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Quick Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds with Smoked Paprika

air fryer pumpkin seeds - featured image

Crunchy, smoky pumpkin seeds made in the air fryer in under 25 minutes. No boiling or lengthy prep needed—just rinse, season, and air fry for the perfect fall snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Clean the seeds: Separate seeds from pumpkin guts, rinse in a colander under cool water, and rub gently to remove stringy bits.
  2. Dry the seeds: Spread rinsed seeds on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat dry thoroughly. Let sit for 5-10 minutes if possible.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes.
  4. Season the seeds: In a medium bowl, combine dried seeds, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Toss until every seed is coated. Add cayenne if using.
  5. Arrange seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if needed.
  6. Air fry at 350°F for 12 minutes, then shake the basket or stir. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
  7. Check for doneness: Let one seed cool for 30 seconds, then bite into it. It should be crunchy all the way through. Cook in 1-minute increments if needed.
  8. Cool completely on a plate or bowl for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Dry seeds thoroughly for best crunch. Shake basket halfway through cooking. Watch closely during last few minutes to prevent burning. Seeds continue to crisp as they cool. Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Reheat in air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes if they lose crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, smoked paprika pumpkin seeds, quick pumpkin seeds, fall snack, healthy snack, gluten-free snack, vegan snack