: The One Where You Show Me Yours
Was just thinking about making my own sunflower seed butter! Just got a Vitamixer a few days ago and school just started today! Perfect timing, eh?
Would you believe I never made nut/seed butter before today and I’ve had my Vitamix for over a year?! You are way ahead of me.
Such a great idea for back to school!
I had a really bad experience with my first two attempts at making sunflower seed butter. I have no idea what went wrong, but all I got was a clay-like lump that wouldn’t get smooth. I will have to try it out again though since I have so many seeds kicking around…maybe I didn’t add enough oil the first two tries!
Yes…oil is the key. I only ended up using 1 1/2 T. but it makes such a big difference. I want to make chocolate sunflower seed next since I just love the candy coated ones
Thanks I will have to try it again
I had the same issue. I tried it once and it took 15 minutes to get a paste (my poor food processor). I then added a couple Tbsp and it did improve the texture slightly, but it tasted so gross I threw it away. I think it was because they were raw. If I ever decide to attempt it again, I’m going to roast them for a few minutes before doing it. I’m guessing if they start out warm then they’ll turn to butter faster. You think?
For now, I’ll stick with buying it. I’m too scared I’m going to destroy my food processor.
Yes, absolutely roast them first…I’d stick them on a sheet pan at 350-400 for 10-15 min., turning every 5 min or so. Or you could just do what I do and buy them already roasted!
Come to think of it, I think mine were raw too and they also tasted horrible in paste form!
Note to self: Toast and add more oil. That should be the secret!
Sounds yummy! I love sunflower seeds…especially roasted ones
Yup, I used roasted for this!
Oh I love TJs sunflower butter! Once I run out, I need to try this. Or……you could just send me some!
Kidding!! Sunflower seeds are such a yummy treat and I don’t eat them nearly often enough. Lovely reminder Mama Pea!
I love it too…this is way cheaper and easier than driving across town to TJs for me. Plus no added sugar. Give it a go!
might have to try my hand at making this I love sunflowers!!!
would be real yummy in place of tahini in homemade hummus. tried homemade hummus with peanut butter instead of tahini (because I’m too cheap to fork over the money for that since I’m the main hummus eater) and it was yummy but with sunflower seed butter big YUM!!!
thanks for the recipe!!!
Yes, that’s a brilliant idea to add it to hummus!
ahh I need to try this, I attempted making it awhile ago in my food processor and ended up with a dry clumpy mess im thinking oil is a must!!
You definitely need the oil. I could see how dry and clumpy it was, but if you just stream in a tiny bit of oil, it makes all the difference in the world!
I’ve found quite a few recipes lately for nut/seed butters. It’s SO much cheaper to make your own sometimes! Thanks Mama Pea!
It really is! And it tastes great!
I love it! God bless the creators of the vitamix, no? I think you should be allergic to sleeves, you gots the guns Mama, show em off
Thanks, Ali. Yes. I am in love with my blender and not afraid who knows it.
I have a jar of sunflower seed butter and haven’t dug in yet…I think this needs to change ASAP!
TJs huh? Best butter evah.
I love ssb! I currently have 3 jars in my fridge!!! Obsession doesn’t even cover it.
Are they different flavors at least?
I’m bummed I missed the FB discussion this morning. I need to make some of that sunflower butter right away!
Sorry you missed it too, but the discussion is still up on the page if you want to go have a peek
My attempt to make this definitely ended in a clay-like lump that was anything but spreadable. Perhaps this is reason enough to convince the husband to buy me a vitamix?
Did you add oil? Keep adding it until it runs smoothly. But yes…you should convince the husband to buy you a vitamix.
I am going to try this tomorrow. Both of my kids have peanut allergy kiddos in their class, so for me that means no packing peanut butter! I will run sun butter by them to see if they like it. I tried almond butter but none of them took to it. This does not mean I am giving up though!
I find that the sunflower seed butter is much closer to peanut butter than almond butter (though of course, I love almond butter!). My girls prefer this to almond butter and in a cookie, they don’t even know the difference!
Sunflower butter a success for me and my kiddos! Thank you!
Yay! You are welcome!!!
I put a pic of my kids eating their sunbutter on my blog today! Really, thank you. I packed it in their lunches today. Your book is awesome too, we are very much enjoying the recipeas (even my husband!) Thanks for putting your time and talent into this blog and your super awesome book!!
