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Crispy Smoked Paprika Pumpkin Seeds: Best Air Fryer Snack

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These crispy smoked paprika air fryer pumpkin seeds are a quick and easy snack that turns pumpkin seeds into a smoky, crunchy, addictive treat in under 30 minutes. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or a healthy snack, they’re made with simple pantry ingredients and are naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups raw pumpkin seeds (fresh from a pumpkin or store-bought)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less for less heat)
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional, for sweet-and-smoky flavor)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the seeds: If using fresh pumpkin seeds, separate them from the pumpkin guts, rinse in a fine-mesh strainer under cool water, and rub gently to remove stringy bits. If using store-bought raw seeds, give them a quick rinse.
  2. Dry the seeds thoroughly: Spread rinsed seeds on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat completely dry. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to ensure they are bone-dry.
  3. Mix the spice blend: In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and optional brown sugar. Stir to break up any clumps.
  4. Season the seeds: Place dried pumpkin seeds in a medium mixing bowl. Drizzle with oil and toss with your hands until every seed is lightly coated. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the seeds and toss again until evenly distributed.
  5. Preheat the air fryer: Set air fryer to 350°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
  6. Arrange the seeds: Spread seasoned seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if needed.
  7. Cook for 10 minutes: Set timer for 10 minutes.
  8. Shake and check: After 10 minutes, pull out the basket and shake it. Seeds should be starting to turn golden brown. Taste one—it should be crunchy on the outside with a slight chew in the center.
  9. Continue cooking in 2-3 minute increments: Return basket to air fryer and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Shake and taste again. Repeat until seeds are uniformly golden brown and crunchy all the way through (usually 14-16 minutes total).
  10. Cool completely: Transfer hot seeds to a plate or baking sheet in a single layer. Let cool completely for at least 15 minutes—they continue to crisp as they cool.
  11. Serve: Once cool, transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the seeds thoroughly—wet seeds lead to chewy results. Shake the basket halfway through for even cooking. Taste as you go since air fryers vary. Let seeds cool completely before storing to maintain crunch. For a regular oven, bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks; re-crisp in air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, smoked paprika pumpkin seeds, crispy pumpkin seeds, easy pumpkin seed recipe, healthy snack, party snack, gluten-free snack, vegan snack

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/crispy-smoked-paprika-pumpkin-seeds-best-air-fryer-snack/