Roasted Pumpkin Seed Brittle | Easy Homemade Dessert Recipe (2024)

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By Melissa

on Oct 23, 2012, Updated Feb 14, 2024

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This delicious Pumpkin Seed Brittleis just like traditional peanut brittle, but with roasted pumpkin seeds instead of peanuts. It’s so good!

Roasted Pumpkin Seed Brittle | Easy Homemade Dessert Recipe (2)

Roasted Pumpkin Seed Brittle Recipe

I’m so excited about today’s post! I actually woke up at 4:30 am to the old windows in our roomwhistlingand rattling in a wind storm. I laid in bed for a while but kept thinking about working on this post, so here it is, just before 5 am and I’m out of bed blogging. 🙂

Peanut brittle. I love the stuff. Roasted pumpkin seeds. I love the stuff. Have you ever thought to marry the two? I sure hadn’t until my friend Carrie asked how we like our pumpkin seeds on her Facebook page. I answered roasted with butter, garlic powder, and salt. Another person said in brittle, and I was completely intrigued. It has never crossed my mind, but after that I just had to try it.

I really loved how it turned out. The seeds are hard and crunchy inside of an equally hard and crunchy candy shell, and they almost taste like popcorn to me. If you don’t love roasted pumpkin seeds normally, or if the shell is a bit too much for you, then try pepitas. Pepitas are the green raw pumpkin seeds left when the outer shell has been removed. You can buy them at health food stores or Mexican markets. I’m sure it’s completely different, but I bet the pepitas would taste more like traditional nut brittle (I wouldn’t roast the pepitas before adding them either…).

There you have it – a beautiful and tasty way to use your pumpkin seeds and a great excuse to start the candy-making season just a few weeks earlier than normal. Are you going to try it?

Here is my professional pumpkin seed extractor. This model isn’t available in stores.

Roasted Pumpkin Seed Brittle | Easy Homemade Dessert Recipe (3)

The night we did this the sky was amazing! It was perfect for carving pumpkins and making candy.

Roasted Pumpkin Seed Brittle | Easy Homemade Dessert Recipe (4)

Tips for Making Pumpkin Seed Brittle

  • I recommend calibrating your candy thermometer. I did this and realized my thermometer was off by 12 degrees (which is a lot!). So now I adjust the temperature accordingly and I haven’t burnt a batch of candy since. Here’s a great post on how to calibrate your candythermometerwith lots of pictures.
  • If you don’t want salt on top of the brittle then feel free to stir it in with the soda, vanilla, and butter.
  • Putting the pumpkin seeds in a strainer and then running water over them is a good way to clean the pumpkin goo off.
  • No pumpkins carving in your life? No worries! You can use pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds) instead of pumpkin seeds you’ve scooped out of a real pumpkin. You won’t need to roast them first, just toss them in the brittle when it calls for the roasted pumpkin seeds. You can find them in the bulk bins of most health food stores. They are awesome on salads, trail mix, and my favorite easy pomegranate pear salad, too, just fyi!

Roasted Pumpkin Seed Brittle | Easy Homemade Dessert Recipe (5)

Craving more? Subscribe to Bless this Mess to get new recipes, meal plans, and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! If you try this recipe, let me know what you think! Leave a comment, pin it, and don’t forget to tag a picture #blessthismesseats on Instagram. I love to see your kitchen skills in action!

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Roasted Pumpkin Seed Brittle | Easy Homemade Dessert Recipe (6)

Roasted Pumpkin Seed Brittle

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  • Author: Melissa Griffiths
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cups 1x
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Description

This delicious Pumpkin Seed Brittleis just like traditional peanut brittle, but with roasted pumpkin seeds instead of peanuts. It’s so good!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 1/2 cups raw pumpkin seeds
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 T. pure vanilla extract
  • 1 T. butter, plus a little more for the pan
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Wash the pumpkin seeds well and remove any bits of pumpkin pulp.
  2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
  3. Lay the seeds out on an unlined, ungreased metal baking sheet and let them dry while the oven is heating. Once the oven is hot place the pumpkin seeds inside and bake for 30 minutes.
  4. After 30 minutes stir the seeds around and then continue to bake until seeds start to brown slightly and begin to have an aroma, 20 to 30 minutes. Once the seeds are cooked, remove from the oven.
  5. Butter a large metal baking sheet and set aside.
  6. Measure out the baking soda, vanilla, and butter into a small bowl and set it aside.
  7. In a medium saucepan, bring the water, corn syrup, and sugar to a boil over medium high heat. Stir the mixture while the sugar is dissolving. Once the sugar is dissolved and the mixture begins to bubble, don’t stir anymore.
  8. Using a candy thermometer, allow the mixture to reach 285 degrees (soft crack stage).Stir in the toasted pumpkin seeds and continue cooking. Cook until the mixture reaches 300 degrees (hard crack stage), and be sure to stir often once the seeds have been added to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  9. Remove the sugar and seed mixture from the heat and stir in the baking soda, vanilla, and butter. The mixture will puff up and foam; that’s normal. Stir until it almost stops foaming and then quickly pour the brittle, as thin as possible, onto the buttered baking sheet.
  10. You can pick up the edges of the pan and tilt it back and forth to help the brittle spread, just don’t spread it with a spoon. While the brittle is still hot, sprinkle on the kosher salt.
  11. Let the brittle completely cool and then break it into pieces. Store in an airtight container or a plastic freezer bag at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Notes

I recommend calibrating your candy thermometer. I did this and realized my thermometer was off by 12 degrees (which is a lot!). So now I adjust the temperature accordingly and I haven’t burnt a batch of candy since. Here’s a great post on how to calibrate your candythermometerwith lots of pictures.
If you don’t want salt on top of the brittle, then feel free to stir it in with the soda, vanilla, and butter.
Putting the pumpkin seeds in a strainer and then running water over them is a good way to clean the pumpkin goo off.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Such a fun idea and I hope you love pumpkin seed brittle, too! Enjoy from my kitchen to yours!

