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You are here: Home » Food Preparation » Soaked Pumpkin Seed Butter (nutty, creamy, enzyme-rich!)

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Soaked Pumpkin Seed Butter (nutty, creamy, enzyme-rich!)

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Creamy and buttery with that nutty flavor we love, homemade pumpkin seed butter couldn’t be easier! Start with soaked and dehydrated raw pumpkin seeds… and three ingredients later, you have an enzyme-rich, nut-free, silky smooth spread perfect for sandwiches, smoothies, and more!

overhead shot of a blended seed butter in a small glass jar. Text overlay says: "Soaked Pumpkin Seed Butter (nutty, creamy, rich in enzymes!)"

Do you have nut allergies? Wishing you could eat a nutty, buttery spread?

Then our creamy soaked, raw pumpkin seed butter recipe is just what you need. It’s perfect with homemade sprouted biscuits, in smoothies, and more.

Plus, pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc to help support your immune system!

Table Of Contents

  • What Does Pumpkin Seed Butter Taste Like?
  • Is It Good For You?
  • Are There Any Health Benefits Of Pumpkin Seed Butter?
  • What Ingredients Do I Need?
  • Pumpkin Seed Butter Tips
  • How To Make Pumpkin Seed Butter
  • Raw Pumpkin Seed Butter
  • Storing Instructions
  • Serving Instructions & Ideas

What Does Pumpkin Seed Butter Taste Like?

My son is a huge fan of peanut butter (only creamy though, mind you). When he tasted this raw, soaked pumpkin seed butter he asked “Did you put butter in it? It tastes like butter!”

While it does have a lovely buttery taste, it’s not exactly like butter. It has the rich, almost earthy flavor of raw pumpkin seeds.

If you like to eat pepitas, you’ll love this homemade pumpkin seed butter!

Is It Good For You?

These little seeds are packed full of nutrition, so yes.

And, since they’re soaked, the enzyme inhibitors present are neutralized. This means the nutrients available in the seeds are easier for your body to utilize.

Plus, since they’re also raw, you get the benefits of living food.

Many people with food allergies tolerate pumpkin seeds well. So pumpkin seed butter is a terrific nut-free choice, especially for kids.

Furthermore, making your own pumpkin seed butter means you control what goes into it. This ensures no unwanted ingredients are in there.

small glass jar of raw pumpkin seed butter

Are There Any Health Benefits Of Pumpkin Seed Butter?

Pumpkin seeds contain quite a few important nutrients and including them in your diet helps support your body’s systems.

For example, zinc is very important for a healthy immune system. Just 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds provides 23% of the RDA for zinc.

They’re also a good source of copper (which is important for proper zinc function), iron, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorous.

In addition, there are many amino acids in pumpkin seeds, such as tryptophan. Tryptophan can help contribute to better sleep!

Pumpkin seeds contain a good amount of protein and fiber, too. All in all, quite a lot of nutrition in one tiny package!

What Ingredients Do I Need?

In commercially-produced nut or seed butters you often find several ingredients, like sugars or hydrogenated oil.

However, this easy recipe requires only three healthy, natural ingredients… and two are optional:

  1. soaked and dehydrated pumpkin seeds
  2. neutral-flavored healthy oil such as avocado oil or MCT oil — I chose the latter for its metabolism-boosting benefits (if needed for consistency)
  3. mineral-rich salt (optional)

You could also add a bit of honey, maple syrup, or molasses if you like a bit of sweet in your seed butter. Also, if you’re making the switch to traditional foods and are used to store-bought nut butters, which often contain sweeteners, it might help your taste buds get on board.

For a low-carb option, use a tiny pinch of pure stevia extract or your preferred sugar-free sweetener.

It’s absolutely delicious without anything added at all, though!

raw pumpkin seeds soaking in a glass jar with a teaspoon of salt in the foreground

Pumpkin Seed Butter Tips

Since we’ll be using soaked and low-temperature dehydrated pumpkin seeds, plan ahead for soaking and dehydrating. Learn how to soak and dehydrate seeds (and nuts) here.

pouring soaked pumpkin seeds into a colander to drain

We recommend these raw pumpkin seeds… or you can buy already soaked and dehydrated raw pumpkin seeds here.

Whether homemade or purchased, I do highly recommend keeping a supply of these crunchy delights in your pantry. They’re so good on salads!

IMPORTANT NOTE: You may be tempted to skip the dehydrating step.

