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Best Easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds Recipe | Crunchy & Light

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These air fryer pumpkin seeds are light, crunchy, and perfectly seasoned. The secret is a quick boil before air frying, resulting in a shatteringly crisp texture that will change your mind about pumpkin seeds forever.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups fresh pumpkin seeds (from a sugar pumpkin or carving pumpkin)
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt (for boiling)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Flaky sea salt (for finishing, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Seeds: Scoop the seeds out of your pumpkin and place them in a colander. Rinse under cool running water, using your hands to rub the seeds together to loosen the stringy pulp. Pick out any broken or shriveled seeds.
  2. Boil the Seeds: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water and 1 ½ teaspoons of salt to a rolling boil. Add the rinsed pumpkin seeds. Boil for exactly 10 minutes. The water will turn slightly cloudy and the seeds will look plumper.
  3. Drain and Dry Thoroughly: Drain the seeds in the colander. Spread them out on a clean kitchen towel or a double layer of paper towels. Pat them as dry as possible. Let them sit for 5 minutes to air-dry.
  4. Season the Seeds: Transfer the dried seeds to a mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne (if using). Toss well until every seed is evenly coated.
  5. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes.
  6. Air Fry the Seeds: Place the seasoned seeds in the air fryer basket in a single, even layer. Do not overcrowd the basket. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes. The seeds are done when they are golden brown and make a distinct rattling sound when shaken.
  7. Cool and Serve: Transfer the hot seeds to a plate or baking sheet to cool completely for at least 10 minutes. They will become crunchy as they cool. Taste and adjust seasoning with flaky salt if needed. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

Notes

Boiling the seeds is essential for a light, crunchy texture. Do not skip this step. Ensure seeds are thoroughly dried before air frying to prevent steaming. Listen for the rattling sound to know when they are done. Seeds will continue to crisp as they cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

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