Perfectly Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: Quick & Tasty Recipes | Cooking Time & Tips

 

Perfectly Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: Quick & Tasty Recipes | Cooking Time & Tips

Autumn's Delight: How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds to Perfection

As the crisp days of fall arrive, it's a season cherished by many for its cozy sweaters, apple-picking adventures, cider sipping, Halloween thrills, and the iconic pumpkin. And when you carve pumpkins, there's a treasure trove of pumpkin seeds waiting to be roasted. Not only are these seeds a delicious snack, but they also offer numerous health benefits, as reported by Healthline. They can improve heart, prostate, and bladder health, lower your risk of cancer, and more.

Recipe maven and wellness coach, Miriam Hahn, has graciously shared a five-ingredient roasted pumpkin seeds recipe with us. This easy-to-follow recipe will have you munching on perfectly crunchy pumpkin seeds within an hour. After drying them with a clean towel to remove excess moisture, simply add the ingredients and ensure the seeds are thoroughly coated. Cook the pumpkin seeds at 325 degrees for approximately 45 minutes. The best part? You don't even need to scoop them out of a pumpkin, making it a delightful activity to enjoy with kids!

While Miriam Hahn's recipe takes less than an hour, if you're in a hurry, you can increase the temperature and shorten the cooking time slightly. However, take care not to raise the temperature too high, as a lower temperature is generally preferred to achieve even roasting and prevent burning.

Spice Up Your Snack Game

For a seasonal twist, consider roasted pumpkin seeds with pumpkin spice – a perfect complement to the flavors of fall. These seeds are sweet but not overwhelmingly so. There's an array of flavors that pair wonderfully with roasted pumpkin seeds, but before you pop them into the oven, make sure they are completely dry. Wet seeds will take longer to cook and won't achieve that satisfying crunch.

Erin Johnson, a culinary expert who crafted a recipe for cinnamon sugar pumpkin seeds for Mashed, suggests a slightly different approach. If you have more time on your hands, try baking them at 200 degrees for three to four hours, stirring them frequently. Johnson's method involves cooking the seeds for 25 minutes at a slightly higher temperature of 350 degrees. Some recipes suggest that boiling the pumpkin seeds in salt water for five to ten minutes before drying is essential. This step guarantees uniform crispiness and prevents burnt seeds, as the inner part will take longer to cook.

A World of Flavors

While sweet spices like cinnamon and pumpkin pie are crowd-pleasers, many prefer savory or spicy seeds. Explore options such as garlic powder, cayenne, Worcestershire sauce, or soy sauce for a salty twist. If you find yourself carving several pumpkins, why not experiment with various flavor combinations? Roasted pumpkin seeds aren't just for snacking; they can be a delightful addition to salads, soups, vegetables, or incorporated into a homemade trail mix.

With these tips and recipes, you're all set to create the perfect roasted pumpkin seeds, adding an extra layer of flavor to your fall festivities. Enjoy the autumn season with a healthy, tasty snack that's easy to prepare and customize to your heart's content.