Sweet and Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

The thought of snacking on roasted pumpkin seeds with the fireplace going and a scary movie on the TV is such a nostalgic one! As kids, many of us looked forward to enjoying pumpkin seeds every fall. It’s like a right of passage - after you put in the hard work to clean out and carve a pumpkin, you get to enjoy the seeds.

Pumpkins are a tasty snack that just keeps on giving! Not only do they offer entertainment and decoration, but they’re also packed with nutrition. After your kids are done cleaning out their pumpkins, make use of the seeds that were removed from them. Start preparing the seeds to be roasted while the kids are having fun carving silly (or scary) faces on their pumpkins. Carving pumpkins is hard work but by the time they’re done carving and ready to proudly display their works of art, the seeds will be ready to eat!

Pumpkin seeds are not only delicious, but also healthy. They’re rich in fiber, protein, and other vitamins. They can be enjoyed alone, or mixed in with trail mix, nuts and other snacks. Requiring no refrigeration or heating, pumpkin seeds are the ultimate on-the-go snack. They’re also a great accompaniment on a seasonal charcuterie board.

In the most basic form, you can roast pumpkin seeds with butter or oil and some salt and pepper, however, it’s very easy to step up your game and make them even more flavorful. Our Sweet and Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds recipe calls for just four ingredients - the pumpkin seeds, butter, Manuka Honey and pumpkin pie spice. These are likely ingredients you already have in your pantry. Together, these ingredients create the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavor, making the pumpkin seeds so delicious!

No kids? Have a fun fall night of your own. Pick up some pumpkins, beverages of choice, and enjoy your own night of pumpkin carving and pumpkin seed roasting with friends or a partner. There is no age cutoff for pumpkin carving!

Before you get started, we have a few pro tips for you.

• Don’t forget to properly cover the table or workspace you’ll be using to clean out the pumpkins, as it’s certainly a messy job.
• Have a trash bag open and easily accessible to discard the pumpkin guts, unless you are saving them for something else.
• Consider wearing gloves if you want to protect your nails or hands.
• We suggest lining your baking tray with parchment paper, for easy cleanup after the seeds are done baking.

If you’re in a snacking mood and looking for some other delicious fall snacks to try, here are a few of our favorites: Pumpkin Pie Truffles, Pumpkin Spice Donuts, Sweet and Savory Thanksgiving Dressing Nut Mix.