Smoky BBQ Pumpkin Seeds
On October 17, 2023 (Updated May 16, 2024)
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These Smoky BBQ Pumpkin Seeds are the ultimate sweet and savory snack with just the right hint of smokiness. Try and keep your hands out of the jar for more than 2 minutes, I dare you. They’re totally and completely addictive.
BBQ Pumpkin Seeds
If you’ve tried my recipe for How To Roast Pumpkin on the Grill, you know I suggest saving your pumpkin seeds. Hopefully you listened because you are going to want them for these amazing BBQ pumpkin seeds.
Quick note on selecting pumpkin seeds for roasting: I have roasted pumpkin seeds from both pie pumpkins and jack-o’-lantern pumpkins, and I will tell you there is a major difference. Pie pumpkin seeds seem to be a little smaller and less fibrous. They are easier to chew and a little bit more tender. However, you can totally make this recipe with seeds from your jack-o’-lantern pumpkins too. I would just recommend cooking them a few minutes longer than outlined in the recipe below so they get a little extra crisp.
How to Clean Pumpkin Seeds
Roasting pumpkin seeds on the grill is relatively easy. The hardest part of the entire process is cleaning them. But no fear! I have a few suggestions to help you deep clean those pumpkin seeds to prep for cooking.
- Scrape out the guts. Get down and dirty with that ol’ pumpkin and scrape the innards well. Dump everything into a bowl.
- Pick out the seeds. Pick out the seeds and place them in a strainer (This step takes a bit of time, but it’ll help when it comes to rinsing the goo off of them.).
- Rinse well. Rinsing the seeds in a strainer helps to separate any leftover pumpkin pulp that you weren’t able to pick off when picking out the seeds. Don’t skimp on this step and rinse well. You want these seeds sparkling clean.
- Dry the pumpkin seeds. I like to dry my seeds thoroughly on paper towels before spreading them out on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper or heavy duty aluminum foil.
After that you are ready to begin seasoning your seeds.
How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds on the BBQ
Congrats! You have officially cleaned your pumpkin seeds, and you are now ready to roast them on the BBQ.
To begin, drizzle the pumpkin seeds with some good quality olive or avocado oil and season with my Homemade Sweet Rub. The rub is what gives these pumpkin seeds that smoky BBQ flavor. Think of these seeds like a your favorite BBQ chips in pumpkin form. If you don’t want to make your own, you can purchase a bottle of my Signature Sweet Rub.
Once the seeds are seasoned, I roast them indirectly in my pellet grill at 425 degrees F until the edges of the seeds just start to brown and the sugar in the rub begins to caramelize. Watch closely so they don’t burn! These can go from perfectly crisp to burned in just a couple of minutes. If you don’t have a pellet grill (or another indirect grill) you can follow the same steps and roast the pumpkin seeds in your oven. As soon as your seeds are done, remove the grill pan and let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
These delicious nuggets of fall BBQ goodness will last about a week on your shelf (assuming you don’t eat them all first).
More Pumpkin Recipes
Tis the season for delicious pumpkin recipes! Hey Grill Hey thinks you should try cooking pumpkin on your grill, and these recipes are simply to die for:
- How to Roast Pumpkin on the Grill
- Pumpkin Pie on the Grill
- Pumpkin Spice Pulled Pork
- Roasted Pumpkin Cheesecake
Smoky BBQ Pumpkin Seeds Recipe
Watch the video below and I’ll show you how to make your own BBQ pumpkin seeds at home. I’m here to help you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a backyard BBQ hero. Check out more of my smoking and grilling recipe videos on YouTube, Instagram, or our Facebook Page.
Smoky BBQ Pumpkin Seeds
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup cleaned and dried pumpkin seeds
- 1 Tablespoon Homemade Sweet Rub https://heygrillhey.com/best-sweet-rub-grilled-pork-chicken/
- 1-2 teaspoons olive or avocado oil
Instructions
- Preheat your indirect grill to 425 degrees F.
- Trim a piece of parchment paper to fit on a large baking sheet. You can also use aluminum foil. Spread the pumpkin seeds out on the parchment paper in a single layer.
- Drizzle the seeds with the oil and season with the Sweet Rub. Spread the seeds around to fully coat with the oil and rub.
- Place the baking sheet on the grill grates and cook the seeds for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally and checking often. Seeds are done when they are slightly golden on the edges and the rub has begun to caramelize.
- Remove the pan from the grill and allow the seeds to cool completely before removing to an airtight bag or jar for storage.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**This post was originally published October 2016. It has since been updated with more information and helpful tips. The recipe remains the same.
Where is the seasoning receipe? This receipe is incomplete.
It’s literally linked in the ingredients section in the recipe card. Here’s another link though. https://heygrillhey.com/best-sweet-rub-grilled-pork-chicken/
A great flavoured Snack – and there are heaps of pumpkin seeds in our house this time of year!
Love these!! I actually leave some pumpkin pulp on purpose. The pulp is tasty too but you have to REALLY keep an eye on it so you don’t burn it.