Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Oct 19, 2015, Updated Nov 15, 2022
Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are healthy to snack on!
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Spicy roasted pumpkin seeds are healthy to snack on. They are also delicious on top of soups and salads!
Time is flying, we are in second half of October already. I am sure you all must have pulled out your Halloween decorations by now. It’s so funny but all these years we lived in high rise apartments and I never saw any halloween decor. I mean there was stuff in front of the building and reception area but I never anyone put stuff in front of their apartments. But this year it’s so different. We bought our own house and now live in an area with single family houses all around. When I go for my morning walk these days, I see all kinds of halloween decor in front of the houses. People are so creative and some of the decors are seriously amazing.
What I also noticed that almost everyone has kept cute little pumpkins outside their homes and while I haven’t kept one outside yet, I am definitely playing around with it a lot in kitchen these days. The other day I got these cute little sugar pumpkins from Trader Joe’s and while I used it to make a delicious soup I couldn’t resist roasting the seeds inside it. Do you guys throw the pumpkin seeds? If you do, then please STOP now! They are so delicious, and so perfect to top your soups and salads. And they also make such a healthy snacking option.
I decided to make these spicy roasted pumpkin seeds from the seeds that were left after roasting my pumpkin. I have been munching on them since then and I also put some on top of my pumpkin soup (recipe coming soon!). The thing with pumpkin seeds is that they are very slimy when you scoop them out of the pumpkin. There are 2 things that you can do for this –
1. boil them and then pat dry them using a kitchen towel. That’s what I did and since I had only 1/2 cup it wasn’t too much of a task.
2. if you have lot of pumpkin seeds, boil them and then leave them to dry overnight.
These spicy roasted pumpkin seeds will turn out perfect if you follow the above steps. They will be crunchy and perfect to snack on!
Method
Place the leftover pumpkin seeds in 1.5 cups of boiling water. Add salt to it and let it boil for 10-12 minutes.
Remove seeds from stove top and pat dry them using a kitchen towel. Transfer the seeds to a bowl, add oil, cumin powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika and salt.
Transfer the seeds to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper/silicone mat.
Roast the pumpkin seeds at 300 F degrees for 35-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. They will be really crispy by then. Store the pumpkin seeds in an air tight container and enjoy!
* Adjust spice level to taste. Add more cayenne for spicier pumpkin seeds.
Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds
- 1.5 cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne [or adjust to taste]
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the leftover pumpkin seeds in 1.5 cups of boiling water. Add salt to it and let it boil for 10-12 minutes.
- Remove seeds from stove top and pat dry them using a kitchen towel.
- Transfer the seeds to a bowl, add oil, cumin powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika and salt.
- Transfer the seeds to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper/silicone mat.
- Roast the pumpkin seeds at 300 F degrees for 35-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. They will be really crispy by then.
- Store the pumpkin seeds in an air tight container and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
This is a perfect snack! I’ve been thinking about how to make them with an Italian twist – but I think I’m going to just make yours…they’re fabulous! YUM!
Ooo Italian twist would be nice!!
I like the idea of a morning walk, seeing everyone’s decorations. I love looking at houses as we get closer to the holidays!
These look incredible. I want to put them on my soups!
Thanks Mir, they are so good on soups!
I definitely nee to make some of these spicy pumpkin seeds! They sound like the perfect snack!
They are, thank you!
Can’t wait to roast some pumpkin seeds, love your tips! I never boil them, but will definitely try! Pinned!
Thanks Mira!
Ooh, such perfect timing! We just got two pumpkins over the weekend that my husband is carving out with my son this week. Such a great idea to spice up roasted pumpkin seeds – we usually only add salt so I can’t wait to try this 🙂 Such a healthy and delicious snack!
Thanks Kelly, hope you try these!
They would be great with some pumpkin soup too.
They are great with pumpkin soup! 🙂
I really love pumpkin seeds – they make a delicious snack. Really like the spices and flavours you’ve added to these!
I know right, Thanks Jess!
I just made some pumpkin soup with sugar pumpkins too! I got so excited when I saw the little guys in the Teeter. I attempted to roast the seeds and it was an epic fail. I’m totally going to try again using your method. I have several more pumpkins because I went a little crazy. 🙂
I hope your second attempt is better! Thanks Rachelle!
I recently moved to the country, so I miss seeing everyone’s holiday decorations! I have already been told not to bother with Halloween candy because we won’t get any trick or treaters 🙁 Makes me sad! I’m jealous you get to see all your neighbors and their spooky digs! I guess I will just have to cozy up on the couch and devour massive amounts of these pumpkin seeds! I LOVE roasted pumpkin seeds, but I am seriously loving your spicy version! YES to everything spicy and sweet! These are PERFECT, my dear! Cheers! 😉
Aww no worries, it means all the more candies for you, yay!! Thanks dear!
You read my mind with this recipe, Manali! We carved pumpkins last night and I have a ton of seeds waiting to be roasted. I’m definitely making this tonight!!
I hope you do!!
Perfect timing, Manali! I always seem to go hunting for a recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds about this time of the year. And you’ve got me all set up already…thanks!!
I hope you give these a try David! 🙂
I definitely would not be able to resist multiple handfuls of these pumpkin seeds! They look downright addicting, girl!
Thanks Sarah, they are! 🙂
I did something similar the other day after making some pumpkin soup. I don’t let those delicious little seeds go to waste!
I know right, they are so good so they should never be wasted!
I have a weakness for pumpkin seeds, Manali! I love the spice on these! I think I would devour these by the handful, sounds delicious!
They are so good, thanks Gayle!
I love spicy roasted pumpkin seeds — a perfect healthy snack. I also use them as a topping, they are awesome. Yours look super crunchy and super addictive. YUM!
Thanks Anu!