Pumpkin seeds are notorious for being large and chewy, so they will not be as tender as pepitas you might buy at the store. (Pepitas = hulled pumpkin seeds.) However, when you roast them, they become pretty crispy and smell nutty, almost like a bowl of popcorn. It’s the perfect way to use up all the seeds you’ll scoop from carving pumpkins for Halloween.
How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds
Make sure the pumpkin seeds are clean and dry.
Remove the seeds from the pumpkin and place them in a fine mesh strainer or colander. Rinse them under running water, shaking often, to remove their slimy exterior. Any extra pumpkin pulp should be easy to grab and remove as you rinse. Lay the rinsed pumpkin seeds on a dry towel and pat them dry. The drier the pumpkin seeds are, the crispier they will get! If you plan on carving a pumpkin, go ahead and do that while the seeds lay out on the towel– the longer they dry, the better.
Add the Seasoning.
Transfer the dry seeds to a bowl and toss them with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and paprika, if using. Add granulated sugar for even more flavor; see the recipe notes for other spice ideas. Stir well to coat the seeds, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (Parchment isn’t necessary if you’re not using a sweetener, but it does make clean-up easy.) The seeds will want to stick together in clumps but try to spread them out as much as possible. The more separated they are, the crispier they will get.
Roast until crispy!
Roast the pumpkin seeds at 350ºF for 10 minutes, then remove the pan and stir the seeds to ensure they roast evenly. Then return the pan to the oven and bake for 5 to 8 more minutes, if needed. Watch the pan closely, as the spices could darken quickly. (FYI, if you season pumpkin seeds with only salt and olive oil, they will not be as likely to burn.) Once the seeds are lightly golden, remove the pan from the oven. They will become even crispier as they cool. Serve right away or save them as a topping for soups and salads. Looking for more pumpkin recipes? Try Pumpkin Mug Cake, Crustless Pumpkin Pie, or a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte. If you try this roasted pumpkin seed recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.
