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Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds Recipe: Best 5-Minute Snack

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This easy air fryer pumpkin seeds recipe delivers perfectly crunchy, flavorful seeds in just minutes. It’s the ultimate party snack that looks impressive but requires minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds, rinsed and patted dry
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • For the spicy version: ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • For the sweet version: ½ teaspoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar, pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Prepare the seeds: Separate seeds from pumpkin pulp, rinse thoroughly under cold water, and rub off any remaining flesh.
  2. Dry the seeds: Spread rinsed seeds on a clean towel and pat dry thoroughly. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C) for 3 minutes.
  4. Season the seeds: In a medium bowl, combine dried seeds, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
  5. Arrange seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd.
  6. Air fry at 360°F (182°C) for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket gently at the 5-minute mark. Cook until golden brown and hollow-sounding when shaken.
  7. Cool completely: Transfer seeds to a plate or baking sheet in a single layer. Let cool for at least 10 minutes to develop crunch.
  8. Serve at room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the seeds thoroughly to ensure crunchiness. Shake the basket halfway through for even browning. For stronger flavor, season again immediately after cooking while seeds are hot. Watch closely during the last 2 minutes to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, easy pumpkin seeds, 5-minute snack, party snack, crunchy pumpkin seeds, healthy snack, gluten-free snack, dairy-free snack