Let’s be real—cleaning pumpkin seeds can be a slimy, stringy mess. If you’ve ever wrestled with the goopy guts of a pumpkin just to save those precious little seeds, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
But don’t toss them out just yet! With a few easy tricks, you can clean pumpkin seeds without the chaos—and actually enjoy the process (well, almost).
Plus, once they’re clean, they’re perfect for roasting, snacking, or tossing on your favorite soups and salads for that irresistible crunch.
Watch How To Clean Pumpkin Seeds
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How To Clean Pumpkin Seeds
- Start by cutting open the pumpkin.
If you're going for jack-o-lanterns, carve a circle around the stem - big enough to reach inside but not too big to mess up your design.
But if you're not decorating for Halloween, slice it in half for easy seed access.
- Grab a sharp kitchen knife, a pumpkin carving blade, or even a fine-toothed hand saw. But be careful; pumpkins are slippery, and it's easy to lose control of the tool. Safety comes first!
- Scoop out the seeds with a large metal spoon, or if you have a pumpkin carving kit, use those tools.
- Separate and rinse the seeds. Remove the seeds with a metal spoon. Place the seeds in a colander or fine mesh strainer and thoroughly rinse them under cold running water.
- Rub the seeds between your fingers to remove any stringy bits of pulp or flesh.
Option 1: Soaking. Some prefer soaking the seeds in a bowl of water for a few minutes to facilitate the loosening of stubborn pumpkin debris.
Stir the seeds in the water and then drain them before proceeding further.
Option 2: Boil pumpkin seeds. An optional step is to boil the seeds in salt water before roasting, which is ideal for savory, salt-infused pumpkin seeds.
For boiling, maintain a ratio of 2 cups of water to 1 tablespoon of salt for every ½ cup of seeds.
Boil the seeds for approximately 10 minutes, adding up to 2 tablespoons of salt for a more pungent salty taste.
After boiling, strain the seeds without rinsing them, preparing them perfectly for roasting.
- Dry pumpkin seeds. After rinsing, lay the seeds on a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.
- Pat them dry to eliminate the excess moisture, ensuring they are reasonably dry before cooking or drying them further for storage.
Optionally, opt for oven drying for a quicker outcome: To expedite the drying process, preheat the oven to a low temperature (around 150-200°F or 65-95°C).
Spread the seeds evenly on a baking sheet and bake them for 30-45 minutes.
Remember to stir occasionally until the seeds become dry and crispy, taking care to prevent burning.
JULIA'S TIP: I tested both boiling and non-boiling pumpkin seeds before roasting, and honestly, I didn't notice any taste difference between the two methods.
When roasting a larger quantity, it's essential to do it in batches for even roasting.
- Season and roast pumpkin seeds. All you need is some butter or olive oil and seasonings. For savory pumpkin seeds, try this quick air fryer pumpkin seeds (air fryer is the best method and takes less time than traditional sheet pan roasting).
- For sweeter seeds, make these hot honey roasted seeds (cayenne pepper is optional) in the oven instead.
I like them both, but I prefer air-frying because it is the easiest way to get them super crispy and fast!
Both these recipes are suitable for using raw pumpkin seeds purchased from the grocery store.
Tips
- In theory, you don’t need a pumpkin carving kit; a simple knife will do the job just fine.
- If you use store-bought pumpkin seeds make sure they are labeled as ‘raw.’
What Size Pumpkin Is Best For Roasted Pumpkin Seeds?
Go for giant pumpkins!
When it comes to pumpkins, remember: the bigger the pumpkin, the larger the seeds!
If you're a roasted pumpkin seed enthusiast like me, consider snagging a colossal pumpkin just for its seeds.
Tip: Did you know that you can also roast butternut squash seeds?
Sometimes, those oversized pumpkins aren't ideal for carving—they might not hold their shape well after removing the seeds and strings, weakening the pumpkin's structure.
They tend to cave in once carved due to the weight.
What Are Pumpkin Seeds Good For?
Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, offer several health benefits, and in addition to a delicious snack, they will brighten any recipe:
- Healthy Snack: Roast them, add some salt, or season them however you like for a quick, nutritious snack.
- Salads: Sprinkle roasted pumpkin seeds on your salads—they bring a nutty crunch and boost the nutrition. Try roasted salmon salad or broccoli salad.
- Trail Mix: For a super tasty trail mix, mix pumpkin seeds with nuts, dried fruits, and maybe even a bit of chocolate.
