Knowing how to roast pumpkin seeds will turn them into a healthy and delicious snack.

You can buy seeds for frying at the market or choose your own from pumpkin that you have eaten. There are varieties containing a large number of seeds.

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds Three Different Ways

There are several frying methods, and all of them do not require the addition of vegetable oil. As a result, the seeds will be not only tasty, but also moderate in calories.

• How to fry pumpkin seeds in a frying pan? It is best to take a cast iron frying pan; such utensils retain heat well. Heat it well and pour in the seeds. Keep them on high heat for several minutes, stirring constantly. Afterwards the fire is reduced. When the seeds change color to golden and begin to make a characteristic crackling noise, it’s time to turn off the stove. The seeds are poured into a clean bowl. The main condition when cooking them in a frying pan is constant stirring so that nothing burns. A wooden mixing spatula is preferable to a metal one.
• How to roast pumpkin seeds in the microwave? This method requires little preliminary preparation. The seeds are washed and dried for two days. Then lay it out on a flat dish and put it in the microwave for one minute, turning it on at maximum power. After the time has passed, take out the seeds, mix and fry again for a minute. The procedure is repeated until the seeds begin to click.
• How to roast pumpkin seeds in the oven. Preheat the oven to 200°C, pour the seeds onto a baking sheet. Stir every five minutes until they are golden brown. After turning off the heat, do not take out the seeds immediately, but let them “simmer” for several minutes.

To make the seeds easier to peel, pre-soak them in water for 10-15 minutes. But this trick has a downside: if you remove the seeds from the heat too early, they won't be as tasty.

Many people love to husk seeds. They help satisfy hunger, calm the nerves well, and partially replace the craving for nicotine for smokers. In addition, in small quantities they are useful for humans. The most common sunflower seeds can be completely replaced with pumpkin seeds, you just need to fry them correctly.

Dried pumpkin seeds are less tasty, but more useful, since they retain 2 times more substances and microelements necessary for the body. In addition, naturally dried seeds can be stored in a glass jar or fabric bag for a long time.

However, you need to remember that the daily intake of seeds should be no more than 100 g, since they are very high in calories and can also cause exacerbation of stomach diseases. Therefore, you shouldn’t get too carried away with them.

Before you start frying pumpkin seeds, it is recommended to rinse them under running water or dry them well with a towel - this will remove the pulp. Although here you need to rely more on your taste, since the presence of a small amount of pulp on the seeds will give them a pronounced vegetable taste.

Washed seeds can be fried in a frying pan or in the oven. In the first case, frying will take about 15 minutes. To do this, pour the seeds in a thin layer onto a moderately hot frying pan and fry with frequent stirring until golden brown. Be careful not to burn the seeds.

To roast the seeds in the oven, place them in one layer on a baking sheet and cook them at a temperature of 180-200°C for about 10 minutes (it all depends on the desired level of roasting and the characteristics of the oven). It is recommended to stir the seeds a couple of times during the cooking process.

You can fry the seeds in the microwave at full power for about 5 minutes (with mandatory stirring at least 2 times). After this time, it is better to leave them in the microwave until they cool completely.

If desired, you can pour oil over the raw seeds, then add salt and your favorite seasonings, mix well, and then start frying. In the same way, you can add sugar, cinnamon, etc. to get sweet seeds.

Methods for roasting pumpkin seeds at home.

Pumpkin seeds are not only tasty, but also a very healthy delicacy. But unfortunately, if they are fried incorrectly, they lose their taste and nutritional properties. If you overexpose them in the oven or in a frying pan, they will begin to taste bitter and become inedible.

In order to avoid getting into such a situation and throwing away a healthy product in the trash, you need to know how to fry it correctly. We’ll talk about how to quickly prepare such a delicacy at home in our article.

Is it necessary and how to wash pumpkin seeds before frying?

Pumpkin seeds can be washed before frying

Some housewives mistakenly believe that pumpkin seeds should not be washed before roasting as this will ruin their taste. In fact, water does not affect the taste of the seeds in any way and certainly does not spoil their beneficial qualities. Moreover, if you consider that they are not taken out of the pumpkin under sterile conditions, then we can assume that they contain a small amount of dust and dirt.

