Description
This recipe shows you how to make flavorful Cajun pumpkin seeds, perfect as a crunchy snack. Coated with melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, and a blend of Cajun seasoning and paprika, these roasted seeds offer a spicy and savory twist on traditional pumpkin seeds, roasted to a perfect crisp in the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup (approximately 100 g) raw pumpkin seeds, rinsed and patted dry
- 1 tbsp (14 g) melted butter
- 2 liberal dashes Worcestershire sauce
- Salt, to taste
- 1 scant teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Rinse the pumpkin seeds: Thoroughly rinse the raw pumpkin seeds under cold water, removing as much pumpkin pulp as possible. Some residual pulp is fine and can add flavor. Pat the seeds dry with paper towels to prevent sticking.
- Mix the seasoning: In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and Worcestershire sauce, stirring to blend evenly. Add the pumpkin seeds, Cajun seasoning, paprika, and salt. Toss or stir the seeds until they are evenly coated with the mixture.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 300°F (149°C) and let it fully preheat before roasting the seeds.
- Arrange and roast the seeds: Spread the coated pumpkin seeds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet to ensure even roasting. Place the sheet in the oven and roast for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring and turning the seeds every 20 minutes to promote even browning and prevent burning.
- Check for doneness: After 45 minutes, check if the seeds are crunchy and have a roasted, aromatic smell. If needed, continue roasting, checking every 5 to 10 minutes to avoid burning, until they reach the desired crispness.
Notes
- Be sure to pat the seeds dry well after rinsing to ensure they roast properly and become crunchy.
- Tossing the seeds every 20 minutes during roasting prevents burning and helps them brown evenly.
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning and paprika to suit your preferred spice level.
- Store cooled pumpkin seeds in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crunch.
- If you want a vegan version, substitute the melted butter with olive oil or another plant-based oil.
