Roasted pumpkin seeds are just too good to have to choose one flavor! These Simple Roasted Pumpkin seeds are given either a savory ranch kick or a sweet cinnamon spice flavor. Both ways are incredibly delicious, kid friendly, healthy, and addicting!
This week I’ve been thinking about foods that taste like other foods. Anyone else out there use their time to think about things like this? I don’t have to try, believe me, being this super smart comes naturally to me.
My two bright conclusions while eating stuff with week were: 1 – roasted beets taste like sweet corn. Seriously, I don’t know if it’s my slow cooker or the fact that I don’t really eat corn, but I recon the flavor is identical. Which means we should be able to do corn stuff with beets, right? See, told you I was smart.
Number 2 is something you might have already known: roasted pumpkin seeds taste just like popcorn. Yup, you counted right – that’s TWICE this week that I could’ve sworn I was eating corn but wasn’t.
The second one at least was verified by my kids who actually eat popcorn on occasion, so I know it’s true. Roasted pumpkin seeds, in my opinion are BETTER than popcorn thought with their fun-to-chew and oddly addicting texture/flavor combination, and have just as many potential flavor varieties as popcorn.
Anyway, I decided to make these on a whim after rescuing the nearly-sacrificed pumpkin seeds left over when Adam carved pumpkins with the kids last weekend. The dirty work had already been done for me so it was only right to turn these magical little seeds into what Drew actually referred to as “chips.” The boy has eaten real chips and therefore knows of what he speaks!
Chip-like, popcorn-like, or whatever you want them to be, I think we’d all agree roasted pumpkin seeds are delicious and don’t need much at all to bring out that great flavor and crunch. That said, it’s also really easy to flavor them however you want with your favorite spices and a bit of sea salt and sugar. YOU choose your own pumpkin seed destiny and be the master of your pumpkin seed domain. It’s really that easy!
But, in case you thought I was going to leave you hanging with that (of course not!) I’ll show and tell you what I did to flavor mine. Both ways were good, and even the “sweet” version was not too sweet at all. Again, you’re in charge. If I had to pick a favorite for myself, I’d go with the ranch. Diana said they tasted like “burritos” (she meant Doritos.) I agree that without any cheese at all they still had that “cool ranch” flavor 🙂
Simple Roasted Pumpkin Seeds - 2 Ways {Paleo & Vegan}
Ingredients
*For Both Versions, start out with 1 cup each of rinsed, drained, and dried fresh pumpkin seeds.
For the Ranch:
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil I used light flavored
- 1/4 tsp fine grain sea salt
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp dried dill
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Optional: 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Optional: Sea salt for sprinkling on after roasting
For the Sweet Cinnamon/Pumpkin Spice Version
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp coconut sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp allspice
- 1/8 tsp ginger
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
- Optional: Coconut sugar for sprinkling on after roasting
- Optional: Sea salt for sprinkling on after roasting
Instructions
For the Ranch:
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Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
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In a bowl, toss the seeds with the olive oil, salt, and seasonings until fully coated
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Spread the coated pumpkin seeds out on the baking sheet in a single layer, and roast in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, stir, and continue to roast for another 10-15 minutes or until golden and crisp. Check often to prevent burning.
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Remove from oven and sprinkle with a bit more sea salt if desired, cool, and serve.
For the Sweet Spiced Version
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Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a bowl, toss the seeds with the olive oil, coconut sugar, salt, and spices until fully coated.
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Spread out on the baking sheet in a single layer, and roast for 10 minutes, stir, and continue to roast for 5-10 more minutes, or until browned (the addition of coconut sugar will make them more inclined to burn, so check often to ensure they aren't getting too dark)
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Remove from oven and sprinkle with additional coconut sugar and salt if desired. Let cool, and serve.
Enjoy!
Nutrition
Is it possible that I made it to the end of this post without a mention of Halloween OR the NYC Marathon? Sorry, I could not resist! The marathon part, not the Halloween part.
I already told my kids that my trick or treating will be limited (luckily for me it’s Saturday and Adam can help!) since I don’t want to injure myself chasing them down the streets for two hours. I am also not going to even THINK about touching a piece of candy until after the marathon. Then, I might just have to indulge in a starburst, Hershey’s, or whatever else is gluten free and worth it. Yes, I DO have a thing for pink Starbursts, guilty as charged ! Actually, I just love anything pink, edible or not 🙂
What’s one food that you think tastes just like another?
