Perfectly Roasted Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds in 10 Minutes
A quick and foolproof method for making crunchy, perfectly roasted pumpkin seeds in an air fryer in under 15 minutes. This recipe turns a messy kitchen chore into a satisfying, healthy snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (from a carving pumpkin)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (½ teaspoon fine sea salt for initial toss, ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt for final sprinkle)
- Optional: pinch of garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or cumin
Instructions
- Clean the seeds: Separate seeds from pumpkin pulp, rinse in a colander under cold water, rubbing to remove remaining pulp. Drain well.
- Dry the seeds: Pat seeds thoroughly dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Let sit for a few minutes to ensure they are almost dry to the touch.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Season the seeds: In a mixing bowl, toss dry seeds with 1 tablespoon oil and ½ teaspoon fine sea salt until evenly coated. Add optional spices if desired.
- Air fry: Spread seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 350°F for 5 minutes, then shake or stir. Cook for another 4-6 minutes, checking at the 4-minute mark, until golden brown and rattling.
- Cool and season again: Immediately transfer hot seeds to a plate or bowl. Sprinkle with remaining ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt while warm. Let cool completely for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
The key to crunch is drying the seeds thoroughly before cooking. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed. Seeds will continue to crisp as they cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Re-crisp at 300°F for 2-3 minutes if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup (about 30g)
- Calories: 150
- Sodium: 290
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, roasted pumpkin seeds, easy pumpkin seeds, healthy snack, fall snack, Halloween snack