Every year when it comes time to carve the pumpkins it turns into a real event at our house. While my daughter and grandsons are competing to see who carves the best pumpkin, I'm collecting and cleaning all of those beautiful pumpkin seeds.
Did you know? That pumpkin seeds are packed with healthy nutrients. Pumpkin seeds contain healthy fats, magnesium, and zinc. Click here for some science-based health benefits of pumpkin seeds.
While everyone was busy carving, I'm busy preparing the seeds. This year I made the pumpkin seeds in our Air Fryer, it was so quick and easy and they were so delicious.
After cleaning the pumpkin seeds I spread them out on a cookie sheet. You can let them dry overnight or do what I did. I placed each of the cookie sheets in the oven at 200 degrees for 10 minutes to dry them out.
We made four flavors of pumpkin seeds this next instruction applies to all four or whatever seasoning you use.
Place the pumpkin seeds in a bowl add a tablespoon of oil and mix well or you can spray them with cooking spray and mix.
Add your seasoning and mix well. Set your air fryer to 400 degrees and timer for 7 minutes. Turn them with a spoon halfway through at 3 and a half minutes. The first batch: Sea Salt, I used one tablespoon of sea salt for this one.
Cajun Style Pumpkin Seeds:
1 tablespoon Smoked Paprika1 tablespoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon cajun seasoning
Mix well, air fry at 400 degrees for 7 minutes turning them with a spoon halfway through.
Italian Style Pumpkin Seeds:
1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning 1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Mix well, air fry at 400 degrees for 7 minutes turning them with a spoon halfway through.
Cinnamon and Sugar Pumpkin Seeds:
Mix well, air fry at 400 degrees for 7 minutes turning them with a spoon halfway through.
Note: Do not add sugar before air frying. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and toss hot pumpkin seeds after they air fry, stir well and enjoy.
Drying the pumpkin seeds in the oven at 200 degrees for 10 minutes and using your air fryer is a great way to enjoy this healthy snack right away. You can adjust the amounts of seasoning to your liking in any of these recipes.
As always thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy it.
Ninja AG301 Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake & Dehydrate, Black/Silver