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Cozy Smoky Spiced Crunchy Baked Pumpkin Seeds

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These smoky, slightly spicy, and incredibly crunchy baked pumpkin seeds are the perfect savory snack for cozy evenings. Made with simple pantry ingredients, they come together in under 30 minutes and are guaranteed to disappear fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups fresh pumpkin seeds (from a medium pumpkin)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Clean the seeds: Scoop seeds from pumpkin, rinse in a colander under cool water, and remove stringy pulp. Drain well.
  3. Dry the seeds thoroughly: Spread rinsed seeds on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels, pat dry, and let air-dry for 5-10 minutes.
  4. Mix the seasoning: In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and brown sugar (if using). Stir to break up clumps.
  5. Toss the seeds with oil and spices: Place dried seeds in a medium bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and toss to coat. Sprinkle seasoning mixture over seeds and toss again until evenly coated.
  6. Spread on baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Spread seasoned seeds in a single, even layer.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes: Bake for 10 minutes, then stir seeds with a spatula. Spread back into an even layer and bake for another 10-15 minutes, checking frequently. Seeds are done when golden brown and making a faint popping sound.
  8. Cool completely: Remove from oven and let seeds cool on the pan for at least 15 minutes. They will continue to crisp up.
  9. Break apart any clumps: Once cooled, gently break apart any seeds that stuck together.
  10. Serve or store: Transfer to a bowl and serve immediately, or store in an airtight container.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the seeds thoroughly—wet seeds steam instead of roasting, resulting in chewy seeds. Watch the oven closely as seeds can go from golden to burnt quickly. Stir halfway through baking for even cooking and seasoning distribution. Let seeds cool completely for maximum crunch. For best flavor, use fresh smoked paprika. Double the batch if desired, as these disappear fast.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin seeds, baked pumpkin seeds, smoky pumpkin seeds, spicy pumpkin seeds, crunchy snack, fall recipe, Halloween snack, healthy snack, gluten-free, vegan

Find it online: https://cookyep.com/cozy-smoky-spiced-crunchy-baked-pumpkin-seeds/