Use your trusty air fryer as an easy, fast way to get your pumpkin seeds perfectly crisp and tasty.
While toasted pumpkin seeds are a perennial favorite, along with the requisite Halloween candy and caramel apples, many people don’t know these little gems’ ancient history. As far back as 7,000 BCE, indigenous people in North and Central America were toasting pumpkin seeds and eating them. Not just as a tasty snack, but it is believed that they actually used them for medicinal purposes as well. If only that snack-size Reese’s cup could be considered medicinal! Today, roasted pumpkin seeds are mainly enjoyed as a snack or salad topping.
Whether you are roasting pumpkin seeds after carving your jack-o’-lantern or just roasting store-bought pumpkin seeds, your air fryer makes the process a breeze. Growing up, my mom and I would always roast them in the oven, which took a while. The air fryer speeds things up, and you get perfectly roasted seeds every time.
The seasoning blend, consisting of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper, makes these seeds totally irresistible. They’re perfect as a snack or as a lovely salad topper.
Are pumpkin seeds and pepitas the same thing?
They are similar, but not the same. Pepitas are the small, dark green seeds found inside specific varieties of hull-less pumpkins, such as Cucurbita pepo. Traditional pumpkin seeds, like those from carving pumpkins, are larger and encased in a tough white hull. Both are nutritious snacks, but they differ in taste and texture. Pumpkin seeds with the hull tend to be crunchier and have a nuttier flavor, while pepitas are more tender, slightly sweeter, and lack the thick hull, making them easier to eat raw. Pumpkin seeds, on the other hand, are not really very appetizing when raw, as they’re much too tough.
How do I store leftovers?
Air-fryer pumpkin seeds can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you want to store them for a longer period, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. They may get a bit chewy by the end of that time.
Serving suggestions
Serve a bowl of air-fryer pumpkin seeds as a delicious munchie at a cocktail party or as a little nibble before a bigger meal. They also make the perfect savory snack as part of your harvest party or Halloween party spread. Pair them with other fall favorites like Easy Microwave Caramel Corn, a Sweet-And-Savory Fall Cheeseboard, and apple slices with Salted Spiced Caramel Sauce. Top things off with a dessert like Pumpkin Brownies or Snickerdoodle Stacks, and the fall vibes will be going strong!
Air-Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- If necessary, rinse the fresh pumpkin seeds in a colander to eliminate any pulp. Thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels.
- Place the seeds in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with the seasonings, and toss until evenly coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Spread the seasoned seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through, until the seeds become crispy. Remove them and allow to cool before serving.
Leave a Comment