I’m off to check out your blog…thanks for the love, Amy.
MP, that looks excellent. I’ve made a few nut butters and enjoyed TJ’s SSB but definitely feel inspired to make my own. I will definitely experiment with adding cocoa — chocolate SSB sounds amazing!
Let me know how that chocolate version works out for you!
Oh my goodness, you read my mind and answered my prayers!! My 16 month old has a peanut allergy and wouldn’t you know it my husband and I LOVE peanut butter anything. We recently found out about the allergy and I thought my life was over. I felt so bad for my little girl not being able to have peanut butter cookies, brownies, etc, etc. I bought a jar of sunflower seed butter at Trader Joe’s a couple weeks ago and I have been using this stuff in everything, it is sooooo exciting and yummy! I was at Trader Joe’s today and they were either out or they stopped carrying it, there was none and I was uber sad. I am sooo excited that I can make my own now! Thank you!!
ps, she also has an egg allergy which is how I got started on your blog, we are enjoying all kinds of egg-free yummies and we have even started doing meatless meals 3 nights a week…we will see what happens. Again thanks for what you do!
Oh yes, this was super easy. And I too love TJ’s brand. I just hate having to drive all the way across town to get it. I’m so glad you found us and that you have lots of choices for your family now. Best of luck with your new way of eating!
I have never made my own sunflower seed butter because see I am addicted to the TJ’s version and it’s only 3.99 a jar and I figure, i’ll let the Trader blow his eardrums out from all the Vita whizzing and whirling rather than me…haha!
But seriously though, I should make my own, huh! I mean, I ADORE SFSButter.
I make my own cashew butter, chocolate cashew butter, PB, you name it, I’ve blended it. Except for the sunflower seeds.
Plus I know some people take issue with the TJ’s SFSB because it has added sugar. I don’t care but I know some ppl do. With yours..you can use stevia…good thinking!
Did you use roasted seeds? Salted? From the pic, it looks like it. I always think raw/unroasted would lend to a terribly bland result..just musing here….
I did use roasted and salted and really liked the flavor. I think the raw would be plenty bland after being so used to the TJs brand (also my favorite!).
As a former teacher whose parents went CRAZY when PB was banned in our school, THANK YOU!
You’re welcome!
What???? The kindle is awesome…way better for reading than an ipad. Not having the glare on the screen is so much easier on my eyes after a whole on the computer. Tell him that allergies are psychosomatic and open up that kindle!
No doubt. Or go return it and give my money back.
or just take it for yourself.
I have made my own nut butters before with varying results. Thank you for the reminder about using sunflower seeds! I know one of my elementary students has a severe peanut allergy so eating any types of nut butters at school is out.
Happy to help!
this seems like a simple, quick recipe. i’ve never tried SFS butter (despite the rave reviews…), and now i really have no excuse not to try it … except that i don’t have any sunflower seeds at the moment. *adds SFSB to list of things to make*
Great recipe! We have several people near and dear to us who have severe peanut allergies and I am going to pass this along to them.
I don’t like most peanut butters–too dry!–but I often find myself wanting something else to go with jelly on bread in the same vein of a PBJ. I guess I’ll be making a SBJ in the future!
Also, we have a friend with a son who is allergic to an unfortunate array of delicious food items–nuts and dairy among them. She’s still nursing her child, which means that she has to refrain from dairy and nuts too. Prior to the discovery of his allergy, she loved peanut butter. Hopefully this will help her out!
Yes, pass on the info! Lulu had a gluten allergy when she was a baby but has outgrown it…maybe your friend’s son will too?
*whimpers* I forbade myself from buying more sunflower seed butter because I kept eating entire jars in two days with a spoon, and I’ve resisted for over a month now. Until now, that is.
How can you do this to me, Mama Pea? Tempting me so terribly?
I always thought you were nicer than that.
I’m sorry! (I’m not really…)
Sunflower Seed Butter?! THIS IS SO COOL!!!!! YUM! I have always wanted to make some of this!
You should try it…very easy!
