Crispy Herbed Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Equipment
- medium mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- serving bowl
- spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh pumpkin seeds cleaned and dried
- ¾ tablespoon butter melted
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ¼ teaspoon dried chives
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon celery seed
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 160°C for 3 minutes.
- Place the pumpkin seeds in a medium mixing bowl. Add the melted butter and ½ teaspoon salt, then toss until evenly coated.
- Spread the pumpkin seeds evenly in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 7 minutes.
- Stir and turn the seeds with a spatula. Continue air frying for another 6 minutes, or until lightly golden and crisp.
- Transfer the hot pumpkin seeds to a serving bowl. Add the remaining salt, onion powder, parsley, garlic powder, dill, chives, dry mustard, celery seed, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly until evenly seasoned.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving. The pumpkin seeds will become even crisper as they cool.
Notes & Wine Advice
Serving Suggestions
Serve the pumpkin seeds warm or completely cooled as a crunchy snack. They are also delicious scattered over soups, salads and roasted vegetables. For more easy snack ideas, browse our Snack recipes or Fingerfood recipes.Recipe Notes
Remove most of the pumpkin pulp and dry the seeds thoroughly before adding the butter. A small amount of pumpkin flesh is harmless, but too much moisture prevents the seeds from becoming properly crisp. Stir the seeds halfway through air frying so they roast evenly.Variations
Add smoked paprika or chilli powder for a spicier version. For a simpler flavour, use only butter and salt. You can also experiment with different combinations from our Spices & Seasoning recipes.Storage
Allow the roasted pumpkin seeds to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. Keep them in a cool, dry place for up to one week. Do not seal them while warm because trapped condensation can make the seeds soft.Wine Advice
A crisp Sauvignon Blanc works well when these savoury pumpkin seeds are served with drinks. Its fresh acidity balances the butter, garlic and herbs. Explore suitable wines at René’s Wijnbeleving.Nutrition values
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About Crispy Herbed Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Crispy Herbed Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds turn the seeds from a fresh pumpkin into a crunchy homemade snack instead of letting them go to waste. A little melted butter helps the seeds roast and gives them richness, while garlic, onion, dill, parsley, chives, mustard, celery seed and black pepper create a savoury herb coating.
This recipe is particularly useful during autumn, when pumpkins are widely available. After preparing a pumpkin for soup, baking or carving, save the seeds and transform them into an easy snack. For more seasonal inspiration, browse our Autumn recipes.
Preparing Fresh Pumpkin Seeds
Fresh pumpkin seeds usually come out of the pumpkin surrounded by strands of flesh. Separate the seeds from the larger pieces and rinse them when necessary. A few small pieces of pumpkin flesh are not a problem, but removing most of the pulp makes roasting easier and gives the finished seeds a cleaner texture.
Drying the seeds thoroughly is more important than making them perfectly clean. Water on the surface must evaporate before roasting can begin. Pat the seeds dry before adding the melted butter and salt. This helps them become crisp rather than simply steaming in the air fryer.
Saving the seeds is especially useful when preparing pumpkins for Halloween. Instead of throwing away everything removed during carving, the seeds can become a completely separate snack.
Why the Air Fryer Works So Well
The Airfryer circulates hot air rapidly around the pumpkin seeds. This removes moisture and roasts their surfaces without requiring a large amount of additional fat. A temperature of 160°C gives the seeds enough time to dry and crisp without browning them too aggressively.
Turning the seeds after the first seven minutes helps them roast more evenly. Seeds near the sides of the basket may brown faster than those in the centre, so stirring redistributes them and exposes different surfaces to the hot circulating air.
The seeds may still seem slightly soft immediately after cooking. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before judging their final texture because they continue to become crisper as they cool.
Creating the Savoury Herb Seasoning
The seasoning is added in two stages. Melted butter and half of the salt coat the seeds before roasting. The butter helps the seeds brown while also providing a surface to which the seasonings can adhere.
After roasting, the remaining salt is combined with onion powder, parsley, garlic powder, dill, chives, mustard, celery seed and freshly ground black pepper. Adding these ingredients after cooking helps preserve more of their aroma and reduces the chance of delicate dried herbs becoming overly toasted.
You can easily change the flavour by adding smoked paprika, cayenne or chilli powder. Our Spices & Seasoning recipes provide more ideas for creating your own combinations.
Serving Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
These pumpkin seeds are easiest to enjoy simply by the handful. Serve them as a Snack, add them to a party platter or put out a bowl during a Movie night.
They are also useful as a crunchy topping. Scatter them over creamy pumpkin soup, salads or roasted vegetables. They can add texture to grain bowls and other vegetable dishes without requiring additional preparation.
Storage and Food Safety
Allow the pumpkin seeds to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Closing warm seeds in a container traps steam and creates condensation, which can quickly make them soft. Store the cooled seeds in a dry place and use them within about one week for the best flavour and texture.
Fresh produce should always be handled and stored hygienically. For additional information about safe food preparation and storage, consult the U.S. Food and Drug Administration food safety guidance.
With very little preparation, Crispy Herbed Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds transform an often-discarded ingredient into a crunchy, well-seasoned snack. They are simple enough for everyday snacking but particularly useful during pumpkin season, autumn gatherings and Halloween.