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Quick Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds – Best 5-Minute Crunchy Snack

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These air fryer pumpkin seeds are perfectly crunchy, ready in just 5 minutes, and customizable with your favorite seasonings. A quick and easy snack that brings back the nostalgic taste of spiced pumpkin seeds from a beloved café.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (120g) fresh pumpkin seeds, rinsed and patted dry
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon (3g) salt, or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon (0.5g) garlic powder (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon (0.5g) smoked paprika (optional)
  • Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Clean the seeds: If using fresh pumpkin seeds, separate them from the stringy pulp in a bowl of water. Rinse in a colander under cold water until mostly clean.
  2. Dry the seeds thoroughly: Spread rinsed seeds on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat completely dry. Let air dry for 5-10 minutes if possible.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Season the seeds: In a mixing bowl, combine dried pumpkin seeds with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne (if using). Stir until every seed is coated.
  5. Transfer to air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if needed.
  6. Air fry at 350°F for 5 minutes, pausing at 2.5 minutes to shake the basket or stir seeds.
  7. Check for doneness: Seeds should be lightly golden and smell toasty. Add 1 more minute if needed.
  8. Cool completely: Spread hot seeds on a plate or baking sheet in a single layer. Let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Dry seeds thoroughly to ensure crunchiness. Shake basket halfway through cooking. Watch closely during last minute to prevent burning. Let cool completely for maximum crunch. For pepitas (hulled seeds), reduce cooking time to 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, crunchy pumpkin seeds, 5-minute snack, pumpkin seeds recipe, easy snack, healthy snack, gluten-free snack, dairy-free snack

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/quick-air-fryer-pumpkin-seeds-best-5-minute-crunchy-snack/