How to Cook Pumpkin Seeds in the Air Fryer

Make a delicious crunchy snack when you learn how to cook pumpkin seeds in the air fryer, ready to eat in 15 minutes!

Get ready to enjoy a great, tasty snack with these crunchy air fryer pumpkin seeds, ready to eat in 15 minutes!

The best part of pumpkin season is all those pumpkin recipes and pumpkin seeds rank up there as one of the best ways to use pumpkin. At least it does in our house!

Raw pumpkin seeds are very easy to cook in your air fryer, similar to how you would cook them in the oven. The hot air circulates around the pumpkin seeds creating a a great golden brown color and a crunchy texture, making them a great go-to nutritious snack that the whole family will enjoy.

Tips for Cooking Pumpkin Seeds in the Air Fryer:

The first thing you need to do is carve your pumpkin using a sharp knife and remove the pumpkin guts from the pumpkin, sorting the seeds out.

Then, use a strainer and clean pumpkin seeds until there is no pumpkin left on them.

Once your raw pumpkin seeds are ready to go, it’s time to preheat the air fryer at 360°F for 3 minutes.

Once the preheating time is over, coat the air fryer basket with grapeseed oil spray and carefully place a single layer of pumpkin seeds in the basket of the air fryer. They will be slick, so pour them in slowly so you can try to avoid layering them if possible.

If you prefer, you can use aluminum foil over the basket or parchment paper, be sure that if you use these the pumpkin seeds weigh it down enough to avoid blowing into the heating element.

After your seeds are in the basket, coat them with an additional coat of oil spray and then sprinkle evenly with kosher salt.

These will be air-fried for 15 minutes, use a large spoon to rotate and move around the seeds about halfway through the cooking time, alternatively, you can also shake the basket of the air fryer to move them too.

Once they are done, carefully remove the pumpkin seeds and repeat the steps for additional batches.

What oil spray should you use for pumpkin seeds?

The best oil spray to use is Grapeseed Oil Spray because it has a higher smoke point; however, I have used Olive Oil Spray as well many times without issue.

Seasonings for Pumpkin Seeds:

Classic pumpkin seeds are topped with kosher salt; however, you can add different spices to create unique flavors.

• Cayenne Pepper or Chili Powder – Adds a spicy flavor.
• Garlic Powder or Garlic Salt – Adds a savory flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon, Brown Sugar, or Nutmeg – Adds a sweet and nutty flavor.

Serving pumpkin seeds in different ways with different flavors and tastes is always a great way to make a family-friendly snack.

How do you store Crispy Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds?

The best way to store crispy homemade pumpkin seeds is in an airtight container.

For best results, serve these or eat these within 2-3 weeks. As long last they are stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they should remain fresh and the outer shell should be crunchy.

Now are you ready to carve those pumpkins and enjoy this delicious snack? This is by far the perfect way to make Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds!

If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out this Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie.