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Easy Crispy Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds – Best Party Snack

crispy air fryer pumpkin seeds - featured image
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These crispy air fryer pumpkin seeds are the ultimate party snack—crunchy, salty, and ready in under 20 minutes. A secret boiling step ensures every seed is perfectly crispy, and you can customize the flavors to your liking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds (raw, cleaned)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher salt (for boiling water)
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter or avocado oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Additional salt for seasoning (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Clean the seeds: Rinse pumpkin seeds in a colander under cold water, removing as much pulp as possible. Transfer to a bowl of water and swish; pulp will float. Scoop out pulp and drain seeds.
  2. Boil the seeds: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a rolling boil. Add seeds and boil for exactly 10 minutes. Drain.
  3. Dry the seeds thoroughly: Spread boiled seeds on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Pat dry and let air dry for 5–10 minutes until completely dry.
  4. Season the seeds: In a medium bowl, toss dried seeds with melted butter or oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne (if using) until evenly coated.
  5. Preheat the air fryer: Set air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and preheat for 3 minutes.
  6. Air fry the seeds: Place seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 350°F for 8–12 minutes, shaking the basket every 3–4 minutes, until golden brown and hollow-sounding when shaken.
  7. Cool and enjoy: Transfer seeds to a plate or baking sheet to cool completely. Sprinkle with extra salt if desired. They will crisp up as they cool.

Notes

Boiling the seeds is essential for the crispiest texture. Do not skip this step. For best results, dry seeds thoroughly before seasoning. Shake the basket every 3–4 minutes to ensure even cooking. Let seeds cool completely before serving for maximum crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, crispy pumpkin seeds, party snack, healthy snack, pumpkin seeds recipe

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/easy-crispy-air-fryer-pumpkin-seeds-best-party-snack/