I’m so glad I’m not in public school or have kids going there for the simple fact that I am a die-hard peanut butter lover. Sure, I like other nut butters, but they are all subpar to my beloved peanut butter. I feel for those with allergies, I really do, but you just can’t beat a peanut butter and raspberry jam sammich. Yum!
I love sunflower seed butter! My roommate had it once, and after I tried it, I knew I’d have to get some myself! I’m definitely going to try some of these recipes. I’ll need them once school starts next week
Sunflower seed butter is very useful for school situations where no peanuts are allowed. Believe me, I feel your pain, my son’s preschool did not allow: peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds (really! no hummus, no asian foods with sesame oil, nada), mangoes or meat (not a problem for me!).
That said, please be careful with using sunbutter in baked goods and the like without letting people know. Some people, like me, are very allergic to sunflower seeds. I could eat peanut butter all day, but one big bite of what looks like a peanut butter cookie but is actually a sunflower butter cookie and I would likely end up in the hospital.
Oh I’d definitely tell anyone when using any kind of nuts, seed, soy and gluten! Thank you for the warning!
Sunflower seed butter is so yummy. I just bought a new jar a few weeks ago after going without it for… way too long!
I’ve seen sunflower seeds used to make raw “refried beans.” They are an underrated seed, indeed.
I was actually trying to think of a savory version of this to make…maybe with chili powder and cumin, I’m thinking.
Thank you so much for this! I keep seeing sunflower seed butter on blogs and I haven’t been able to find any in Ireland. Now I can make my own
Oh yes, imagine what the shipping on that would have been!
I should not be reading this at 1am! Everything looks delicious and it is making me so hungry. Only 7 hours til breakfast time!
Hope you got some sleep!
I did:) And I woke up with a yummy spinach smoothie:)
I’ve just started enjoying sunflower seeds on salads, so I’m thinking it is high time I make me some sunflower seed butter!!!
About how long does it take for it to get creamy like that in the blender??
Less than a minute for me!
I have been IN LOVE with Sunflower Nut Butter for months now. It’s become my new nut butter of choice. I just recently discovered a fantastic new use for it…
Sunflower Nut Butter + Honey + Sea Salt = Dulce De Leche.
It’s amazing!!!
I know what’s for breakfast now…thanks, Lauren!
I still haven’t tried SS butter, but you just gave me an entire list of reasons to go for it.
So sunflower aren’t considered nuts because they are seeds? So perfect! I’ve been wanting to try some! I’ll make some first bc i have the ingredients on hand!
Yes, that is true!
Sunflower buttaaaah!!! My one (OK, one of many) weakness. LOVE that stuff! And now with this recipe I don’t have to wait till the bimonthly trek to Trader Jo’s comes round. Heaaaaven.
I use sunflower seed butter all the time in place of nut butters, one of our favorite subs is in cookies. However if you use it in cookies and the cookies turn green, which totally freaked me out the first time and I threw them all out, don’t be alarmed. It’s a simple chemical reaction and they are still totally safe and yummy to eat. Here’s the explaination: http://www.sunbutter.com/blog/tag/why-do-sunbutter-cookies-turn-green
That’s interesting! I made cookies last night with it, but they didn’t turn green at all!
I need to pass this recipe along to our dietitan that handles the allergy kiddos.
Love this recipe! I’ve been wanting to try sunflower seed butter, but can’t bring myself to spend $7+ for a jar of it!
Definitely give this a try!
Love this! As a teacher – I know many schools that have banned PB all together. (Fortunately for me and my love of PB.. my school hasn’t – and I don’t have any peanut allergies in my class). I have heard teacher after teacher (and parent after parent) express their love for SSB – enabling them to give their child some sort of classic mix up to old PB and J!
It’s so strange though, because growing we’d bring pb&j everyday! Of course we also played outside until dark and ate candy cigarettes. I guess times change.
I’ve got a jar of Sunbutter that I still haven’t cracked into, but now that I know about your Peanut Mmmm Sauce, I think I know how I’ll put it to use! I also like the idea of using it in place of tahini….. I wonder if it would make a good hummus?
And I, too, am allergic to sleeves. I’m sitting here drinking a green smoothie in a tank top and I’ve got goosebumps. You know you’re addicted when….
What are we going to do when Fall gets here? Bring on the vests and sleeveless turtlenecks…
I just bought some sunflower seed butter (first time ever) for my kids…as the school is peanut free (seriously when did people start developing all of these allergies to peanuts).
