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. Promise!
If you think carving pumpkins is the best part of Halloween, I have a surprise; it’s not!
Every person I’ve served these roasted pumpkin seeds can’t wait to cut into a winter squash to make more!
They are a wholesome snack that are addictively good.
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!
Trust me it will become your favorite recipe for roasting any type of winter squash seeds.
What do Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Taste Like?
Seeds roasted through this method are incredibly delicious.
They are very nutty and bursting with flavor (I actually find them to taste a bit like bacon).
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.
Making some Butternut Squash soup (or Butternut Squash Noodles in Sage Brown Butter)? 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.
A Life Changing Trick!
Boil the seeds in salted water first.
How will that make a difference?
Boiling separates all the pumpkin membrane from the seeds, freeing them to easily be roasted.
All that time trying to pull away the slippery pumpkin goop? The boiling takes care of that.
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.
They 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.
It’s like night and day from traditional roasted pumpkin seeds; trust me.
Which Pumpkins Have the Best Seeds for Roasting?
Pick a large pumpkin (not heavier but physically bigger) that sounds hollow when you tap it.
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 sugarfor a kettle-corn type flavor.
The possibilities are endless.
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 Dry Pumpkin Seeds?
The best method is to roast them! They turn from wet, slick, grey-colored seeds into crisp delicious seeds you won’t be able to stop eating!
How to Make It – Step by Step:
STEP 1: Scrape the seeds from a partially cooked or uncooked winter squash.
PRO TIP: using a pumpkin scoopermakes the job easier.
STEP 2: Rinse the seeds to remove large pieces of membrane (photo 1).
STEP 3: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of salty water to a boil.
STEP 4: Boil the seeds for 10 minutes (photo 2).
STEP 5: Strain the seeds in a colander and remove any separated bits of pumpkin (photo 3).
STEP 6: Put seeds in a bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper or desired seasonings (photo 4).
STEP 7: Spread the seeds in a single layer on a prepared baking sheet. Bake 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 they become opaque white followed by golden brown as they become fully roasted.
More Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love
- Need some pumpkin carving inspiration? Try these 11 Unique Pumpkin Carving Ideas!
- How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree
- 25+ Sweet and Savory Gluten-Free Pumpkin Recipes You Won’t Want to Miss
- Pumpkin Cheesecake
- How to Make Pumpkin Butter
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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.
- 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.
- After boiling, return seeds to a colander and rinse. Any remaining pumpkin particles or string will have separated; remove them from the seeds.
- 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.
- Spread seeds in a single layer on a baking tray or in a shallow roasting pan in the upper portion of the oven.
- 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.
Video
Nutrition
Originally published October 2010
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are a wholesome, delicious snack that are so easy to make!
Lori says
I used to just soak them in salt water overnight which I thought worked well but this is much better with similar results!!! Super crunchy and delicious! Plus, you don’t have to worry so much about separating seeds from the goop! (Yay!!)
Sal says
Just mad these today and they turned out beautiful, I used sea salt and black pepper for the first batch and garlic salt and green pepper sauce for the second (just a few tablespoons)
Olivia says
WOW! these are so good! I cant stop munching on these. they have that nice crunch that I LOVE! I used some smoked cayenne in mine to enhance the nutty flavor. All in all, I am definitely going to use this recipe again!
Toni Dash says
I loved smoked paprika too! So glad you liked them Olivia!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
Looks so perfect! Definitely a must try!
Megan Ancheta says
The perfect snack! I can’t wait to try your method – these look so delicious!
Anna says
Yay for pumpkin season! I need to make these asap!
Joyce Brewer says
This is a wildly popular fall treat. Folks will appreciate your insight on making their pumpkin seeds perfectly.
Toni Dash says
I hope so. Thank you Joyce!
krystal says
This is my husband’s favorite snack for fall. So easy, so good!
Reesa Lewandowski says
We always do this after pumpkin carving. But we never get it right. Thank you, going to try this recipe!
Toni Dash says
I think you will be happy with this recipe Reesa, both the ease and the end results!
Becca Wilson says
I have never roasted pumpkin seeds but I have always wanted to try. I am definitely going to give this a go!
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
We love to make these- thank you!
Dan Zehr says
I really love pumpkin seeds. I know that it is really very useful and tasty. This is a great post. Thank you for sharing this
Melanie Bauer says
What a great idea! So simple and definitely yummy, can’t wait to try this!
Sherry says
I have never had roasted pumpkin seeds before. Thanks for the tip on how to get the extra membranes off. I’ll have to try them. I may go for a pumpkin spice flavor as well as a savory flavor for my hubby.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I’ve neve roasted my own pumpkin seeds before but recall hearing a couple of people say it wasn’t a fun time. You method sounds good because it will make it easier plus let you customize the flavor.
Brianne Manz says
These look delicious. I can see why this is the best method ever. What I dislike the most is the pulling the guts out of the pumpkin the sorting the seed out. But it is always worth it and I will be trying this method this year.
Jennifer Farley says
I love roasted pumpkin seeds so much! I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Tanya Schroeder says
I’m not sure I can wait until pumpkin carving time to get my hands on some seeds!
Dorothy at Shockinglydelish says
The salt water boil is genius! I hate fighting those slimy seeds, but love them roasted! Perfect!
Jeni Hawkins says
My boyfriend has NEVER had pumpkin seeds before, can you believe that!? I love making them and LOVE that you suggested to boil in salt water first, too!
Toni Dash says
I truly think they are addictive when you make them this way. If he hasn’t ever had them, this is a great first recipe!
Amy says
My family makes Portuguese Pumpkin Seeds which are sold year round here. I love mine savory, but enjoy them sweet sometimes too. This recipe and method sounds good!
Toni Dash says
I love knowing that Amy! Thank you.
Veronica Vilora Solomon says
What a wonderful healthy snack. I would definitely enjoy them salted with pink salt
Toni Dash says
You are making me hungry now Veronica!
Heather says
Love this method! So helpful!
Melissa Chapman says
I am a big fan of pumpkin seeds but I have never made them ourselves. Your method and recipe look very easy so I want to make them myself and they will be much fresher.
Allison says
I love the step by step photos! I will definitely be trying this once we get our pumpkins from the pumpkin patch.