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Roasted Pumpkin Seed Brittle | Easy Homemade Dessert Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why soak pumpkin seeds before roasting? ›

This process will help soften the seeds making them easier to digest. Once thoroughly soaked, remove your pumpkin seeds from the water, pat dry and roast a bit longer than you would unsoaked pumpkin seeds. About five to ten minutes longer.

Does roasting destroy nutrients in pumpkin seeds? ›

Though the difference in nutritional value is minimal, the nutrients in roasted vs. raw pumpkin seeds differ slightly. For example, cooking pumpkin seeds can decrease the potency of water-soluble vitamins like B vitamins, riboflavin and thiamine.

How long do homemade roasted pumpkin seeds last? ›

How Long Do Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Last? Allow the roasted seeds to cool, then store them in an air-tight container. They will last this way at room temperature for a couple of weeks and in the freezer for a few months.

Do pumpkin seeds have to be dry before you put them in the oven? ›

The secrets: Dry your pumpkin seeds before roasting them, and coat them in oil to help them toast evenly and get a nice, crisp, flavorful finish.

Is it better to soak or boil pumpkin seeds before roasting? ›

Although you don't have to boil the pumpkin seeds before roasting, we recommend it. Boiling pumpkin seeds in salted water helps the salt to permeate the seeds inside the shells and helps them to cook more evenly.

How long should you soak pumpkin seeds before baking? ›

Soak Them Overnight in Salt Water

But this step is the most important. Pumpkin seeds are covered in a thin membrane. The enzymes in the membrane are difficult to chew and digest, which is why you want to soak the seeds for 12-24 hours. For every 1 cup of seeds add: [2 cups of water + 1/2 Tablespoon salt.]

Who should not eat pumpkin seeds? ›

A. People allergic to pumpkin seeds should avoid consuming them. In addition, pregnant and lactating women, infants, people with hypoglycemia and hypotension should avoid eating pumpkin seeds. In addition, if you are on a low-calorie diet, you should limit its consumption as they are high in calories.

What happens if you eat too many roasted pumpkin seeds? ›

It is not advised to eat more than the recommended daily amount. If in case you eat too many, you may experience gaseous distension and bloating. The fiber in pumpkin seeds may help to bulk up stool and prevent constipation in the long run. However, eating too many pumpkin seeds at once may cause constipation.

Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds? ›

Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds? Cooked pumpkin seeds are fine for your dog to eat and make a healthy and tasty snack. On top of this your dog will probably like the crunchy texture. Caution should be taken when feeding pumpkin seeds to small dogs though as they may pose a choking hazard.

Can dogs eat pumpkin? ›

The short answer is yes, dogs can eat pumpkin. In fact, if prepared correctly, pumpkin can be a beneficial addition to your pet's diet. It's naturally rich in fiber as well as vitamins A, C, and E and minerals like potassium and iron.

How do you know when pumpkin seeds are done roasting? ›

We'll wait to add any spices because they tend to burn in the oven. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, which is high enough to yield toasty results in just 12 to 16 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes to prevent burning. You'll know the seeds are done when they're fragrant and lightly golden, as you see in the photos below.

Why do you boil pumpkin seeds before baking? ›

Boil for 10 minutes in salt water.

Apparently, this method helps make the pumpkin seeds easier to digest and produces a crispy outer shell during roasting. If you are short on time, you can totally skip this step! They will still turn out lovely.

Why are my roasted pumpkin seeds chewy? ›

If your roasted pumpkin seeds are chewy after baking then either they are still warm (they'll be crisp once cooled completely) or they haven't been baked long enough. Look for them to be a beautiful golden brown color!

Do you wash off pumpkin seeds before baking? ›

  1. Rinse pumpkin seeds to remove pulp.
  2. Optional: Boil in salted water for 10 mins.
  3. Dry seeds thoroughly.
  4. Toss with melted butter/oil and seasonings.
  5. Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 10-15 mins, stirring occasionally.
Oct 20, 2011

Do you need to soak pumpkin seeds before cooking? ›

Some people soak pumpkin seeds before roasting them—they say it helps make the seeds extra crispy. But our Test Kitchen found that soaking the seeds didn't make much of a difference when it came to crispiness. If you do soak your seeds, though, be sure to dry them thoroughly before roasting.

Is it necessary to soak pumpkin seeds? ›

To have tasty and healthy pumpkin seeds, you need to soak them to rid them of enzymes and make them easier to digest. Soaking pumpkin seeds is a simple process that can be done in less than a day and allows you to dehydrate pumpkin seeds for snacking or sprouting.

Should I pre soak pumpkin seeds? ›

After filing, soak seeds for an hour or two in hot water before planting. These steps help seedlings to emerge easily from within the hard seed coat.

What are the benefits of soaking pumpkin seeds? ›

Pumpkin seeds do have a lot of a chemical called phytic acid, which can bind to mineral nutrients in your digestive system and keep you from absorbing them as well. You can reduce the phytic acid content by soaking or sprouting your seeds before you eat or roast them.

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