Print

The Best Crispy Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds – Easy Party Snack

crispy air fryer pumpkin seeds - featured image
Print Recipe

These crispy air fryer pumpkin seeds are the perfect party snack—crunchy, golden, and ready in under 20 minutes. Made with simple pantry ingredients, they’re a crowd-pleaser that disappears fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds (scooped from a pumpkin)
  • 1 tablespoon salt (plus more for seasoning)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Flaky sea salt (for finishing)

Instructions

  1. Scoop and rinse the seeds: After carving your pumpkin, separate the seeds from the stringy pulp. Place them in a colander and rinse under cold water, using your fingers to rub off any clinging bits. Pick out any dark or shriveled seeds. You should have about 1 cup of clean seeds.
  2. Boil the seeds: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of salt to a rolling boil. Add the pumpkin seeds and boil for exactly 8 minutes.
  3. Drain and dry thoroughly: Drain the seeds in your colander and spread them out on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Pat them completely dry. Let them sit for a couple of minutes while you preheat the air fryer.
  4. Season the seeds: Transfer the dried seeds to a mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, and black pepper. Toss well until every seed is coated.
  5. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat for 3 minutes.
  6. Air fry the seeds: Spread the seasoned seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F for 10 minutes, then shake the basket or stir with a spatula. Cook for another 2-4 minutes, checking frequently after the 10-minute mark. The seeds are done when they’re golden brown and you can hear them rattling around in the basket.
  7. Cool and season again: Transfer the hot seeds to a plate or baking sheet and spread them out. Sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt while they’re still warm. Let them cool completely before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the boiling step—it seasons the seeds from the inside out and helps them crisp evenly. Dry the seeds thoroughly after boiling to avoid steaming. Watch the last few minutes closely as seeds can burn quickly. Season in layers: add most seasoning before cooking and finish with flaky salt while warm. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Re-crisp in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, crispy pumpkin seeds, party snack, fall snack, pumpkin seeds recipe

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/the-best-crispy-air-fryer-pumpkin-seeds-easy-party-snack/