Roasted Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Oct 27, 2016, Updated Oct 30, 2023

4.97 from 80 votes

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Roasted Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds Recipe! Don’t throw away the seeds when you carve pumpkins this year! Save them and make this recipe for the perfect sweet and salty fall snack!

Roasted Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds Recipe (2)

Have you carved your pumpkins yet? We have 6 kids so that always means lots of pumpkin seeds. They love helping me separate the seeds from the pulp, just so we can make these Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds.

I know it’s a lot of work, but trust me when I tell you that taking the time to save the seeds to make roasted pumpkin seeds is so worth it.

Especially if you decide to make these Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds! This recipe only has 6 ingredients, is super easy to make, and results is the perfect sweet and salty fall snack!

Roasted Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds Recipe (3)

How to make Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds

Let’s walk through this recipe step by step.

Let the seeds dry completely

The key to making excellent Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds is letting them completely dry before roasting! To do this, remove the seeds from the pumpkins and rinse thoroughly. Make sure there are no stringy orange guts left!

Let the seeds drain, and line a large baking sheet with paper towels. Spread the seeds on the baking sheet in one, even layer and let sit for 24 hours. At the12 hour mark, change the damp paper towels for dry ones and stir every now and then!

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Add the ingredients

Coat evenly.Once the seeds are completely dry, you are ready to make these roasted pumpkin seeds! Simply melt the coconut oil or butter in a microwave safe dish. Mix in vanilla and stir in the pumpkin seeds, making sure the seeds are evenly coated with the mixture!

Thoroughly mix the dry ingredients together, then toss them into the bowl of coated pumpkin seeds, once again making sure they are evenly coated!

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Then, spread the coated seeds out on a large baking sheet in a single layer and bake.

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Do not over bake

A little helpful tip, be very careful not to over-bake these Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds! When they start to brown ever-so-slightly they are done.

Test for doneness

by taking out 3 or 4 seeds and letting them come to room temperature. If the roasted pumpkin seeds become nice and crispy then your seeds are done baking! If they remain soft, toss them back on the pan and bake a touch longer!

Helpful Tip (How to re-crisp roasted pumpkin seeds)

If your seeds become soft after a day or two…simply reheat them at 250 in the oven for 5-10 minutes! When you remove them and they cool completely they willperfectly crisp up like they were freshly made that day!

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Store

Store these pumpkin seeds in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

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Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: Substitutions

This recipe is delicious as-is! But If you are looking to make some substitutions here are a few that have passed the test:

  • Coconut oil:Butter and vegan butter (like Earth Balance) are delicious substitutions for the coconut oil.
  • Granulated sugar:I use raw, organic sugar in this recipe. But you can choose your favorite granulated sugar and use it with great results! You can also use coconut sugar for a paleo version.

That’s it! There are only 6 ingredients in this recipe for Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds and I don’t recommend substituting any other ingredients!

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FAQs about roasting pumpkin seeds

Are roasted pumpkin seeds a healthy snack?

Yes! They are a high-protein, high-fiber snack!

Should I dry my pumpkin seeds before roasting?

Yes, drying the pumpkin seeds is imperative for crispy roasted pumpkin seeds that do not get soggy.

Can I halve or double the recipe?

Yes to both! You can easily scale this recipe as needed.

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If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Roasted Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds Recipe (11)

Roasted Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds Recipe (12)

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Roasted Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds

Laura

Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds Recipe! Don’t throw away the seeds when you carve pumpkins this year! Save them and make this recipe for the perfect sweet and salty fall snack! Vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free! and paleo-friendly!

4.97 from 80 votes

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 3 cups of pumpkin seeds

Calories 120.8

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Cook Time35 minutes minutes

Total Time40 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

To dry pumpkin seeds:

  • Remove from pumpkins and rinse thoroughly. Spread out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Let sit at room temperature for 24 hours, changing the damp paper towels out for dry ones after about 12 hours and stirring occasionally.

To make the pumpkin seeds:

  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Very lightly grease a large baking pan, set aside.

  • In a small bowl, mix together sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

  • Melt coconut oil or butter in a large microwave safe bowl or on the stovetop in a 4-quart pot.

  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

  • Mix in pumpkin seeds until they are all evenly coated.

  • Add dry ingredients to the pumpkin seeds and mix until all they are evenly coated.

  • Spread pumpkin seeds on your prepared baking pan in single layer.

  • Bake for 25-35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until seeds begin to brown.

  • To test for doneness: remove a few seeds from the pan and let sit on the counter to cool. If they harden up the seeds are done. If they remain soft, return to the oven, checking them after 5 minutes. Continue baking in 5 minute intervals until done.

  • Once seeds are done, transfer them from the warm pan to another pan lined with parchment paper to let cool.

Video

Notes

Carving three large pumpkins resulted in 3 cups of seeds. You can easily halve this recipe to accommodate the amount of seeds you harvest from your pumpkins!

Ingredient substitutions

  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter, coconut oil and vegan butter (like Earth Balance) are good substitutes.
  • Granulated sugar:use white sugar, organic cane sugar, or coconut sugar.

