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Cozy Spiced Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds – Easy Fall Snack

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A happy accident turned into the perfect fall snack: air fryer pumpkin seeds coated in a warm, sweet-spicy blend of cinnamon, cayenne, and brown sugar. Quick, crunchy, and irresistibly cozy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds, cleaned and patted dry
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Clean and dry the pumpkin seeds: Place seeds in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water, rubbing gently to remove pulp. Spread on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat completely dry. Let air-dry for 5-10 minutes if possible.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3 minutes.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine cinnamon, cayenne, brown sugar, salt, and pumpkin pie spice (if using). Whisk until no clumps remain, breaking up brown sugar with fingers if needed.
  4. Add dried pumpkin seeds to the bowl with the spice mix. Drizzle oil over the top and toss with a spatula or hands until every seed is evenly coated.
  5. Transfer coated seeds to the air fryer basket in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through at the 4-minute mark, until golden brown and fragrant.
  6. Let seeds cool in the basket for 2-3 minutes to continue crisping. Transfer to a plate and taste; adjust salt or spice while still warm if desired.
  7. Serve immediately or let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Notes

For a deeper crunch, add 1-2 minutes to cooking time but watch closely to avoid burning. Seeds will continue to crisp as they cool. If using seeds from a carving pumpkin, they may be larger and require an extra minute. For softer hulls, boil seeds in salted water for 10 minutes before drying and seasoning. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week; re-crisp in air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, spiced pumpkin seeds, fall snack, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon pumpkin seeds, easy snack, healthy snack

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/cozy-spiced-air-fryer-pumpkin-seeds-easy-fall-snack/