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Cozy Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds

air fryer cinnamon sugar pumpkin seeds - featured image
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These quick and easy air fryer cinnamon sugar pumpkin seeds are the perfect cozy snack. With a crackly, crunchy exterior and warm buttery cinnamon coating, they come together in under 20 minutes for a soul-soothing treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds, cleaned and dried
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pumpkin seeds: If using fresh pumpkin seeds, rinse them in a colander under cool water to remove all the stringy pulp. Pick out any large pieces of pumpkin flesh. Spread them out on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and pat them very dry. Let them air dry for about 10 minutes while you preheat the air fryer.
  2. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) and let it preheat for 3 minutes.
  3. Mix the coating: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract if using. Whisk it together until the sugar starts to dissolve and the mixture looks like a thick, grainy paste.
  4. Coat the seeds: Add the dried pumpkin seeds to the bowl and toss them with a spatula until every seed is evenly coated. Make sure there are no clumps of sugar stuck together—break them up with your fingers if needed.
  5. Arrange in the air fryer: Spread the coated seeds in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd them—they need space for the hot air to circulate. If you have a small air fryer, cook in two batches.
  6. Air fry: Cook at 320°F for 8 minutes. Halfway through (at the 4-minute mark), open the basket and give the seeds a good shake or stir with a spatula.
  7. Check for doneness: After 8 minutes, the seeds should be golden brown and smell incredibly toasty. They will still be a little soft when hot but will crisp up as they cool. If you want them extra crunchy, add 1-2 more minutes, but watch them closely.
  8. Cool completely: Transfer the seeds to a plate or a piece of parchment paper in a single layer. Let them cool for at least 10 minutes without touching them.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the seeds thoroughly—moisture prevents crunch. Keep the temperature at 320°F to avoid burning the sugar. Shake halfway through for even cooking. Let seeds cool completely for the best crackly texture. For oven method, bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Re-crisp in air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer pumpkin seeds, cinnamon sugar pumpkin seeds, easy snack, cozy snack, fall recipe, pumpkin seeds, air fryer snack

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/cozy-air-fryer-cinnamon-sugar-pumpkin-seeds-best-easy-snack/