Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (2024)

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (1)

It's easy to overlook pumpkins seeds when working on your pumpkin carving ideas. Mixed in with the messy pumpkin guts, it’s easy enough to just toss them in the trash once you’re fully finished scooping.

But we say that's a waste! While some folks may have grown up eating mildly salted roasted pumpkin seeds once or twice a year, in other parts of the world, they're recognized for the culinary ingredient they truly are. Often sold hulled and called pepitas, pumpkin seeds are as versatile as they are delicious in desserts, on salads, in dips, cookies, breads, and more.

If you’re at a loss for what to do with pumpkin seeds this season, we'll help you put them to remarkably good use. You can never go wrong with plain-and-simple roasted pepitas, but the edible options hardly end there. Use them as a topping for your favorite soups, toasts, pizzas, and salads, for starters. Or, with the help of a food processor or blender, use pumpkin seeds to create pesto sauce, a buttery spread that rivals its peanut counterpart, and even hummus. You’ll hardly be strapped for tasty pumpkin dessert either, with this starring ingredient. Think: pumpkin seed muffins, cookies, peanut butter cups, and… drum roll, please… pumpkin bread with pumpkin seeds. Never feel stumped on how to use pumpkin seeds again, and let these genius recipes inspire even more cozy autumn concoctions. The next time you’re scooping pumpkins for a jack-o'-lantern, don’t toss the seeds!

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1

Give Salads Some Crunch

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (3)

Between the the radishes, the Tokyo turnips, and the roasted pepitas, this green salad is as crunchy and bright as it gets.

Get the recipe.

SHOP SALAD SPOONS

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2

Garnish Dinner

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (5)

This crispy chicken with roasted carrots and couscous is hearty and delicious, but it's the sprinkle of roasted shelled pumpkin seeds that makes sure it looks as good as it tastes.

Get the recipe.

SHOP SKILLETS

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3

Switch-Up Your Go-to Guac

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (7)

Stir some freshly roasted pumpkin seeds in the next time you make fresh guacamole. It adds a rich flavor and surprisingly toothy texture.

Get the recipe.

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4

Make Brittle

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (9)

If you've never made pumpkin seed brittle before, you're missing out. With warm cinnamon spice, and pumpkin seeds, this is the perfect candy for fall.

Get the recipe.

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5

Cook Up a Quick Side

Zucchini, salty Mexican Cotija cheese, and roasted pepitas make a perfect late summer or early fall side dish.

Get the recipe.

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6

Get Your Snack On

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (13)

Roasted pumpkin seeds are a classic snack, but the addition of some sugar and pumpkin-pie spice is so good, we only wish we'd thought of it earlier.

Get the recipe.

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7

Blend Them Into Hummus

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (15)

It's fall. You should infuse everything with pumpkin.

Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

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8

Make Pesto

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (17)

This Kale and Pumpkin Seed Pesto is the only way to make pesto in autumn.

Get the recipe from My Darling Lemon Thyme.

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9

Whip Up a Caramel Treat

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (19)

The only flavor more quintessentially fall than pumpkin? Caramel, of course. These bite-size delights are a true match made in autumn heaven.

Get the recipe at Minimalist Baker.

SHOP FOOD PROCESSORS

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10

Pair with Chocolate and Coffee

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (21)

Meet the fall dessert trifecta—roasted pumpkin seeds, fresh coffee grounds, and melted dark chocolate, all combined into one dreamy snack cluster.

Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.

SHOP WAX PAPER

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11

Rethink Granola

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (23)

Upgrade your breakfast regimen and make pumpkin seeds a regular ingredient in your favorite granola mix.

Get the recipe at Leelalicious.

SHOP LARGE MIXING BOWLS

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12

Cook with Squash

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (25)

This simple side hardly takes any time to prepare, and a pumpkin pairing makes the overall healthy meal taste even more out of this world.

Get the recipe at Fed + Fit.

SHOP ALUMINUM FOIL

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13

Mix Up Your Cookies

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (27)

Put your grandmother's secret chocolate chip cookie recipe on the back burner this fall, because these sweet treats—made from pumpkin seeds and rolled oats—pack the most melt-in-your-mouth chewy goodness. Another bonus? They're actually meant to be devoured for breakfast.

Get the recipe at Life Made Sweeter.

SHOP PARCHMENT PAPER

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14

Prepare a Healthy Snack

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (29)

Kids will absolutely love munching on cinnamon-baked seeds after school (and you'll likely want to stash some for yourself too).

Get the recipe at Fountain Avenue Kitchen.

SHOP BAKING SHEETS

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15

Transform Into Seed Crackers

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (31)

Pumpkin kernels join a handful of other seeds—chia, flax, and sesame—to form the perfect hummus or dip scoopers.

Get the recipe at Downshiftology.

SHOP BAKING SHEETS

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16

Give pumpkin bread more flavor.

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (33)

Think nothing's better than plain old pumpkin bread? Wait until you try a slice baked with pepitas for twice the pumpkin power.

Get the recipe at A Virtual Vegan.

