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Easy Smoky Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: Best Crowd-Pleasing Recipe

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These smoky roasted pumpkin seeds are crunchy, deeply savory, and have an irresistible smoky kick. Perfect for parties, game days, or any gathering, they disappear from the bowl before the main course even hits the table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups fresh pumpkin seeds (from one medium pumpkin)
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon salt (plus more for seasoning)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. Separate the seeds from the pumpkin pulp. Scoop out the seeds and stringy bits into a large bowl. Fill the bowl with cool water and use your hands to gently separate the seeds from the pulp. The seeds will float to the top, and the pulp will sink.
  3. Rinse the seeds in a colander under cold running water. Pick out any remaining bits of pumpkin flesh.
  4. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of salt to a rolling boil. Add the cleaned pumpkin seeds and boil for exactly 10 minutes.
  5. Drain the seeds in a colander and spread them out on a clean kitchen towel or layers of paper towels. Pat them very dry. Let them sit on the towel for about 5 minutes.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine the dried seeds with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne (if using), and black pepper. Toss well with a spatula until every seed is evenly coated.
  7. Spread the seasoned seeds in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure they are not overlapping too much.
  8. Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through. At the 10-minute mark, pull the pan out, give the seeds a good stir with a spatula, and spread them back into an even layer.
  9. Remove from the oven and let the seeds cool completely on the baking sheet.
  10. Once completely cool, sprinkle with a little extra flaky sea salt if desired. Transfer to a serving bowl.

Notes

Boiling the seeds is essential for a crispy texture. Dry the seeds thoroughly before roasting to avoid steaming. Watch the oven closely during the last 5 minutes to prevent burning. Double the batch for parties as they disappear quickly.

Nutrition

Keywords: roasted pumpkin seeds, smoky pumpkin seeds, easy pumpkin seeds, crowd-pleasing snack, fall appetizer

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/easy-smoky-roasted-pumpkin-seeds-best-crowd-pleasing-recipe/