Because it’s made with sunflower seeds, this Nut Free Pesto is an excellent alternative to traditional nut based pesto sauces. Use it on pasta, as a bread dip or even on pizza!
An Allergy Friendly Alternative
My son was diagnosed with peanut and tree nut allergies when he was 3 years old, so I have constantly been on the lookout for nut-free alternatives to some of our favorite foods. My husband loves pesto, so figuring out a way to make it safely was a high priority.
We absolutely love Walnut Basil Pesto so I aimed to recreate that recipe and make it nut free.
I made this pesto nut free by replacing the nuts with sunflower seeds, which are a safe food for my son. I do recommend always checking with your doctor first if you have any concerns as to whether or not sunflower seeds are a safe alternative to your allergy prone kiddos.
Pesto is traditionally made with lots of fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt, olive oil and parmesan cheese. Other ingredients can include parsley, red pepper flakes. Pine nuts are not a common allergen, but since they can be considered a tree nut, we don’t take any chances.
How to Make Nut Free Pesto
To make pesto nut free, I replaced the pine nuts with sunflower seeds! The flavor profile and texture is so similar that it made perfect sense. Pesto is super simple to make in minutes and in just couple of steps.
- Put all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender and press the pulse button continually until all of the ingredients are broken down and smooth. If the mixture seems dry, you can add more olive oil a little at a time.
- Taste and add more salt and pepper if you like. You can play around with the ingredients until you are happy with the flavor.
Nut Allergy: Everything You Need To Know
Can I eat pistachios If I am allergic to a tree nut?
If you are allergic to one tree nut, you should avoid all tree nuts unless you know it is safe to eat a certain kind. For example, if you are allergic to pecans, there is a good chance you are also allergic to walnuts because they have a high level of cross-reactivity. The same goes if you’re allergic to pistachios or cashews.
Can you be allergic to chestnuts?
Allergy to chestnuts has been widely reported in latex-fruit syndrome, although reports of primary chestnut food allergy are extremely rare.
Can you eat nuts if you’re allergic?
Your body treats them as a potential threat and tries to fight them off. This response is an allergic reaction. Even a little bit that you swallow or inhale can bring it on. It’s easy to avoid the nuts themselves, but they’re also added to a lot of other foods, and you may not always be aware.
Are pine nuts bad for pesto?
There’s also the cost factor; pine nuts are notorious for having a high price tag and are one of the most expensive nuts you can buy, according to Business Insider. Omitting the pine nuts from your pesto is always an option, but then you miss out on the creamier, heartier texture and unique taste they provide to the topping.