Fresh sunflower seeds make a crunchy, healthy and all-natural snack without the added fats and sugars found in potato chips or candy bars. Preparing fresh, raw sunflower seeds for consumption requires toasting in the oven to make the seeds more palatable. Though you can eat the seeds raw, roasting them brings out their flavor and texture. By roasting your sunflower seeds, you also have the option to infuse them with flavorings to further enhance your snacking experience.
Combine 3 cups of water with 6 tablespoons salt and 2 cups raw, fresh sunflower seeds in a saucepan. Cover and let soak overnight.
Uncover the saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil the mixture for five minutes.
Drain the sunflower seeds by pouring the water, salt and seed mixture through a colander held over a sink.
Spread the sunflower seeds into a single layer on a baking pan, and preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
Bake the sunflower seeds in the oven at 200 degrees for three hours or until crisp.
Let the sunflower seeds cool before eating or storing in an airtight container. Put a whole sunflower seed, shell and all into your mouth between your teeth. Bite down on seed and spit out the shell before chewing up the seed.