Roasted Pepitas (Hulless Pumpkin Seeds)

Name: Roasted Pepitas (Hulless Pumpkin Seeds)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 cups raw pepitas; 2 tsp olive oil; ¾ tsp sea salt or kosher salt (plus more to taste)

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Roasted Pepitas are the perfect crunchy snack or topping. All you need to do is season the seeds, spread them on a baking sheet, bake for 10 minutes, then enjoy! Make a batch for a healthy treat or add some crunch to salads, soups, granola, and more.

Roasted pumpkin seeds with olive oil and salt in a bowl.

This fall we have been adding pepitas to a bunch of our dishes, both savory and sweet. We especially love them on our Buttery Pumpkin Scones and oatmeal for breakfast and in our Butternut Squash Soup. This versatile seed can also be used in any of our pesto recipes, like Spinach Pesto and 5 Minute Kale Pesto.

Pepitas, or hulless pumpkin seeds, are high in antioxidants, iron, zinc, and magnesium, making them a nutritious addition to your diet. Our recipe allows you to season them however you'd like and enjoy them on their own, or in savory or sweet recipes.

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Ingredients
About Roasted Pepitas
Substitutions
Variations
Instructions
How to Enjoy Roasted Pepitas Seeds
Storage
Recipe FAQs
Cooking Tip
Related Recipes
Did You Like This Recipe?
📖 Recipe

Ingredients

Raw pepitas - Pepitas are hulless pumpkin seeds. They are lightly nutty with a soft crunch.
Olive oil - Roasting the pepitas in olive oil helps to make them crispy and adds nice flavor.
Sea salt or kosher salt - Salt accentuates the flavor of the pepitas.

See recipe card for quantities.

About Roasted Pepitas

Taste - The lightly seasoned pepitas are lightly nutty and savory.
Texture - The seeds are crunchy and light.
Effort - This easy recipe has a couple simple steps. You just need to mix the pepitas with the other ingredients then bake them.
Time - It takes just 5 minutes to prep the pepitas then about 10 minutes to roast them.

Substitutions

Pumpkin seeds - You can also use this recipe for roasted hulled pumpkin seeds. Just be aware of their chewy hull.
Coconut oil - Use coconut oil instead of olive oil if you prefer the taste.
Avocado oil - Use avocado oil for extra healthy fats.

Variations

Cinnamon - Sprinkle some cinnamon on the pepitas for a warm and woodsy flavor.
Savory seasonings and herbs - Use savory seasonings and dried herbs, like garlic powder, dried rosemary, Italian seasoning, and more.
Maple syrup - Maple syrup will add a rich caramel sweetness.
Sugar - Sugar adds light sweetness.
Vanilla extract - A little vanilla extract will give the pepitas a warm vanilla flavor.
Spicy - Add paprika or chili powder to make these seeds spicy.

Instructions

Steps to make roasted pepitas, including tossing the pepitas in olive oil and salt, then transferring the seeds to a baking sheet.

Prepare oven and baking sheet - Heat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Season seeds - In a large mixing bowl, add pepitas, olive oil, and salt. If you’d like to add dried herbs or seasoning, add it at this time. (Photo 1 and 2)
Mix ingredients - Use a silicone spatula to gently mix and coat the pepitas with oil. Transfer the pepitas to the baking sheet. (Photo 3 and 4)

Steps to make roasted pumpkin seeds, like spreading the seeds on a sheet pan, roasting, mixing, and roasting longer, then serving for salads, a snack, and more.

Bake pepitas - Spread into a single layer. Avoid crowding so the pepitas can cook evenly. Place in the oven on the middle rack and bake for about 10 minutes, stirring and spreading into a single layer halfway through. (Photo 5, 6, and 7))
Cool and season - Remove the tray from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Taste one and season with additional salt and seasonings if desired. (Photo 8)

Pro tip: Keep an eye on the pepitas while they roast so they don't burn.

How to Enjoy Roasted Pepitas Seeds

These gluten free roasted pepitas are versatile and go well with so many dishes! We love them with a main course like Butternut Squash Soup or Quinoa Salad. But they are also delicious with sweets like chocolate chip cookies or sprinkled on our Pumpkin Scones. Finally, we love them in a yummy trail mix or on just on their own as a snack.

Storage

Store leftover pepitas in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 1 week for best results. You can also refrigerate them and they will last a little longer. When you are ready to enjoy them again, let them get to room temperature.

Recipe FAQs

Are pepitas and pumpkin seeds the same?

No, they are only closely related. Pepitas are a specific type of pumpkin seed that grow shell-free in Styrian or oil seed pumpkins. They are not, as many believe, the inside of pumpkin seeds.

Are roasted pepitas good for you?

Yes, pepitas are packed full of nutrients. They are packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

How long should I toast pepitas?

Our recipe toasts the pepitas for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown. However, you can also toast the pepitas for a little longer to make them more crispy or a little shorter if you want them softer.

Can you eat pepitas raw?

Yes, unlike pumpkin seeds which must be roasted before eating, you can enjoy pepitas raw or roasted. However, we prefer roasted pepitas because they are crunchier and more flavorful.

Cooking Tip

Season to taste. If you add any sweetener like maple syrup, bake for about 10 minutes longer so it can adhere to the seeds and dry.

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