SHOP LOAF PANS

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17

Douse Enchiladas

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (35)

No food group is immune to the fantastic flavoring that pumpkin seeds lend, including, believe it or not, enchiladas. Wow your family with a festive fall spin on one of their favorite dinner dishes.

Get the recipe at Mexico in My Kitchen.

SHOP BLENDERS

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18

Upgrade Peanut Butter Cups

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (37)

Your go-to Halloween candy gets a crunchy seasonal refresh with the easy addition of yummy pumpkin seedlings.

Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.

SHOP MINI CUPCAKE LINERS

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19

Make Sauce

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (39)

This rich and creamy sauce is made with fresh veggies, herbs, and pumpkin seeds. It's the perfect way to spice up your chicken dinner.

Get the recipe at Gimme Some Oven.

SHOP FOOD PROCESSOR

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20

Bake Muffins

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (41)

These muffins, complete with tons of different seeds and dried fruits, will keep you satisfied all day. Plus, they're delicious!

Get the recipe at Art and the Kitchen.

SHOP MUFFIN PAN

Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to eat pumpkin seeds? ›

You can eat them raw as well as roasted, safely. It is best to eat them without the shell for easy digestion. Generally, people prefer to consume them in the roasted form. You may dry roast them at a low temperature under 170°F or 76°C without adding any oil and without salt to retain the nutritional value.

How much pumpkin seeds should I eat daily? ›

Pumpkin seeds are packed with nutrients. But going overboard can do more harm than good. If you are wondering how many pumpkin seeds you can eat daily, then here is your reply! The American Heart Association recommends one ounce (about a quarter cup or around 28 to 30 grams) of pumpkin seeds daily.

Should you soak pumpkin seeds in water before planting? ›

Use a piece of sandpaper or a nail file to file the seed edges gently. After filing, soak seeds for an hour or two in hot water before planting. These steps help seedlings to emerge easily from within the hard seed coat. Sow traditional field pumpkins or jack o'lanterns into garden soil from May 15 to June 15.

Are pumpkin seeds good for anything? ›

Pumpkin seeds are a suitable source of healthy fats, magnesium, and other nutrients that enhance heart and bone health. They are also rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants such as selenium and beta carotene. Additionally, they are a high source of iron.

Can you eat pumpkin seeds raw? ›

Pumpkins seeds are perfectly safe to enjoy raw. Now, if you do choose to eat raw pumpkin seeds, you'll need to decide if you want to eat them with or without the shell. While shelled pumpkin seeds contain more fiber than unshelled ones, the shell is chewy and may take a bit more work to break down.

Are you supposed to crack pumpkin seeds before you eat them? ›

Whole. Pumpkin seeds are quite good for you with or without the shell. They're extremely rich in fiber (which can support good digestion and heart health), as well as other beneficial vitamins and nutrients (like zinc, magnesium, and iron).

When should I eat pumpkin seeds, morning or night? ›

Snacking on pumpkin seeds before bed may help you get a better night's rest. Pumpkin seeds are a natural source of tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes sleep. The zinc, copper, and selenium in pumpkin seeds can also affect sleep duration and quality.

Do pumpkin seeds help hair growth? ›

Hair Growth Benefits of Pumpkin Seed Extract

It naturally targets the hair growth cycle - initially targeting the catagen and telogen phases, working to minimise excess shedding. It also boosts the growth of new follicles, leaving the telogen phase and entering into a new cycle of the anagen phase.

When eating pumpkin seeds do you eat the whole thing? ›

Yes, you can eat the shell of a pumpkin seed. The shells add a nice crunch to this nutritious snack. They're also loaded with fiber. Pumpkin seeds with shells pack twice the fiber content of those that have already been shelled.

Why do you soak pumpkin seeds in salt water? ›

After cleaning your fresh pumpkin seeds, soak them in a bowl of water with one tablespoon of salt overnight at room temperature. This process will help soften the seeds making them easier to digest.

What seeds should you not soak? ›

By soaking the seed, it enables the new growth from the inside to push through the hard shell and grow. The seeds that could benefit from a good soaking include: corn, pumpkin, beans, chard, beets, and peas. The seeds you shouldn't soak include: carrots, lettuce, radish, celery, turnips, and spinach.

Can you take seeds from a pumpkin and plant them? ›

If you want to save seeds from a fresh pumpkin to plant, clean off all the pulp. Rinse off the seeds then air dry them on a paper towel. Plant when they're dry or store them in a paper envelope until you're ready to plant them.

Can you eat seeds straight from a pumpkin? ›

Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, can be consumed with or without their shells. Once you've scooped them out of the pumpkin, it's advisable to soak them in water for a few hours to help remove the pulp from the shells.

How do you use whole pumpkin seeds? ›

I like to enjoy freshly roasted pumpkin seeds while they're still warm. Just throw them in a bowl and eat them on their own (shell and all) as a healthy snack. For leftovers, stir them into granola or popcorn, use them as a garnish for dips like traditional hummus, pumpkin hummus or baba ganoush.

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