You may reason that wet pumpkin seeds will turn into creamy pumpkin seed butter even more easily than dry seeds. I’m here to tell you that this is not the case at all!

However, if you did decide to do that and ended up with a mealy-looking mixture that refuses to get creamy… all is not lost! Simply freeze in tablespoon-sized discs or balls and add to smoothies later.

Ask me how I know about this…

How To Make Pumpkin Seed Butter

pouring soaked and dehydrated pumpkin seeds into the bowl of a food processor

1. Once your seeds are dehydrated, add them to the bowl of your food processor. Or, if you have a high-speed blender like a Vitamix add them to your blender jar.

2. Begin processing on high speed. This will take several minutes, depending on how full your processor bowl is.

spatula scraping down the sides of a food processor when making pumpkin seed butter

3. Your pumpkin seed butter will look like a ground-up meal after a minute or two.

4. Then you should start seeing the seed butter forming at the bottom of your bowl. Stopping and scraping down the sides of the bowl may be necessary from time to time.

Close-up shot of the consistency of blended pumpkin seeds in the bowl of a food processor. They are still grainy, not smooth yet.

5. After about 3 minutes or so, it will start clumping together and banging around in there. Add oil, a tablespoon at a time, to help it smooth out and become a lovely spreadable consistency.

pumpkin seed butter blended until smooth in the bowl of a food processor

6. If you don’t want to add oil, let the processor continue until it reaches a spreadable consistency that circulates freely. This can take quite awhile as well as heat up your raw seeds.

7. If you want to keep your pumpkin seed butter in the raw state, don’t let it get too warm. Stop the processor and let it rest periodically to prevent this.

8. Once your pumpkin seed butter is at the consistency you like, taste and add salt if desired. If you’d like some sweetness, add your preferred natural sweetener and give it a quick mix.

So easy!

overhead shot of a small butter knife scooping out blended seed butter from a small glass jar

overhead shot of a small butter knife scooping out blended seed butter from a small glass jar
4.5 from 4 votes
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Raw Pumpkin Seed Butter

Creamy and buttery with that nutty flavor we love, homemade pumpkin seed butter couldn't be easier! Start with soaked and dehydrated raw pumpkin seeds... and three ingredients later, you have an enzyme-rich, nut-free, silky smooth spread perfect for sandwiches, smoothies, and more!

Course Condiment
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 100 kcal
Author Wardee Harmon

Ingredients

  • 3 cups raw pumpkin seeds preferably organic
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt plus an 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons MCT oil or other healthy neutral-flavored oil, such as avocado oil

Instructions

  1. Place pumpkin seeds and salt in the bowl of a heavy-duty food processor.
  2. Use regular blade.
  3. Put the lid on and turn on the food processor.
  4. Let the machine run.
  5. The pumpkin seeds will get ground into a meal.
  6. Soon you’ll begin to see pumpkin seed butter as a bottom layer.
  7. Let it run longer, even 5 minutes, until the pumpkin seeds begin to hang together in a clump.
  8. It may form a ball that bounces around on the blade.
  9. If the seeds seem not to be wet enough to clump together, add 1 tablespoon of oil at a time until it does hang together and achieves a spreadable consistency.
  10. If necessary, stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  11. Then turn it on again.
  12. When the pumpkin seed butter is circulating freely, it is done.
  13. Refrigerate in a glass jar.

Recipe Notes

Do not skip the dehydrating step! Wet pumpkin seeds do not turn into creamy pumpkin seed butter like dry pumpkin seeds do. However, if you made that mistake (like I did), simply freeze the mixture in tablespoon-sized discs or balls and add to smoothies later.

Nutrition Facts
Raw Pumpkin Seed Butter
Amount Per Serving (2 Tablespoons)
Calories 100 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Sodium 98mg4%
Potassium 129mg4%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 7mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Storing Instructions

Place into a container with a tight-fitting lid, such as a Mason jar. You can store it right in your cupboard for a few weeks.

However, if you don’t think you’ll consume it all within that amount of time, store in the refrigerator to prevent it from going rancid.

pumpkin seed butter spread on a piece of toast

Serving Instructions & Ideas

There are so many ways to enjoy homemade nut and seed butters! The obvious one, of course, is spreading onto a slice of delicious homemade bread or making a sandwich with jam.

Give these other ideas a try, too!

  • Spread on homemade crackers, soaked fruit muffins, sourdough English muffins, or fluffy sourdough pancakes.
  • Stir into yogurt.
  • Add to smoothies or shakes.
  • Sweeten and use as a topping for homemade ice cream.
  • Add to brownies, chili or casseroles (heating will destroy the raw properties).
  • Stir into cooked, soaked oatmeal or other similar breakfast-type porridge.
  • Just eat a spoonful of it for a quick snack.
  • Spread on bread and drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
  • Make ants on a log or spread on celery sticks as a great alternative to peanut butter.

A Healthy, Nut-Free Spread The Whole Family Will Love

This delicious homemade seed butter is one everyone can enjoy, from littles to grown-ups.

Get the kiddos involved in making it! Even littles can help measure and pour, while older children can run the food processor, etc.

Keep a jar of this on hand, especially throughout the cold and flu season, so making a quick and healthy snack is as easy as possible.

Have you ever made pumpkin seed butter? What’s your favorite way to eat it?

This post was originally published and written by Wardee Harmon on 1/24/08. It was updated and republished on 9/14/20.

We only recommend products and services we wholeheartedly endorse. This post may contain special links through which we earn a small commission if you make a purchase (though your price is the same).

Posted in: Allergy Friendly Condiments, Dips, & Spreads Condiments, Dips, & Spreads (Gluten-Free) Food Preparation Paleo Recipes Recipes Soaking

About Dawn Yoder

Dawn is a wife, homeschooling mom, and grandma who blogs at Oh Sweet Mercy. She loves learning, teaching, cooking, photography, crocheting, reading, and riding the Harley with her wonderful, hard-working hubby. She also has a small flock of chickens and constantly fights with a pack of shiny, sparkly squirrels.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tiffany says

    January 24, 2008 at 6:20 pm

    Interesting, what did it taste like?
    Love, Tiffany

    Well… 😀 C. loved it, I was glad it had honey on it. Jeff tasted it and said, “No, thanks.” The girls liked it when they tried it last week from my friend. I still haven’t told you what it tastes like, though. 😀 I really can’t describe it. There’s a little bit of a pea taste. Otherwise, it is mild. If you lived close by, I’d share!

    Reply
  2. Holli says

    July 11, 2008 at 12:12 am

    Well, this is an old post, so I don’t know if you’ll even notice, but if you do: could this be done with roasted pumpkin seeds? I don’t think my family would eat the raw version…
    thanks!

    Reply
  3. Wardee says

    July 11, 2008 at 7:50 am

    Holli, yes! I don’t see why you couldn’t do that. In fact, I’ve been wanting to do it myself. Please let me know how it goes!

    Reply
  4. Sharad says

    April 22, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    The recipe looks very interesting and I want to try it as I learn that it is good for the health of prostate gland (I am 77). The seeds are shelled or used as such? If not shelled will they make into a fine paste?

    Reply
    • Wardee says

      April 23, 2012 at 10:33 am

      These are just the seeds as they come out of the pumpkin, dried. No need to shell.

      Reply
      • Susan Whitmore says

        September 26, 2020 at 11:45 pm

        Are you sure? All my pumpkin seeds that come out of my pumpkins have a white shell with the green seed inside. When you buy pumpkin seeds for sprouting, they are the green from inside the shell. If you buy sprouted pumkin seeds, they are from just the green part.

        Reply
  5. Julie Anne says

    May 4, 2012 at 6:20 am

    I use: 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
    1 T flax oil
    1 T natural maple syrup
    SO YUMMY!!!!!!!

    Reply
  6. Rebecca says

    April 16, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    I tried making pumpkin seed butter with no success. Finally tried your method by adding in the extra oil. Presto! I think I processed the first batch over 110 degrees F since my food processor had to work so hard for so long. I tested it with a quick read thermometer because the base felt hot. I hope I didn’t destroy the natural enzymes. Also I’ve read it can go rancid quickly if exposed to heat. I put it in the fridge right away. So I’m wondering ho long this spread will last in the fridge?

    Reply
    • Wardee Harmon says

      April 16, 2013 at 4:47 pm

      Rebecca — I’m not sure how long it will last, but at least a couple of weeks. I’m glad to hear that adding the extra oil worked for you. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Natalie says

    October 5, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    Do you recommend soaking the seeds before making them into butter?

    Reply
  8. Grace Erath says

    April 23, 2019 at 9:16 pm

    Hi! We have peanut and tree nut allergies in our home, so I’ve been making seed butter for some time because it’s too pricey in a jar at the store. Recently I joined TCS and am wondering if I should be soaking my seeds before making seed butter… This recipe does not say to do that, but wondering if soaking them would work and if it would make the seed butter better digestible and therefore more nutritious.

