Roasted Pumpkin Seeds With Five Flavor Variations

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If you’re like me, carving pumpkins brings more than just spooky vibes or fall decor ideas—it’s the kickoff to pumpkin seed roasting season! Nothing says ‘fall’ like a bowl of perfectly seasoned, crispy pumpkin seeds, fresh from the oven.

In fact this brings me back to childhood.  Every Halloween right after carving pumpkins the  smell of this delicious salty treat seems to come from the oven almost as if on cue.  my mom would always whisk away the pumpkin seeds and have them ready for us to enjoy  after the satisfaction of a hard and messy pumpkin carving experience.  The taste of the warm roasted pumpkin seeds fresh from the oven is a tradition I am honored to continue. 

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Why You’ll Love This Easy Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipe

This easy roasted pumpkin seed recipe is so versatile!  with five different pumpkin seed flavor variations,  you will always have something delicious to snack on.  If you only take away one flavor combination from this blog,  let it be the Cinnamon sugar pumpkin seeds.  Though  the sweet treat is not traditionally what my mom made,  it is such a delicious variation!

Tips For Choosing The Perfect Pumpkin To Roast Seeds

Choosing a Pumpkin for Roasting

Carving pumpkins work fine for seeds, but sugar pumpkins often have slightly smaller, tastier seeds. Heck,  I’ve even used butternut squash, acorn squash and spaghetti squash seeds to roast as well! 

Tips for Preparing the Pumpkin

Always wash your pumpkin before you start carving.  once you remove as many seeds as possible ( remember to enlist your kids in this process,  there’s nothing more fun than it’s all natural slime haha!)

 To remove  the pulp from the seeds, one easy tip is to soak the seeds and water and swish it around with your hand.  This really helps clean the pumpkin seeds when I have lots of pumpkin seeds to go through.  you will often find me with six pumpkins that I am roasting at a time!

Ingredients List

Seeds from 1 Whole Pumpkin: Specify it can be any pumpkin, though larger pumpkins produce more seeds.

Salt

Olive Oil

Your Flavor Combination (listed below)

Tools You’ll Need To Make Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Baking sheet

Nordic Ware baking sheets have always served me well!  I’ve had this same set for many years and while it may not look as shiny  as it did when it was new,  it is still my go-to for size and diversity.

Parchment paper or aluminum foil (optional, for easier cleanup)

I’m a big fan of using parchment paper for this recipe.  It is especially helpful when trying different flavor variations so that I can mix it up in the same cooking batch.

Mixing bowl

As you probably notice in my blog I love using these glass mixing bowls.  Do yourself a favor and get  a quality set of mixing bowls.  You can thank me later 😉

Wooden spoon or spatula (for mixing halfway through roasting)

Well any special or spring will work.  I personally use ones similar to these because I store them on my counter and I want them to look nice as well.  Looking nice is not going to change the flavor though so whatever you’ve got on hand will work! 

Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

Besides being addictively crunchy, pumpkin seeds pack a punch in the nutrition department. These little guys are loaded with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, making them a snack you can feel good about munching. Plus, they’re high in magnesium, zinc, and antioxidants, which help support everything from heart health to immune function. So, go ahead—scoop, roast, and snack away! Pumpkin seeds prove that sometimes the best snacks really do come from scratch.

Flavor Variations for Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Mama’s Blend Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients: 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions: Toss seeds with seasoning before roasting.

Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients: 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp olive oil

Instructions: Mix seeds with olive oil, cinnamon, sugar, and salt before roasting. This small amount of oil helps the spices stick without making them sticky or overly sweet. Sprinkle a tiny bit of extra sugar right after roasting.

Spicy Chili Lime Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients: 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp smoked paprika, zest of 1/2 lime, 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions: Toss seeds with chili powder, smoked paprika, lime zest, and salt. After roasting, squeeze a few drops of fresh lime juice over the seeds for extra zing.

Herby Parmesan Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients: 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs (like oregano and thyme), 2 tbsp grated Parmesan, 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions: Toss seeds with Parmesan, Italian herbs, and garlic powder before roasting.

Maple Spice Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients: 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice (or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove), 1 tsp maple syrup, pinch of salt

Instructions: Mix seeds with pumpkin spice, maple syrup, and salt. Use just a small amount of syrup to avoid stickiness but add a delicious glaze effect as they roast.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F

Step 2: Clean the Seeds 

Rinse the seeds thoroughly in a colander to remove pulp and strings. Pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towel.

Step 3: Add Season

In a mixing bowl, toss the seeds with your chosen flavor variations from above (see notes for each variety). 

Step 4: Spread on Baking Sheet

Spread the seeds in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.

Step 5: Roast

Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even roasting.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Remove from the oven when golden and crispy. Let them cool a bit before serving—they’ll crisp up as they cool!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long do roasted pumpkin seeds last? 

Roasted seeds stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about 1-2 weeks.

Can I use this recipe with other types of squash seeds? 

Yes! This recipe works with butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squash seeds—though you might need to adjust roasting time based on seed size.

What if I want my seeds extra crispy? 

For extra crunch, try roasting at 375°F for about 25 minutes, checking frequently so they don’t burn.

Do I need to remove the outer shell of the pumpkin seed? 

No, the outer shell adds a nice crunch and is perfectly edible!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe

Creating Your Own Tradition With Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

I know how important familiarity and traditions are to a family. If you try any of these pumpkin seed flavor combos, let me know in the comments! Don’t forget to try the Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds, they will blow you away!