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    Home » Sauces, Dips and Condiments » Pumpkin Seed Butter

    Pumpkin Seed Butter

    Published: Feb 25, 2021 · Modified: Oct 27, 2022 by Jessica

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    Here is everything you need to know on how to make your own pumpkin seed butter from scratch, health benefits, storage tips, how to use it and how to flavor it! Makes for a great alternative to store-bought nut-free butters that's free of added sugar and preservatives. Perfect simply on toasts or to use in nut-free baking!

    There is a homemade creamy pumpkin seed butter in a small jar with the cover opened. The jar is on a wooden board with a few raw pumpkin seeds on the side as well as 2 slices of toasts spread with some of the seed butter.

    We LOVE pumpkin seed butter! I started to use this nut-free butter in my kids's lunch boxes when they entered pre-school, but now we simply use it all the time in the house, it is so good! So, I thought I should make my own butter all from scratch and it worked out so well.

    And I promise, it is easier to make than it seems! All you will need is raw whole pumpkin seeds, that's all. They first need to be roasted in the oven to enhance their flavor but then, simply transform them into a silky butter consistency using a food processor.

    But more than being allergen-free and safe for schools, pumpkin seed butter also is packed with valuable nutrients such as healthy fats, magnesium and zinc. It is a great addition to a healthy whole food plant-based lifestyle to help you stay full longer and keep you energized!

    Homemade pumpkin seed butter also has a rich and thick texture and beautiful smooth flavor that we cannot get enough of. We actually prefer pumpkin seed butter to sunflower seed butter (sun butter) for nut-free jam sandwiches, which we often make for our kids's lunches at school.

    Pumpkin seed butter is also very versatile for everyday cooking. You can add it to your overnight oats breakfast jars, swap any nut butters for this pumpkin seed butter in healthy baking, and is a good base for sauces and dressings. Even just spreading it on toast with some chia jam over can make for a fun breakfast that's very nourishing.

    Hope you give this recipe a try! ❤️

    Why making your own pumpkin seed butter

    • Super healthy and free of refined white sugar, additives and preservatives
    • There is nothing like the flavor of a fresh batch of pumpkin seed butter!
    • Easy to prepare with straight forward steps
    • Cheaper than a store bought pumpkin seed butter, especially if you buy the seeds in bulk
    • Made without adding any oil
    • Can customize the flavor and texture to your taste

    Also, pumpkin seed butter can be harder to find than the raw seeds, so another good reason to simply make your own!

    How does pumpkin seed butter taste

    Pumpkin seed butter tastes, well, like pumpkin seeds!

    It has a raw and nutty flavor that is just a slightly sweet. I also found it much smoother in flavor than expected. Its earthy flavor combined to the creamy texture makes pumpkin seed butter very unique in taste that I find specially satisfying.

    There is a homemade creamy pumpkin seed butter in a small jar with the cover opened. The jar is on a wooden board with a few raw pumpkin seeds on the side as well as 2 slices of toasts spread with some of the seed butter.

    Health benefits of pumpkin seed butter

    Pumpkin seeds are known to provide a significant amount of magnesium, zinc and healthy fats.

    But what makes them also very interesting is the heaping dose of protein they provide. In only one portion (1 oz - 28g - just shy of 4 tbsp), you will find 7 grams of healthy protein.

    They also contains plenty of vitamins, fiber and antioxidants and are believed to reduce inflammation when consumed regularly.

    In reality, pumpkin seeds are very easy to include into our daily meals: sprinkle on oatmeals, salads or even top pasta dishes. When kept whole, they add not only extra nutrients, but flavor and interesting texture. So why not eat them more?

    And turning them into butter will keep all of their amazing health benefits intact while making them an interesting way to incorporate them more into your diet.

    You can read more about health benefits of pumpkin seeds in this article.

    There is a homemade creamy pumpkin seed butter in a small jar with the cover opened. The jar is on a wooden board with a few raw pumpkin seeds on the side as well as 2 slices of toasts spread with some of the seed butter. There is also a wooden butter knife covered with some of the seed butter on top of the jar.

