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  • ร—
    Home ยป Recipes ยป Appetizers ยป The Best Roasted Pumpkin Seeds recipe

    PUBLISHED: September 16, 2022 โ€ข By Toni Dash 89 Comments

    The Best Roasted Pumpkin Seeds recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Roasted Pumpkin Seeds in small bowl

    Roasted pumpkin seeds are a crunchy, salty, irresistibly good snack and so easy to make! This recipe has a life-changing trick that makes it the BEST roasted pumpkin seed recipe you’ll ever taste.

    Roasted Pumpkin Seeds in small bowl
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    Roasted Pumpkin Seeds in small bowl

    If you think carving jack o’lanterns is the best part of Halloween, I have a surprise; it’s not!

    Making roast pumpkin seeds is an incredibly delicious snack that’s a healthy snack too!

    Every person I’ve served these roasted pumpkin seeds can’t wait to cut into a winter squash to make more!

    Roasted pumpkin seeds are easy to make. Getting them out of the gooey inside of the pumpkin is the hard part.

    This roasted pumpkin recipe has a special TRICK that makes all that hassle go away!

    It will become your favorite recipe for roasting any type of winter squash seeds.

    Jump to:
    • What do Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Taste Like?
    • Use this Method for All Winter Squash Seeds!
    • A Life Changing Trick!
    • Why this is the Best Method for Roasting Pumpkin Seeds?
    • Which Pumpkins Have the Best Seeds for Roasting?
    • How to Season the Seeds
    • How to Make It โ€“ Step by Step
    • How to Tell When Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are Done
    • Expert Tip
    • How to Store
    • More Pumpkin Recipes Youโ€™ll Love
    • Recipe

    What do Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Taste Like?

    They have a nutty flavor. They taste a bit like bacon to me too.

    Seeds roasted through this method are incredibly delicious and a crunchy snack.

    Use this Method for All Winter Squash Seeds!

    These roasted pumpkin seeds are so delicious making them only at Halloween is a crime!

    This method is perfect for all winter squash seeds.

    If you are making a pumpkin pie, Butternut Squash soup (or Butternut Squash Noodles)? Don’t throw away the seeds; roast them.

    They are delicious for snacking but also great on salads, to top soups, tossed on granola and many other foods.

    Pumpkins on hay bales

    A Life Changing Trick!

    Boil the seeds in salted water first. This is the best and easiest way to roast pumpkin seeds.

    How will that make a difference?

    Boiling separates all the stringy fibers of the pumpkin membrane from the seeds (the hardest part) freeing them to easily be roasted.

    The boiling step takes care of all the time usually spent trying to free the seeds from the pumpkin membrane and goop.

    The salt water also plumps up the seeds giving them incredible texture and flavor when they are roasted. 

    Why this is the Best Method for Roasting Pumpkin Seeds?

    It can take hours to dig through the pumpkin membrane to release and roast the seeds.

    Even then they generally don’t come out well.

    The seeds can be thin, hard to crisp up for a nice crunch and lack flavor, or taste ‘green’.

    By pre-boiling, the seeds have begun to cook before the roasting. Roasting in the oven really finishes them and crisps the outside to a pleasing texture.

    The results are night and day from traditional roasted pumpkin seeds.

    Which Pumpkins Have the Best Seeds for Roasting?

    Pick a large pumpkin (not heavier but physically bigger) that sounds hollow when you tap it.

    If wishing to make homemade pumpkin puree choose pie pumpkin or sugar pumpkin. They have fewer seeds by you’ll be able to use the rest of the pumpkin too.

    mini pumpkins, pumpkin seeds and orange mug on kitchen counter

    How to Season the Seeds

    This is the fun part. Seasoning the roasted pumpkin seeds can be anything you love.

    Salt or salt and pepper alone are delicious. Do you have a favorite spice? Try it.

    Suggested Seasonings

    Try a few sprinkles of Ground Chipotle Chilies, some salt and pepper before roasting. They are delicious with some smoldering heat and smoky flavor.

    Sprinkle the seeds with some soy sauce or Tamari (if gluten-free) before roasting for salty Asian twist.

    Cayenne Pepper is great if you love some heat.

    Sumac has a citrus flavor along with a Middle Eastern taste.

    You could even change it up and try some fine grain sugar for a kettle-corn type flavor.

    Garlic powder or garlic salt can add a garlicky flavor to this tasty snack.