It is delicious and SO similar to peanut butter, I don’t think my kids will notice the difference.
Now making my own might be a different story…however I did grown some sunflowers so maybe MAYBE I can produce my own butter (bound to be cheaper then the store).
Thanks for all of the suggestions M.P.
We have huge sunflowers in our backyard, so if you figure out how to do it, pass on that info!
My husband is a sunflower seed fanatic, so I’ll definitely have to give this recipe a try. We’re having your meatless meatloaf muffins tomorrow night….yum!
On a completely unrelated note, I recently saw this shirt and thought of Lulu: http://www.cafepress.com/FunBabyClothes/7957428
Oh enjoy your dinner! That t-shirt is…interesting…
We recently tried sunflower seed butter for the first time and my son fell in love with it! I still much prefer my almond butter (I simply love AB!), but he truly liked the SSB, so that’s what we are having in sandwiches lately, which is definitely good alternative when there are peanut allergies around!
Ana
I still love almond butter too…but I find my kids like the sunflower seed butter more and it was a piece of cake to make!
Yes, I love AB but my son likes SB more, and I know, all the nut butters are so easy to make, I love making my own too!!
Ana
Hey!
I have MISSED you! Has there been anything BIG that I missed ?! : ) I know you did another show, I hope that went well, Im sure you rocked it! I always dislike falling behind in Mama Pea’s World ; p
I have never tried sunflower seed butter, my son does love it, I might have surprise him, and show him I have skills and can make my own ; ) lol
<3 xoxo Have a great day!
Oh my peas! I made your Thai veggie burgers last night and they were A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! Even my “I love meat” husband enjoyed them. Your book is awesome!
YES! I’ve been dying for someone to post a sunflower seed nut butter recipe!! You just completely made my day – I now no longer have to go bankrupt from the amount I buy at the store
Beautiful pictures, Sarah!! What camera do you use? We’re looking to buy a new one, looking for suggestions.
Thanks! I just have the Canon Rebel which I bought at Costco. Hope that helps!
My dad is allergic to peanuts and is finally (after 60 something years) looking for an alternative! I’ll have to send this post to him!
Oh, I hope this is handy for him!
I bought my first jar of sunflower seed butter about 4 months ago and just can’t seem to like it plain. Adding it into things has been the only way I can tolerate it. I’m shocked at myself, a nut butter I don’t actually like? The horror!
That’s crazy! Maybe you should make cookies with it? We loved our chocolate chips one last night!
Sunflower seed butter is actually the only kind of nut butter I can eat, so power to the sunflower! I might or might not have a sunflower seed butter and banana sandwich on toasted Ezekiel bread every day…I’m just saying
No shame in that, sister!
I have been wanting to try this for a while but was waiting to see someone else do it successfully.
Thanks, MP.
Happy to be your guinea pig.
Yum! I’ve only had peanut butter and almond butter, but I love nut butters so much that I think I should try sunflower seed butter! It looks so creamy.
I cannot wait to make my own sunflower seed butter. I just went back and read the post about eating healthy in college–very helpful (even though I’m not in college … I still enjoyed it.) I can’t believe you are almost as tall as my 6′ 4″ husband. That’s awesome. Did you ever do a post on how to eat vegan/vegetarian when pregnant? I saw someone asked you in the comments of the healthy eating in college post. Just wanted to ask.
I didn’t…and that’s because I didn’t go veg until after I had my kiddos! I think that would be a great guest post to have though.
I love sunflower seed butter! I haven’t made my own yet but must try your recipe
with a touch of sea salt, it is super delicious with chocolate (like in a shake or protein ice cream). and cookies, of course
Do you have the book? We made the homestyle chocolate chip cookies w/sea salt last night but subbed sunflower seed butter in for the Earth Balance and they were AMAZING! Based on your comment, I think you’d think so too
What perfect timing! I can’t find organic sunflower seed butter around here and I wanted to make my own, but I wasn’t sure how much oil to use. Thanks! I’m making this tonight
Yes, and depending on your machine/seeds, you can adjust the amount of oil just to that you need. Best of luck!
