Description
Transform leftover pumpkin seeds into a crunchy, savory snack with this easy and quick Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds recipe. Perfectly crispy with minimal oil, these versatile seeds can be customized with various seasonings for a tasty treat ideal for fall or anytime snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup freshly cleaned and dried pumpkin seeds
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (or avocado oil, coconut oil, or light cooking spray)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional Seasonings
- Paprika (to taste)
- Garlic powder (to taste)
- Cinnamon (to taste)
- Cayenne pepper (to taste)
- Smoked paprika (for Cajun variation)
- Thyme (pinch, for Cajun variation)
- Sugar (for sweet cinnamon sugar variation)
- Dried basil (for herbed garlic variation)
- Oregano (for herbed garlic variation)
- Nutritional yeast (for savory umami variation)
- Soy sauce (a drop, for savory umami variation)
- Black pepper (to taste, for simple sea salt variation)
Instructions
- Prepare the Seeds: Remove the seeds from your pumpkin and rinse thoroughly to remove any pulp or strings. Pat completely dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels to ensure crispiness.
- Season the Seeds: In a bowl, toss the dry seeds with olive oil to coat evenly. Add salt and your chosen seasonings, mixing well to flavor every seed.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat for about 3 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Air Fry the Seeds: Spread the seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes to prevent burning and promote even crisping.
- Cool and Enjoy: Once golden and crispy, transfer the seeds to a bowl and let cool completely to further crisp them up before snacking or using as toppings.
Notes
- Dry Thoroughly: Seeds must be fully dry before air frying to avoid sogginess and ensure crunch.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange seeds in a single layer for proper hot air circulation.
- Shake Often: Toss seeds halfway through cooking to toast evenly and prevent burning.
- Experiment with Timing: Check seeds at 10 minutes; cook longer if needed based on your air fryer.
- Cool Before Storing: Allow seeds to cool completely to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 to 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0.3g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 1.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1.1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: pumpkin seeds, air fryer, roasted pumpkin seeds, healthy snack, fall recipes, crunchy snack, savory snack, easy snack
