Description
Crispy and flavorful air fryer pumpkin seeds seasoned with a blend of smoked paprika, garlic, chili, and black pepper. This easy recipe uses the air fryer for a quick and healthy snack that’s perfect for fall or anytime you want a nutritious crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Pumpkin Seeds
- 2 cups pumpkin seeds (pulp removed and very dry)
Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Clean the Seeds: Remove all seeds from a large carving pumpkin and separate seeds from pulp under cool running water, discarding pulp.
- Dry the Seeds: Spread seeds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, pat dry with paper towels, and let them sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours until completely dry.
- Toss with Seasoning: In a bowl, combine the dry pumpkin seeds with avocado oil, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the spiced seeds in a single layer in the basket of a large 6-quart air fryer.
- Start Air Frying: Air fry at 360°F for 10-12 minutes until golden and crisp, pausing halfway at 5 minutes.
- Shake Seeds: Pause to shake the basket after 5 minutes to ensure even crisping of all seeds.
- Finish Air Frying: Continue air frying for the remaining 5-7 minutes until fully crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Let the air fried pumpkin seeds cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a bowl and serving as a crunchy snack.
Notes
- Ensure pumpkin seeds are completely dry before seasoning to maximize crispiness.
- You can adjust seasoning quantities to taste or substitute spices as preferred.
- Use a large enough air fryer basket to avoid overcrowding for even cooking.
- Store leftover seeds in an airtight container once fully cooled to maintain crunch.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pumpkin seeds, air fryer, roasted pumpkin seeds, healthy snack, fall recipe, seasoned pumpkin seeds, spicy pumpkin seeds, avocado oil
