These air fryer pumpkin seeds are the ultimate seasonal snack that combines perfect crunchiness with addictive flavor. With just 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time, you’ll have a protein-packed treat that’s both healthy and satisfying. Each serving delivers 10g of protein and only 3g of carbs, making these seeds an excellent choice for mindful snacking. Plus, the air fryer method ensures a perfectly crispy texture without excessive oil, giving you the same delightful crunch you love with better-for-you results.
Ingredients Section
- Fresh Pumpkin Seeds: 2 cups, harvested directly from a pumpkin
- Butter: 1 tablespoon, regular or plant-based, melted
- Garlic Salt: 1/2 teaspoon for perfect seasoning
Instructions Section
- Pumpkin Prep: Clean the pumpkin exterior thoroughly before cutting
- Seed Extraction: Carefully scoop out seeds and pulp from the pumpkin cavity
- Cleaning Process: Separate seeds from pulp and rinse thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer
- Boiling Step: Boil seeds in water for 5 minutes to enhance texture
- Seasoning: Mix drained seeds with melted butter and garlic salt until evenly coated
- Air Frying: Transfer to air fryer basket and cook at 360°F for 15 minutes until golden and crispy
Storage Tips
Let your roasted pumpkin seeds cool completely before storing them. Pop them in an airtight container and they’ll stay fresh and crunchy for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. If you live somewhere humid, keeping them in the fridge can help them stay crispy longer!
Variations
While garlic salt gives these seeds amazing flavor, you can switch things up! Try cinnamon and sugar for a sweet twist, or spice things up with chili powder and cumin. Plain sea salt works great too if you want to keep it simple. Want them extra buttery? Double the butter – I won’t tell anyone! Just remember to keep the total amount of seasonings similar to get the right balance.
Serving Ideas
These crunchy seeds are perfect for snacking right out of the bowl! Sprinkle them on your morning yogurt or oatmeal for extra crunch. They’re also amazing on salads or scattered over creamy pumpkin soup. Pack small portions in zip-top bags for an easy snack on the go. Kids love them too – they make a great lunchbox addition!
Crunchy Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 cups pumpkin seeds fresh from pumpkin
- 1 tablespoon butter (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Instructions
- Wash the outside of your pumpkin.
- Remove the seeds and pulp from the pumpkin. Separate the seeds from the pulp as best you can.
- Put the seeds in a small holed strainer and rinse. Remove pulp that is stuck.
- Put the seeds into a boiling pot of water. Boil the seeds for 5 minutes. Then drain the water and put seeds into a bowl.
- Add melted butter and garlic salt to the pumpkin seeds. Stir to combine.
- Add the seeds to the air fryer basket. Air Fry at 360F/183C for 15 minutes.