Do pumpkin seeds taste like popcorn?
What’s your favorite non-chocolate candy?
What about favorite chocolate candy?
Have a great weekend! See you Monday with race-day pictures (assuming I survive!) and follow me on Instagram for updates this Sunday!
Oh in an earlier life Starburst, and yes pink ones. I guess I outgrew that phase. I am soooo very satisfied by my meals. However, darkest of dark chocolates and and some berries can rock the night. I am in Venice and the ability to eat gluten free here is incredible! They don’t know from what it is, but the variety is here to do it for yourself. I am at the Daniele Hotel and brunch was a breeze—sooooo many options.
I think the starburst would be disappointing now 🙂 Glad you’re having an amazing trip!
So very excited for you, I will be following along on Sunday! Weather looks good 🙂 I would like the sweet roasted seeds, of course.
I’m glad it’s saying cloudy since I hate sun beating down on me! Thanks!
Good luck this weekend! I can’t wait for the report!
Thank you!
Good luck with the marathon! I can’t wait to hear all about it next week.
Thanks! Getting exciting!
yes, totally popcornish! but better! yay! and cheering for you sunday!!!!!
I agree, better! Thanks Lindsay!
I don’t know if I’ve ever had pumpkin seeds, but my relentless sweet tooth tells me to go with the Sweet Cinnamon version!
They’re so good!
Love these! Pumpkin seedy have a smoky taste to me, raw or roasted!
Favorite non-chocolate would be…gummi bears or sour patch kids
Chocolate is Junior Mints and mounds (or almond joy).
And Ahhhhh so excited for you on Sunday 😛 GOOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK!
I remember those sour patch kids – I was obsessed! And thanks for all the well wishes!!
So excited for you!!! Can’t wait to hear about it. I made a similar cinnamon roasted pumpkin seed recipe over my fall break. They were gone so fast. Favorite chocolate candy- York peppermint patties!
Thank you! And yes pumpkin seeds are addicting and never last long.
Best of luck at the marathon this weekend! So excited for you! I love pumpkin seeds – better than any Halloween candy!
Haha! I won’t be able to convince my kids of that, but, they do like them 🙂 Thank you!
You know… I don’t think I’ve ever roasted pumpkin seeds myself. Even back in the day when I used to carve pumpkins with my mom as a little kid… I don’t even remember what we did with the seeds. This is where I got the ideas that pumpkins aren’t actually edible — that they’re only for carving. I actually had no idea people ATE pumpkin until I started blogging 😆
Before paleo I didn’t know squash was edible either! Or I had a vague idea but thought it was for weirdos 😉 Now of course I’m happy to join the club!
I may try these recipes with squash seeds…I haven’t carved a pumpkin this year (Libby’s all the way) but I have been doing spaghetti squash a lot, and after fighting to get all the seeds out, it’s a shame not to spice them up!
Good point, I think it would work just the same 🙂
I love burritos… errr.. Doritos, too! YUM. I’m so glad I follow you on IG so I can see how you do on Sunday. I’ll be thinking of you and wishing you the best! Stay safe, have fun!
I have to remind myself to take a picture and post it! Definitely after, before I’ll be lost in my head and just trying to remember where to put my chapstick and gels 🙂
I’ve already set the dvr and will be cheering loudly! Virtual high five!! I hope you have an awesome day. Frog legs do in fact tast exactly like chicken wings! Often people say things taste like chicken – in frog legs it’s true:)
That’s funny, I’ve never tried them. And big thanks!!
Have a Great race Michele!!! I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Thank you so much 🙂
Fascinating! I’ve heard people say they think cilantro tastes like soap, but ive never eaten soap so I can’t agree. Plus I love cilantro ? I do agree that pumpkin seeds taste like popcorn, I get the shelled pepitas since I can’t do the shell, and the yummy seed totally tastes like movie theater popcorn when toasted. 🙂
These recipes look fantastic! I might try them on the pepitas yummy
Good luck trick or treating!!! Almost time!
I’ve heard that about cilantro too – strange!
Good luck on Sunday! I’ll be trying to track you and definitely checking instagram for updates:)
Thanks Lisa! Such a tough race for me – happy I finished in one piece though! Pictures and recap over the next two days 🙂
Popcorn is my ultimate favorite snack and I don’t think that pumpkin seeds taste like it but I love the crunch and saltiness. I made a salty batch and a sweet batch with pumpkin spice and a little brown sugar.
Yum!