Looking for a delicious Halloween snack? Spicy pumpkin seeds tossed in chili powder, olive oil and a touch of salt are a healthy treat during this junk food filled time of year.
These heavily spiced seeds are also great for the change in seasons when everyone seems to be coming down with a cold or sore throat, as chili powder is full of both anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious agents, as well as antioxidants.
If your little ones like chili powder as much as mine (he puts it on everything), they’ll enjoy this quick and easy gluten free snack.
Chili Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (this is a lot, feel free to adjust to your taste)
- 1 teaspoon celtic sea salt (adjust to your taste, I like things salty)
Instructions
- Place pumpkin seeds in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat
- Stir frequently, for 3-5 minutes, until seeds make a crackling noise, some will even pop
- Remove pan from heat and stir in olive oil, then chili powder and salt
- Cool and serve
With a bounty of squash and pumpkin this time of year, it is wonderful to harvest the seeds and roast them, which we often do here in my kitchen. This recipe however, uses shelled pumpkin seeds, which I purchased at the health food store. I’m sharing this with you as it is my favorite recipe for spicy roasted pumpkin seeds.
While many people toast pumpkin seeds in the oven, this recipe calls for a cast iron skillet on the stove top. If you don’t have (or want to use a skillet) feel free to experiment and let us know how it goes. As I often say, if you are making changes to a recipe, the only way for me (or you) to find out if your changes work is to actually test them (I don’t have a magic substitution ball at home, I just test a recipe dozens of times until it is exactly the way I want it to be). So don’t be shy, get in the kitchen and experiment!
How do you like to roast your pumpkin seeds? With the shell on? Shell off? What spices do you add when you cook up a roasted pumpkin seed recipe?
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More healthy recipes with pumpkin seeds:
–Cranberry Almond Loaf
–Granola
–Multi “Grain” Crackers
jane says
I just made these, along with the Pumpkin bread. My hubby loved the seeds so much that he ate the entire batch before they had time to cool!
Scout Lappe says
Those were the best pumpkin seeds I have EVER had!
Mike says
After trying several variations, we ended up tweaking this by adding some garlic powder and cinammon, and a little less chili powder. The kids were very pleased with that combination.
wilderness says
Did you leave the seed in the shell?
Ayssa says
What an amazing recipe! I was prepared to make these with pumpkin seeds, but realized that I had run out. I substituted sunflower seeds and they were delicious. Rather than serving as a snack, I used them as a garnish for a non-dairy potato leek soup. So good!
It’s nice to have healthy alternatives in this candy filled time of year. Thanks so much for sharing and keep the fabulous recipes coming!
Annie @ Naturally Sweet Recipes says
Yum, those look excellent. What a great idea, thanks!
Paula says
I am trying to figure out ways to lower my cholesterol and pumpkin is such a great choice! This is a spicier way to enjoy pumpkin seeds though than I used to do.
http://www.thecholesterolscoop.com/how-to-lower-cholesterol-levels.php
Beth @ Tasty Yummies says
These look super tasty! I love buying already shelled pumpkin seeds for granola, this is a great idea to make something savory with them.
Anastasia@healthymamainfo.com says
Pumpkin seeds are not on my list of favorite food, but this recipe makes me change my mind!
Janice says
These sounds great, real adult snacks.