Pumpkin Seeds Recipes
Delicious Ways to Use Every Last Seed
If you’ve just finished carving your pumpkin and are left with a big pile of slippery, stringy seeds, don’t throw them away! Those humble pumpkin seeds are little nuggets of crunch and flavor just waiting to be transformed. Whether you like them savory, sweet, or somewhere in between, there are so many tasty things you can do with them, and they’re packed with nutrients, too.
Think of them as the “bonus prize” of pumpkin carving season: you get a spooky (or silly) pumpkin for your porch and a snack that can keep you going through the autumn days.
Here is some help with how to prepare pumpkin seeds, how to store them once cooked, and a whole buffet of ideas for turning them into something delicious.
How to Prepare Fresh Pumpkin Seeds
Before we get into recipes, you need to get those seeds ready for the oven.
1. Scoop and separate:
After carving your pumpkin, scoop out the seeds along with the stringy orange pulp. Place them in a large bowl.
2. Rinse and clean:
Fill the bowl with water and swish the seeds around. The pulp will start to sink, while the seeds float to the top. Use your fingers to separate any stubborn strands.
3. Boil for better texture (optional but worth it):
Boiling the seeds in salted water for 10 minutes before roasting helps make them crunchier and easier to digest. Drain them well.
4. Dry thoroughly:
Pat the seeds dry with a clean tea towel or paper towel. The drier they are, the crispier they’ll roast.
How to Store Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Once your pumpkin seeds are roasted and cooled, store them in an airtight container. They’ll keep:
- At room temperature: up to 1–2 weeks.
- In the fridge: up to 2 months.
- In the freezer: up to 6 months (just thaw before eating).
Pro tip: If you make flavored seeds (especially anything cheesy or sweet), they’ll stay fresher and tastier when stored in the fridge.
Simple Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Let’s start with the classic.
Ingredients:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Olive oil (or melted butter)
- Salt
Instructions:
Toss clean, dry seeds with a little olive oil and salt. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast at 170°C (340°F) for 15–20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and crisp.
Pumpkin Seed Recipe Ideas
Here’s where the fun begins. You can use the basic roasted method above and then add your own twist, or mix the seasonings in before roasting for maximum flavor.
1. Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds
Toss seeds with melted butter, cinnamon, and a sprinkle of brown sugar. Roast until golden, then let them cool so the sugary coating hardens.
2. Spicy Chili Lime Pumpkin Seeds
Mix seeds with olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, and lime zest. Once roasted, squeeze over a little fresh lime juice.
3. Garlic Parmesan Pumpkin Seeds
Coat seeds in olive oil, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Roast, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese while still warm.
4. Maple Glazed Pumpkin Seeds
Combine seeds with a drizzle of maple syrup, a pinch of cinnamon, and a touch of sea salt. Roast until caramelized.
5. Everything Bagel Pumpkin Seeds
Season with olive oil and a generous sprinkle of Everything Bagel seasoning before roasting.
6. Honey Sriracha Pumpkin Seeds
Toss seeds in a mixture of honey and sriracha sauce for a sweet-spicy kick.
7. Pumpkin Pie Spiced Seeds
Perfect for autumn, coat with pumpkin pie spice, sugar, and a little melted butter.
8. BBQ Flavored Pumpkin Seeds
Mix seeds with BBQ seasoning for a smoky, savory snack.
Beyond Snacking, Other Ways to Use Pumpkin Seeds
Roasted pumpkin seeds are amazing to nibble on, but they’re also a fantastic ingredient to sprinkle, stir, or bake into other dishes.
- Salad topper: Add crunch to green salads or grain bowls.
- Trail mix: Combine with dried fruit, pretzels, and chocolate chips for an autumn snack mix.
- Baking: Stir into granola bars, muffins, or bread dough.
- Soup garnish: Sprinkle on pumpkin soup, tomato soup, or butternut squash soup.
- Yogurt or smoothie bowls: Add a little salty crunch to balance sweet toppings.
- Rice or quinoa: Stir through cooked grains for extra texture and nutty flavor.
- Dessert decoration: Use to top caramel apples, fudge, or brownies for a seasonal twist.
- Pumpkin Seed Butter: Similar to peanut butter, you can blend roasted pumpkin seeds in a food processor until smooth, adding a little oil and salt. It’s great on toast, in sandwiches, or drizzled over oatmeal.
- Pumpkin Seed Brittle: Make a crunchy candy treat by coating roasted seeds in caramelized sugar and letting it harden. Perfect for gifting.
- Granola Add-In: Toss roasted seeds into homemade granola along with oats, coconut, and dried fruit. They add protein and crunch.
- Energy Balls: Mix pumpkin seeds with dates, oats, honey, and cocoa powder, then roll into bite-sized snacks for a quick energy boost.
- Pumpkin Seed-Crusted Chicken or Fish: Grind seeds into coarse crumbs and mix with breadcrumbs. Use to coat chicken tenders or fish fillets before baking or frying.
- Savory Pumpkin Seed Dip: Blend roasted seeds with roasted red peppers, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice for a creamy, flavorful dip.
- Pumpkin Seed Flour: Grind seeds into a fine powder and use it in baking to add extra protein and nuttiness to muffins, pancakes, or bread.
- Garnish for Pasta Dishes: Sprinkle roasted seeds over creamy pasta dishes (like carbonara or Alfredo) for a salty crunch.
Other Ideas for leftover Pumpkin Seeds
- Bird Feeder Treats: Roasted (unsalted) pumpkin seeds are a nutritious treat for wild birds. Scatter them in your garden or hang them in mesh bags to attract feathered friends during cooler months.
- Planting & Growing: If you want to get even more out of your pumpkin seeds, save some raw, clean seeds to plant in your garden next spring. Growing your own pumpkins from leftover seeds can be a rewarding and educational experience for the whole family.
- Natural Decorations: Use pumpkin seeds to fill clear ornaments or glass jars for a rustic, autumn-themed display. Mix with dried flowers, cinnamon sticks, and mini pinecones for a charming centerpiece.
- Homemade Potpourri: Add dried pumpkin seeds to a potpourri mix with cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, cloves, and star anise for a fragrant fall aroma in your home.
Pumpkin carving night doesn’t have to end with a mess of seeds going in the bin. With just a little prep, you can turn them into snacks and toppings that taste like autumn in every bite. Whether you like them sweet, spicy, salty, or a mix of all three, pumpkin seeds are one of the easiest and most satisfying treats you can make from something you might have thrown away.
So this Halloween, embrace the seeds! Your porch will get a pumpkin masterpiece, and your kitchen will smell amazing. Win-win.
