Masala Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

These spiced pumpkin seeds are great as a snack or sprinkled on salads, soups, tacos and yogurt.

Inspired by chili roasted peanuts I like to buy in India, I decided to mix my pumpkin seeds up with ghee and a few different spices – garam masala, turmeric and chili powder and then bake them.

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Masala Roasted Pumpkin Seeds


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  • Author: Chitra Agrawal
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

These masala roasted pumpkin seeds are a flavorful snack, perfect for adding a spicy crunch to salads, soups, tacos, and yogurt.


Ingredients

Units
  • 1 cup (240 ml) pumpkin seeds
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) ghee or melted butter
  • 2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/3 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Squeeze of lemon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Remove seeds from the pumpkin and clean them by removing as much pulp as possible. Rinse the seeds in a colander under running water to remove any remaining pulp.
  3. Spread the cleaned seeds on a paper towel and pat them dry thoroughly.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin seeds with ghee, garam masala, chili powder, turmeric, and salt. Mix well to ensure the seeds are evenly coated with the spices.
  5. Spread the seasoned seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the seeds are golden brown and crispy.
  7. Remove from the oven and let them cool. Optionally, squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the seeds for an extra zing before serving.

Notes

  • Store the roasted seeds in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
  • For a vegan version, use a plant-based butter instead of ghee.
  • Adjust the chili powder to taste if you prefer a milder or spicier snack.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 cup
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 0
  • Sodium: 150
  • Fat: 16
  • Carbohydrates: 5
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 6
  • Cholesterol: 10

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this recipe use ghee instead of oil?

I was inspired by chili-roasted peanuts from India, and I chose ghee for its rich, nutty flavor that works beautifully with the garam masala, turmeric, and chili powder coating. You can substitute a plant-based butter if you want a vegan version.

Do the pumpkin seeds need to be completely dry before coating them?

Yes — pat the rinsed seeds thoroughly dry on a paper towel before tossing with the 3 tbsp (45 ml) of ghee and spices. Moisture on the seeds would prevent the spice coating from adhering and create steam in the oven rather than the dry heat needed for crispiness.

How long do these roasted seeds keep?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Chitra Agrawal
About the Author
Chitra Agrawal

Chitra writes the food blog, The ABCD's of Cooking, which chronicles her adventures cooking American Born Confused Desi recipes. When she is not recipe blogging, Chitra can be found hosting her online cooking show and a supper club featuring Indian-inspired, vegetarian cuisine. She also teaches cooking classes and sells Indian street foods (sometimes yummy Indian tacos!) at events and artisanal markets in Brooklyn. Her cooking has appeared in the New York Times Dining Journal and she is a contributor to The Huffington Post, Gojee, The Daily Meal and Brooklyn Based.

Chitra Agrawal has been a contributor to Honest Cooking since 2012.

View Comments (3) View Comments (3)
  1. Hi Chitra – we made this today and it was delicious. I halved the chili powder as I was making it for my 7 year old. I also reduced the butter to 2 tablespoons. It was still a bit heavy so next time we’ll reduce it to 1 tablespoon. But the flavours were great! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe.

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