If you roast the seeds you just selected, whether you want it or not, you will have to rinse them with water. If you don’t do this, you simply won’t be able to remove the fibers, which will begin to burn during heat treatment and this will definitely ruin the product. In view of all this, we can definitely say that pumpkin seeds must be washed before frying, preferably under running water.

How to properly fry pumpkin seeds so that they open?

Roast the pumpkin seeds to open them up

If you want to get open pumpkin seeds after heat treatment, then you will have to carry out preliminary preparation, which will break the strength of the protective shell. To do this, first you will need to soak them in salted water for 2-4 hours. If for some reason you cannot eat salted seeds, then soak them in ordinary water, just increase the time by 2-3 hours. After the seed shells become soft, drain all the liquid and place the mixture in a colander.

When the water runs out, transfer them to a bowl and begin to intensively knead them with your hands. Do not squeeze the seeds too hard, as this will simply break them. After this kind of massage, you can put them under the press for 15-25 minutes. After this time, you can place the healthy product on a baking sheet or frying pan and fry until a pronounced sweetish aroma appears.

How to deliciously fry pumpkin seeds in a frying pan: a simple recipe without salt

If you choose this frying method, remember that a frying pan with a thin bottom is not suitable for it. As practice shows, the product on it begins to burn very quickly, but at the same time the inside remains almost raw.

In view of this, if in the end you want to get perfectly roasted pumpkin seeds, then heat them in a cast iron frying pan or on a Teflon-coated product with a double bottom.

So:

• Rinse the seeds under running water and dry them slightly at room temperature
• It will be enough if they just lie on a paper towel for 30-40 minutes.
• Next, take a frying pan and place it over medium heat.
• When it is slightly warm, add all the pumpkin seeds.
• Wait until they dry out even more and start to crackle.
• As soon as this sound appears, you will need to start stirring them continuously
• Test the seeds periodically so as not to miss the moment when they reach the desired state
• Spread the finished product in a thin layer on a cotton towel and let cool completely.

How to deliciously fry pumpkin seeds in a frying pan with salt?

If your goal is seeds with salt, then during frying you can simply salt them, and then bring them to the desired state in the same way as we taught you a little higher. True, this method of frying has one small disadvantage. In this case, only the shell is salted.

If you want the seeds themselves to be salty, then salt them as follows:

• Dissolve 50-70 g of salt in 500 ml of water
• Pour the resulting brine over the seeds and keep them in it for about 4 hours.
• Drain the brine and dry thoroughly with paper towels
• Place it in a frying pan with a thick bottom and fry until the color and aroma changes

How many minutes to fry pumpkin seeds in a frying pan, in the oven, or in the microwave?

I would like to say right away that not a single cook will tell you exactly how long it takes for pumpkin seeds to roast perfectly. The cooking time will directly depend on the number of seeds, their size, as well as directly on the frying pan, oven and microwave. But for those who will be preparing this delicious product at home for the first time, we will clarify the minimum time at which it can be ready.

So:

• Heavy-bottomed frying pan - 20 minutes
• Oven - 40 minutes at 180 degrees
• Microwave - 5 minutes at maximum power

How to deliciously fry pumpkin seeds with and without salt in the microwave?

Tips for roasting pumpkin seeds in the microwave

Remember, seeds roast very quickly in the microwave. Therefore, if you do not want to overexpose them, then set the timer for just 1 minute, and then check if they have started to click.

As soon as you hear this sound, fry the seeds for only 30 seconds. If you dry them for a longer time, you will probably miss the moment when they are perfectly cooked.

So:

• Rinse the pumpkin seeds and dry them thoroughly with paper towels
• Wipe a flat plate dry and place the seeds on it
• If you want them to cook evenly, spread them out in a thin layer.
• Set the power to maximum and the timer to 2 minutes
• After this time, taste the product, set the timer for 1 minute
• Once the time is up, taste the pumpkin seeds again.
• If they are not yet toasted, place them in the oven for another 30 seconds.
• If they are medium in size, they will be completely cooked during this time.

How to deliciously fry pumpkin seeds with and without salt in the oven?

