Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

They're healthy and scrumptious, they're easy and fast, they're Roasted Pumpkin Seeds! Roasted pumpkin seeds are a great snack to make around Halloween time, especially since you've probably got a bunch of them anyways. While it takes 45-50 minutes to bake them, you can continue carving your pumpkin while you're at it.

This is a great thing to do with the extra seeds after making your favorite thanksgiving pumpkin dish!

Step 1: Preparing the seeds

Before you start, pre heat the oven to 300 degrees - this will allow them to crisp up nicely, without looking burnt.

I've found that it's easiest to separate the seeds from the stringy guts while they're in the pumpkin. So instead of taking out hand fulls of guts, and then picking out the seeds, pick out only the seeds from the pumpkin. They separate much easier like this, and it makes getting the guts out easier, later on.

Once you have the seeds, stick em in a colander and run it under warm water, using your hands to mix them around and help them get clean. Doing this will force whatever guts that are left on the seeds to the bottom of the colander. When you pour out the seeds, the guts should remain at the bottom for you to throw out. If anything is left on the seeds, soak them in hot water for a bit, that will help get it off.

Now that the seeds are nice and clean, dry them off with paper towels. Be prepared for the seeds to stick to the paper towels. If you can manage to get them semi-dry...congrats! It's time to salt them. (skip this part, if you'd rather them be optimally healthy) Drizzle some oil over the seeds (in a bowl) and mix it up so all the seeds are nicely coated. Next, pour salt in the bowl and mix it up. If you prefer salty seeds, use more, and vice versa.

Comments

[benjamenjohnson]

Make sure you clean the tray before it cools down, I made a batch a few years ago and waited a few days to clean the tray. It would have been better to just buy roasted pumpkin seeds than spending a1/2 hour to clean off the burnt in oil

[Weissensteinburg]

Did you oil the seeds, or the pan? Maybe you used more oil than I...because I didn't have any burnt in oil.

[benjamenjohnson]

I oiled the seeds, pretty much like you describe, but I might have used a little too much because there was quite a bit of residue on the tray. I think I used olive oil, what kind of oil did you use? I also filled the tray completely with seeds. I remember they were pretty tasty, but the memory of cleaning has made me reluctant to try again since. Maybe I'll try again this year.

[god squad 101]

I used vegitable oil and they are better than i expected

[Weissensteinburg]

I used canola oil.

[god squad 101]

right now i'm waiting for the oven to be heated... the seeds are oiled and salted and on the pan. I just made pumpkin juice 20 minutes ago... cant wait to eat them!

[god squad 101]

just came out and I love them! it only took mine 20 minutes to make, so i'm glad you put in there to check every 5-10 minutes... anyway they're great! I added some cinamon, and theyre really good. I just feel that there's something missing from them... more salt?

[ryanpriehl]

 I just finished making these a few minutes ago, and they are super delicious. I made a huge batch after carving 3 pumpkins.

[mjarthur]

i just tried theseand theyre great ! thanks for an easy to follow instructable!

[flowox]

I do these too every year and everyone just LOVES them :) I soak mine in salt water for about an hour though

[Doctor What]

Should add this to the thanxgiving contest.

[Weissensteinburg]

I'm not sure if this counts for the thanksgiving contest...I did add it to the halloween contest, though.

[Doctor What]

you don't use pumpkin in thanxgiving?? i know i do. pumpkin pie, and pumpkins for decoration. what do you do with the seeds?? throw them away? no, you recycle them. as food.

[Weissensteinburg]

eh, why not?

[Doctor What]

I love homemade seeds, they are a million times better than the ones from the store.

[Weissensteinburg]

I don't think i've ever had store bought ones.

[Doctor What]

They are absolutely dreadful. They are all powdery, and just don't taste roasted. Honestly, if you are thinking about buying a bag, don't. Save your saliva for something better, like spitting on small children.

[Weissensteinburg]

Maybe they sell seeds from pumpkins the year before.

[Doctor What]

I don't think they make them out of pumpkins, maybe plaster.

[T3h_Muffinator]

Nice Weiss ;P

[Lost Moai]

My family did this yesterday and I was going to do an instructable on it. I guess I should thank you for saving me some time. It would have been exactly the same except instead of salt, we used Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning. That's some good stuff there.

[Aar000n3y]

Man I love pumpkin seeds. The recipe I have adds in cinnamon in too, which is pretty good. I'll try out the trail mix sometime. Sounds interesting.

[Weissensteinburg]

It's that sweet and salty mixture that tastes so good.

[havanacus]

Would a little pumpkin mixed in really be all that bad?...

[Weissensteinburg]

The pumpkin will burn in the oven.