Quick Baked Chili Lime Pumpkin Seeds: Easy 15-Minute Snack
Transform fresh pumpkin seeds into a crunchy, tangy, and spicy snack in just 15 minutes. This quick baked chili lime pumpkin seeds recipe is the perfect way to use up pumpkin carving leftovers, with a bold flavor that will make you forget store-bought versions.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds (about 120g)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Zest of 1 fresh lime
- Juice of ½ lime
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Clean the seeds: If using fresh pumpkin seeds, separate them from the pumpkin guts and rinse in a colander under cool water, rubbing between your hands. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel until damp but not dripping. If using store-bought raw pepitas, rinse and pat dry.
- Preheat and prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Zest the lime and squeeze the juice into a small bowl.
- Season the seeds: In a mixing bowl, combine pumpkin seeds, olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and lime zest. Toss until every seed is coated. Add lime juice and toss once more.
- Bake: Spread seasoned seeds in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then stir. Return to oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, until seeds are light golden brown and fragrant.
- Cool and serve: Remove from oven and let seeds cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before serving. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.
Notes
Don’t skip drying the seeds after washing; it helps them crisp up. Use fresh lime zest for best flavor. Watch the seeds closely during the last few minutes of baking to prevent burning. For a milder version, reduce or omit cayenne. For extra crunch, let seeds cool completely before storing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 180
- Sodium: 290
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 8
Keywords: pumpkin seeds, chili lime, baked snack, quick snack, fall recipe, healthy snack, gluten-free, vegan