Tips for roasting pumpkin seeds in the oven

Before you roast pumpkin seeds in the oven, you must decide what product you want to get in the end. If you want to enjoy salted seeds, then soak them in water with salt, then dry them and start roasting them. If you want to prepare the most healthy product for your family, then simply dry them and bring them in the oven to the desired temperature.

So:

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees
• If the seeds are very small, the temperature can be raised to 200 degrees
• Place the washed and dried seeds in a bowl, add a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil, and mix everything thoroughly
• If desired, you can add a little of your favorite spices at this stage.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place pumpkin seeds on it.
• Place the pan in the oven for 1 hour
• Remember to remove the product from the oven every 15 minutes and stir
• After about 50 minutes you can check to see if the seeds are cooked
• After the characteristic taste and aroma appear, you can turn off the oven and wait for the product to cool completely.

Video: How to cook delicious PUMPKIN SEEDS?

Such a delicacy as pumpkin seeds is familiar to each of us since childhood. They are not only delicious and healthy, but also extremely nutritious. The process of eating them allows you to occupy your hands and relieve nervous tension. In our article I would like to tell you how to properly dry pumpkin seeds. Here you can resort to several methods, which will be discussed below.

What are the benefits of pumpkin seeds?

Pumpkin seeds are tasty and healthy. The product acts as a raw material for obtaining oils that are used to prepare vegetarian dishes. These seeds can be consumed not only in their pure form. They are often added to salads, vegetable stews, and used to make sauces. Crushed seeds can be a good ingredient when preparing porridges. The taste of homemade bread and pastries to which such a product has been added is extremely original.

Preparation of raw materials

Before I tell you how to dry pumpkin seeds at home, I would like to say a few words about preparing for the process. To begin with, take a mature pumpkin that has no signs of rotting. Then the top is cut off so that the flesh is clearly visible. The inner tissue of the fetus is removed with a wooden spoon. If desired, the task can be completed manually. The main thing is to ensure that the seeds are not damaged. Otherwise they will become unusable during drying.

After extracting the pumpkin seeds, the raw materials are carefully separated from the pulp and transferred to a colander. Washing occurs under a powerful stream of water from the tap. The grains are gently tossed with your hands. They will be slippery at first. However, after a few washes, the viscosity will disappear. As soon as the seeds stop slipping between the fingers, they can be subjected to further manipulation.

Take several paper towels. The washed seeds are wrapped in the latter. Light pressure is applied to the raw material so as not to damage the product.

As soon as the seeds get rid of the liquid, they are moved from the towel to a board or tray. They are laid out in one layer and left in the fresh air. The seeds are kept in such conditions for several hours until the remaining moisture evaporates.

Drying in a pan

Let's look at how to dry pumpkin seeds in a frying pan. The process is not much different from frying other products. The result is the crispiest possible treat. So, how to dry pumpkin seeds this way? To do everything correctly, you need to perform actions according to the following sequence:

1. After preliminary drying in the fresh air, the pumpkin seeds are sprinkled with salt.
2. The raw materials are placed in a bowl filled with olive oil. Black pepper is also poured here, and dill is added. If desired, salt and savory ingredients can be replaced with powdered sugar. In this case, the fried seeds will be sweet.
3. How to dry pumpkin seeds? The prepared product is placed in a thin layer on a hot frying pan. The fire is reduced to a minimum. The seeds are fried for 20-25 minutes and turned over periodically. In this case, the frying pan is not covered with a lid.
4. The fact that pumpkin seeds are ready will be indicated by the appearance of a golden crust on their surface. At the end of the procedure, the product is laid out on a paper towel. You can eat the seeds as soon as they have cooled.

Natural drying

How to dry pumpkin seeds without exposing the product to heat? A mandatory point here is the presence of sunny weather and the possibility of placing raw materials in an open, ventilated area. Here's how it works:

The washed seeds are placed in a thin layer on a metal baking sheet. The latter is brought onto an area that is well lit by the sun. In such a place, the raw materials remain for several days. It is important to ensure that the air does not become humid. Otherwise, the drying process will be significantly delayed. The criterion for the product’s readiness for consumption in this case is the appearance of a fragile shell.