    What you will need to make homemade pumpkin seed butter

    • Food processor. The type and strength of your food processor will determine how fast your seeds will turn into a butter consistency.
    • Raw, unsalted and shelled pumpkin seeds (also called pepitas). To save money, you can buy them online in larger quantities. The seeds I use are the one from Terrasoul Superfoods.

    How to make homemade pumpkin seed butter

    The making of pumpkin seed butter itself is very straight forward:
    Roast + Process!

    Roast the seeds

    Spread your seeds on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 10-15 minutes at 350° or until the seeds are starting to brown with a nice toasty smell invading your house.

    • There are pumpkin seeds filling a baking sheet
    • There are roasted pumpkin seeds filling a baking sheet

    Process

    Transfer the seeds to a food processor and process until you reach a silky & smooth texture.

    There are roasted pumpkin seeds in a food processor

    To do this, you will have to stop your machine a few times, scrape the sides and under the blades and re-start the food processor. Keep going until it is smooth and uniform.

    At first, the seeds will be crumbly and looking quite dry, it can even form a large ball at some point or look like it "seized up". Do not despair!

    Keep going, take a few breaks, especially if your machine seems to be overheating, and you will eventually get to a super creamy delicious butter.

    I make pumpkin seeds butter within 8-10 minutes, but it can take up to 15-20 minutes, especially if your food processor isn't super powerful. So you might have to be patient!

    • There is a crumbly green mixture in a food processor
    • There is a crumbly green mixture in a food processor
    • There is a crumbly green mixture in a food processor
    • There is a crumbly green mixture in a food processor
    • There is a creamy green mixture in a food processor
    • There is a creamy green mixture in a food processor

    Watch how to make it

    What type of seeds to use

    It is best to use raw, shelled and unsalted seeds.

    This recipe is not a good one to use all the seeds from your Halloween pumpkin! You need shelled seeds to make butter, the shells are too fibrous and won't turn into butter.

    How to adjust the texture of my pumpkin seed butter

    You can stop your food processor whenever the texture is perfect for you. Only using pumpkin seeds will give you a very spreadable and thicker kind of consistency.

    If you are looking for a drizz-able or runnier texture, then you might need to add a hint of oil (choose neutral in flavor) to reach a thinner result, but I find this to be unnecessary.

    There is a homemade creamy pumpkin seed butter in a small jar with the cover opened. The jar is on a wooden board with a few raw pumpkin seeds on the side as well as 2 slices of toasts spread with some of the seed butter.

    How to store homemade pumpkin seed butter

    Once the butter is smooth, transfer to an air-tight container and store either at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or in the fridge for up to 2 months. When resting in the fridge, the butter will set and become slightly more solid, but will become runnier again once out on the counter for a little bit.

    You can also freeze it for up to 3 months!

    Pumpkin seed butter uses

    Seed butters are amazing at replacing nut butters for when you are looking for a nut-free option. You can also use it in baking anytime it asks for almond or peanut butter.

    This is super helpful for all these school age nut-free lunch boxes! Other than baking, it can be used so many other ways too:

    • Quick Breakfast: Simply spread on toast, top with fruits and sprinkle a little cinnamon.
    • Overnight oats or oatmeal: add a spoonful to this pumpkin overnight oat or top this matcha chocolate oatmeal for extra protein and fat.
    • Healthy filling snack: spread the butter on whole wheat tortillas, add sliced banana and a few dark chocolate chips and roll. These are great for kids.
    • Smoothies: add some to any of your smoothies to make them creamier and richer. Try adding some to this blackberry smoothie to make it more filling.
    There is a homemade creamy pumpkin seed butter in a small jar with the cover opened. The jar is on a wooden board with a few raw pumpkin seeds on the side as well as 2 slices of toasts spread with some of the seed butter. There is also a wooden butter knife covered with some of the seed butter that's dribbling back into the jar.

    How to flavor it

    I love to keep this butter plain so I can use it in recipes. I will often simply add some coconut sugar over if using over toasts. But you can also add flavoring ingredients right into the food processor depending of what you like.

