We planted sunflowers this year as an experiment but, as usual, I had no idea what to do with them come harvest time. After some searching, we found how simple it is to roast sunflower seeds. The National Sunflower Association provides a simple recipe We added 2 quarts of water and 1/4 cup of salt to a regular sauce pan. 
We then added enough seeds to make the pan full but not in danger of overflowing. Once boiling, we covered it and lowered the heat and simmered it for 2 hours. I stirred it every now and then just to make sure nothing was missing out on the salty fun! Afterwards, I heated the oven to 300 deg F and spread the seeds on a few cookie sheets.
The recipe says to bake for 30 minutes but it took much longer than that for ours to be dried and roasted. Just keep an eye on it after 45 minutes of so. We checked back every 15 or so minutes until they were done. Don’t try to pile the seeds on too thick. A single layer is necessary (don’t ask me how I know) for good roasting. Once you finish the roast, let the seeds cool for half an hour before you pour them into a moisture and mouse proof container.
Some folks separate the seeds from the shells when they eat them. Personally, I just eat the whole thing. I have no trouble with fiber…that’s all I’ll say. Emily is a separator. She doesn’t appear to be ready for the Majors yet as her seed spit is not yet up to par. We have a bunch of seeds though so I suppose she will have more time to practice!
How cool! Sunflower seeds are great to eat (in homemade granola bars and plain). I always let my sunflowers go to seed in my flowerbed – I ought to try this.
Kris
We tried to grow sunflowers once for seed. Some pest got them. All the hulls has tiny holes in them and were empty! We were bummed, and haven’t tried it since!
That is a great thing to do with your kids! It sounds pretty simple, too. Im gonna have to try this next year.
Maybe I’ll try that recipe. We have cooked some up in the past and they did not come out well…can’t remember exactly what we did. Thanks for sharing!
I’m with Kim, we’ve tried them before but they never turned out. I just wasn’t doing it right, I guess! They sure look great, looks like you got quite a few too!
I think part of the secret might be in putting in a little toomuch salt. We did that on one batch and it’s the best tasting. Just a thought!
The first year I grew sunflowers I was excited to try the seeds, but I had lots of little worms in my seeds 🙁 So I tossed the seed heads to the chickens, and once they overcame their fear of the seed heads they really enjoyed them.
The second year the wild birds got the seeds before I tossed them to the chickens. I am simply not meant to grow my own sunflower seeds. Yours look delightful.
I had one head that had some bugs so I put it out for the birds. We have a titmouse or two that will get seeds. The other birds have mostly stayed away from it so far. It will be harder to find food soon enough though I guess. I guess we got lucky as far as growing them. I figure we’ll plant more next year. I have eaten a bunch of the seeds already!
I am going to bookmark this for sure. I REALLY wanted to plant sun flowers this last year but just ran out of time. So, next year I am going to plant them. I want to save the seed for livestock but I had no clue just how to go about doing it.
Oh, Thank-you so very much for this post,
Dora Renee’ Wilkerson
p.s.
I just LOVE your site!