How to dry pumpkin seeds in the oven?

To begin with, the oven is thoroughly preheated to a temperature of about 150 o C. The prepared seeds are laid out in one layer on a metal baking sheet, previously covered with foil or baking paper. The raw materials are sent to the oven.

How to properly dry pumpkin seeds in the oven? The product is exposed to high temperature for 10-15 minutes. As soon as the surface of the seeds turns slightly brownish, they are removed from the oven and mixed. Then the raw materials are again sent to the device with the fire turned off until it cools down. Once drying is complete, you can lightly sprinkle the seeds with salt or sugar.

Microwave drying

You can dry pumpkin seeds in the microwave. Let's look at the procedure step by step:

1. The seeds are washed and placed in a thin layer in a glass bowl, the bottom of which is covered with paper towels.
2. The container is sent to the microwave oven. The device turns on at maximum power. The heat treatment time is set to 2 minutes.
3. As soon as the timer bell rings, the dishes are removed. The seeds are mixed and placed back in the microwave. The raw materials are fried for several minutes, but at medium power.
4. Then the seeds are turned over again. If the product is not ready, repeat the above steps. High-quality dried pumpkin seeds will have a hard structure and a darkish tint.

Cooking seeds in an electric dryer

How to dry pumpkin seeds in an electric fruit and vegetable dryer? The raw materials are placed on the grilles of the device in a single layer. The temperature in the dryer is set at 60-70 o C. To ensure that the product is cooked evenly, the trays are swapped from time to time. Missing such an important point will result in the seeds located on the lower tier burning. In turn, the top seeds may be half raw. The seeds are dried in this way until they form a golden crust and an easily peelable transparent film.

Air fryer drying

How to dry pumpkin seeds in an air fryer? The raw material is placed into the device. The maximum hot air blowing power is set. The raw materials are left alone for half an hour. In this case, the convection oven lid should be slightly open, which is required for good ventilation. Otherwise, moist air will accumulate inside the device, and the pumpkin seeds will be slightly damp.

Storing dried seeds

If you store the seeds naturally at room temperature, after about a week they will begin to become damp, lose their crunchiness and change in taste. To prevent this from happening, the product is placed in a cotton bag. An alternative can be gauze fabric, which is folded in several layers. This container for seeds is hung in a dry, well-ventilated area.

Alternatively, the product can be placed in a plastic container. A good option for storing seeds is a glass jar, hermetically sealed. The main thing is that such containers are stored in places where there is no moisture.

Finally

So we found out how to dry pumpkin seeds at home. As you can see, there are many effective and affordable ways to prepare such a nutritious and healthy product for consumption.

Finally, I would like to advise you not to buy factory-made pumpkin seeds. They are often seasoned with plenty of salt. The composition may also contain various preservatives and chemicals that are used to increase the shelf life of the product. It is much safer to do everything yourself by preparing pumpkin seeds at home. The task is not difficult to cope with. The main thing is to adhere to simple rules.

Some people eat pumpkin seeds for health purposes, while others crack them for fun while watching TV or reading.

Some people buy them already dried, while others, having learned how to dry pumpkin seeds, prepare and dry them themselves. Having received a decent harvest of pumpkins, or having bought them at the market, you can easily dry or fry the achenes at home using kitchen appliances.

How to dry pumpkin seeds at home

There are several ways to dry or roast pumpkin seeds: outdoors, in the microwave, electric dryer, oven, electric grill and in a frying pan.

Before drying or frying, remove the seeds from the fruit, peel the pulp, wash and dry with paper towels. Now they are ready for drying, all that remains is to choose the appropriate method.

Frying in a pan

How to fry pumpkin seeds in a frying pan without burning them? We fry them using the following technology:

• Place the seeds in a frying pan in a thin layer.
• Turn on low heat and fry the contents without covering the pan with a lid.
• Stir the seeds regularly, avoiding burning.

How long to roast pumpkin seeds? About half an hour. As soon as they turn golden, remove the pan from the stove, pour its contents onto a baking sheet or dish, and wait until they cool. If the achenes remain in the pan, they will dry out.

