Roasting pumpkin seeds brings out their natural flavors and makes them crunchy and delicious.

Pumpkin seeds are high in protein, fiber, and minerals, making them an excellent source of nutrition. Plus, they’re fun to eat!

If you’re carving a pumpkin for Halloween or making homemade pumpkin puree for a recipe, then definitely save and roast the seeds to make a delicious snack and garnish for any recipe.

How to Make Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are easy to make and ready in less than 30 minutes.

Here’s the easiest way to roast pumpkin seeds:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat the oven to 400° F.

Step 2: Get the Raw Seeds Out of the Pumpkin

If you have a small baking pumpkin, slice it in half from stem to bottom and scoop out the seeds and stringy bits just like you would do with any other squash.

If you have a big pumpkin that you’re carving, you can cut the top off and scoop everything out. Tip: For a large pumpkin, an electric hand mixer around the inside edges for about 30 seconds loosens up the guts and seeds and makes them easy to remove.

Step 3: Clean the Pumpkin Seeds for Roasting

The leftover pumpkin flesh on the seeds can burn or prevent the seeds from getting crunchy, so you’ll want to clean the seeds. Clean the seeds by putting them into a bowl of water; the seeds will float to the top to help you separate them from the pumpkin flesh. Get them as clean as possible.

Put them on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to dry; wet seeds don’t roast as well. Let them dry for 5-10 minutes, up to an hour.

Step 4: Prep then Roast the Pumpkin Seeds

Toss the seeds with a little extra virgin olive oil (or your favorite cooking fat) and a big sprinkle of salt.

Use about 1 teaspoon of oil per cup of seeds. The fat raises the surface temperature of the seeds to help them roast properly. Spread the pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden. Small seeds may only need 10 minutes, large seeds may need up to 20. Your nose will tell you when they’re done!

Step 5: Let Cool & Enjoy!

Remove from the oven and let cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Seeds will keep at room temp, covered, up to 3 days, and another 10 days in the refrigerator.

Are Pumpkin Seeds Healthy?

Yes, pumpkin seeds are healthy. One cup of raw pumpkin seeds contains 5 grams of protein, 2 grams of dietary fiber, and 3 percent of your daily recommended intake of magnesium.

These crunchy little treats are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium. Plus, they’re high in protein, which helps keep you feeling fuller longer.

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