These Spiced Roasted Pepitas are a quick, healthy snack that brings the flavors of fall with warm, aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Perfect for adding crunch to salads, soups, or enjoying on their own, this easy recipe is ideal for autumn snacking and entertaining.
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YOU WILL LOVE SPICED ROASTED PEPITAS FOR FALL SNACK RECIPES
These roasted pepitas are irresistibly crunchy with a bold blend of sweet and savory spices that make every bite satisfying. Simple to make and packed with cozy fall flavors, they’re a versatile, wholesome treat, a perfect fall snack recipe for all your seasonal gatherings.
A Quick History: The word "pepita" comes from the Spanish phrase pepita de calabaza, which means "little seed of squash". Pepitas are a common ingredient in Mexican cooking, where they can be eaten raw, roasted, or blended into sauces, soups, and moles. American culture has adopted them as a seasonal snack in the United States, where they are typically salted and sometimes spiced during or after roasting.
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- YOU WILL LOVE SPICED ROASTED PEPITAS FOR FALL SNACK RECIPES
- FUN WAYS TO USE SPICED ROASTED PEPITAS IN FALL SNACK RECIPES
- INGREDIENTS FOR SPICED ROASTED PEPITAS
- HOW TO MAKE SPICED ROASTED PEPITAS
- SPICED ROASTED PEPITA SEASONING IDEAS
- EQUIPMENT
- CUSTOMARY DIET CATEGORIES FOR THESE FALL SNACK RECIPES
- Spiced Roasted Pepitas
FUN WAYS TO USE SPICED ROASTED PEPITAS IN FALL SNACK RECIPES
- Garnish for soups, hummus, and salads
- Garnish savory pepitas on roasted vegetables
- Garnish sweet pepitas on glazed cakes and breads
- Top on spreads on toast and bagels
- As part of a snacking bar. We keep a snacking bar of nuts and seeds year around on a buffet in our main living area. A great way to enjoy small snack bites between meals.

INGREDIENTS FOR SPICED ROASTED PEPITAS
- Pepitas: The raw shelled pumpkin seeds are the heart of the recipe, offering a delightful crunch and a mild, nutty flavor. They’re also rich in magnesium, zinc, and healthy fats, making them a nutrient-dense snack.
- Olive Oil: Used to help the spices adhere to the pepitas and provide a touch of richness. Olive oil also adds healthy monounsaturated fats, making the snack both flavorful and nutritious.
- Ground Cinnamon: This warm spice brings sweetness and warmth to the mix, balancing the savory and spicy notes. Cinnamon is also known for its antioxidant properties.
- Ground Cloves: Adds an intense warmth and a hint of bitterness that complements the cinnamon. Just a touch goes a long way in enhancing the depth of flavor.
- Yellow Curry Powder: This adds an earthy, aromatic base that blends well with the other spices, giving a subtle hint of spice without overwhelming the sweetness.
- Ground Cardamom: Cardamom lends a floral and slightly sweet aroma, adding complexity to the spice mix. It’s also rich in antioxidants.
- Cayenne Pepper: For a bit of heat, cayenne adds a spicy kick to balance the sweet and savory flavors. A great metabolism booster, cayenne can also aid digestion.
- Coconut Sugar a.k.a Palm Sugar: This unrefined sugar adds a touch of caramel-like sweetness and helps balance the spices. Coconut sugar is lower on the glycemic index, making it a healthier alternative to regular sugar.
- Kosher or Mined Salt: Enhances the flavors and provides a savory balance to the sweet and spiced ingredients. Kosher salt’s larger flakes help distribute flavor evenly.

HOW TO MAKE SPICED ROASTED PEPITAS
Oven Instructions (spiced during roasting)
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) with the rack in the top half of the oven.
- Season the pepitas: Place the pepitas in a bowl, add olive oil, and toss to coat the seeds evenly.
- Add spices: Sprinkle with cinnamon, cloves, curry powder, cardamom, cayenne, coconut sugar, and salt. Stir well to coat.
- Spread & bake: Spread the pepitas in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with a pinch more salt (optional), then bake for 10 minutes. If you like your seeds crunchier and cracked, bake an extra 5 minutes.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the seeds cool completely before enjoying!
Pan Instructions (spiced after toasting)
- Toast dry pepitas in a dry pan for 5-7 minutes over medium-high heat.
- Remove, coat evenly with olive oil.
- Toss with spices.

SPICED ROASTED PEPITA SEASONING IDEAS
Start every recipe with 1 cup of raw pepitas (150g) and 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml) or coconut oil, then add one of the seasoning blends below. Here are 9 more fabulous seasoning ideas:
SALTED CARAMEL CRUNCH PEPITAS
A sweet-and-salty blend with caramel-like coconut sugar and a hint of vanilla, reminiscent of caramel apples at a fall fair.
1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar (12g)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (5ml)
½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt (3g)
BBQ SPICE PEPITAS
Bold and savory, this blend brings a touch of BBQ season to fall, with chili powder, garlic, and a hint of sweetness.
1 teaspoon chili powder (2g)
1 teaspoon brown sugar (4g)
½ teaspoon garlic powder (1g)
½ teaspoon onion powder (1g)
¼ teaspoon kosher or mined salt (1.5g)
PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE PEPITAS
A fun, snackable twist on a fall-favorite drink, with pumpkin spice, a hint of coffee, and vanilla for that classic PSL vibe.
2 teaspoons pumpkin spice (4g)
1 teaspoon finely ground coffee (2g)
1 teaspoon coconut sugar or brown sugar (4g)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (5ml)
HONEY CINNAMON TOASTED PEPITAS
Sweet and cozy, these honey-coated pepitas have a touch of cinnamon warmth that feels like a hug.
(Skip the olive oil for this blend and use oven method)
1 tablespoon melted raw honey (21g)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (4g)
¼ teaspoon kosher or mined salt (1.5g)

