Roasted Pumpkin seeds are so easy to make! This simple tutorial will show you all you need to know to do it, from start to finish (refer to helpful images above). They'll sure to become a yearly autumn tradition!
Servings: 6
Prep20 minutesminutes
Cook30 minutesminutes
Ready in: 50 minutesminutes
Ingredients
1 1/2cupsfresh raw pumpkin seeds*(from 1 large pumpkin)
Saltand (optional) freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Carefully cut top from pumpkin, then scoop out seeds (using your hands or a metal large spoon) and transfer seeds and any stuck on pumpkin to a large bowl.
Cover seeds with plenty of water. Then using your hands stir and swish seeds in water to remove from pulp and stringy flesh. It also helps to rub or squish stringy pumpkin fibers in hands to remove seeds that are stuck within.
Pour seeds into a colander then rinse well with water and remove any of pieces of pumpkin flesh. Repeat this stirring and rinsing process again as needed until seeds are very clean.
Drain water well from colander then pour and spread seeds evenly across a clean kitchen towel.
Cover seeds with a second kitchen towel then press and rub to dry well.
Brush olive oil evenly over a rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheet. Pour pumpkin seeds across baking sheet then toss to evenly coat with oil.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss. Spread seeds into a single layer.
Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes. Remove and toss.
Return to oven and continue to bake until lightly golden brown in places, about 10 - 15 minutes longer.
Remove from oven and let cool. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
1/2 - 2 cups pumpkin seeds will work based on the yield you get from your pumpkin.
Variations:
Sweet spice (pictured below): In a bowl toss 1 1/2 cups pumpkin seeds with 1 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil. Sprinkle with 2 1/2 Tbsp sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, and a few pinches of salt. Toss well. Spread onto parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake as directed.
Spicy: Add cayenne pepper to taste along with salt and pepper.
Cheesy: Bake 1 1/2 cups pumpkin seeds as directed but halfway through baking in a bowl toss them with 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 tsp Italian seasoning and 1 tsp garlic powder, return to oven and bake through.
Spice blend: Add curry spice, garam masala, taco seasoning, or a ranch seasoning to taste. Note that if seasoning has added salt omit adding any extra salt.