Looking for an tasty seasonal treat? Then you're going to LOVE these Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds! This yummy snack couldn't be easier (or more fun) to make. Best of all, they're so delicious ... you'll crave them all fall long!
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If you're anything like me, come fall, you start craving all things pumpkin. And while I love all kinds of treats, it's the seeds that make the BEST autumn snack!
Typically, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are made in the oven, but did you know that you can make them in your air fryer, too?
You are going to love these Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds! They're fast and easy to make, perfectly crispy, and super scrumptious. Plus, there are so many creative ways to season them (from sweet to savory), and I'm sharing all my favorite ideas with you!
Ready to start snacking? Then keep reading for all the delicious details!
Ingredients
This easy recipe uses basic ingredients that you'll find in your pantry! Here's what you'll need:
- Pumpkin Seeds - You can use seeds from a large jack-o'-lantern or from a smaller sugar / pie pumpkin, like I did, for this recipe. Squash seeds may also be used.
- Olive Oil - Extra virgin olive oil gives the seeds a tasty flavor and helps them crisp up as they air fry.
- Seasoning - I kept this recipe simple, and used Garlic Powder to season the seeds. However, there are tons of different ways you could flavor the seeds ... check out the Variations section below for lots of ideas!
- Salt - I recommend using Kosher salt.
These Air Fry Pumpkin Seeds are naturally vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, even low carb, so everyone at your table can enjoy this healthy recipe!
You'll Also Need
Before starting, grab a sharp knife to cut the pumpkin, a spoon to scoop out the seeds, a sheet pan to dry the seeds (these baking sheets are my favorite), and a medium bowl to mix the seeds, oil, and seasonings together. You'll also need an air fryer, of course. I used my Ninja Foodi, but any air fryer will work.
How to Make Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Making Roasted Pumpkin Seeds in the air fryer couldn't be easier! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Clean seeds. Start by separating the seeds from the pulp. I find it easiest to work with one small handful of pulp at a time. First, brush off any large clumps of seeds, then squeeze the pulp. As you do, more seeds should pop out. Finally, discard any large clumps of pulp that's sticking the seeds. Tip: You do not need to rinse the seeds after removing the pulp (unless they're totally covered in it). As long as you remove the big chunks, you're good to go.
- Dry seeds. To dry the seeds, spread them in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Let them dry for at least 30 minutes. The drier the seeds are, the less cooking time they'll need later. A dry exterior also helps the oil and seasonings stick better.
- Add oil, garlic, and salt. Once the seeds have dried, add them to a medium bowl, along with the olive oil, garlic powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Air Fry. Preheat your air fryer, then transfer the seeds to your air fryer basket. Cook the seeds (stirring every 5 minutes) until they're crisp throughout. It should take about 10 to 15 minutes total. Tip: Make sure to stir the seeds as they cook ... this helps them cook evenly and become crunchy as they roast.
Ta da ... your Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds are ready to eat! Wasn't that easy? Not to mention delicious. You'll want to make a big batch that you can enjoy all fall long.
Variations
These Air Fried Pumpkin Seeds are seasoned with garlic powder, but there are so many different ways you could flavor them! Here are some easy ideas to try:
- Cinnamon Sugar - Combine 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon in a medium bowl. Toss with the hot seeds when they're finished air frying.
- Garlic Parmesan - Follow this recipe as directed. Once the seeds are crisp, spread them into a single layer, then top with ¼ cup finely shredded parmesan cheese. Continue cooking another minute or two, just until the cheese is melted.
- Spicy - Mix with 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne before roasting.
- Spicy Buffalo - Toss with a teaspoon or two of Frank's RedHot Seasoning Powder, plus a few dashes of Garlic Powder before air frying.
- Old Bay - Combine with 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning before cooking.
- Ranch - Toss the hot seeds with one (0.4-ounce / 11 gram) packet of dry ranch salad dressing mix (such as Hidden Valley Ranch) after they're done frying.
- Salt and Pepper - Season the seeds with classic salt and pepper.
- Smokey - Toss with ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika and a ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder before baking.
- Truffle - Season lightly with salt and pepper before air frying, then sprinkle with Truffle Salt to taste once they're done cooking.
- Sweet & Spicy - Stir together 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (or brown sugar) and ¼ teaspoon cayenne. Toss with the cooked seeds while they're still hot.
- Cajun - Mix the seeds with a teaspoon of Cajun Seasoning before cooking.
- Pumpkin Spice - Combine one tablespoon sugar and one teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice in medium bowl, then toss with the crisped seeds while they're still hot.
- BBQ - Flavor with a teaspoon or two of BBQ Rub before cooking.
Storage
Let seeds cool, then store them an airtight container (such as a mason jar or covered bowl). They'll stay fresh for a couple weeks ... if you can resist eating them for that long!
Related Recipes
Looking for similar recipes? Check out these other flavored seeds next ... all of which can easily be adapted for your air fryer:
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (Basic Recipe)
- Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds
- Ranch Pumpkin Seeds
- Old Bay Pumpkin Seeds
- Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
- Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds
- Garlic Pumpkin Seeds
- Garlic Parmesan Pumpkin Seeds
P.S. I've got lots more pumpkin recipes for you try! You'll find everything from sweets, like these Mini Pumpkin Pies or this Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt, to savory recipes, like this Pumpkin Coconut Curry and this Pumpkin Risotto, or even breakfast recipes, like this Pumpkin Overnight Oats!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While pumpkin seeds cooked in the oven and the air fryer taste the same, they are much faster to cook in the air fryer (about 10 to 15 minutes) than in the oven (about 20 to 25 minutes).
It isn't necessary to soak pumpkin seeds before air frying them. While some recipes call for soaking the seeds (supposedly to make them easier to digest), you can skip this step unless the seeds upset your stomach.
Air fryer pumpkin seeds are actually pretty good for you! They contain antioxidants, minerals, healthy fats, protein, and have other benefits, too. Read this article from Health magazine to learn more.
The fastest way to clean pumpkin seeds is to work with one small piece of pulp at a time. Brush off the seeds hanging from the pulp first, then gently squeeze the pulp to remove the remaining seeds.
If your pumpkin seeds are still chewy after air frying, you haven't cooked them for long enough. Return the seeds to your air fryer, then continue roasting until they are crunchy throughout.
Pumpkin seeds can sit out for a few hours, or even overnight, before cooking. This helps dry the exterior of the seeds, which you need to do before air frying anyway. If you're not planning to cook the seeds that same day, transfer them to an airtight container, then refrigerate them.
Pumpkin Seeds have a mild, slightly nutty flavor. Their neutral taste means that they will take on the flavor of whatever spices you use to season them.
The pumpkin seeds from jack-o'-lanterns and the pepitas that you find in grocery stores are two separate things. While both are pumpkin seeds, pepitas come from a specific type of pumpkin (they are not hulled seeds).
Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- pepper
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Instructions
- Separate pumpkin seeds from pulp, then transfer seeds to a baking sheet. Let dry for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat air fryer at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.
- Combine seeds, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and a few grinds pepper in a medium bowl. Mix well.
- Transfer pumpkin seeds to air fryer. Cook, stirring every 5 minutes, until crisp (about 10 to 15 minutes total).
- Taste seeds and season with additional salt, if desired.
- Cool seeds, then store in an airtight container until ready to eat. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
