Crispy Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds – Best 5-Minute Snack
Skip the boiling and get perfectly crispy pumpkin seeds in just 5 minutes with this easy air fryer method. A simple, crowd-pleasing snack that’s perfect for parties and fall gatherings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds (rinsed and patted dry)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional seasonings: smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, onion powder, or cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Rinse the seeds: Dump pumpkin seeds into a colander and run cold water over them. Use your fingers to break up clumps and remove large pumpkin strings. Don’t stress about getting them perfectly clean.
- Pat them dry: Spread rinsed seeds on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Pat gently until just damp, not dripping.
- Toss with oil and seasonings: Transfer seeds to a medium mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Stir until every seed is coated. Add optional seasonings if desired.
- Preheat air fryer: Set to 350°F (175°C) and let it run for 3 minutes.
- Spread seeds in basket: Dump seasoned seeds into air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if needed.
- Cook for 5 minutes: Cook at 350°F. At the 2.5-minute mark, pull out the basket and shake it well for even cooking.
- Check for doneness: After 5 minutes, seeds should be golden brown and sound hollow when shaken. If not quite done, add another minute.
- Cool completely: Let seeds cool in the basket for at least 5 minutes before eating. They continue crisping as they cool.
Notes
Don’t skip drying the seeds—too much water causes steaming instead of crisping. Shake the basket halfway through for even cooking. Season while warm for better adherence. For a double batch, keep finished seeds warm in a 200°F oven on a baking sheet. Seeds can go from perfect to burnt quickly, so watch during the last 2 minutes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days; re-crisp in air fryer at 350°F for 2 minutes if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 290
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 9
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