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A close-up of freshly roasted pepitas in a cast-iron pan, capturing their crunchy, seasoned surface and inviting color—ideal for garnishing salads, soups, or simply enjoying as a nutritious snack.
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5 from 1 vote

Pepitas Recipe: Spiced and Roasted Shelled Pumpkin Seeds

Enjoy a crunchy treat with these Spiced Pepitas 🌱🔥—shelled pumpkin seeds roasted to perfection for a flavorful snack or topping. Perfect for salads, soups, or straight from the pan!
Prep Time4 minutes
Active Time15 minutes
Total Time19 minutes
Course: Mexican-inspired
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: crunchy-snack, healthy-topping, pepitas, roasted-pumpkin-seeds, spiced-seeds
Yield: 4
Calories: 170kcal
Author: Isabel Thompson

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Baking sheet (preferably a half sheet pan)
  • Oven mitts or heat-safe gloves

Materials

  • 1 cup shelled pumpkin seeds pepitas
  • 1½ tablespoons olive oil
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon yellow curry powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus a couple of extra pinches for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat Your Oven
  • Set the oven to 350°F (about 180°C). Position the rack in the top half of the oven to bring the pepitas closer to the heat source.
  • Season the Pepitas
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the pepitas with the olive oil and stir to coat them evenly.
  • Sprinkle the cinnamon, cloves, curry powder, cardamom, cayenne pepper, and salt over the pepitas. Stir or toss so each seed is coated in the spice blend.
  • Spread on Baking Sheet
  • Arrange the seasoned pepitas in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  • Add a couple more pinches of salt on top for extra flavor.
  • Roast and Listen
  • Slide the baking sheet into the oven and let the pepitas roast for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • You’ll hear them begin to pop or “crack” when they’re nearly done. Shake the tray halfway through to prevent burning.
  • Cool and Enjoy
  • Remove the sheet from the oven using oven mitts.
  • Let the pepitas cool for a few minutes before serving. They’ll turn extra crispy once they’re not piping hot.

Notes

  • Add Sweetness 🍯: Drizzle a little honey or maple syrup over the pepitas before roasting for a sweet-and-savory combo.
  • Spice Level 🌶️: Adjust cayenne pepper based on your heat preference. A pinch more for bolder flavor, or skip it for mild seeds.
  • Topping Power 🥗: Use these pepitas to garnish salads, soups, or mix them into yogurt. They add a crunchy texture to any dish.
  • Overnight Prep 😴: If you rinse and pat seeds dry a day ahead, you’ll achieve maximum crispness during roasting.
  • Try Different Oils 🫒: Experiment with avocado or coconut oil for subtle flavor changes.