How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds and 8 Recipes You'll Want to Snack on All Fall
One of the best parts of Halloween is rewarding your pumpkin-carving efforts by snacking on the seeds, which become golden and toasty when roasted in the oven. But don't just settle for a sprinkle of salt and pepper—or wait until October!—to up your fall snacking game. With a little strategic seasoning, pumpkin seeds can take on a variety of bold flavors. Whether you prefer warm fall spices or a kick of Sriracha, we've got eight addictive twists on the crunchy autumn snack.
Bottom line: Before you toss any decorative pumpkins, consider cooking one of these pumpkin seed recipes instead.
What You'll Need:
2 medium pumpkins
Large spoon or pumpkin scoop
Colander
Rimmed baking sheet
Seasonings of your choice
How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Scoop out the seeds from two medium-sized pumpkins (about two cups).
Place the seeds in a colander and rinse with cold water, working to separate the seeds from the pumpkin guts.
Pat seeds dry.
Spread the seeds on a rimmed baking sheet.
Bake seeds until dry throughout, about 50 to 60 minutes. Remove baking sheet from the oven, then raise the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Transfer the seeds to a bowl, add your choice of flavorings below, then return seeds to the baking sheet and roast 10 to 15 more minutes, or until golden.
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Salted Honey Pumpkin Seeds
Toss the seeds with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, then stir in 2 tablespoons honey and 1 teaspoon salt. Before returning the seeds to the baking sheet, line it with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray (this will help prevent the honey from sticking).
Maple-Mocha Pumpkin Seeds
Toss the seeds with 2 tablespoons coconut oil and 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, then stir in 1 tablespoon coffee grounds, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, ½ tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg.
Gingerbread Pumpkin Seeds
Toss the seeds with 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, then stir in 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon allspice, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves.
Chili-Lime Pumpkin Seeds
Toss the seeds with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, then stir in 2 tablespoons lime zest, two tablespoons freshly-squeezed lime juice, ½ tablespoon chili powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
Rosemary-Parmesan Pumpkin Seeds
In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Pour over seeds, toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Curry-Sriracha Pumpkin Seeds
Toss the seeds with 2 tablespoons Sriracha and 2 tablespoons sesame oil, then stir in 1 teaspoon curry powder and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Sweet-and-Salty Pumpkin Seeds
This crowd-pleasing snack, which calls for the seeds of two medium fresh pumpkins, cooks into the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy. The recipe is simple: you'll rinse and dry the pumpkin seeds, then toss them with butter, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. While they bake, sit back and enjoy some hot apple cider.
Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
These vibrant pumpkin seeds get an extra salty-spicy kick from ground cumin and celery salt. Don't knock it until you've tried it—they're insanely addictive.