Store

Store these pumpkin seeds in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Serving: 2TBS | Calories: 120.8kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.9g | Protein: 3.7g | Fat: 9.7g | Saturated Fat: 2.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3.2g | Sodium: 189.3mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 2.1g | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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Roasted Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are you supposed to soak pumpkin seeds before roasting? ›

Some people soak pumpkin seeds before roasting them—they say it helps make the seeds extra crispy. But our Test Kitchen found that soaking the seeds didn't make much of a difference when it came to crispiness. If you do soak your seeds, though, be sure to dry them thoroughly before roasting.

Are oven roasted pumpkin seeds good for you? ›

Takeaways. Pumpkin seeds are edible, nutritious seeds from pumpkins that are roasted, salted, and eaten as a snack in many parts of the world. They're very nutritious, with omega-3 fatty acids and lots of minerals, and they have anti-inflammatory effects that have many potential health benefits.

What effect does roasting have on pumpkin seeds? ›

It is observed that the roasting process affected the composition of components in the lines which were sensitive to the temperature; however, through roasting, the membrane layer surrounding the seed was removed, then it facilitated cracking and brought some characteristics such as colour, aroma and texture unique to ...

Why do you boil pumpkin seeds before baking? ›

Should You Boil Pumpkin Seeds Before Roasting? Although you don't have to boil the pumpkin seeds before roasting, we recommend it. Boiling pumpkin seeds in salted water helps the salt to permeate the seeds inside the shells and helps them to cook more evenly.

Is it better to soak or boil pumpkin seeds before roasting? ›

Boil pumpkin seeds before roasting: If you are short on time, you could skip this step, but we highly recommend that you boil your pumpkin seeds before roasting them.

How long to soak pumpkin seeds before roasting? ›

Soak Them Overnight in Salt Water

But this step is the most important. Pumpkin seeds are covered in a thin membrane. The enzymes in the membrane are difficult to chew and digest, which is why you want to soak the seeds for 12-24 hours. For every 1 cup of seeds add: [2 cups of water + 1/2 Tablespoon salt.]

Are pumpkin seeds anti-inflammatory? ›

Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) have many health benefits. They are high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. These nutrients are great for your heart and immune system and reduce inflammation. One surprising benefit of pumpkin seeds is their effect on fertility.

Can you eat too many pumpkin seeds? ›

If you eat too many, you may experience gas and bloating. Fiber helps bulk up stool and prevents constipation in the long run, but eating a lot of pumpkin seeds at once may actually cause constipation. As you snack on pumpkin seeds, keep in mind they're high in calories and fat.

Why are my roasted pumpkin seeds chewy? ›

If your roasted pumpkin seeds are chewy after baking then either they are still warm (they'll be crisp once cooled completely) or they haven't been baked long enough. Look for them to be a beautiful golden brown color!

Why are my roasted pumpkin seeds bitter? ›

Make sure you don't over-bake them because if the seeds brown too much in the oven, the flavour can become bitter and they are less tasty to snack on. If you'd prefer to make unsalted toasted pumpkin seeds, just skip the salt in the recipe and toast them in plain oil.

Should you boil pumpkin seeds before roasting? ›

Boil for 10 minutes in salt water.

Apparently, this method helps make the pumpkin seeds easier to digest and produces a crispy outer shell during roasting. If you are short on time, you can totally skip this step! They will still turn out lovely.

Why do you soak pumpkin seeds in salt water? ›

However, the outer shell of the pumpkin seed is 100% edible, and contains a lot of beneficial minerals and fiber too! And as we've already explored, soaking pumpkin seeds in salt water before roasting helps to make the normally tough, chewy outer shell more crunchy and much easier to digest.

Should pumpkin seeds pop in the oven? ›

Roast your seeds into a 400° oven for 15 to 20 minutes. You'll know they're ready when you hear them popping on the pan.

Do roasted pumpkin seeds need to be refrigerated? ›

Why are you storing them? If it's to eat them roast them now. After they cool store them on a shelf in an air tight container (no refrigeration/freezing needed). If you want to grow pumpkins next year just put the dried seeds in a container and store in a cool dark place.

Do pumpkin seeds need to be soaked? ›

After cleaning your fresh pumpkin seeds, soak them in a bowl of water with one tablespoon of salt overnight at room temperature. This process will help soften the seeds making them easier to digest.

How do you pre soak pumpkin seeds? ›

Here are the steps to follow:
  1. Rinse the pumpkin seeds with water to remove any debris or dirt.
  2. Place the seeds in a bowl or jar.
  3. Add enough water to cover the seeds by an inch or two.
  4. Cover the bowl or jar with a lid or towel to prevent evaporation and to keep dust and insects away.
  5. Let the seeds soak for 24 hours.
Mar 9, 2023

How long is too long to soak pumpkin seeds? ›

The salt provides flavor, but also reduces the ability for any harmful bacteria to develop in the water, similar to a fermentation brine. Leave the bowl out on the counter and allow the pumpkin seeds to soak for 6 hours minimum, up to 24 hours.

How long to dry pumpkin seeds after soaking? ›

After soaking, drain in a colander (don't rinse!). Spread the seeds out evenly on a tea towel laid on your counter to air dry for an hour or two. This step makes sure that your pumpkin seeds end up nice and crispy. Return the pumpkin seeds to a bowl and toss with the oil of your choice until fully coated.

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