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Best Air Fryer Smoked Paprika Pumpkin Seeds Recipe

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Crunchy, smoky, and ready in under 10 minutes, these air fryer pumpkin seeds are the perfect snack. No boiling, no fuss—just pure, addictive flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas), fresh or raw
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chili powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. If using fresh pumpkin seeds, rinse them in a colander to remove stringy pulp. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels and let air dry for a minute.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the seeds with 1 tablespoon of oil. Toss well to coat.
  4. Add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. If using cayenne, add ¼ teaspoon now. Stir until evenly distributed.
  5. Spread the seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; cook in batches if needed.
  6. Cook for 5 minutes at 350°F. Remove the basket and stir the seeds with a spatula.
  7. Cook for another 2-4 minutes, checking at the 2-minute mark. Seeds are done when golden brown and fragrant.
  8. Let the seeds cool completely in the basket (about 5 minutes) to crisp up.
  9. Transfer to a bowl and enjoy, or store in an airtight container.

Notes

For best results, dry seeds thoroughly before cooking. Watch the clock carefully as air fryers vary. Let seeds cool completely for maximum crunch. Season while warm for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, smoked paprika pumpkin seeds, quick snack, healthy snack, gluten-free, low-carb