7 Ways to Use Pumpkin Seeds After Carving Your Jack-O’-Lantern
You’ve carved the perfect jack-o’-lantern for Halloween … now what to do with all those seeds? Don’t let them go to waste! With roughly 500 of them inside every medium-size pumpkin, you may be looking for a few new ways to put your seeds to good use after carving your gourd. From roasting for a quick and healthy snack to saving for sowing in your own backyard garden and more, here are seven ways to use pumpkin seeds this fall:
See more: Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas to Try This Halloween
1. Make roasted pumpkin seeds for a crunchy (and healthy) snack
Roasting is one of the most popular ways to enjoy pumpkin seeds. Simply wash and dry your seeds and place them in a large mixing bowl with a little olive oil and sea salt, stir to combine, and roast on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. You can also experiment with your favorite spices and flavors. Try making a batch of these cinnamon sugar pumpkin seeds or these sweet and spicy pumpkin seeds for variety.
Pumpkin seeds not only make a delicious snack but are also highly nutritious. They’re packed with vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants and have been linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers and may improve heart health.
2. Save them for planting next year
If you’re cultivating a backyard garden (or want to start one next year), you may want to save those seeds for planting. We recommend using heirloom pumpkins for this – just ask your local farmer at the pumpkin patch or farmers market if the pumpkins they sell are heirloom or hybrid. Then check out our guide to get started.
See more: Raise Your Own Pumpkins: How to Save Seeds
3. Make pumpkin seed brittle
Sure, you’ve heard of peanut brittle, but what about pumpkin seed brittle? If you’re tired of roasting and want to try something a little more creative, this treat is perfect for fall. This recipe is full of seasonal flavor with ginger, cinnamon, cloves and maple syrup. You can even make a sweet and spicy version with a dash of cayenne pepper. Serve up a batch at your Halloween party or package up a few tins to give away as a creative homemade food gift this holiday season.
See more: 20 Creative Twists on Classic Pumpkin Pie
4. Add them to a batch of homemade granola
Homemade granola is a delicious and healthy way to use up your seeds. Just combine them with your other favorite granola ingredients like nuts, oats, dried fruits and coconut flakes for a tasty breakfast or snack. Add in autumn flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves or pumpkin pie spice for a festive seasonal touch. Here are a few of our favorite recipes to try out:
See more: 10 Pumpkin Varieties and How to Use Them
5. Whip up some pumpkin seed butter
Forget peanut and almond butter – this is the perfect spread for fall. And you only need two ingredients to make it: raw or roasted pumpkin seeds and sea salt. You can also add spices like cinnamon or sweeteners like honey or maple syrup if you like. Just blend up your seeds in a high-powered blender or food processor and enjoy a tasty dip for fruit slices or spread for toast, muffins, sandwiches and more.
See more: Homemade Peanut Butter
6. Mix them into pumpkin bread batter
Add a little crunch to your favorite pumpkin bread recipe by adding raw or roasted seeds right into your batter or to the top of your loaf before baking. Try topping our recipe for Pumpkin Cranberry Flaxseed Bread with seeds for a nutritious and tasty finishing touch.
See more: How to Make Your Own Pumpkin Puree
7. Garnish soups, salads, tacos and more
Pumpkin seeds make excellent garnishes for adding crunch and flavor to all kinds of fall dishes. Try our Butternut Squash Tacos with Pumpkin Seeds, Pomegranate and Avocado or use them to garnish our Roasted Acorn Squash and Black Bean Salad or Layered Autumn Harvest Salad.
See more: Pumpkin Carving Tips for Gorgeous Gourds