How to Toast Pepitas
Before we get to the toasting part, let’s answer this question first: what’s the difference between pumpkin seeds and pepitas?
Pepitas vs. Pumpkin Seeds
Is the first photo a pumpkin seed and the second photo a pepita? Technically, no. Both can be called either pumpkin seeds or pepitas. Pepita is the spanish word for pumpkin seed; a word we’ve adopted into the English language. The difference between the two is that one has the outer shell or husk removed. Although, I just learned there are some pumpkin varieties that produce hulless seeds – how cool is that!
While technically there is no difference, many people choose to call the seed with the husk as a pumpkin seed and the hulless version as a pepita.  For ease of communication, I will follow this practice.
Toasting Pepitas
While roasting pumpkin seeds is fun at Halloween, I prefer eating pepitas. Â I know they’re higher in fiber and zinc if you eat the shell – but for use in baking, topping salads, granola or other dishes, I prefer pepitas. I buy raw unsalted pepitas.
Recipe: How to Toast Pepitas
How to Toast Pepitas
Ingredients
- 1/2 to 1 cup hulless pumpkin seeds or pepitas
Instructions
- Place a fry pan over medium high heat. NO oil.
- Add only enough pepitas to cover the bottom of the pan.
- Stay with the pepitas and give the pan a shake every so often.
- As the pepitas heat, they will puff up, some might even pop – don’t be alarmed.
- Keep shaking the pan until they’ve turned mostly golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.
- Pour out of the hot pan onto a plate to allow them to cool. Caution – if you leave them in the hot pan, they will continue to toast and may burn.
Video
Notes
Yield 1/2 to 1 cup
Thanks for the instructions. I thought this would be the method, but needed the internet to confirm. I just made some bark with my leftover melted chocolate: cinnamon, ground cayenne pepper, toasted pepitas, and a little sea salt. I’m singing my own praises! This might not make it into the Christmas cookie plates.
Oh my, Jamie that does sound delicious! May have to give that a try.
Glad you found the instructions helpful, sometimes all you need is someone to confirm what you knew all along.
All the best,
Getty