Name: Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Fresh pumpkin seeds (scooped from a pumpkin or store-bought); 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil); Salt to taste (sea salt recommended)

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Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds just hit different, right? It’s like—you spend all that time cleaning out your pumpkin for a jack-o-lantern, then what, you toss the seeds? Nope. Give them the crispiest, most addicting upgrade ever. If you’re already an air fryer lover, you get it. Simple snacks, zero fuss. This is actually one of my favorite things to do every October. It’s easier than baking, honestly quicker too. For more useful ideas, check out these other air fryer recipes if you’re ready to join the easy-cooking fan club. Or if you want to see how fast dinner can get, my 10-minute air fryer chicken sausage veggies beginner recipe is a lifesaver.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You barely need anything for air fryer pumpkin seeds to work its magic. Here’s all you honestly need in your kitchen, and I swear if you have a pumpkin and some salt, you’re halfway there.

Fresh pumpkin seeds (scooped from a pumpkin, or honestly, store-bought works just fine)
A bit of olive oil (or avocado oil if you’re feeling fancy or just want to pretend to be healthier)
Salt (I’m a sea salt fan—adds that extra punch)
That’s it for the basics. Want more? We’ll get to flavor stuff in a second.
If you’re doing this right after making pie or muffins, I always laugh because you’re knee-deep in pumpkin guts already. But hey, less waste, more snacks.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, so let’s get into it. All you need is your pumpkin seeds, five fingers, and a bit of patience. First thing—clean those seeds. Don’t sweat if the pumpkin goop doesn’t all come off. Close enough is fine. Rinse them in a colander, shake ‘em a few times. Now, let them dry—like, really let them dry. Damp seeds go soggy, so I lay them out on a towel for at least 10 minutes. That’s good enough.
Throw them in a bowl, drizzle a tablespoon or so of oil, sprinkle on a generous amount of salt. Toss with your hands. Hands work better than any “fancy spoon,” trust me. Next, dump them in the air fryer basket, spread ‘em out. Pop it in at 350°F—and set the timer for 10 minutes. Halfway through, shake the basket. You gotta shake the basket! Seeds on the edges crisp up faster, so get those guys mixed in.
After about 10-12 minutes, check ‘em. You want golden brown and that unmistakable nutty smell. Give one a taste. Crunchy? Done. Chewy? Give it another 2 minutes and check again. And there you go—air fryer pumpkin seeds like you just paid for them in a five-star restaurant snack bowl.

“These were honestly the best batch I’ve ever made. My kid ate them all before the movie started. Air fryer pumpkin seeds have become our go-to fall snack.” – Jules from Michigan

Flavor Variations

You know, plain salty is great, but some days? You want a little razzle-dazzle. Throwing in new flavors is honestly easy—don’t be shy! After the oil but before air frying, toss your seeds in:

Cinnamon and sugar for a sweet crunch.
Garlic powder and smoked paprika. Next-level savory (I can’t stop munching these).
Chili powder or cayenne if you like ‘em spicy.
Everything bagel seasoning (oh wow, trust me on this one).

The best part? You can even do half and half batches if you’re indecisive like me. No one says you have to pick a side.

Tips for Best Results

So, here’s my no-fail advice for making air fryer pumpkin seeds turn out perfectly crunchy—not sad and chewy. First, let those seeds dry out before seasoning them. It makes all the difference, and if you rush it, they might just steam instead of roast. Second, don’t overcrowd your basket. If you’ve got a million seeds, run two batches. They’ll come out evenly crispy. Season after drying, not before. I once dumped salt on wet seeds and it just slid right off. Annoying. Finally, watch the last few minutes of cook time. Some fryers run hotter than the sun, others are moody like the Michigan weather. Trust your eyes and taste test. There’s no shame in opening the basket a few times!

Flavor Variation	Description	Serving Suggestions
Cinnamon and Sugar	For a sweet treat, mix with brown sugar and cinnamon.	Top on vanilla ice cream or yogurt.
Garlic Powder and Smoked Paprika	Add a savory depth with garlic and a smoky flavor.	Perfect for snacking or with cocktails.
Chili Powder or Cayenne	For a spicy kick and extra flavor.	Pair with nachos or cheese dip.
Everything Bagel Seasoning	Adds flavor from sesame seeds, garlic, and onion.	Great on salads or as a stand-alone snack.

Serving Ideas

Okay, you somehow haven’t just inhaled your whole batch of air fryer pumpkin seeds straight from the basket. What now? Here’s what I highly recommend:

Toss them on a fall salad for extra crunch (try arugula, apples, goat cheese, YUM).
Stir into oatmeal or Greek yogurt for a surprising salty bite.
Sprinkle on top of pumpkin muffins or quick bread after baking for chef-level vibes.
Pack a little bag for snack time, whenever or wherever snack time calls.

Besides, they’re awesome for bringing to movie night or a potluck—you’ll look way fancier than you really tried.

Common Questions

Q: Do I need to shell air fryer pumpkin seeds before roasting?
A: No need. Just roast them whole. That crunchy shell is part of the fun.

Q: How long do air fryer pumpkin seeds stay crunchy?
A: Couple days, maybe up to a week in a sealed jar. But at my house? They disappear on day one.

Q: My seeds didn’t crisp—what gives?
A: Likely too much moisture left before roasting, or too many in the basket. Spread ‘em out and dry better next time.

Q: Can I use store-bought seeds?
A: Absolutely. Just skip the cleaning—a huge time saver.

Q: Can I double the seasoning?
A: You bet! Just taste as you go so it’s not accidentally inedible.

Conclusion

There’s just something retro and charming about making air fryer pumpkin seeds the old-fashioned way—with a pumpkin, salty fingers, leaves blowing outside, maybe a slightly messy kitchen. You’ve got a snack that’s ridiculously easy, cost-effective, and honestly, a little bit magical. If you want more ideas, check out this crowd-pleaser—Easy Air Fryer Roasted Pumpkin Seeds or see another take from Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds – Cookin Canuck. Seriously, air-frying is a kitchen hack for snackers like us.
Go ahead and bully your friends into saving their pumpkin seeds for you next fall, and if you’re looking for more pumpkin inspiration, you have to try my delicious pumpkin muffins bake again and again or even this quick crispy air fryer chicken breast healthy quick meal. Don’t let pumpkin season pass you by without trying this. Happy snacking!