Drying outside

To dry pumpkin seeds in the fresh air, dry, sunny weather is necessary: ​​it will prevent damage to the raw material.

How to Dry Delicious Pumpkin Seeds Outdoors

• Spread them in a single layer on trays or baking sheets, placing paper towels first.
• We put the dishes in a sunny place and let them sit for 2-3 days (we bring them into the house at night so they don’t get damp).
• When the seeds have hardened but are still brittle and easily crack when pressed with your fingers, they are ready.

If after three days the achenes have not dried, dry them to the desired condition. To prevent insects from landing on them, we cover them with gauze or tulle.

Oven drying

How should you dry pumpkin seeds in a regular oven? There are a couple of proven methods depending on the type of oven.

Drying in an evenly heated oven (where you cannot turn on the upper heating element separately):

• Preheat the device to 200°C.
• Place baking paper on a baking sheet.
• Sprinkle a thin layer of pumpkin seeds.
• Place the baking sheets in the oven on low heat.
• Dry the raw material for about half an hour, stirring it every 10 minutes. and regularly testing for readiness.
• As soon as the seeds acquire a brownish tint and become hard, we finish drying, take out the baking sheets and pour the achenes onto dishes: let them cool.

If they have not hardened properly, turn off the device and dry the pumpkin seeds for 10 minutes.

Oven drying with adjustable heating modes (when you can turn on the upper heating element separately):

• Turn on the upper heating element (frying mode) at 150 degrees.
• Before you start drying pumpkin seeds yourself at home, lay out the paper on a baking sheet.
• Cover with a thin layer of seeds.
• How to roast pumpkin seeds in a simple oven? Place the baking sheet in it for 10-15 minutes.
• We monitor the condition of the seeds, preventing them from burning. Have they turned brownish? We take them out, stir, turn off the device and dry for ten minutes.

Pour the dry seeds onto a plate and leave to cool.

Drying in an electric grill

Although the electric grill is not intended for drying seeds and other products, housewives have gotten used to drying seeds in it.

How to dry pumpkin seeds in an electric grill:

• Heat the grill to 60 degrees.
• Spread the seeds in a single layer on the surface of the container.
• Place it in an electric grill and dry the achenes for 20-30 minutes, regularly checking them for readiness. They can dry and acquire a golden hue much faster, since the device is equipped with a fan.

After drying, pour them onto a dish and wait to cool.

Drying in an electric dryer

How else can you dry pumpkin seeds at home? Using a special electric dryer. Usually berries, mushrooms and fruits are dried and dried in it, but it is also suitable for drying seeds:

• Preheat the device to 70 degrees.
• Scatter the pumpkin seeds into the containers in a single layer.
• Before drying pumpkin seeds, you will have to wait more than one hour, since at low temperatures drying occurs slowly, but, unlike frying, it retains all the beneficial substances.

Every hour we change the containers and mix the seeds. They are considered ready when they become hard and darken.

Microwave drying

Many people are interested in how to roast pumpkin seeds at home in the microwave. It’s not difficult, the main thing is to follow the step-by-step instructions for drying seeds:

• We cover the bottom of the glass plate from the device with baking paper.
• We spread a thin layer of seeds on it.
• Place it back and turn it on at maximum power for 2 minutes.
• Mix the raw materials, set for another couple of minutes, but at medium power.
• How long should I roast pumpkin seeds? We repeat the procedures, leaving medium power, until the seed hardens and turns brownish.

Cool the finished treat on another plate and put it away for storage.

Storing Dried Pumpkin Seeds

Having learned how to fry pumpkin seeds in a frying pan, in the microwave, or dry them in another way, we will find out where and how to store them so that they do not become damp and spoiled.

Storage conditions for pumpkin seeds

• Dry dark place;
• Glass container;
• Unclean storage.

We pour the unpeeled seeds into the jars, close them and store them in a dry, lockable cabinet.

If salt or spices were added during frying, we try to eat this delicacy early, since the seeds are not stored for a long time in this form. Regular, dried achenes can be stored for a year.

Now it’s clear how to dry pumpkin seeds in the fresh air, in a frying pan and various kitchen utensils. The main thing is to properly prepare the seeds for drying and carefully follow the drying or roasting technology.