How To Roast Pumpkin Seeds
The real gift of pumpkin season is what’s hiding inside your pumpkin or squash: the (all-too-often-discarded) seeds. Once you learn how to clean and roast pumpkin seeds, you can create the crunchiest snack and most versatile ingredient of the season. It certainly makes sticking your hand inside a squishy pumpkin worth the hassle, anyway. Plus, pumpkin seeds are high in protein, fiber, iron, and magnesium.
How to Clean Pumpkin Seeds
It’s not necessary to remove every last scrap of pumpkin flesh from the seeds. Pick the seeds out of the pumpkin with clean hands and move them to a bowl of water. Soak the seeds briefly, working the seeds back and forth to dislodge stringy bits of pumpkin.
Some people hardly bother removing any of the strings and extras from the seeds, stating that it tastes great roasted and adds additional flavor to the seeds. Others remove every last shred, which admittedly is a chore. I come in somewhere in the middle. I get most of the flesh and strings off, but I don’t get too obsessive about it. If I did, I doubt that I would roast seeds ever again because it can be quite nit-picky!
1. Scoop and clean the seeds.
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 300°F. Scoop the seeds from the cavity of your pumpkin and place in a colander. Pinch away all the large chunks of pumpkin flesh and strings. Place the colander under cool running water and remove any additional flesh. Shake the colander to remove as much water as possible.
2. Dry the seeds.
Transfer the seeds to a clean kitchen towel and pat dry. The seeds might stick to the towel a bit.
3. Oil and salt the seeds.
Place the seeds on a baking sheet and drizzle with a small amount of oil, approximately 1 teaspoon for 3/4 cup of seeds. Season with a pinch or two of salt.
4. Toss and bake the seeds.
Toss the seeds on a baking sheet with oil and salt until they are evenly coated. Spread them into a single layer, though some overlapping is fine. Roast until the seeds are just starting to brown, 20 to 25 minutes. If your oven has uneven spots, you may want to stir after 10 minutes.
5. Remove and cool.
Remove the seeds from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet before serving.
How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds Recipes
They're crunchy, salty, snacking perfection.
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
Large winter squash, such as a pumpkin
Neutral oil, such as canola, rice bran, or coconut
Salt
Flavor options: see recipe notes
Equipment
Colander
Baking sheet
Spoon or spatula
Clean kitchen towel
Instructions
Scoop and clean the seeds. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 300°F. Cut the squash according to how you are going to use it. Scoop the seeds from the cavity and place in a colander. Pinch away all the large chunks of squash flesh and strings. Place the colander under cool running water and remove any additional squash flesh. Shake the colander to remove as much water as possible.
Dry the seeds. Transfer the seeds to a clean kitchen towel and pat dry. The seeds might stick to the towel a bit.
Oil and salt the seeds. Place the seeds on a baking sheet and drizzle with a small amount of oil, approximately 1 teaspoon for 3/4 cup of seeds. Season with a pinch or two of salt.
Toss and bake the seeds. Toss the seeds until they are evenly coated with oil and salt. Spread them out so they are in a single layer, though some overlapping is fine. Roast until the seeds are just starting to brown, 20 to 25 minutes. If your oven has uneven spots, you may want to stir after 10 minutes.
Remove and cool. Remove the seeds from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet before serving.
Recipe Notes
Sweet Pumpkin Seeds: Omit or reduce the salt and roast the seeds on parchment-lined baking sheet. Let cool, then toss with brown sugar or a little maple syrup. Not too much, just enough to lightly coat the seeds. You can also add cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg or other 'sweet' spices. Toss well to coat evenly. Return the tray to the oven and continue to roast for another 10 to 15 minutes or so.
Sweet-Hot Pumpkin Seeds: Toss the seeds with a little honey and Sriracha or chili flakes. A little cumin might be nice, or curry powder. Roast as with sweet seeds.
Savory Pumpkin Seeds: Add herbs such as chopped rosemary, dried oregano and/or spices such as smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin to the seeds before roasting. Check carefully to be sure the herbs and spices aren't browning too quickly. If so, roast at a sightly lower heat.
Storage: Leftover seeds can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.