How to Roast Sunflower Seeds in Oil

Roast sunflower seeds in oil to ensure they brown evenly in the oven.

When the end of summer arrives, sunflower seeds are ready to harvest. Sunflower seeds are a healthy snack you can easily pack and take with you. The seeds are high in protein and fiber. When you have a large amount of sunflower seeds, you can roast them in the oven to give them a crunchy texture. The seeds need to be soaked properly in water to soften the shells so they will roast well.

Things You'll Need

• Colander
• 2 qts. cool water
• Table salt
• Paper towels
• Vegetable oil
• Cookie sheet
• Seasonings
• Airtight container

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Place the seeds into a colander and rinse them under cool water to remove dirt and debris.

3. Soak the sunflower seeds in a bowl with 2 qts. of cool water overnight. Add 1/4 cup of salt to the water and stir until it dissolves.

4. Drain the sunflower seeds in a colander. Place them on paper towels to dry. Combine 1 cup of dried sunflower seeds with 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil in a bowl.

5. Add 1/4 tsp. of salt and stir the seeds.

6. Spread the oiled seeds onto a cookie sheet in a single layer.

7. Roast the sunflower seeds for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir the seeds every 5 minutes while they roast.

8. Remove the seeds when they brown. Sprinkle additional seasonings to the seeds such as cayenne or garlic powder if you desire.

9. Allow the seeds to cool completely and then consume. Store them in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks to prevent them from going rancid.

References

• University of Missouri Extension: Drying and Roasting Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds
• Oregon State University: How to Collect, Dry and Roast Squash and Sunflower Seeds
• Vegetable Gardener: Roast Your Own Sunflower Seeds
• National Sunflower Association: How to Roast In-Shell Sunflower Seeds