I’m so excited to share one of my favorite simple fall snacks — Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds ! With just 15 minutes and a handful of ingredients, you can transform everyday pumpkin seeds into a delicious, crunchy treat. I remember last Halloween when my kids were carving their pumpkins, I took the seeds and whipped up this recipe. They were devoured faster than the candy from their trick-or-treat bags!
If you’re looking for another easy air fryer recipe, check out our tasty Air Fryer Baked Potato !
Why you’ll love this recipe
These Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds are incredibly easy to make, perfect for when you need a quick snack. They’re packed with flavor thanks to the variety of seasonings you can choose from. Plus, air frying them means less mess and faster cooking time than traditional roasting.

Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds in shell
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
Step-by-step instructions
Cut open a pumpkin and scoop the contents into a large bowl. Fill the bowl with water and allow seeds to float to the top. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the seeds into a colander. Rinse the seeds to remove any pumpkin pieces.
If desired, boil or soak the seeds for easier digestion:
- To boil : Fill a 4-quart pot with water, add 4 tablespoons of salt, and bring to a boil. Add seeds and boil for 10 minutes. Dry and proceed with the recipe.
- To soak : Add 1 tablespoon of salt to a quart of water, add the seeds, and soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. Dry and proceed.
Lay seeds on a clean towel to air dry.
In a bowl, combine 1 cup of seeds with 1/2 teaspoon of oil and mix well.
Add your choice of seasonings and mix well.
Place the seeds into the air fryer and roast at 360°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Let cool for a few minutes before enjoying.
Recipe tips & variations
- Flavor variations : Try mixing with different seasonings like taco seasoning or cinnamon sugar for sweet seeds.
- Double the batch : If you have plenty of seeds, double the recipe and store them for later.
- Even roasting : Shake the basket halfway through cooking to get an even roast on all seeds.
Storage & reheating
Store the Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Simply reheat them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes if they lose their crunch.

FAQs
Can I use other types of squash seeds?
Sure! The same method works well for other squash seeds like butternut or acorn.
How do I ensure all seeds are equally cooked?
Make sure to flip or shake them halfway through and spread them out in a single layer.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
No worries! You can roast them in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes.
Recipes you may like
Looking for more delicious air fryer recipes? Check out our Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Air Fryer Fried Pickles . They’re just as easy and tasty as these pumpkin seeds!
Print
Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: gluten-free
Description
A simple and quick recipe for Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds that are flavorful and crunchy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds in shell
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
Instructions
- Cut open a pumpkin and scoop the contents into a large bowl. Fill the bowl with water and allow seeds to float to the top. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the seeds into a colander. Rinse the seeds to remove any pumpkin pieces.
- If desired, boil or soak the seeds for easier digestion:
- To boil: Fill a 4-quart pot with water, add 4 tablespoons of salt, and bring to a boil. Add seeds and boil for 10 minutes. Dry and proceed with the recipe.
- To soak: Add 1 tablespoon of salt to a quart of water, add the seeds, and soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. Dry and proceed.
- Lay seeds on a clean towel to air dry.
- In a bowl, combine 1 cup of seeds with 1/2 teaspoon of oil and mix well.
- Add your choice of seasonings and mix well.
- Place the seeds into the air fryer and roast at 360°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Let cool for a few minutes before enjoying.
Notes
- Flavor variations: Try mixing with different seasonings like taco seasoning or cinnamon sugar for sweet seeds.
- Double the batch: If you have plenty of seeds, double the recipe and store them for later.
- Even roasting: Shake the basket halfway through cooking to get an even roast on all seeds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: snacks
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
