Cozy Smoked Paprika Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
These air fryer pumpkin seeds are tossed in smoked paprika and roasted to crunchy perfection in under 15 minutes. A quick, easy, and addictive snack perfect for cozy nights or game day.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about ¼ cup each) 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (120g) raw, shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (2g) smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon (1.5g) garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon (1.5g) onion powder
- ½ teaspoon (3g) fine sea salt
- Pinch cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon (4g) light brown sugar (optional, for sweet-and-smoky)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes.
- If using fresh pumpkin seeds, rinse and pat completely dry. For store-bought pepitas, skip rinsing.
- In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin seeds, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and optional cayenne or brown sugar. Stir until evenly coated.
- Pour seasoned seeds into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.
- Shake the basket, then continue cooking for 3-5 more minutes, checking every minute after the 3-minute mark. Seeds should be golden brown and fragrant.
- Transfer seeds to a cooling rack or plate in a single layer. Let cool completely for at least 10 minutes (they will crisp as they cool).
- Enjoy immediately or store for later.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed. Watch closely as seeds can burn quickly. Let cool completely for maximum crunch. For oven method: roast at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup (30g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, smoked paprika pumpkin seeds, easy snack, healthy snack, gluten-free snack, vegan snack, pepitas