    Reply
    • Sonya Hemmings says

      April 24, 2019 at 9:04 am

      Wardee mentions above that when she made this seed butter, she used pumpkin seeds right out of the pumpkin — not shelled. But if you purchased organic, raw, shelled pumpkin seeds, you could definitely soak/sprout the seeds before making the seed butter, which would aid in their digestibility. If you try it, please let us know how it goes!

      Sonya, TCS Customer Success Team

      Reply
  9. alishay says

    September 16, 2020 at 8:29 pm

    Did I miss how long you soak the seeds and then how long do you dehydrate them?

    Reply
    • Vicki Henry says

      September 17, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      Glad you found the link Alishay! ~ Vicki, TCS Customer Success Team

      Reply
  10. alisha says

    September 16, 2020 at 8:33 pm

    I was reading to fast. I skipped right over the link for the instructions for soaking/dehydrating. Found it. oops

    Reply
    • Vicki Henry says

      September 17, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      Glad you found the link Alisha! ~ Vicki, TCS Customer Success Team

      Reply
  11. Susan Whitmore says

    September 26, 2020 at 11:59 pm

    I haven’t tried making it “yet” but I will. I love pumpkin butter with carrot sticks. Oh so good. I dip sliced carrots into the pumpkin butter about 1/2 to 3/4 into the pumpkin butter. If the pumpkin butter is running, I let it drip off some. Then I roll it in fresh ground flax seeds. So Good! Healthy too. The flax seed makes it so it doesn’t stick to a platter if you want to use them to serve to guests.

    Reply
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photo collage of blended seed butter in a small glass jar. Text overlay says: "Soaked Pumpkin Seed Butter (nutty, creamy, rich in enzymes!)"
photo collage of making pumpkin seed butter: pouring pumpkin seeds into a food processor, and scooping the finished creamy result out of a small glass jar. Text overlay says: "Soaked Pumpkin Seed Butter (nutty, creamy, rich in enzymes!)"
photo collage of making pumpkin seed butter: soaking the pumpkin seeds, blending till smooth in a food processor, and scooping the finished creamy result out of a small glass jar. Text overlay says: "Enzyme-Rich Raw Pumpkin Seed Butter (creamy nut-free spread!)"
spreading pumpkin seed butter on a piece of toast. Text overlay says: "Enzyme-Rich Raw Pumpkin Seed Butter (creamy nut-free spread!)"
photo collage of spreading pumpkin seed butter on a piece of toast, and an overhead shot of a small butter knife scooping out blended seed butter from a small glass jar. Text overlay says: "Raw Pumpkin Seed Butter Recipe (nutty, buttery flavor!)"
overhead shot of a small butter knife scooping out blended seed butter from a small glass jar. Text overlay says: "Raw Pumpkin Seed Butter Recipe (nutty, buttery flavor!)"
overhead shot of a small butter knife scooping out blended seed butter from a small glass jar. Text overlay says: "How To Make Raw Pumpkin Seed Butter (soaked, creamy & raw!)"
photo collage of making pumpkin seed butter: draining the soaked pumpkin seeds, blending till smooth in a food processor, and scooping the finished creamy result out of a small glass jar. Text overlay says: "How To Make Raw Pumpkin Seed Butter (soaked, creamy & raw!)"
drizzling honey over a piece of toast spread with pumpkin seed butter. Text overlay says: "Soaked Pumpkin Seed Butter (for sandwiches, smoothies & more!)"
photo collage of making pumpkin seed butter: pouring pumpkin seeds into a food processor, and scooping the finished creamy result out of a small glass jar. Text overlay says: "Enzyme-Rich Raw Pumpkin Seed Butter (creamy nut-free spread!)"
photo collage of making pumpkin seed butter: soaking the pumpkin seeds, blending till smooth in a food processor, and scooping the finished creamy result out of a small glass jar. Text overlay says: "Enzyme-Rich Raw Pumpkin Seed Butter (creamy nut-free spread!)"
photo collage of making pumpkin seed butter: pouring pumpkin seeds into a food processor, and scooping the finished creamy result out of a small glass jar. Text overlay says: "Soaked Pumpkin Seed Butter (nutty, creamy, rich in enzymes!)"
photo collage of making pumpkin seed butter: blending it till smooth in a food processor, and scooping the finished creamy result out of a small glass jar. Text overlay says: "Homemade Pumpkin Seed Butter (soaked, creamy, raw!)"

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