Deliciously crunchy Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds make a wonderful healthy snack. These roasted pumpkin seeds are easy to make in the air fryer and can be seasoned in so many ways!
Pumpkins are an awesome fruit with which you make a variety of sweet and savory recipes. It is also amazing that you can use pretty much all the parts of a pumpkin. I often make pumpkin puree in the Instant pot which can be used in so many ways and can be freezed too.
When making this puree, don't throw away the seeds, as the seeds when crisped are such a wonderful snack. Crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds are delicious when seasoned generously with salt, pepper, or any other seasoning of your choice.
This air fryer recipe is the best way to roast pumpkin seeds and it takes so less time to get the perfect crisped texture. Usually, I roast them with their shell intact, as I don't want to take the effort to remove the shell.
We love to use Trader Joe's Chili Lime seasoning to add an extra kick to the pumpkin seeds.
Benefits of Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are also known as Pepita in Spanish. They are full of nutrients and improve heart health. Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants and high in magnesium content. They also help in lowering blood levels and aid in digestion. You can enjoy this crunchy snack without any guilt (don't forget to control the salt you add).
How to Clean Pumpkin Seeds?
While roasted pumpkin seeds are healthy and delicious, it is also a tedious job of prepare the seeds for roasting. But trust me, it is totally worth it. Separating the seeds from the pumpkin is not my favorite part, but it has to be done. So here is how I do it:
- When you carve the pumpkin, remove all the seeds. Separate the pulp from the seeds as much as you can.
- Then put the seeds in a colander and rinse them well under running water to separate any remaining pieces of pulp.
- If you find this process a bit difficult, you can also boil the seeds for 10 minutes in salted water. It will help remove the pulp and clean the seeds thoroughly.
- After you have separated the pulp, rinse the seeds once more and lay them out on a paper towel or clean kitchen towel to dry for 30 minutes. Press gently to remove any excess water.
The outer white shell contains green and oval seeds inside, you can remove them if you want. I usually don't as I lack the patience, so I just roast them with their shell on.
How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds in the Air Fryer?
I use the air fryer to roast them as it is so much more convenient to use than the oven. I typically don't pre-heat the air-fryer.
- Before you get started on roasting the pumpkin seeds, make sure that they are completely dry.
- In a large bowl, take the dried pumpkin seeds. Add some melted ghee/butter along with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well till all the seeds are well coated with seasonings.
- Spread them onto the fryer basket evenly.
- Cook at 360F for 10-15 minutes and shake the basket half way through for even roasting.
- After they are done, take out and check whether they are crisp to your liking. If not, air fry them for additional 3-5 minutes.
- Let them cool and adjust the seasoning to your taste and enjoy the snack.
Tips to make Perfect Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- I tried both the methods of boiling and not boiling the pumpkin seeds before roasting. I didn't find a difference in taste.
- If you are making a bigger quantity, you need to roast it in batches for them to be evenly roasted.
- You can use Trader Joe"s Chili Lime seasoning or smoked paprika for an extra spice kick.
- These work perfectly to top on salads too!
Make this nutritious snack in your air fryer, and enjoy anytime!
Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Pumpkin seeds
- 1 teaspoon Ghee or Butter you can also use olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
Cleaning the pumpkin seeds
- Remove all the seeds from the pumpkin. Separate the pulp from the seeds as much as you can.
- Then put the seeds in a colander and rinse under running water to separate any remaining pieces of pulp.
- Optionally, you can also boil the seeds for 10 minutes in salted water. It will help remove the pulp.
- Lay the seeds out on a paper towel or clean kitchen towel to dry for 30 minutes. Press with paper towels to remove any extra water.
Roasting the seeds
- Before you get started on roasting the pumpkin seeds, make sure that they are completely dry.
- Transfer the dried pumpkin seeds to a bowl. Add melted ghee/butter along with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well till all the seeds are well coated with the seasonings.
- Spread the seeds in the fryer basket evenly. Cook at 360F for 10-15 minutes. Shake the basket half way through for even roasting.
- After they are done, take out and check whether they are crisp to your liking. If not, air fry them for additional 3-5 minutes.
- Let them cool, adjust the seasoning to your taste and enjoy the snack.
Notes
Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
This was perfect! I added a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. This makes it better than the oven. 10 minutes was perfect. I had previously soaked in a salt brine for a day.
Hi Teresa - So glad to hear that. Thank you for sharing back 🙂
hi! do you eat them whole, under they are roasted, seasoned, or try to take the inside out?
sorry, maybe a silly question.
Hi Helen - Not a silly question at all. We do eat them roasted without taking the inside out. It is too much effort to take out the inside and they are tasty and nutritious as is too 🙂
I substituted bacon fat and the taste was yummy 🤗
Hi Judy - So good to hear that. Thank you for sharing your experience 🙂
They are delicious and I am definitely going to use this recipe again, but your nutrition facts are way off. 1/4 cup of seeds is probably 301 calories.
Hello Holly - Glad to enjoyed the roasted pumpkin seeds. When I check on few other nutrition data sites, 1 cup pumpkin seeds have 285 calories. According to that, the specified calories per 1/4 cup seem to be in line. That said, I use an automated nutrition data calculator, so please feel free to confirm with your preferred calculator.
What setting are these “cooked” on? Air fry, roast or bake?
Hi Meg - Most old air fryers just had one air fry setting (including my Philips air fryer). I have seen new air fryer models have multiple settings. I think that all of them do the same function of air frying, and have preset defaults for each button (I have seen this in the instant vortex air fryer). So I always end up using the Air Fry setting and set the temperature and time as needed.
Honestly have to say I love this!! Using Ghee was totally worth it. I’m pretty into trying new and different variations of pumpkins seeds (air fryer or not) around this time of year. I’ve been making small batches of different types and I have to say, by FAR, my favorite! This one will be a reoccurrence!
Hi Douglas - So good to hear that you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing it 🙂
I was skeptical until I tried it.
Works great and quick in the air fryer.
I used olive oil instead of butter I imagine the results would be the same. Next time might try a little cinnamon instead of pepper
I just got an air fryer so I'm still trying to learn how to use it. I'll have to try these for sure!