Move over store-bought snacks—homemade air fryer pumpkin seeds are where it’s at. Crunchy, salty (or sweet!), and totally addicting, these little guys are the real reward for carving pumpkins.
I love making a fresh batch every fall—seasoned just the way we like ’em, from classic sea salt to spicy chili lime.
If you’re already scooping out pumpkins for chili, pancakes, or cozy pumpkin bread, don’t toss those seeds—toss them in the air fryer instead!
And with leftover pumpkin, make my readers' favorite pumpkin chili, pancakes, and pumpkin bread.
Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds Video
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How To Clean Pumpkin Seeds?
To clean and roast pumpkin seeds, start by carving a pumpkin and extracting the seeds.
Set aside the remaining pumpkin flesh for other cooking methods like making a puree, for soup, roasted pumpkin salad, baking, or air frying pumpkin slices.
Cleaning pumpkin seeds effectively is crucial for achieving a crispy outcome after cooking. Here are the steps I recommend for thorough cleaning and roasting.
Related: Homemade Pumpkin Seeds With Honey
Ingredients
Tip: Did you know that you can also use butternut squash seeds? They turn out delicious too!
- Raw Pumpkin Seeds - these are the star ingredient of the recipe. Don't toss those fresh pumpkin seeds! Get a whole pumpkin from the grocery store (opt for a large pumpkin that will have the biggest seeds), carve it, and remove the seeds or for a quick recipe go for already cleaned and dried raw pumpkin seeds from the store.
- Butter - adds richness and a subtle creamy flavor to the pumpkin seeds when melted and mixed with them before roasting. It helps the seasonings adhere to the seeds and contributes to a deliciously crisp texture. Ghee is another option that will work great here.
- Whether kosher salt or flaky sea salt will amp up the flavor of these pumpkin seeds.
- Seasonings - both garlic powder and onion powder bring distinct flavors to the roasted pumpkin seeds. Feel free to add your twist, whether it is ranch seasoning, or your fave seasoning salt, chili powder for some heat, or for sweet flavor try brown sugar or cinnamon sugar. Try our honey roasted seeds in oven.
📋 JULIA'S TIP: Pre-drying the seeds before roasting ensures an even oil coating, guaranteeing perfect toasting.
How To Roast Pumpkin Seeds in Air Fryer
Prep. I prefer using the air fryer recipe for roasting because it's much more practical than using the oven.
Typically, I like to preheat my air-fryer.
Dry the seeds. To begin roasting pumpkin seeds, ensure they're completely dry and the pumpkin pulp removed.
Place the dried seeds into a medium bowl.
Add seasonings. Combine melted butter (or olive oil) with garlic & onion powder, salt, and black pepper, ensuring an even coating over all the seeds.
Spread seasoned pumpkin seeds in a single layer onto the air fryer basket.
Air fry. Air fry pumpkin seeds at 350°F for around 15-20 minutes until golden brown, remembering to shake the basket halfway through for uniform roasting.
Afterward, check their crispiness, and if needed, air fry them for an extra 3-5 minutes for the desired texture.
Allow to cool and enjoy. Once done, allow them to cool down.
Adjust the seasoning to your liking and indulge in this delicious snack.
- Try more nutritious snack options: air fryer kale chips and crunchy chickpeas.
Tips
- Experiment with the seasoning quantities to match your taste buds; just be cautious with spicy seasonings.
- When using store-bought pumpkin seeds, ensure they're labeled as 'raw.'
- Waiting for the seeds to cool before handling them might be tough, but it prevents stickiness. Trust me, these seeds are so addictive; it's best not to leave them out in plain sight on the kitchen table. Store them in the pantry for safekeeping!
- Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, offer several health benefits and are an easy snack that is both delicious and nutritious.
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Pumpkin Seeds?
Pumpkin seeds are super healthy! They've got antioxidants, and are a great source of magnesium, and zinc. Plus, when you eat the shell too, you get some extra fiber, making them even more nutritious.
Serving Suggestions
The versatility of pumpkin seeds makes them a great addition to various dishes, adding both taste and nutritional value.
- Snack: Eat them as a standalone snack, whether roasted, seasoned, or salted, for a crunchy and satisfying munch.
- Salads: Sprinkle roasted pumpkin seeds atop salads like avo chickpea salad, kale salad, to add texture, a nutty flavor, and extra nutrition.
- Trail Mix: Combine crunchy pumpkin seeds with nuts, dried fruits, and maybe even a bit of chocolate for a tasty trail mix.
- Yogurt or Oatmeal Topping: Sprinkle roasted pumpkin seeds over yogurt or overnight oats to add crunch and a nutty flavor to your breakfast.
Freezing And Storing Instructions
- To Store. I typically keep them at room temperature for up to a week. For longer freshness, refrigerate the seeds and reheat them in the air fryer or oven until crispy when needed. Allow the seeds to reach room temperature before storing.
- To Freeze. When freezing, use an airtight bag or container for up to 6 months. Yet, note that the texture might not be as crispy after thawing. If freezing raw seeds without honey coating, it's best to do so before preparation.
Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds Recipe: Common Questions
Yes, it's generally safe to eat the outer shell, but individuals with digestive issues might want to avoid consuming the shells. 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.
Follow these tips on how to clean and dry pumpkin seeds.
Looking for more all things pumpkin recipes? You’ll find plenty!
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Recipe Card
How To Cook Pumpkin Seeds In Air Fryer
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INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups raw pumpkin seeds , with shell
- 1 tablespoon butter, or ghee or olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, optional
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prep. I prefer using the air fryer recipe for roasting because it's much more practical than using the oven. Typically, I like to preheat my air-fryer.
- Dry the seeds. To begin roasting pumpkin seeds, ensure they're completely dry and the pumpkin pulp removed. Place the dried seeds into a medium bowl.
- Add seasonings. Combine melted butter (or olive oil) with garlic & onion powder, salt, and black pepper, ensuring an even coating over all the seeds. Spread seasoned pumpkin seeds in a single layer onto the air fryer basket.
- Air fry. Air fry pumpkin seeds at 350°F for around 15-20 minutes until golden brown, remembering to shake the basket halfway through for uniform roasting. Afterward, check their crispiness, and if needed, air fry them for an extra 3-5 minutes for the desired texture.
- Allow to cool and enjoy. Once done, allow them to cool down. Adjust the seasoning to your liking and indulge in this delicious snack.
NOTES
- To Store. I typically keep them at room temperature for up to a week. For longer freshness, refrigerate the seeds and reheat them in the air fryer or oven until crispy when needed. Allow the seeds to reach room temperature before storing.
- To Freeze. When freezing, use an airtight bag or container for up to 6 months. Yet, note that the texture might not be as crispy after thawing. If freezing raw seeds without honey coating, it's best to do so before preparation.
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
easy and crunchy pumpkin seeds in air fryer!