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Best Crunchy Roasted Garlic Parmesan Pumpkin Seeds

crunchy roasted garlic parmesan pumpkin seeds - featured image

These intensely savory, perfectly crunchy pumpkin seeds are roasted with garlic and Parmesan for an umami-packed snack that’s impossible to resist. The secret to the crunch is a quick boil before roasting, ensuring every bite is crisp and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ยฝ cups fresh pumpkin seeds (or raw, unhulled pepitas)
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt or sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil, melted butter)
  • 1 ยฝ teaspoons garlic powder
  • โ…“ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (preferably freshly grated)
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 clove fresh minced garlic (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. Separate pumpkin seeds from stringy pulp. Rinse seeds in a colander under cold water.
  3. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water and 1 tablespoon salt to a rolling boil. Add seeds and boil for exactly 10 minutes.
  4. Drain seeds in a colander and rinse with cool water. Spread on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat very dry. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine dried seeds with olive oil, garlic powder, and cayenne (if using). Toss well. Add Parmesan cheese and toss again until seeds are coated.
  6. Spread seasoned seeds in a single even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Break up large clumps slightly, but leave some small clusters.
  7. Roast for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, stir seeds, and spread back into an even layer.
  8. Return to oven and roast for another 10-15 minutes, watching closely, until seeds are golden brown and Parmesan is deep, crispy gold.
  9. Remove from oven and let seeds cool on the baking sheet for at least 15-20 minutes. They will continue to crisp as they cool.

Notes

Boiling the seeds is essential for crunch. Dry seeds thoroughly before seasoning to avoid steaming. Watch the oven closely as Parmesan can burn quickly. Let seeds cool completely before storing to maintain crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin seeds, roasted pumpkin seeds, garlic parmesan pumpkin seeds, crunchy pumpkin seeds, fall snack, Halloween snack, Thanksgiving snack, healthy snack, gluten-free snack, low-carb snack