Chili Lime Pepitas – Rachna cooks

These chili lime pepitas (pumpkin seeds) are such a crunchy treat. They are so easy and quick to make in the air fryer or oven and are done in under 15 minutes.

As simple as tossing the pepitas with seasoning and then roasting them. Apart from snacking on them, I add them to my granola, trail mix, use to top salads and soups. They are so versatile and healthy. 

Let me show you how to make these chili lime pepitas in air fryer and oven

You will love air fryer roasted cashews, air fryer peanuts, air fryer masala peanuts, air fryer honey almonds, roasted almonds in air fryer, air fryer peas, crispy air fryer chickpeas and crispy air fryer moong dal.

Ingredients

Raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) - I used one cup shelled pumpkin seeds

Seasonings - chili powder, lime juice, salt and cayenne is all that I use for a flavorful and delicious recipe.

Instructions

I get these raw pumpkin seeds from the grocery store. You could de-seed the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds, wash and dry them well before using. But they will have a tough shell that does not taste very good. Mine are green pepitas without the shell.

Oven Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F or 175C. In a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spread out the pepitas. Add the seasonings with lime juice. It helps the seasonings stick to the pepitas.

Using your hands, mix the pepitas with the seasonings till they are well coated. Now bake it the oven for 8-11 minutes. Keep checking so that they don't burn.

That's it, your chili lime pepitas are done. Let them cool before digging in or storing.

Air fryer Instructions

Preheat air fryer at 200C or 400F for 4 minutes. Toss pepitas with seasonings and lime juice till they are well coated. We have skipped oil in this recipe, as it is not really needed.

Mix well to coat all the seeds.

Place a perforated parchment paper in the air fryer basket to line it. Then place the seasoned pepitas in one layer on top. Don't worry if some seeds slip through the mesh and fall underneath.

Air fry at 360F or 180C for 6-7 minutes. Keep checking after 4 minutes. The seeds can burn very quickly so it is important to keep an eye on them.

That's all, you perfectly toasted and seasoned air fryer pepitas are done. Take them out and cool them well before storing them. They do get crunchier on cooling down.

Enjoy.

Expert Tips

1. Be watchful towards the end of the roasting time to ensure that the pepitas do not burn but are only optimally roasted.

2. You can use any seasonings or seasoning mixes that you like. You can do them savory or sweet too.

3. You can add maple syrup for a slight sweet touch.

4. Place seasoned pepitas in one layer to ensure optimum toasting and also shake the basket during air frying.

5. You can use smoked paprika instead of chili powder for a more smoky flavor.

6. Storage: Once cooled, store them in an air tight jar on counter top. They store well for upto a week. Beyond that, you can store in a fridge.