Seems like I have had the same problem as a few others – attempted to make sunflower seed butter and it was a huge disaster. I swore from that day on I would stick to TJs brand. Maybe I will give it another go…
The oil is the key!!!
Could you have slathered that toast any more perfectly? While I love sunflower seeds, for some reason the few times I’ve tried the butter, I haven’t been a huge fan. I’m sure it would grow on my though. This is such a great idea for all of those parents that have kids going to nut-free schools! I was just emailed about trying to change one of my “larabar” recipes to not include nuts and I was thinking of some sort of sunflower/oat/brown rice krisp combination. I will be experimenting soon! p.s. I have those white ramekins hehehe
That’s a great idea on the Larabar! I was thinking of all your fun nutbutter combos when I made this but decided to keep it plain and simple….this time…
Mama Pea – what a great idea! I am lucky that my little one is allergy free but this looks yummy nonetheless. I also can’t wait to share this with the chef at my son’s school!
As a side note, I ran in B&N this morning to buy a copy of your book. But both of the copies they had in stock had an entire section of blurry printing, both text and images. They were going to send them back, and I am so sad not to have taken a copy home. Boooooo.
What a bummer! Sorry about that, Victoria. I’m sure they’ll have more copies in stock soon! (Which B&N is it…I can urge them along…)
Such a bummer! Do urge them…Mt. Pleasant, SC (Charleston suburb).
Thank you, will do!
Ahhhh you know the way straight to my heart (which is through trashy TV)
I’m not allergic to peanuts, but this looks amazing! I’m going to try it tonight and enjoy it on a few apple slices!
I was up far too late watching Bachelor Pad last night but hearing Casey serenade Vienna made it totally worth it.
Mmm I almost love sunflower seed butter more than almond butter. It’s a fun swticheroo for regular ol’ PB, or in the case of peanut allergies, of course.
I made your Thai Veggie Burgers last night and when I got to the peanut butter part, I didn’t have any, but I had bought my first-ever jar of Sunflower Butter a few days ago and used that instead. I was FLOORED at how good your burgers were…my first thought was, “wow, this is really good”. My second thought was, “Hey, I could eat like this”.
Here is another first…I’ve read your blog since the beginning of this summer and eventually bought the cookbook. Love the Margartia Smoothie and of course PB Dough Balls. But this is the first time I have ever posted on a blog. You inspire me to eat better. I am a 48-year-old recent empty nester who is about 25 pounds overweight. I am staring down the second half of my life and it’s a little bit scary navigating my way through this unchartered territory called ‘middle age’, but I am starting to believe that it is never too late to begin taking better care of yourself.
Thank you.
Hi Robin!
I love the “Hey, I could eat like this!” reaction. You very well could! Thank you so much for picking up the book, for reading our site and for your very kind comment. I whole-heartedly agree that it is never too late to improve your health and well-being.
Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. Thanks again for saying hello!
I love the TJ’s Sunflower Butter and the suggestion above to use the sunflower butter as a substitue for tahini in homemade hummus since I love hummus too {and usually just make it without tahini since I have never wanted to fork over the money to buy it}. Thank you for mentioning that you can use the sunflower butter for a substitue in the Mmm Sauce! I’ve been wanting to make/try the Mmm sauce but I have a nut allergy and now I can try it! Woohoo
Ooh yes, the sunflower butter would make a great sub, or to make it even easier, just add 1/4 c. of whole seeds to your blender/food processor! Whatever works best for you. Good luck!
I sub sunflower seed butter for all nut butters in your recipes and others and I have never been disappointing! I haven’t tried making it myself but I should cause I have a feeling making it yourself costs a lot less than $7 a jar!
Oh yes, far cheaper!
Hahaha – love the big hair comment! LOLed at my desk. Coworkers now know I am not getting anything done. My mom used to say it was impossible to lose me, you just had to spot the “80′s Jersey Hair.” Thank goodness I discovered frizz controlling products and the diffuser attachment to my blow dryer.
We own stock in leave-in conditioner.
Thank you for posting! I have been a huge peanut butter and almond butter my entire life but have recently been getting a rash after I eat it. I stopped eating nuts for the past few weeks but of course all I can think about having is nuts…or nut butter. I even had a dream about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! I’ll give this a try – hoping it works out!
I hope it works for you too! Enjoy!
