Are you tired of buying pre-packaged, store-bought pumpkin seeds that lack flavor and freshness? If you have a pumpkin, you can easily roast your own pumpkin seeds at home with just a few simple ingredients and a pan.

Not only is roasting your own pumpkin seeds a fun and easy activity, but it allows you to customize the seasoning to your liking and create a tasty and healthy snack.

In this note, we will go over the steps on how to roast pumpkin seeds in a pan, as well as provide some flavor suggestions to try out.

What You Will Need:

• Pumpkin
• Knife
• Spoon
• Colander
• Towel or paper towels
• Pan
• Oil or melted butter
• Salt (and any additional seasonings of your choice)

Step 1: Prepare the Pumpkin Seeds

• Begin by cutting the pumpkin in half and scooping out the seeds and stringy bits with a spoon. You can also use a large spoon or ice cream scoop to remove the seeds from the pumpkin.
• Place the seeds in a colander and rinse them under cold water to remove any remaining pumpkin flesh or debris.
• Pat the seeds dry with a towel or paper towels. This will help the seeds roast more evenly and prevent them from sticking to the pan.

Step 2: Season the Pumpkin Seeds

• In a small bowl, mix together the pumpkin seeds, oil or melted butter, and salt (and any additional seasonings). You can use any type of oil you have on hand, such as olive oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil. If you prefer a more savory flavor, you can also use melted butter instead of oil.

Some flavor suggestions to try include:

• Classic: just salt
• Ranch: salt, dried parsley, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder
• BBQ: salt, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin
• Garlic Parmesan: salt, garlic powder, grated Parmesan cheese
• Honey Mustard: salt, mustard powder, honey
• Curry: salt, curry powder, coconut sugar
• Chili Lime: salt, chili powder, lime zest

Feel free to get creative and mix and match seasonings to your liking!

Step 3: Roast the Pumpkin Seeds

• Heat a dry pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the seasoned pumpkin seeds in a single layer.
• Roast the pumpkin seeds, occasionally stirring, until they are golden brown and crispy. This should take about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the seeds.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let the pumpkin seeds cool for a few minutes.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

• Once the pumpkin seeds have cooled, transfer them to a bowl or plate and serve. You can also store the roasted pumpkin seeds in an airtight container for a snack later on.
• These roasted pumpkin seeds make a great snack on their own, or you can sprinkle them over salads, soups, or baked goods for an added crunch.

Tips and Tricks:

• If you prefer a softer, chewy texture, you can roast the pumpkin seeds at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. Just be sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
• To make the seasoning stick better to the pumpkin seeds, you can toss them with a little bit of cornstarch or arrowroot starch before adding the oil and seasonings.
• If you have a lot of pumpkin seeds, you can roast them in batches rather than all at once. This will ensure that the seeds have enough room in the pan to roast evenly.
• If you find that your pumpkin seeds are burning or getting too dark before they are fully roasted, you can lower the heat or reduce the cooking time. You can also try covering the pan with a lid or foil to help the seeds cook more evenly.
• Experiment with different seasonings and flavors to find your perfect combination. You can also mix and match different spices and herbs to create your own unique seasoning blend.
• If you have leftover pumpkin seeds, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage. To thaw frozen pumpkin seeds, simply let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

In conclusion, roasting pumpkin seeds in a pan is a quick and easy way to create a tasty and healthy snack at home. With just a few simple ingredients and a pan, you can customize the seasoning to your liking and create a delicious snack that everyone will love.

So next time you have a pumpkin, don’t throw out the seeds – give roasting them in a pan a try and discover a whole new world of flavor and texture.