10 Best Sunflower Seeds 2024 in the United States

Sunflower seeds have a lot of health benefits. More than 50% of the bulk of the sunflower seed consists of essential fatty acids (linoleic and oleic acids) that are important in lowering LDL cholesterol levels in the blood--and thus they boost cardiovascular health. They are also rich in proteins: a 100-gram serving can provide over 40% of the daily value of protein in your diet! They are also high in antioxidants, which help reduce the presence of free radicals in your system. Sunflower seeds also are rich in B-complex vitamins and Vitamin E, as well as the following minerals: iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous and selenium. You can find them raw or roasted, in their shells or hulled. Since they are a healthy alternative as a snack, you can also find them in a variety of flavors and seasonings.

We've put together this guide to help you select the best sunflower seeds that answer to your needs. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of sunflower seeds,

• See useful tips about that type of sunflower seeds,    

• Read reviews of different brands of sunflower seeds, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of sunflower seeds, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

• Whole: You can find sunflower seeds that are raw, roasted salted/unsalted, and seasoned in a number of flavors (garlic, onion, chili, pepper, etc.)

• Shelled: You can also find sunflower seeds where the shell has been removed. They can be raw, dry-roasted, salted, or seasoned (pepper, onion and garlic, etc.)

• Organic: A number of health food companies will also offer sunflower seeds that were organically grown. Terrasoul Superfoods markets organically-grown, shelled sunflower seeds.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

• Addition to other foods: People suggest putting some sunflower seeds into otherwise drab breakfast cereal or oatmeal. It can boost the nutritional value tremendously. You can also incorporate them in cookies, breads, rolls, and muffins, or use them as a salad topping.

• Resealable package: Buying sunflower seeds in bulk will save you money--but you have to make sure that the package is sealed properly. Food To Live Organic Sunflower Seeds come in a resealable bag, to ensure that it doesn’t spoil or get infested by insects.

• Reduced sodium: For people who have high-blood pressure and have to lower their sodium intake, there is David's Reduced Sodium Sunflower Seeds. They are salted and roasted, but have ⅓ the salt of regular salted sunflower seeds. There is also Gerb’s Unsalted Dry Roasted Sunflower Seed Kernels, where the kernels have only been roasted, but no extra salt has been added. They also have lightly-salted versions as well.

• Allergen-free: Companies that package sunflower seeds usually deal with other natural grains, nuts and legumes as well. Their products may contain trace amounts of allergens. Gerbs Sunflower Seeds process and package their sunflower seeds so that there is no risk of the equipment or the food coming in contact with any of 11 known food allergens. They ensure that their products are free of gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, legumes, eggs, dairy, and more.

• Snacking alternative: For those parents looking for a snack that is a healthy alternative to sugary snacks or high-fat, high-sodium chips and the like, sunflower seeds are a great choice. They are sold unsalted, lightly-salted, or seasoned with a variety of different spices and flavorings. Bigs sells sunflower seeds in 16 different flavors, from smoked BBQ flavor to Red Hot Buffalo Wings!

• Sprouting: Some buy raw, unhulled sunflower seeds in order to sprout them. The sprouts also are rich in nutrients, and can serve as a substitute for bean sprouts or alfalfa.

Gerbs:  was founded by the Conte family in 2003 in Johnston, Rhode Island, as a business providing healthy, all-natural snacks. They strive to make snacks that are free of the major recognized allergens. They sell seeds and seed mixes, dried fruits, granola, grains, snack mixes, spices, seasonings and more.

Food To Live: is a health food company based in Brooklyn, New York. They make snacks that are meant to replace typical high-fat, high-sodium, or sugary junk foods. They sell nuts, fruits, seeds, legumes and spices.

David Seeds: was founded in 1926 as sellers of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds and trail mix. They also sell seeds with a variety of seasonings and flavors: barbecue, salsa, chili, and more.

Bigs: was founded in 2005 in Boulder, Colorado. They are sellers of sunflower seeds in a variety of flavors: salted and roasted, salt and vinegar, and in a variety of seasonings.

Terrasoul Superfoods: were founded in 2013, as sellers of high-quality raw superfoods. They sell a variety of seeds, fruits and nuts, as well as powders made from a superfoods: wheat grass juice, maca, camu camu, etc.