Honey-Roasted Pepitas (Shelled Pumpkin Seeds)

Pepitas are shelled pumpkin seeds. Raw and on their own, their flavor is mediocre, but roasted with honey and butter? They are transformed into a healthy, addictive snack!

Have you noticed nut prices steadily increasing in your area like I have in mine? Yikes!

I used to keep almonds and walnuts around for us to snack on in moderation, but even a handful of them a day, multiplied by all the little hands that want to munch, has become too cost-prohibitive.

At our local bulk markets, though, I can get pepitas at a much more frugal price per pound. 

Not sure what pepitas are? Quite simple! Pepitas is just another name for shelled pumpkin seeds. They’re usually sold raw and are a lovely olive green color. Full of great nutrition, they’ve become a nice alternative to almonds, walnuts, and pecans.

There’s been just one snag, though. My children don’t care for their flavor when they are raw and plain. Truthfully, they aren’t something I snack on raw and plain from the bag, either!

But need breeds creative inspiration, and this week, an addictive, delightful snack featuring pepitas was born into the Smith home! You definitely want to become acquainted with Honey-Roasted Pepitas soon! 

Honey-Roasted Pepitas

Making this tasty, nutritious snack is so easy! Just a few ingredients and a simple process is all it takes to transform bland raw pepitas into something that you just can’t stop munching on.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pepitas (raw shelled pumpkin seeds)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons honey
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300.
2. In a bowl, combine the melted butter and honey, then stir in the pepitas until they are evenly coated.
3. Spread on the bottom of a 9×13 baking pan and gently roast in the oven for 30 minutes. Check them after 20 minutes, though, to be sure they aren’t browning too quickly.
4. Once they are evenly and lightly browned, remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Stir and cool for another 5-10 minutes.
5. Remove the pepitas from the baking pan and spread on a piece of parchment paper to finish cooling completely. Then snack away!

If you have any leftovers (and we typically don’t), you can store them in an airtight container in the pantry.

Not only are these delicious for snacking on their own, they’d make a tasty addition to homemade granola, trail mix, cookies, and other baked treats! Toss with some homemade kettle corn and I wonder if you could even stop snacking…

That may not be a bad idea!

Have you ever honey-roasted nuts or seeds before?