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Cozy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt & Smoked Paprika

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Smoky, salty, and perfectly crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds made with smoked paprika and sea salt. A quick and easy snack that turns a simple pumpkin-carving byproduct into an irresistible treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds (scooped from a pumpkin)
  • Water (for boiling)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (plus more for boiling)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (preferably Spanish smoked paprika)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if desired.
  2. Rinse the pumpkin seeds thoroughly in a colander under cold running water, removing any large pieces of pumpkin flesh or stringy bits.
  3. Fill a small saucepan with water and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the seeds and boil for exactly 10 minutes.
  4. Drain the seeds in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water. Spread them out on a clean kitchen towel and pat dry until damp but not dripping.
  5. Transfer the dried seeds to a mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toss to coat. Add the smoked paprika, garlic powder (if using), cayenne (if using), and ½ teaspoon of fine sea salt. Stir until evenly coated.
  6. Spread the seasoned seeds in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, avoiding overcrowding.
  7. Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through at the 12-minute mark. Seeds are done when fragrant, lightly browned, and sound hollow when tapped.
  8. Let the seeds cool completely on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the boiling step—it softens the outer hull for a crunchy texture. Dry seeds thoroughly before roasting to avoid steaming. Cool completely before storing to maintain crunch. For extra crispiness, re-crisp in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: roasted pumpkin seeds, smoked paprika pumpkin seeds, easy fall snack, healthy snack, gluten-free snack, vegan snack

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