Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are a crunchy, flavorful snack that’s perfect for fall! Whether you’re craving something savory, sweet, or spicy, these easy-to-make pumpkin seed recipes will satisfy any craving.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Pumpkin seeds: The base of the recipe, providing crunch, fiber, and healthy fats.
- Olive oil or butter: Adds flavor and helps the seasoning stick, also promoting even roasting.
- Ranch seasoning, sugar, cinnamon, buffalo sauce, pumpkin spice: Customize flavor profiles—savory, sweet, spicy, or seasonal.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances sweetness or spice.
- Garlic powder, smoked paprika: Adds depth and complements savory variations.
Alternative Ingredients
- Sunflower seeds: A great swap for pumpkin seeds, offering a similar crunch and nutrition.
- Coconut oil: A dairy-free alternative to butter, with a subtle sweetness.
- Maple syrup or honey: Natural sweeteners that replace sugar for a richer flavor.
- Taco seasoning: Adds a bold, spicy twist instead of ranch seasoning or buffalo sauce.
- Sea salt or Himalayan salt: Healthier alternatives to regular table salt, offering more minerals.
- Chili powder or cumin: Spices to swap for garlic powder or smoked paprika for different savory notes.
Detailed Steps
Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C)
Keep the temperature low to prevent burning and ensure even crispiness.
Clean and dry the pumpkin seeds
Rinse thoroughly and make sure the seeds are completely dry. Wet seeds won’t crisp properly, so pat them down or air dry for a few minutes.
Toss with oil and seasoning
Use about 1 tablespoon of oil per cup of seeds. Make sure each seed is coated for even roasting and flavor distribution.
Spread in a single layer on parchment paper
Don’t overcrowd the seeds. Parchment paper prevents sticking, and spreading them out ensures even roasting.
Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway
Stir halfway for even roasting. Watch closely in the last few minutes to avoid burning, as ovens vary.
Cool completely
Let them cool fully for the best crunch. Storing warm seeds can lead to sogginess.
Expert Tips
Soak the Seeds for Extra Crunch
Soaking your pumpkin seeds in salted water for a few hours or overnight can make them even crunchier. Be sure to dry them thoroughly before roasting.
Season After Roasting for Better Flavor
For spices that tend to burn (like paprika or cayenne), try seasoning the seeds after roasting. This way, the flavors stay vibrant without turning bitter.
Try a Flavor Combo
Don’t be afraid to mix sweet and savory! For example, toss with cinnamon sugar, then sprinkle a touch of sea salt at the end for an irresistible blend.
Add a Sprinkle of Nutritional Yeast
For a cheesy, umami flavor, sprinkle nutritional yeast on the seeds before or after roasting.
FAQs
Yes! You can use seeds from any pumpkin or squash, but larger pumpkins typically have bigger seeds that roast better.
No, the shells are edible and add extra fiber and crunch. Just be sure to clean them well.
While oil helps the seasonings stick and promotes even roasting, you can roast them without oil. They’ll be a bit drier but still crunchy.
Make sure the seeds are completely dry before roasting and spread them in a single layer to prevent steaming.
Absolutely! Experiment with flavors like curry powder, taco seasoning, or even lemon pepper for variety.
Serving Suggestions
Roasted pumpkin seeds make a perfect snack on their own or as a crunchy topping for salads, soups, or yogurt. You can also toss them into trail mix or sprinkle them over roasted veggies for added texture and flavor.
Storage Suggestions
Store roasted pumpkin seeds in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge or freeze them for up to three months to maintain their crunch.
You’ll also enjoy:
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (4 Ways!)
Ingredients
Ranch Pumpkin Seeds
- 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (cleaned and dried)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
- salt to taste
Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds
- 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (cleaned and dried)
- 1 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil
- 1-2 tbsp sugar (brown sugar works too)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp salt
Buffalo Sauce Pumpkin Seeds
- 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (cleaned and dried)
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp buffalo sauce
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- salt to taste
Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds
- 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (cleaned and dried)
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or melted butter
- 1-2 tbsp sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- pinch of salt
Instructions
Ranch Pumpkin Seeds
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Toss the pumpkin seeds with olive oil, ranch seasoning, and salt.1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix, salt
- Spread evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until golden.
- Cool before serving and enjoy!
Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Mix pumpkin seeds with butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until well-coated.1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, 1 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil, 1-2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp salt
- Spread evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until golden.
- Let cool before enjoying for a sweet, crunchy snack!
Buffalo Sauce Pumpkin Seeds
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Toss seeds with melted butter, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt.1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, 1 tbsp melted butter, 2 tbsp buffalo sauce, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, salt
- Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until golden.
- Cool and enjoy for a spicy kick!
Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Coat the seeds with oil, sugar, pumpkin spice, and a pinch of salt.1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, 1 tbsp coconut oil or melted butter, 1-2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp pumpkin spice, pinch of salt
- Spread evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until golden.
- Let cool and savor the autumn flavors!
Video
@cookinglikekate Roasted Pumpkin Seeds #pumpkinseason #pumpkinseeds #fallsnacks #fallsnackideas ♬ Chill Vibes – Febri Handika
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer: I am a health and wellness coach with a degree in health science from Arizona State University. However, I am not a doctor or registered dietitian. Any information or advice provided on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any dietary or lifestyle changes, especially if you have a medical condition. The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice or a substitute for it.
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