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Light & Crispy Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds – Easy Sea Salt Recipe

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These light and crispy air fryer pumpkin seeds with sea salt are crunchy without being tough, salty without being overwhelming, and come together in under fifteen minutes. Perfect for fall snacking, they’re a quick and easy way to enjoy a childhood favorite with a modern twist.

Ingredients

  • Fresh pumpkin seeds (from one medium pumpkin, about 1½ cups)
  • Olive oil (1½ teaspoons)
  • Fine sea salt (½ teaspoon, plus more to taste)
  • Optional: garlic powder (¼ teaspoon)
  • Optional: smoked paprika (¼ teaspoon)

Instructions

  1. Clean the seeds: Separate the pumpkin seeds from the stringy pulp. Place them in a colander and rinse under cold water, using your fingers to remove any remaining bits of pumpkin. Drain well.
  2. Dry the seeds thoroughly: Spread the seeds on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat them dry. Let them sit for 5–10 minutes to air-dry any remaining moisture.
  3. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 300°F (150°C) and let it preheat for 3 minutes.
  4. Season the seeds: In a mixing bowl, combine the dried pumpkin seeds, olive oil, and sea salt. Toss well with a spatula until every seed is lightly coated. If adding garlic powder or smoked paprika, stir them in now.
  5. Arrange in the air fryer basket: Spread the seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd—work in batches if necessary.
  6. Cook at 300°F for 8 minutes: Set the timer for 8 minutes. Halfway through (at the 4-minute mark), pause the air fryer and shake the basket or stir the seeds with a spatula.
  7. Check for doneness: After 8 minutes, the seeds should be golden brown and sound hollow when you shake the basket. If still soft or pale, cook for another 1–2 minutes.
  8. Cool completely: Transfer the seeds to a plate or baking sheet and let them cool for 5–10 minutes. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.
  9. Final seasoning (optional): Taste a seed and add a pinch more salt if needed. I usually add a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt at this point for extra crunch and visual appeal.

Notes

Dry the seeds thoroughly before cooking to ensure crispiness. Shake the basket halfway through cooking for even browning. Let the seeds cool completely before storing to maintain crunch. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. To re-crisp, air fry at 300°F for 2–3 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, crispy pumpkin seeds, sea salt pumpkin seeds, easy pumpkin seeds, fall snack, Halloween snack, Thanksgiving appetizer

Find it online: https://bitesienna.com/light-and-crispy-air-fryer-pumpkin-seeds-easy-sea-salt-recipe/