Smoked pumpkin seeds are a crunchy, smoky, and savory snack that turns Halloween cleanup into a tasty payoff. Don’t toss those slimy seeds—season them right and smoke them low for a snack that’s packed with nutrients and flavor.
Smoked Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds might just be the most overlooked part of the pumpkin. Sure, they’re slimy when you pull them out, but give them a quick rinse, dry them off, hit them with duck fat and seasoning, and you’ve got a smoky snack that’s salty, crunchy, and totally addicting.
I like using The Usual seasoning for its balance of savory spices, but feel free to get creative with whatever rubs you’ve got handy. These seeds are great on their own, tossed into salads, or even sprinkled on soup for extra crunch.
How to Make Smoked Pumpkin Seeds
Preparation
Start by preheating your smoker to 300°F. While it’s warming up, scoop out the pumpkin seeds and place them in a strainer. Rinse them well under cold water, using your hands to remove all the pulp and stringy pumpkin bits. Once clean, pat them dry with a paper towel and spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Spray the seeds with duck fat spray and season generously with The Usual or your preferred BBQ rub.
Cooking
Place the baking sheet directly on the smoker grates and roast the seeds for about 30 minutes. Halfway through, give them a stir and, if you want a stronger punch of flavor, add another light sprinkle of seasoning. The seeds are done when they start to turn golden brown and smell nutty and toasty.
Serving
Let the seeds cool down slightly before diving in. They’re perfect warm, but just as tasty once cooled. Store them in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge or a couple days at room temperature if you’re planning to snack on them regularly.
Best Beer to Pair With Smoked Pumpkin Seeds
Brown Ale
The nutty malt profile of a brown ale complements the roasted flavor of the pumpkin seeds perfectly.
Pumpkin Ale
Go full fall mode with a pumpkin ale. The spices and sweetness play well with the smokiness and seasoning on the seeds.
Pilsner
For a clean, crisp contrast, pair with a pilsner. It refreshes your palate between bites and doesn’t compete with the seasoning.
Smoked Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients
- 1 each Seeds from a Whole Pumpkin
- 1 can Cornhusker Kitchen Duck Fat Spray
- 3 tbsp Fire and Smoke Society The Usual Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 300°F
- Rinse pumpkin seeds and remove all pulp
- Pat dry and lay flat on a baking sheet
- Spray with duck fat and season with The Usual
- Smoke for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through
- Let cool and store or serve