ITALIAN HERB PEPITAS
A savory twist inspired by Italian herbs, finished with a bit of Parmesan—perfect for sprinkling on soups and salads.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix (2g)
¼ teaspoon kosher or mined salt (1.5g)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (14g) - add after baking
CURRIED RAISIN SPICE PEPITAS
Sweet and savory with a pop of golden raisins, these pepitas add a hint of exotic flavor that’s warm and satisfying.
1 teaspoon yellow curry powder (2g)
1 teaspoon coconut sugar or brown sugar (4g)
¼ teaspoon salt (1.5g)
2 tablespoons raisins (20g) - add after baking
SPICY SMOKED PAPRIKA PEPITAS
Made with smoked paprika and a kick of black pepper, this spicy mix is perfect for those who like a bit of heat.
2 teaspoons smoked paprika (4g)
¼ teaspoon cayenne (0.5g)
½ teaspoon ground black pepper (1g)
¼ teaspoon kosher or mined salt (1.5g)
NACHO CHEESY PEPITAS
Nutritional yeast and spices give these pepitas a cheesy, savory taste, perfect for game days or snacking.
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (10g)
½ teaspoon garlic powder (1g)
½ teaspoon onion powder (1g)
¼ teaspoon chili powder (0.5g)
¼ teaspoon salt (1.5g)
GARLIC ‘PARMESAN’ PEPITAS
The perfect pairing of garlic and cheesy flavor from nutritional yeast, this blend is irresistibly savory and snack-worthy.
2 teaspoons dried minced garlic (4g)
2 teaspoons nutritional yeast (5g)
¼ teaspoon kosher or mined salt (1.5g)
EQUIPMENT
CUSTOMARY DIET CATEGORIES FOR THESE FALL SNACK RECIPES
These Spiced Roasted Pepita recipes fit into several of these diet categories:
- DF (Dairy-Free): The recipe does not contain any dairy ingredients.
- EF (Egg-Free): There are no eggs in this recipe.
- GF (Gluten-Free): Pepitas and the spices used are naturally gluten-free.
- NF (Nut-Free): Pepitas are seeds, not nuts, so this recipe is safe for nut-free diets.
- PB (Plant-Based): All ingredients are plant-based, so it fits this category.
- VE (Vegetarian): The recipe contains no animal products and is suitable for vegetarians.
- VG (Vegan): Since all ingredients are plant-based with no animal products, this recipe is also vegan.
They Do Not fit into the following categories, IF:
- SF (Sugar-Free): It includes a small amount of coconut or palm sugar, so it is not sugar-free.
- Paleo: Some versions of the Paleo diet avoid legumes and seeds, so while pepitas are generally accepted, it depends on personal interpretation of Paleo guidelines.
- Keto: The added sugar and the carb content in pepitas may make this recipe unsuitable for a strict keto diet.
- Whole30: Whole30 excludes added sugars, even natural ones, so this recipe would need to omit the coconut or palm sugar to fit this diet.
Bite Me Industries is a produce-centric blog celebrating seasonal ingredients, with a strong emphasis on baking and flavor-driven recipes for the home kitchen that transport you to your favorite café, bakery, or bistro for a special meal or indulgence. The diet categories listed below are provided for your convenience and are not intended as nutritional advice.
Spiced Roasted Pepitas
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw pepitas (150g) shelled pumpkin seeds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml) or melted coconut oil
selection spice blend of choice - 10 to choose from in Blog Post
Warm Fall Spice Mix
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (2g)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (0.5g)
- ½ teaspoon yellow curry powder (1g)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom (0.5g)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (0.5g)
- ½ teaspoon coconut sugar (2g) palm sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher or mined salt (1.5g)
Instructions
Oven Instructions (spiced during roasting)
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) with the rack in the top half of the oven.
- Season the pepitas: Place the pepitas in a bowl, add olive oil, and toss to coat the seeds evenly.
- Add spices: Sprinkle with cinnamon, cloves, curry powder, cardamom, cayenne, coconut sugar, and salt. Stir well to coat.
- Spread & bake: Spread the pepitas in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with a pinch more salt (optional), then bake for 10 minutes. If you like your seeds crunchier and cracked, bake an extra 5 minutes.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the seeds cool completely before enjoying!
Pan Instructions (spiced after toasting)
- Toast dry pepitas in a dry pan for 5-7 minutes over medium-high heat.
- Remove, coat evenly with olive oil.
- Toss with spices.
Notes

Nutrition

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