Saw this and thought of you! http://www.etsy.com/listing/41265623/pea-pod-peapod-mothers-necklace-silver?ref=fp_treasury_6 One pea for each little pea! : )
Beautiful! Maybe I’ll pass this along to Pea D as a Christmas idea.
I love sunflower seeds and sunflower seed butter, but never thought to make my own! Delicious.
This has you written all over it then!
I finally picked up a copy of your book last night, it is GORGEOUS! I was flipping through it while my carnivore husband looked over my shoulder, and he demanded I make the thai crunch salad this week. I pointed to the tofu (which he normally wont eat) and he said “If it looks THAT good, I’ll eat it!”
That is my favorite recipe in the entire book. Hope you guys love it as much as I do!
I totally love sunflower butter, and you totally inspired me to start making my own as TJ’s is seriously addicting! I’ve never made my own seed butter, but it’s never too late to do so, huh?
Sunflower butter SO rocks over PB nutrition and taste wise
You should give it a go! It’s awesome!
Sunflower seed butter is on my must-try-soon list. Thanks for the recipe inspiration! Not that my anticipated jar-spoon-mouth feeding plan isn’t classy and sophisticated.
Wait, I shouldn’t be doing that?
I loves me some sunflower butter – but isn’t it funny that my 5 year old will eat sunflower seeds but hates sunflower butter? This is the same child who also hates macaroni & cheese (and cheese of any kind unless it’s on a pizza), thinks anything sour is “gross,” who will eat handfuls of salt from the shaker if I’m not in the room, doesn’t like PB&J and who won’t eat toast of any kind except bagels. Freak.
However, like you suggested in your Facebook chat yesterday, I showed him your book and told him we were going to make some recipes from it. I had him look through it and the first thing he picked that he thought he’d want to try was a quinoa dish! And this morning he randomly said, “muffins are awesome” so I said, well, remember that cookbook I showed you yesterday? We can make muffins from there. He said, WE can? He was so excited. Then I told him there was a recipe for PB&J cupcakes in it and he said, “awwww mom we GOTTA make ‘em!” Never mind that he won’t eat PB&J sandwiches…
At any rate, your advice and book have been so helpful in my quest to get my boy to eat better, so thank you!
You are welcome! I’m so happy to help, or to at least give hope. I hope he loves the muffins.
I’ve never tried sunflower seed butter before; I’ve always been a peanut butter kind of gal. However, I’m now anxious to try it as I do love eating sunflower seeds by the bucketful.
You should try it! Much less chewing.
Must.make.immediately!!!!!!
Just had a ‘duh’ moment. I never thought to use something like sunflower or even almond butter in Mmm Sauce. My cheap old (and annoyingly indestructible!) blender can’t handle the nuts so I’ve been having crunchy sauce all this time. Thanks for the tip!
No worries…that’s not a duh moment. Forgetting your cell on top of your car is. I’ve done that three times.
I could (and do) eat sunflower seed buttah every. single. day. It is so gooodddd!
You are a lifesaver for lunch ideas!!!
Thanks Mama Pea
My pleasure!
I <3 sunflower seed butter. I wish I had a Vita or even a food processor so I could make it! Someday…
I think I’m currently allergic to my job. Shh… don’t tell.
I actually just picked up sunflower seed butter from TJ’s, but I haven’t tried it yet. I’m hearing lovely things about it!
I’m allergic to my cat too. I forgot.
Vitamix just arrived in the mail (this is one of the happiest days of my life), and this might just be the first thing I make. Will put my TJ’s raw sunflower seeds to good use!
Do it!!! (congrats on your new purchase–it will change your life!)
Just wanted to share that I made Sloppy Josephines last night and they were delicious! Usually, I don’t care for Sloppy Joes but your version was awesome! After the first bite my finance said “Mmmm I love Sloppy Joes!!!” They were really good .. along with everything else I have made from your cookbook ! We have really enjoyed going through the book and trying new recipes. I would venture to say that your cookbook is the most used cookbook I own, and I have only had it for a few weeks
**Fiance … Hah. I suppose my finance would like your Sloppy Josephines, too
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful to hear! I’m not a big sloppy joes fan either, but I love mine
Thanks so much for the great feedback and the love!