    Try some curry powder!

    The possibilities are endless.

    The Best Pumpkin Seed Roasting Method Ever
    These seeds had a few sprinkles of Ground Chipotle Chilies along with the salt and pepper before roasting. They are delicious with some smoldering heat and smoky flavor.

    How to Make It – Step by Step

    STEP 1. Gather the seeds

    Scrape the seeds from a partially cooked or uncooked winter squash (pumpkin, delicata squash seeds, butternut squash, etc). It will include membrane (see photo below).

    Rinse the seeds to remove large pieces of membrane (photo 1).

    pumpkin seeds scooped from fresh pumpkin

    STEP 2. Boil the seeds

    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of salty water to a boil.

    Boil the seeds for 10 minutes (photo 2).

    Strain the clean pumpkin seeds in a colander and remove any separated bits of pumpkin (photo 3).

    Roasted Pumpkin Seeds recipe steps photo collage

    STEP 3. Roast the seeds

    Put clean seeds in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil, salt, black pepper or desired seasonings and toss seeds to coat (photo 4).

    roasted pumpkin seed recipe step by step photos 2

    Spread the seeds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicon mat. Bake in the 400 degree oven to desired crispness; usually 10-15 minutes depending on the seeds (photo 5).

    Allow seeds to cool then devour (photo 6)!

    How to Tell When Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are Done

    The seeds start as a wet, grayish color when they are raw. As they roast the dry seeds become opaque white followed by golden brown as they become fully roasted.

    hands holding pumpkin seeds with pumpkin in foreground

    Expert Tip

    Pumpkin Scooper. Using a pumpkin scooper makes the job of removing the seeds and membrane much faster and easier.

    How to Store

    After the seeds roast and are completely cool, store in an airtight container at room temperature.

    More Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love

    • Pumpkin Cheesecake
    • How to Make Pumpkin Butter
    • Easy Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins recipe
    • Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew recipe (Starbuck’s Copycat)
    • Pumpkin Oatmeal recipe
    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!
    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK , TWITTER , INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST !

    Recipe

    Roasted Pumpkin Seeds with powdered chipotle and small pumpkins in background with leaves

    Best Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

    This roasted pumpkin seed recipe has an extra step of boiling the pumpkin seeds before roasting which easily removed the membrane and plumps the seeds for fantastic results. 
    5 from 163 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 serving size depends on amount of pumpkin seeds
    Calories: 107kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • Pumpkin Seeds or Winter Squash Seeds
    • 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
    • Kosher Salt
    • Seasonings to taste

    Instructions

    • Scrape any squash seeds out of a partially cooked or uncooked winter squash.
    • Rinse the seeds to remove the major chunks of squash or any strings possible.   NOTE: The boiling separates most of it; this is to remove anything large.
      pumpkin seeds in colander
    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
    • Bring to boil a few cups of water and seeds; about 2 cups of water to 1/2 cup of seeds. Add ½ teaspoon of salt per cup of water. Note: the amount of salt may be increased or decreased to taste. Boil for 10 minutes.
      pumpkin seeds boiling
    • After boiling, return seeds to a colander and rinse. Any remaining pumpkin particles or string will have separated; remove them from the seeds.
      pumpkin seeds draining
    • Put the seeds in a bowl. Toss with 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil to coat the seeds and add salt and pepper to taste. Additional seasonings and spices may be added. 
      pumpkin seeds in bowl
    • Spread seeds in a single layer on a baking tray or in a shallow roasting pan in the upper portion of the oven.
      pumpkin seeds on silpat
    • Bake until seeds begin to brown and are a consistency of your liking; usually 10-15 minutes. NOTE: Different size seeds may take different lengths of time to cook. TIP: the seeds change from the wet, grayish color to more of an opaque white then golden brown as they become fully roasted.
    • Leave the seeds to cool on a rack until you can safely handle them.
      pumpkin seeds roasted

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1.4mg
    Roasted Pumpkin Seeds in small bowl
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    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Originally published October 2010

    Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are a wholesome, delicious snack that are so easy to make!

    « How to Make Pumpkin Puree
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vanessa says

      October 28, 2024 at 11:40 pm

      Best one yet!

      Reply
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    5 from 163 votes (124 ratings without comment)

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    Welcome! Iโ€™m Toni Dash. Iโ€™m a Certified Nutrition Coach and the professional writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavoreยฎ. Iโ€™m so glad you are here!

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