- Baking: Toss pumpkin seeds into bread, homemade granola, muffins.
- Soups and Stews: Use roasted pumpkin seeds as a topping for soups or stews.
- Yogurt or Oatmeal: Sprinkle roasted pumpkin seeds on yogurt or oatmeal, overnight oats.
- Dips or Spreads: Grind pumpkin seeds and mix them into dips or spreads for an extra flavorful and nutty touch. Enjoy!
For more information and how to posts, check out our Cooking Tips section.
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Recipe Card
How To Clean Pumpkin Seeds
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 Large bowl
- 1 Large knife or Pumpkin carving kit
- 1 Colander or fine mesh strainer
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cut the pumpkin. Start by cutting open the pumpkin. If you're going for jack-o-lanterns, carve a circle around the stem - big enough to reach inside but not too big to mess up your design. But if you're not decorating for Halloween, just slice it straight in half for easy seed access.
- Grab a sharp kitchen knife, a pumpkin carving blade, or even a fine-toothed hand saw. But be careful, pumpkins are slippery, and it's easy to lose control of the tool. Safety comes first!
- Scoop out the seeds with a large metal spoon or if you have a pumpkin carving kit use those tools.
- Separate and rinse the seeds. Remove the seeds with a metal spoon. Place the seeds in a colander or fine mesh strainer and thoroughly rinse them under cold running water. Rub the seeds between your fingers to aid in removing any stringy bits of pulp or flesh.
- Optional soaking. Some prefer soaking the seeds in a bowl of water for a few minutes to facilitate the loosening of stubborn pumpkin debris. Stir the seeds in the water and then drain them before proceeding further.
- Optional: Boil pumpkin seeds. An optional step is to boil the seeds in salt water before roasting, ideal for savory, salt-infused pumpkin seeds. For boiling, maintain a ratio of 2 cups of water to 1 tablespoon of salt for every ½ cup of seeds. Boil the seeds for approximately 10 minutes, adding up to 2 tablespoons of salt for a stronger salty taste. After boiling, strain the seeds without rinsing them, preparing them perfectly for roasting.
- Dry pumpkin seeds. Following the rinsing process, lay the seeds on a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Pat them dry to eliminate the excess moisture, ensuring they are reasonably dry before proceeding to cook or dry them further for storage.
- Optionally, opt for oven drying for a quicker outcome: To expedite the drying process, preheat the oven to a low temperature (around 150-200°F or 65-95°C). Spread the seeds evenly on a baking sheet and place them in the oven for approximately 30-45 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally until the seeds become dry and crispy, taking care to prevent burning.
- Season and roast pumpkin seeds. All you need is some butter or olive oil and seasonings. For savory pumpkin seeds, try this quick air fryer pumpkin seeds (air fryer is best method and takes less time than traditional sheet pan roasting) or if you like sweet pumpkin seeds, try these hot honey roasted seeds (cayenne pepper is optional) in the oven instead.
- I like them both, but I prefer air frying as it is the easiest way to get them super crispy and fast! Both these recipes are suitable for using raw pumpkin seeds purchased from the grocery store.
- Store the seeds in an airtight container at room temperature.
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
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FAQs
It's a good idea to wash pumpkin seeds before roasting them.
Washing makes it simpler to remove any attached pulp and strings, making for a cleaner and tastier snack.
An effective method for removing the pulp from pumpkin seeds is to soak them in a bowl of water.
Most of the pulp and strings will easily detach from the seeds by agitating the water.
When it comes to carving pumpkins, the seeds from these pumpkins are perfect for making delicious salted and roasted snacks.
They are entirely suitable for roasting and enjoying!
YES, it's generally safe to eat the outer shell, but individuals with digestive issues might want to avoid it.
According to a Healthline article, some people with digestive problems may find the shells difficult to digest, so they might choose to remove them before eating.
Your favorite seasonings! Try olive oil, butter, or ghee combined with salty seasonings (ranch, seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder, old bay seasoning, onion powder, or chili powder.
For sweet ones, use brown sugar, honey, pumpkin pie spice, or cinnamon.
Indeed, pumpkin seeds, like many other seeds, contain phytic acid. This compound can hinder the absorption of vital nutrients like iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc.
Soaking grains, seeds, and nuts before consumption helps reduce the phytic acid content, thereby enhancing the availability of these essential nutrients for absorption by the body.
Pumpkin Recipes
Use any leftover pumpkin pulp to make these delicious recipes:
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
Learn how to easily clean pumpkin seeds and roast them!