Honey Roasted Pumpkin Seeds | Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it necessary 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.

You can eat them raw, or, toss with about a tablespoon of olive oil, spread them out on a cookie sheet, and bake in a 300 F oven for 30-40 minutes. Roasting the seeds makes them easier to digest, increases their antioxidant levels, and makes them even more delicious.

Carefully wash pumpkin seeds to remove all excess pulp. Transfer pumpkin seeds to a paper towel–lined rimmed baking sheet. Allow to rest at room temperature until completely dry, about 1 hour. To speed up the process, dry pumpkin seeds in a 200°F (90°C) oven, stirring occasionally, or use a hair dryer.

Pumpkin seeds can be enjoyed with or without the shells. We enjoy the shells, and love that they add some extra fiber. If you don't enjoy the shells, you can always hull them after roasting. I usually do this by biting into the seed and using my teeth to crack the shell.

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.

Boiling also helps the seeds to roast more evenly and, as a bonus, helps with digestion (some people soak the seeds to help with this, but boiling works just as well). I use about a half teaspoon of salt for every cup of water that I use, but you can use even more for extra salty 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.

Heart and Liver Health

As pumpkin seeds are dense in nutrients such as fats, omega 3s and fibres they can be a fantastic savoury, satisfying snack. Research published has found that pumpkin seeds when combined with flax seeds protect the liver from a high cholesterol diet as well as lowering the blood pressure.

Pumpkin seeds benefits for female

Magnesium can help alleviate common issues such as menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms. Additionally, pumpkin seeds contain antioxidants like vitamin E and beta-carotene, which support skin health and may help reduce the signs of aging.

Do pumpkin seeds need to dry before roasting? Yes, they do. Spread 'em out on a sheet pan and let them dry for at least several hours. I like to dry them overnight even.

Why do you boil pumpkin seeds before roasting? ›

Boiling before roasting pumpkin seeds helps to cook the insides of your pumpkin seeds so when you do roast them, you will get perfect crunchy pumpkins seeds. Boiling will ensure that the insides are cooked.

We'll wait to add any spices because they tend to burn in the oven. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, which is high enough to yield toasty results in just 12 to 16 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes to prevent burning. You'll know the seeds are done when they're fragrant and lightly golden, as you see in the photos below.

Pepitas and pumpkin seeds seem so similar, you might think they are the same thing. But while they are not exactly the same, they are closely related. Pumpkin seeds are whole seeds with their shells still on, whereas pepitas are found in shell-less, or hulless pumpkin varieties.

Are pumpkin seeds good for dogs? The answer is yes, but pumpkin seeds are high in fat and should be given more sparingly. If you're interested in feeding pumpkin seeds to your dog, the daily recommended amount is one ground pumpkin seed per 10 pounds of body weight.

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.]

Several studies have recognized the importance of soaking to help discard anti-nutrient compounds in the soaking water. It's usually best to soak beans, nuts, seeds, and grains for several hours, but if we're tight on time, soaking for a few minutes is better than not soaking at all!

On average, you should see germination in pre-soaked seeds about four days earlier than non-soaked ones. While this doesn't seem like that big of a difference, it could be the difference between survival and rot in cool, damp spring soil. Soak pumpkin seeds for 8-12 hours.

Soak the Pumpkin Seeds

Leave the bowl out on the counter and allow the pumpkin seeds to soak for 6 hours minimum, up to 24 hours. If we gut our pumpkins in the morning, we let the pumpkin seeds soak all day and then proceed to the next step before bed (letting them air dry overnight).