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Best Easy Crunchy Air Fryer Chili Lime Pumpkin Seeds

air fryer chili lime pumpkin seeds - featured image

Spicy, tangy, and ridiculously crunchy, these air fryer chili lime pumpkin seeds are ready in under 15 minutes. A foolproof snack that’s perfect for game day, hiking, or anytime you need a healthy, satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Rinse and dry the pumpkin seeds thoroughly if using fresh seeds.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper.
  4. Add the dried seeds to the bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and fresh lime juice. Stir until every seed is lightly coated.
  5. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the seeds and toss again until evenly distributed.
  6. Add the lime zest and stir gently.
  7. Spread the seasoned seeds in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
  8. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Cook until fragrant and lightly browned.
  9. Let the seeds cool completely on a plate or baking sheet for 5-10 minutes. They will continue to crisp as they cool.
  10. Optional: Add a final squeeze of lime juice over the cooled seeds for extra zing.

Notes

For best crunch, ensure seeds are thoroughly dried before seasoning. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to prevent burning. Let seeds cool completely before storing to maintain crispness. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If seeds lose crunch, re-crisp in air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, chili lime pumpkin seeds, crunchy pumpkin seeds, healthy snack, pepitas, air fryer snack