These roasted pumpkin seeds are golden brown, crunchy, and wholesome. Don’t just throw away the best part of the pumpkin!

roasted pumpkin seeds in a serving bowl

The smell of pumpkin seeds always reminds me of spending time with my grandma. Every year, she grew pumpkins in her garden to feed her pigs. It was my cousin and I’s job to scoop the seeds out and save them for roasting. A hard job, but someone had to do it! 😉

Whether you’re roasting up pumpkin for a healthy meal or making a jack-o-lantern with your kids during Halloween, never let the seeds go to waste! They are rich in vitamins and minerals, perfect as a snack or salad topper, and can be seasoned in so many different ways.

4 Steps to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Making roasted pumpkin seeds couldn’t get any easier. Below, find a quick hitter overview of the recipe before you get to roasting!

  1. Collect the Seeds: While the oven is preheating to 300°F, slice the pumpkin down the center and remove the seeds from the pumpkin guts.
  2. Crisp the Seeds: Spread the seeds in a single layer onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast the seeds for 15 minutes, or until they turn a golden brown color.
  3. Lower the Heat: With the oven door cracked open slightly, turn the heat down to 200°F and bake the seeds for an hour. Every 10-15 minutes, stir them with a wooden spoon.
  4. Cool the Seeds: Remove the seeds from the oven and allow them to cool at room temperature. Store the seeds for later in an airtight container or eat them slightly warm. Enjoy!

Tips for Making the Best Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Below, find a couple of pro tips to make the best-roasted pumpkin seeds on the planet.

  • Play around with seasonings. Before placing the seeds on the baking sheet to roast, toss them in your favorite seasoning. A couple of great options include cinnamon, nutmeg, hot sauce, garlic salt, chili powder, curry powder, or salt and pepper. Get as creative as you want here!
  • Spread the seeds in a single layer. Avoid stacking or layering the seeds to prevent them from sticking and cooking unevenly. The more surface area you create, the crispier the seeds will get!
  • Don’t wash the seeds before baking. There’s absolutely no need to wash the seeds before baking. Leaving on some of the pumpkin flesh yields such a nice, sweet flavor – and it means less work!
  • Bake the seeds low and slow. The trick to perfectly roasted pumpkin seeds is to bake them low and slow. When they are roasted on a high temperature, they tend to break apart easily during peeling.
roasted pumpkin seeds on tray

Serving Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Roasted pumpkin seeds can be served as a healthy, high-protein snack all on their own. You can also serve them as a topper for just about any salad or veggie side dish. If you’re looking for some ideas, they are a delicious addition to a roasted beet and goat cheese salad or sprinkled on top of air fryer brussels sprouts with bacon.

Storing Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

  • Room Temperature: Store roasted pumpkin seeds in an airtight container in the pantry. They will last for serveral months.
  • Refrigerator: If you store roasted pumpkin seeds in an airtight container in the fridge, they will last for up to 6 months.

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About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.