LOVE sunflower seed butter. I’m pretty sure I ate half of it straight from the jar the day I got it from TJ’s.
So simple, yet so insanely addictive!
I just made some sunflower seed butter last week, because I have a son who is allergic to peanuts and I want to make some of the bars from your book!
It is delicious.
Thanks so much!
If I had your arms, I’d be allergic to sleeves, too!
Oh come on!
Mmmm… I’ve never tried sunflower seed butter but I’m thinking that I now have to. I can just imagine making the PB&J cupcakes from your book with it!
I was on vacay last week so I didn’t get to participate in your “show me yours” hoopla, but I wanted you to know that I’ve made your tortillas and enchiladas twice in the past month (friggin’ DELISH) and the blueberry struesel muffins twice in the past week! Your book is incredible and I can’t wait to make even more yumminess out of it!
Thanks so much, Lauren! I’m so happy you are enjoying having us in your kitchen
Jason would LOVE if I got a job at the Apple store. we know everyone there, I could probably swing that pretty easily.
my mom called today to tell me about you in the Food Day (asking the question she always asks, “do you guys take the Oregonian?”) I told her to come visit you here, and it looks like I may just have to buy ANOTHER book…
if she ever leaves a comment it shows up as “spabettie mom” – you you’ll know it’s her!
Awesome!!! Yes, the FoodDAY article was pretty great…I’ll link it up tonight
I’ll be looking for your mom to say hi around here…
With my cheap $15 Oster blender, I was bound and determined to make sunflower seed butter. I may have just burnt out the motor, but it did work! I had to use way more oil than 1-2T for my one cup of sunflower seeds and there was a great deal of “earmuffs!” directed at my children in earshot as I verbally wrestled with it, but the bottom line is: I win.
I am so very proud. I may have shed a tear or two. That a girl!
Never ever thought to substitute sunflower butter in other dishes. I love it on bread but that is the only taste adventure I have had with sunflower butter
Hey enjoy sleeveless season while it lasts, not too long in the NW.
Love to try this. Far away from any TJoes out here in Fiji.
You have helped me become a MUCH better cook. I used to be so clueless. I don’t know why, but I always figured homemade butters (peanut, almond, sunflower) were more complex. But that is not the case! I just tried this recipe and it is fabulous!!! My husband was impressed when I showed him my concoction. Thanks so much Mama Pea!!!
Really? That’s great! I’m impressed with you too
mmmmm i’m usually an almond butter gal but you make this stuff look so yummy!!! may have to try this soon! thanks mama pea!
Thanks for the sunflower seed tip. As I was driving home from work today, while going through Garibaldi, I looked to my left to see none other than the wiener mobile at the Food Basket! Haven’t seen that in real life since I was a kid. Made me think of your post on this and laughed out loud. So if you hurry, you just might make it to see this vehicle again
Ha ha ha! Love it. That is random for the Weinermobile to show up in G-town!
Can you make seed or nut butters in any blender? I always wanted to try making some nut butters but I figured you needed a food processor. I have a Kitchen Aid blender…not sure if it would work. What do you think is best?
I think a Vitamix or food processor works best, but someone just reported back in the comments tonight that they used an Oster and it worked! You may need a bit more oil, but I think it’s worth a shot!
Sarah – I was so excited to see your article in the Oregonian FoodDay this morning! Congratulations on everything! I loved the picture of you with the girls in the kitchen. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Thanks Kilee! It was exciting for us as well!
One of my clients just made her own sunflower seed butter! I should steer her over here for your recipe:)
That is one pretty piece of toast!
I love how you can make something so simple look so droolworthy!
YUM! So many ideas. Thanks so much for sharing!
How does the homemade version compare to the store bought version taste wise? My boys are allergic to peanits and tree nuts and I have tried the jar of sunbutter a few times, they can’t do it. I have even tried to sneak it into things. Nope. Thanks for your recipes, though, I’m loving them!
It actually tastes very similar, so if your boys don’t like the store brand, they probably won’t like this
This is great! I’ve made nut butters before but never sunflower seed butter — so great because nuts are banned in schools. My son loved the TJ sun butter, so I know he’ll really love a homemade version. Thanks for the insightful post! I love all the ideas you can use the sun butter with too!
I hope your son loves this!