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Easy 5-Minute Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds (Light & Crispy)

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Perfectly crunchy, golden-brown pumpkin seeds made in just 5 minutes in the air fryer. A simple, foolproof snack that’s light, crispy, and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds (about 4 ounces)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (or to taste)
  • Optional seasonings: garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, cinnamon sugar, everything bagel seasoning, lime juice and chili powder

Instructions

  1. Prepare the seeds: After carving your pumpkin, place seeds in a colander and rinse under cool water, using your fingers to separate seeds from pulp. Don’t worry about removing every bit of pulp.
  2. Dry the seeds: Spread rinsed seeds on a paper towel or clean kitchen towel and pat gently to remove excess moisture. Let sit for 5 minutes while preheating the air fryer.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C) for 3 minutes.
  4. Season the seeds: In a medium bowl, combine cleaned and dried pumpkin seeds with 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, and any optional seasonings. Toss until evenly coated.
  5. Arrange seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if needed.
  6. Air fry at 360°F for 5 minutes. At the 2.5-minute mark, pause, pull out the basket, and stir the seeds with a spatula. Shake the basket gently to redistribute.
  7. Check for doneness: Seeds should be golden brown and sound hollow when shaken. If not golden enough, add 1 more minute and check again.
  8. Cool completely: Transfer seeds to a plate or baking sheet in a single layer. Let cool for 5-10 minutes—they will crisp up as they cool.

Notes

For larger seeds (from carving pumpkins), add 1 extra minute. For smaller seeds (from sugar pumpkins), check at 4 minutes. Don’t skip the drying step—wet seeds steam instead of crisp. Season lightly before cooking, then add a second layer of seasoning after cooking for stronger flavor. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, crispy pumpkin seeds, easy pumpkin seeds, healthy snack, fall snack, Halloween snack, Thanksgiving snack

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/easy-5-minute-air-fryer-pumpkin-seeds-light-and-crispy/