10 Sweet and Savory Roast Pumpkin Seed Recipes

Do you know how to make a little dog smile?

Buy her a pumpkin.

Or four.

When Lacey gets nervous, or anxious she sometimes has an accident and tries to eat the evidence (gross.)

Our behaviorist suggested we give Lacey either pumpkin or pineapple because it is something dogs can eat safely that "goes down tasting good and comes out tasting bad." Lacey quickly cleared out my fresh pumpkin puree stash in the freezer.

When I thought Lacey was over this little issue, I stopped adding dehydrated pumpkin to her food and she proved me wrong. That's why I bought Lacey four pumpkins for Halloween. Lacey might get a few more if I can find a deal on pumpkins after the holiday.

All of these pumpkins are for me to eat?! Thank you Lisa!
It doesn't look like Husband and I are going to any fresh pumpkin pulp treats this year but that's OK. We can roast, flavor and snack on the seeds. Here's how.

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Tip: Use an ice cream scoop to make scraping out the pumpkin strings and easier than using a spoon or your hands.

You will need:

Pumpkin seeds

Pot of lightly salted water

Either butter or oil

Flavoring if desired - see the next section for flavored pumpkin seed recipes and ideas

• Scoop the seeds out of the pumpkin.

• Rinse the seeds in water to separate the stringy flesh from the seeds. Keep the seeds and dispose of the stringy pumpkin goo.

Tip: Compost bins LOVE stringy pumpkin goo! 

 Tip #2: Garbage disposals HATE stringy pumpkin goo and revolt by gumming up the works. True story

• Optional but recommended: Boil the pumpkin seeds in salt water for 10 minutes to soften the seeds and allow them to brown more evenly.

• Drain the pumpkin seeds and pat them dry with a towel. The seeds do not need to be bone dry, just dry enough to encourage the oil or butter to stick to your pumpkin seeds. 

• Coat/drizzle/toss (use whichever method works best for you) the pumpkin seeds in either butter or oil to encourage them to brown. You can use which ever you like. I use butter if I am going to use a sweet flavoring like cinnamon and sugar. I use olive oil if I am going to leave my pumpkin seeds salted or use a savory flavoring. 

• Optional: Add flavoring to the pumpkin seeds if you like.

• Bake the pumpkin seeds in a 250 degree oven until they are brown, approximately 25-45 minutes depending upon the size of the pumpkin seeds. Keep an eye on them, because pumpkin seeds can burn quickly!

• After the baked pumpkin seeds cool, eat!

10 Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipes

  Save these flavored roasted pumpkin seed recipes to your Pinterest boards for later! Share them with your friends!

Spicy and Savory Pumpkin Seed Recipes

1. Big Bear's Wife Cajun Pumpkin Seeds 

2. Cheesy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds makes me wish I could eat cheese on a regular basis!

3. Tangy Pumpkin Seed Worcestershire sauce makes all the difference in this one.

4. Hot and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds is a good one for chili heads!

5. Just a Pinch Recipes Garlic Pumpkin Seeds  I tweaked this one a bit by using a different oil, fresh garlic, and leaving out the seasons I didn't have. It was still tasty!

Sweet Pumpkin Seed Recipes

1. Ginger-Orange Zest Pumpkin Seeds

2. Pumpkin spice Pumpkin Seeds - sprinkle the seeds with your favorite pumpkin spice blend before popping them in the oven.

3. Cinnamon and Sugar Pumpkin Seeds - mix approximately 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle the seeds with the mixture for a sweet roasted treat.

4. Miss Make Sugared Chili Pumpkin Seeds  if you like a little heat with your sweet.

5. The Comfort of Cooking Salted Caramel Pumpkin Seeds 


Rather buy than DIY? Check out these flavored pumpkin seed ideas - and more! below!

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