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Best Crispy Spiced Pumpkin Seeds: Easy Kid-Approved Snack

crispy spiced pumpkin seeds - featured image
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These crispy spiced pumpkin seeds are salty, a little smoky, and so crunchy you can hear them crackle across the kitchen. Made with simple pantry ingredients, they turn a humble pumpkin byproduct into an addictive snack that even picky eaters will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups fresh pumpkin seeds (from a medium pumpkin)
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons salt (for boiling water)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (for seasoning after roasting)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or melted coconut oil/avocado oil)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper if using.
  2. Clean the seeds: Separate pumpkin seeds from stringy pulp, rinse in a colander under cold water, and drain well.
  3. Boil the seeds: Bring 4 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the rinsed seeds and boil for exactly 10 minutes.
  4. Drain and dry: Drain the seeds in a colander. Spread them on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels, pat gently to remove moisture, and let air-dry for 5 minutes.
  5. Season the seeds: Transfer dried seeds to a mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (if using). Add cayenne if desired. Toss until evenly coated.
  6. Spread on baking sheet: Pour seasoned seeds onto the prepared baking sheet in a single, even layer. Avoid overcrowding; use two sheets if needed.
  7. Roast for 20-25 minutes: Roast for 10 minutes, then stir. Return to oven and roast another 10-15 minutes until golden brown and crackling when shaken.
  8. Cool completely: Let seeds cool on the baking sheet for 15-20 minutes. They will continue to crisp up.
  9. Enjoy: Sprinkle with remaining ½ teaspoon salt while warm, toss to distribute, and serve. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Don’t skip the boiling step—it ensures crispy seeds. Dry seeds thoroughly after boiling to avoid steaming. Watch the oven closely as seeds can burn quickly. Double the batch for larger gatherings. Season while warm for better adherence.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy pumpkin seeds, spiced pumpkin seeds, kid-approved snack, fall snack, roasted pumpkin seeds, easy pumpkin seeds, healthy snack, gluten-free snack, vegan snack

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