Pumpkin Seed Recipe (Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds)

Here’s an easy pumpkin seed recipe for crispy air fryer pumpkin seeds! Season them however you like for a quick, delicious, and healthy snack.

This pumpkin seed recipe will teach you how to roast pumpkin seeds in the air fryer. You only need three ingredients because you can season your air fryer pumpkin seeds with whatever you fancy, whether it’s sweet or savory!

So, next time you’re carving pumpkins, don’t discard their seeds.

You’re only a few steps away from crunching into a tasty and healthy snack. 🎃

What Are Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds?

Air fryer pumpkin seeds are pumpkin seeds roasted to crispy perfection in the air fryer. And what better way to kick off the fall season with a snack made from pumpkins?

You don’t need an oven to make this quick and easy pumpkin seed recipe.

It only needs 3 ingredients, so you know that it’s natural and healthy compared to the store-bought ones.

Any pumpkin will work for this highly addictive crunchy snack, but of course, with pumpkin carving season just around the corner, why not use the big ones you’ll carve?

I actually find this wholesome. Don’t you just love recipes that make use of leftovers we usually toss out?

But Halloween or not, I’ve always been a fan of pumpkin seeds. I remember buying them after school because they’re cheap, delicious, but most importantly, super fun to eat. 🤣

Breaking the seeds with my teeth to get them out of their shells while watching Tom and Jerry is enjoyment at its peak for little ten-year-old me. 

However, the thought of eating pumpkin seeds like a finch now that I’m older seems too tedious for snacking. So when I discovered this air fryer pumpkin seed recipe where you can just eat the seeds without peeling (they’re deliciously crispy), I knew I had to make it! 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect Use Of Carving Leftovers: This pumpkin seed recipe is an easy and tasty way to use up your pumpkin carving leftovers! Continue reading to know the best way to clean and rinse the seeds before roasting them.
• Crispy And Flavorful: The best thing about these air fryer roasted pumpkin seeds is they come out super crispy without you needing to prepare the oven. They’re easy to make, and their flavors are customizable. I’ve listed some sweet and savory seasonings below. 
• Healthy Snack: These homemade pumpkin seeds are a healthier alternative to store-bought pumpkin seeds because you can adjust their sodium content, and you know they’re free from preservatives. Forget about potato chips and munch on these healthier snacks instead!

What Do Pumpkin Seeds Taste Like?

So, what do roasted pumpkin seeds taste like? On their own, the best way to describe them is they have a nutty but generally mild flavor. I’m talking about the little green seed inside when you crack open the shell. 

My favorite pumpkin seeds are just seasoned salt, but of course, mixing and matching seasonings will introduce you to a whole new world of flavors. Make them as sweet, savory, or spicy as you want!

What you’ll use to help the seasonings stick, whether it’s olive oil or melted butter, also affects the overall taste of these crispy air fryer pumpkin seeds, so choose wisely.

Since we roasted the pumpkin seeds, you don’t need to peel off the shells! This is perfect if you lack the patience to open them, haha.

After all, we’ve already coated the seeds in yummy seasonings, so why let them go to waste by removing them? They’re also nice and crunchy after cooking in the air fryer.

What about boiling the seeds? Is there a difference in taste?

This extra prep work is ideal if you find it hard to digest the seeds, but flavor-wise, there is no change. 🤷

Is This Pumpkin Seed Recipe Healthy?

Keep this pumpkin seed recipe in your back pocket when the crunchy snack cravings strike.

Because we’re keeping the ingredients simple: clean and dry pumpkin seeds, melted butter (olive oil is a healthier alternative!), and seasoned salt, these roasted pumpkin seeds are healthier than the average store-bought snack.

It’s not packed with additives and preservatives, and you can adjust the sodium content. 

As for pumpkin seeds themselves, they’re a fantastic source of magnesium for blood pressure and blood sugar regulation, and they’re also rich in an amino acid called tryptophan for better sleep. 

Other than snacking at home, why don’t you include this nutritious snack on your trail mix? Bring them while hiking so you can get some exercise in as well. 

What Are The Benefits Of This Pumpkin Seed Recipe?

October is all things pumpkin, but other than carving, you might want to start air frying.

Before you admire your Jack-O’-Lantern, get back on those carving leftovers because something tasty and healthy is hiding in those pumpkin “guts.”

This pumpkin seed recipe uses the magic of the air fryer to crisp the pumpkin seeds up so you can enjoy them even without peeling!

They’re also much healthier than store-bought pumpkin seeds and other preservative-filled crispy snacks. 

Ingredients For Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds

• Pumpkin seeds – It’s surprisingly easy to prepare pumpkin seeds. But if you find yourself craving these crispy snacks and can’t get your hands on pumpkins, just use raw, unsalted seeds. 
• Unsalted butter – To help the seasonings stick to the roasted pumpkin seeds.
• Seasoned salt – You can season your crispy air fryer pumpkin seeds with pretty much anything. I like to keep them simple with just some seasoned salt.

Tools Needed To Prepare Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

• Bowl for seasoning the pumpkin seeds
• Air fryer for roasting the pumpkin seeds
• Paper towels for drying the clean pumpkin seeds 

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Crispy Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds

Sweet roasted pumpkin seeds

This pumpkin seed recipe is everything your taste buds want it to be! If you prefer something sweet for your seasoning mix, toss the crunchy pumpkin seeds in brown sugar, cinnamon, and some salt. 

Cinnamon sugar pumpkin seeds will make delicious additions to dessert nachos!

Crispy, savory pumpkin seeds

For smoky, savory snacks, season your roasted pumpkin seeds with smoked paprika, salt, and garlic powder. I think olive oil is best with these seasonings instead of butter.

More seasoning ideas

Prepare different flavors of air fryer pumpkin seeds!

