Not sure what to do with all the seeds after carving pumpkins? Just rinse them off, season with oil and salt, and make these delicious air fryer pumpkin seeds!
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One of my favorite ways to get in the Halloween spirit is to carve pumpkins with the family. First of all, we always have a blast. Second, it means I get to make these air fryer pumpkin seeds right after!
If you’ve never tried cooking your own pumpkin seeds, you’re going to be delighted when you see how easy it is. Just rinse and dry, coat with some oil and salt, then let the air fryer do the rest!
Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:
- The quick and easy way to make pumpkin seeds in the air fryer
- Seasoning variations for your pumpkin seeds
- Tips for making the very best air fried pumpkin seeds
- Other Halloween treats to make in October
- How to store pumpkin seeds, so they stay nice and crispy
Homemade roasted pumpkin seeds have the most fantastic crunch. You don’t even need to remove the outer shell!
And after all the pumpkin, apple, and candy treats, you’ll love having something salty to enjoy for Halloween.
How to Make Pumpkin Seeds in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Cut a circle around the stem of your pumpkin. Remove the top and use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds.
STEP TWO: Place the seeds in a colander and wash thoroughly, then lay on a paper towel to dry.
STEP THREE: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F.
STEP FOUR: Meanwhile, place the pumpkin seeds in a small bowl, drizzle the olive oil, and combine with sea salt. Stir until all of the seeds are well-coated.
STEP FIVE: Once the air fryer is preheated, place a piece of parchment paper in the basket.
STEP SIX: Place the seeds on the top of the parchment paper, then air fry for 10 minutes, shaking the basket every 3-4 minutes to ensure even cooking.
STEP SEVEN: Serve and enjoy!
How Long to Cook Pumpkin Seeds in the Air Fryer
Pumpkin seeds can vary in size, so you may want to play around with the cooking time. For smaller seeds, start checking on them around the 8-minute mark.
For larger seeds, if they don’t seem crunchy enough, continue cooking for a few extra minutes.
You want your seeds to be nice and crispy. If they still feel soft, they haven’t cooked long enough!
Different Ways to Season Air Fried Pumpkin Seeds
- BBQ seasoning
- Brown sugar
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili lime seasoning
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Kinder’s The Blend seasoning
- Lawry’s seasoning
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Maple syrup (instead of olive oil) and brown sugar
- Nutritional yeast
- Pumpkin spice seasoning
- Rosemary
- Smoked paprika
Tips for Making Air Fried Pumpkin Seeds
- When you’re carving your pumpkins, try to remove as much of the pulp from the seeds as you can. This will make it easier to rinse them clean in the colander.
- Let the seeds dry for at least 30 minutes. I’d also recommend gently pressing them with a paper towel to help squeeze out any excess water. This will help them get as crispy as possible in the air fryer! You can store them in a ziploc bag or airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks before cooking.
- Try to keep the seeds in a single layer in the air fryer to help them cook evenly. And make sure to shake the basket a few times, so they get nice and toasty on all sides!
Other Seasonal Treats to Serve with Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
- Air Fryer Apple Fritters
- Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie Twists
- Air Fryer Baked Apples
- Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
- Air Fryer Apple Wedges with Graham Cracker Crumbs
Can You Store Air Fried Pumpkin Seeds?
You bet! I recommend keeping them in airtight baggies, so they keep their crunchy texture for as long as possible.
I enjoy eating pumpkin seeds on their own as a little snack. But they’re also excellent sprinkled on top of salads, as a soup garnish, mixed in with roasted veggies, and so much more.
If you try a sweet variation with maple syrup instead of olive oil, you could also add them to your oatmeal or smoothies!
Other Crispy Air Fryer Snack Recipes You’ll Love:
- Air Fryer Apple Chips
- Air Fryer Plantains
- Air Fryer Popcorn
- Air Fryer Potato Chips
- Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Balls
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos
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Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients
- 1 pumpkin
- 1 Tablespoon of olive oil
- ½ teaspoon of sea salt
Instructions
- Cut a circle around the stem of your pumpkin. Remove the top and use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds.Â
- Wash your seeds off in a colander. Lay your seeds on a paper towel and dry the seeds off.Â
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees. This takes my air fryer 4 minutes. While it is preheating, place your pumpkin seeds in a small bowl and drizzle the olive oil and combine with sea salt. Stir them till they are all coated in oil and salt.Â
- When your basket is preheated, place a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer basket. Put the seeds on the top of the parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes, shaking the basket every 3-4 minutes, to make sure they are evenly toasting.Â
- Serve and enjoy!Â
Can they be stored or eaten same day you do them?
You can store the pumpkin seeds in an airtight container, but I love them hot right out of the air fryer best.
What keeps the seeds from flying into the element?
The oil usually lets them stick to the basket. I have never had them fly up in my air fryer with the Cosori 5.8 QT or Dual Blaze.