    To do this, follow the instructions to make the BASIC plain butter. Then, when you reach the desired texture, add your flavoring to the food processor and process until combined, for a minute or two.

    Try these ideas:

    • Add a little cinnamon or pumpkin spice mix with some maple syrup: perfect if you are looking for a lightly sweetened butter with a little spiced flavor. Especially great for the fall!
    • Make a chocolate pumpkin seed butter by adding some raw cacao powder and a little sweetener, such as maple syrup or coconut sugar.
    • Vanilla pumpkin seed butter can also be made by adding a little splash of vanilla extract. just a little bit should be enough! Add also something sweet to enhance the vanilla flavor, like maple syrup or brown rice syrup.

    FAQ'S

    Can I freeze it?

    Yes, pumpkin seed butter is freezable. You can freeze some in small container and thaw overnight when ready to use.

    What if I cannot get the texture right?

    First thing to try is to process the butter a little longer! It can take up to 15-20 minutes (or even more, depending on your food processor) to reach a super smooth texture. If your food processor can't handle processing for so long, then take a break and come back at it later (so it does not overheat). You can also add a small amount of neutral tasting oil to the food processor, but I do not find this to be necessary.

    Can I use a blender to make it?

    If you have a high-speed blender, yes you can. But, as much as I love my Vitamix, I find it is much easier to use (and clean!) a food processor when making seed or nut butter.

    I hope you enjoy this homemade pumpkin seed butter recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

    Let's stay in touch with Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Also, don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to be sure not to miss anything.

    There is a homemade creamy pumpkin seed butter in a small jar with the cover opened. The jar is on a wooden board with a few raw pumpkin seeds on the side as well as 2 slices of toasts spread with some of the seed butter.

    Pumpkin Seed Butter

    4.50 from 2 votes
    Whether you are a pro at making your own seed/nut butter or want to explore a new kitchen skill, here's everything you need to know on how to make your own pumpkin seed butter, health benefits, storage tips, how to use it and how to flavor it!
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Servings 1 cup
    Author Jessica Laroche

    Equipment

    • Food processor

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups raw, unsalted and shelled pumpkin seeds

    Instructions
     

    • Turn on the oven to 350°. Spread the seeds on an even layer on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven for about 15 minutes or until the seeds start to brown. Let them cool down on the baking sheet completely.
    • Transfer the seeds to a food processor and process the seeds until a butter forms. You will have to take a few breaks to scrape the walls and make sure the butter and machine does not overheat. It will take several minutes (10-15) to reach a creamy butter, it will depend on the strength of your food processor.
    • Transfer to a air-tight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or in the fridge for up to 2 months. Can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

    Video

    Notes

    • You can flavor your pumpkin seed butter by adding salt, cinnamon, pumpkin spice mix and maple syrup. Add them to the food processor after the seeds have turned to butter, then process to combine.
    • Pumpkin seed butter is delicious simply spread over toast, but you can also use it in baking, top your oatmeal and add to smoothies.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nancy says

      March 05, 2021 at 3:14 pm

      5 stars
      I never would have thought of making pumpkin seeds into butter but sure enough it works. I had to scrape several times and the layer beneath the blades too. But after it formed a ball it didn't take long to turn smooth and creamy! Should be good on toast!

      Reply
      • plantbasedjess says

        March 05, 2021 at 4:15 pm

        Oh great, I'm glad it turned out well. So good on toast!

        Reply
    2. Connie says

      September 11, 2022 at 10:19 am

      4 stars
      Nice and easy recipe not using oil.......that is good!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        September 11, 2022 at 1:55 pm

        Hi Connie! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

        Reply

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    ABOUT JESS


    Profile picture for Plant Based Jess in the kitchen.

    Hi there! I’m Jessica, a pasta obsessed French Canadian now living in beautiful Maine. I’m a mom of two, experienced foodie and ninja meal planner. I believe everyone can make stress-free plant-based meals with wholesome ingredients that your family and friends will love. 

    Join me in my kitchen to discover fun and creative recipes or click to find out more. Welcome!

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