How to Bake Pumpkin Seeds
Seasonal Snack and Lots of Fun
While you are hollowing out those pumpkins for Jack O’lanterns or for Thanksgiving pies, you might ask yourself… what should I do with the seeds? Well, if you’ve never had baked pumpkin seeds, you are missing out… so here’s how to bake pumpkin seeds.
Side note here… have you ever thrown the seeds or pumpkins into your yard? We did that one year without really thinking about it. We put some seeds into a compost area and the next spring we had several plants growing.
By summer we had big plants, which you can see here, and they even produced a few pumpkins, though that won’t always happen depending on the original variety. Anyway, I write this to say… you might find a surprise if you try to compost your seeds or allow your pumpkins to naturally decay in your yard!
What You Will Need
You will need pumpkins obviously, and if you are gutting pumpkins for pies, chances are you already know how to cook pumpkins, but for those that might not, check out my post on How to Cook Pumpkin or Squash.
Beyond the seeds, you will need oil or butter, and then you will need to decide if you want sweet or salty. If you want sweet, you will need sugar, but I also add some other things too, like cinnamon. There are many recipes but I try to keep it simple.
Let’s Get Started
Before you begin you will need to scoop the seeds out and wash the them. Try to get as much pulp off as possible. While you can cook them with some pulp or the stringy parts, as those are easily separated after baking, but it is easier if you get the majority off first.
After separating, you will need to let them dry, they won’t cook well wet, so leaving them out for a couple hours or even overnight might be best. You can do this by placing them in a single layer on a paper towel and then covering them with a paper towel.
Now that you have dry seeds, preheat your oven to 350℉ and then choose between sweet or salty, or you can add thinks like Old Bay seasoning or Tajin.
Mix your ingredients and cook for about 25 minutes, or until golden and crunchy!
Why Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
- Pumpkin seeds add some nutrition that you might not get everyday. They are a good source of healthy fat and have magnesium, something many people lack.
- As pumpkins are seasonal, the seeds are seasonal too, so it becomes a little delicacy.
- Pumpkin seeds are great on their own but are good on salads and as a topping to artisan breads.
- Kids usually love making them because they are often from their Jack O’lanterns
Honestly, I love making them as a little snack but also because I don’t like waste. It makes me feel better using all of the pumpkin if I can… and they are yummy!
Whatever the reason or which flavor you choose, I hope you enjoy making them and if you do make any… I would love to hear about it! Comment below or head over to Instagram or Facebook and tag me @bemandfam to share pics… I’d love to see them!
Don’t forget to pin this for later and if you like Pinterest, I am there too!
Have a great fall and enjoy your tasty snacks!
BEM and Fam 🙂 
PS. This post has some affiliate links, read more about those here.
Enjoy your pumpkin seeds for a seasonal snack
- 1 1/2 cups pumpkin seeds
- 2 Tbsp Butter or oil olive or coconut
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1½ cups pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbsp butter or oil olive or coconut
- 1-2 tsp. salt
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Choose Sweet or Salty
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If using butter, melt then mix all ingredients in a bowl until everything is mixed well.
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Spread seeds in one even layer across a baking sheet.
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Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the seeds are golden brown. Stir the seeds every so often while they're baking, so that they toast evenly.