Some other delicious seasonings for your roasted seeds are curry powder, Old Bay seasoning, chile lime seasoning, or even ranch powder (a personal favorite, by the way! 🤤)

How to Make Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pumpkin seeds, cleaned and dried
• 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp seasoned salt

Tools you need:

• Bowl
• Air fryer
• Paper towels

Instructions:

STEP 1: Gather the ingredients for your air fryer pumpkin seeds.

STEP 2: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. For perfectly crispy roasted pumpkin seeds, make sure your cleaned pumpkin seeds are completely dry.

STEP 3: Pour the melted butter into the pumpkin seeds.

STEP 4: Toss the pumpkin seeds in seasoned salt. Mix well.

STEP 5: Place the pumpkin seeds in the air fryer. If cooking a large quantity, roast the seeds in batches. They won’t get nice and crisp if you cook too many at once.

STEP 6: Cook the pumpkin seeds for 10 minutes, flipping the seeds or shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

STEP 7: Cool the roasted pumpkin seeds before serving. Season them with more salt if desired.

What To Serve With Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Serve your seasoned pumpkin seeds alongside fall snacks like nutty trail mixes, pumpkin spice pretzels, and apple chips.

This pumpkin seed recipe is also a tasty way to prepare the seeds before using them as toppings on salads and soups.

Check these fall recipes if you don’t have a menu for the season yet. 

Or, much better, prepare a super fun Halloween pumpkin snack board featuring these crispy pumpkin seeds! And for dessert, serve our easy pumpkin muffins that you can easily tweak with your favorite frosting or filling. 😋

Tips About Making This Pumpkin Seed Recipe

Here are some key things for perfectly crisp air fryer pumpkin seeds every single time:

• The easiest way to clean the pumpkin seeds is to transfer them to a bowl, fill it with water, and then scoop the seeds out into a colander. Rinse the pumpkin seeds again, then drain and dry them thoroughly before roasting them.
• You can prepare the pumpkin seeds in advance and let them dry overnight. But if you don’t have the time, place them between paper towels to soak up the excess moisture. This is crucial to get the seeds nice and crispy!
• It’s up to you if you want to boil, soak, or remove the shells for this pumpkin seed recipe. Some prefer removing the shells for texture, but there is really no flavor difference if you don’t soak or boil the pumpkin seeds. However, these additional steps might be worth it if you find it hard to digest the pumpkin seeds. 

How To Store Pumpkin Seeds

• Room temperature: Roasted pumpkin seeds can go bad, so I suggest storing them in an airtight container and eating them within 2 weeks. This shouldn’t be a challenge! 😉
• Freezer: You can freeze your air fryer pumpkin seeds! Store them in a freezer-safe container, and they should last for up to 3 months. 
• After freezing: Bring the frozen roasted pumpkin seeds to room temperature. Then, to revive their delicious crunch, just pop them in the air fryer for a few minutes.

Are Pumpkin Seeds Better in the Oven or Air Fryer?

For convenience, the clear winner is roasting pumpkin seeds in the air fryer.

As proven by this recipe for pumpkin seeds, air fryer pumpkin seeds come together quickly, especially if you prepared the seeds beforehand. 

Air fryer roasted pumpkin seeds are also nice and crispy, and the process only takes 10 minutes! You don’t have to worry about burning them or stress yourself about cooking them evenly like you would if you broil them in the oven. 

Why Soak Pumpkin Seeds Before Roasting?

Soaking the pumpkin seeds before roasting them is optional. However, this extra step is great for people who find the seeds too tough to eat and digest.

Some swear that softening the pumpkin seed shells by soaking them also makes them crispier. 

How Long Is Too Long to Soak Pumpkin Seeds?

Allow your raw pumpkin seeds to soak in water with some salt for 6 hours, or much better, overnight. You don’t need to soak them longer than that!

Here’s an idea for managing your time: quickly prepare the pumpkin seeds in the night after carving your pumpkins! This way, you can drain and dry them in the morning, and you’ll have a quick snack ready in just a few minutes. 

What Can You Do with Pumpkin Seeds?

Turn pumpkin seeds into addictively crispy snacks by roasting them in the air fryer, as we’ve shown in this easy pumpkin seed recipe. 

You can also use plenty of pumpkin seeds to garnish soups, dips, and desserts or add texture to salads, pizzas, spreads, and sandwiches.

For an extra oomph, top your fall baked goods with pumpkin seeds!

And speaking of baked goods, forget about wasting Halloween pumpkins. You can turn them into a homemade pumpkin puree and use it on our easy dairy-free pumpkin bread recipe. 

Why Are My Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Tough?

If your roasted pumpkin seeds are too tough to enjoy, it might be because you’re using big pumpkin seeds with tough shells. 

Larger pumpkins yield tough seeds for roasting. So, for easy-to-chew pumpkin seeds without you needing to remove their shells, it’ll be better to use smaller pumpkins than the ones we use for carving. 

FAQ About Cooking Pumpkin Seeds

Conclusion

Satisfy the munchies for something crunchy in just 10 minutes of cooking time with this easy pumpkin seed recipe. 

Serve the crispy air fryer pumpkin seeds at your Halloween party or autumn gathering, and I promise, no one will be disappointed.

You can even prepare different seasonings so everyone can pick the flavors they want on their roasted pumpkin seeds!

‘Tis the season for pumpkin carving and snacking. And if you want more pumpkin recipes to make this fall, I have everything from appetizers, main dishes, desserts to even drinks:

• Easy Pumpkin Pie Hummus Recipe
• Instant Pot Pumpkin Bites Recipe
• Easy Vegan Pumpkin Sage Pasta
• Delicious Baked Pumpkin Donuts
• Delish Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
• The Best Homemade Pumpkin Spice Vietnamese Iced Coffee