Maple-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe
This Maple-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds recipe offers a deliciously sweet and smoky twist on traditional roasted pumpkin seeds. Coated with real maple syrup and a blend of warming spices like smoked paprika, cumin, and cinnamon, these crunchy seeds are perfect as a healthy snack or a flavorful salad topper. The roasting process caramelizes the maple syrup, creating a crackly, golden coating that adds a satisfying texture and depth of flavor.
- Author: Ruby
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 cup of roasted pumpkin seeds 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds (raw with shell on)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2–3 tablespoons real maple syrup
- 1/2–1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1–2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- A pinch Aleppo chili flakes or cayenne pepper
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for roasting the pumpkin seeds.
- Clean Seeds: Soak the pumpkin seeds in a bowl of water and gently massage them to loosen and remove any attached pumpkin pulp. The pulp and strings will sink to the bottom. Scoop out the clean seeds, discard the pulp or compost it, then pat the seeds dry using a towel or spread them on a sheet pan to dry in the preheating oven.
- Season Seeds: Once the seeds are dry, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and maple syrup, then sprinkle all the spices (smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, salt), sesame seeds, and a pinch of Aleppo chili flakes or cayenne pepper on top. Stir well to ensure all seeds are evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Roast Seeds: Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven. Roast the seeds for about 12-14 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to ensure even toasting. Keep a close eye on them from minutes 10-15, as the seeds should become golden and toasty without burning. The objective is to allow the maple syrup to caramelize and harden, creating a crackly coating once cooled.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the roasted seeds from the oven and fluff them gently with a spatula to separate any clumps. Let the seeds cool completely on the baking sheet, which should take about 20 minutes. Once cooled, they should be crisp, beautifully golden, and ready to enjoy as a snack or garnish.
Notes
- The soaking step helps remove any residual pumpkin pulp to ensure the seeds roast evenly and crisply.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne or Aleppo chili flakes to suit your preferred spice level.
- Store cooled pumpkin seeds in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- You can experiment with other spices such as nutmeg or ground ginger for different flavor profiles.
- This recipe works best with raw pumpkin seeds still in their shells for maximum crunch.
Keywords: maple roasted pumpkin seeds, roasted pumpkin seeds, maple syrup pumpkin seeds, healthy snack, autumn snacks, spiced pumpkin seeds