How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

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Check out how easy it is to make your own pumpkin seeds. Don’t waste those tasty seeds inside the pumpkin.  You can roast pumpkin seeds for a yummy snack! All things pumpkin are fun! You can even make your own pumpkin puree from the same pumpkin!

How to cook pumpkin seeds

The first step to making them is cutting your pumpkin open and scooping them out.  Kids LOVE doing this and it’s a great sensory experience for them.  The smell and feel of pumpkin pulp are unique and fun.  Separate the pulp from the seeds and rinse them clean.  We dump ours in a colander and rinse well. They are building up fine motor skills as well!

How to make pumpkin seeds

Next, you need to make a brine for your seeds.  Fill a container with about 4 cups of warm water and 3 Tablespoons of salt.  Mix it until the salt dissolves and then dump in your clean seeds.  Let them soak for 8-24 hours to absorb some salt. If you don’t do it for a long time, they won’t be brined.

Drain your seeds and let them dry thoroughly on a paper towel. This takes several hours. If they aren’t dry, they don’t crisp up as well.

Roasting pumpkin seeds at 350

The next step can be done in a 350-degree oven, or in a skillet on medium heat, whichever you prefer.  We usually roast pumpkin seeds in the oven so the kids can watch through the window.  Add a Tablespoon of olive oil to your drained pumpkin seeds and whatever seasoning you like. Sauteeing pumpkin seeds in a skillet makes them very crispy if you want the crispiest pumpkin seeds.

Spicy roasted pumpkin seeds

You can use a few teaspoons of taco seasoning, a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, a few teaspoons of ranch dip mix, or even a few teaspoons of sugar, cinnamon sugar, or whatever your imagination can come up with.  For homemade taco seasoning or ranch dip seasoning mix, click the links.

Stir your olive oil and flavoring into the seeds and spread them on a cookie sheet or in a skillet.  If you bake them in the oven, cook them for about 30 minutes, if you choose a skillet, stir and cook until lightly brown.

Let your seeds cool before eating.  Pumpkin seeds, like other seeds, are nutritional powerhouses, so enjoy this crispy tasty snack!

For more pumpkin recipes to cook with kids, check this out.