Description
Spiced roasted pumpkin seeds are a simple yet delightful snack made from the seeds of a pumpkin. By seasoning the seeds with flavorful spices and roasting them to perfection, you can create a crunchy, savory, or even sweet snack. These roasted seeds are not only delicious but also highly nutritious, making them a perfect addition to your diet. Plus, they’re a great way to use the pumpkin seeds you’d normally discard after carving.
Ingredients
-
Seeds from 1-2 medium pumpkins (about 1-2 cups of seeds)
-
Salt water for soaking
-
Olive oil or melted butter
-
Spice blends of your choice (recipes provided below)
Spice Blend Recipes 🌶️
1. Classic Savory
-
1 tsp salt
-
½ tsp garlic powder
-
½ tsp onion powder
-
¼ tsp black pepper
2. Smoky BBQ
-
1 tsp smoked paprika
-
½ tsp garlic powder
-
½ tsp onion powder
-
½ tsp brown sugar
-
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
-
¾ tsp salt
3. Curry Spiced
-
1 tsp curry powder
-
½ tsp turmeric
-
½ tsp cumin
-
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
-
¾ tsp salt
-
Pinch of sugar
4. Sweet Cinnamon
-
1 tbsp brown sugar
-
1 tsp cinnamon
-
¼ tsp nutmeg
-
Pinch of salt
-
Pinch of cayenne (optional)
5. Parmesan Herb
-
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
1 tsp dried Italian herbs
-
½ tsp garlic powder
-
½ tsp salt
-
¼ tsp black pepper
6. Spicy Cajun
-
1 tsp paprika
-
½ tsp garlic powder
-
½ tsp onion powder
-
½ tsp oregano
-
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
-
¼ tsp thyme
-
¾ tsp salt
7. Asian Five-Spice
-
1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
-
½ tsp soy sauce powder (or extra salt)
-
¼ tsp garlic powder
-
½ tsp salt
-
Pinch of sugar
8. Mexican Chili Lime
-
1 tsp chili powder
-
½ tsp cumin
-
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
-
Zest of 1 lime
-
¾ tsp salt
-
½ tsp sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Clean the Seeds
-
Scoop seeds: After cutting open the pumpkin, remove the seeds from the pumpkin’s flesh. Make sure to separate the seeds from the pulp.
-
Rinse thoroughly: Place the seeds in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water, removing all pulp and strings. This will ensure the seeds roast evenly and don’t burn.
-
Soak: Put the clean seeds in a bowl and cover them with 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of salt. Let them soak for 8-24 hours to help them become extra crispy when roasted.
-
Final rinse: Drain and rinse the seeds again before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Dry and Season
-
Pat dry: Use paper towels to thoroughly dry the soaked seeds. Moisture will prevent them from becoming crispy, so ensure they’re as dry as possible.
-
Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 300°F (150°C) and allow it to heat up.
-
Toss with oil: In a large mixing bowl, toss the seeds with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil (or melted butter) until they are evenly coated.
-
Add spices: Choose one of the spice blends below (or mix and match) and toss the seeds until they are evenly coated.
Roasting Instructions 🔥
Step 3: Roast to Perfection
-
Spread evenly: Lay the seasoned seeds in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure they’re not overcrowded to ensure even roasting.
-
Roast: Bake for 20-30 minutes, stirring the seeds every 10 minutes to ensure even browning.
-
Check doneness: The seeds are done when they are golden brown and crispy. You can taste test one seed — it should be crunchy all the way through.
-
Cool: Allow the seeds to cool completely on the baking sheet before storing.
Notes
Want to mix up the flavors?
Try tossing the seeds with different spice blends like garlic parmesan, cinnamon sugar, or smoky paprika before roasting. They’re perfect for snacking, topping soups or salads, or even adding crunch to your favorite trail mix!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American