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Candied Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)

August 20, 2020 By Morgan Last Updated: September 7, 2020

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Candied pepitas are addicting and perfect for snacking. Add some spices and you’ll have pumpkin pie spiced candied pepitas. The perfect addition to all of your fall treats!

candied pepitas in a grey bowl on a blue gingham dish towel outside on a wooden table

This post originally was posted October 2016 and has since been updated for user experience.

If you’ve ever been to New York City, you’re well versed in the smell of candied nuts.

They always remind me of the fall and winter day trips Alex and I would make pre-kiddos when we would just wander around all day eating.

The other day I was making my sugar free pumpkin spice coffee creamer and I had a craving, but all I had on hand was these pepitas.

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Candied Pumpkin Seeds (aka Pepitas) for the win

OH MY GOODNESS GUYS. I hit the jackpot.

Because the pepitas are small, you’ve got more surface area, meaning more sugar per seed.

I added in some pumpkin pie spice instead of plain old cinnamon and seriously guys, YOU NEED THESE.

What are pepitas?

Before we get too far into it, let’s cover this. Pepitas are the seed that comes inside the shelled pumpkin seed you find when carving pumpkins. You can buy them in bulk so don’t bother shelling them youself.

Can you use Whole Pumpkin Seeds?

Yup – I just prefer the pepitas because you get more tastiness and I like the texture of pepitas better.

Candied Pumpkin Seeds are so stupid easy.

Here’s the thing – candying nuts this way is super easy and just takes a few minutes.

I’ve done it with almonds, pecans, and peanuts and – unless I forget about it on the stove – it’s pretty foolproof.

I knew that some candied pumpkin seeds would be tasty, and that with the addition of pumpkin pie spice it would be even better – yup, definitely right.

2 containers holding candied pepitas with the sugared pumpkin seeds spilling out onto a blue gingham dish towel on a wooden picnic table

Candied Pumpkin Seeds ingredients:

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Best part – these are so easy to make. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Pepitas
  • White sugar
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice (You could also just use cinnamon, but I like the depth of flavor from pumpkin pie spice.)
  • Salt
  • Water.

That’s it!!

How to use these candied pepitas:

I love these as a fun little addition to my morning yogurt or oatmeal.

It would also be a fun addition to top pumpkin pie or mixed into pumpkin muffins. I’m totally going to top my sweet potato muffins with them next time I make them!

They’d also make super cute and tasty little holiday gifts.

How do you store sugared pumpkin seeds?

Since these are sugared, you’ll need to store them in an airtight container to avoid moisture. They should last quite some time (I’d say around 2 weeks to be safe) but I’ve never had them last longer than a few days.

a grey bowl spilling out candied pumpkin seeds onto a blue gingham dish towel
a gray bo

How to make Candied Pumpkin Seeds

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Candied Pumpkin Seeds

These candied pepitas aka candied pumpkin seeds are gloriously addictive.
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, fall
Keyword candied pepitas, candied pumpkin seeds
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 8
Author Morgan

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or just cinnamon
  • 8 ounces pepitas
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. In a large pan over medium low heat, bring water and sugar to a boil.
  2. Add in spice, salt, and shelled pumpkin seeds.
  3. Stir constantly, thickening the syrup.
  4. Once the syrup begins to crystallize (be patient!), take the pan off the heat.
  5. Continue stirring until the seeds are coated and separate.

Recipe Notes

Don’t leave it on the heat once the sugar crystallizes. It will create a more sticky caramel type coating on the pepitas. Delicious, but not what we’re going for.

You can actually use pumpkin seed with the shells on here as well, but I prefer the pepitas.

Put on EVERYTHING. No, but really. These are so amazing and addicting. Keep them far away from you or else you will just pick at them all day. 😉

Okay, so tell me – do you love those street nuts? Mommas – do you nap during naptimes? Let me know in the comments!

If you enjoyed this post, you may enjoy these!

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese

Sugar Free Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Filed Under: Fall, Holidays

Comments

  1. Julie @ Running in a Skirt says

    October 12, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Oohhhhhh how delicous!!!! I buy the ones at Trader Joes, but I bet these are even better. Perfect for snacking or a topping to a salad or soup.

  2. Gretchen says

    October 12, 2016 at 9:58 am

    Oh man those look so good! Going to have to try them out..happy fall 🙂

  3. Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet says

    October 14, 2016 at 5:58 am

    Candy Pecans are the perfect fall/winter treat. These look amazing!

  4. Desiree @THE36THAVENUE says

    October 15, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    This recipe looks amazing! Featuring you on the blog on Monday!
    Thank you for linking up to our party!
    xo
    Desiree

  5. Miz Helen says

    October 17, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    Oh Yum, what a special treat to share with us and thanks so much! Have a great week and hope to see you at Full Plate Thursday again real soon!
    Miz Helen

  6. Leslie says

    October 17, 2016 at 9:05 pm

    I love pumpkin seeds! I had no idea until last year, i know – crazy right? These are making my stomach growl.

  7. Sandra L Garth says

    October 19, 2016 at 5:31 pm

    Pumpkin spiced pumpkin seeds? Please, and thank you! Thanks for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great week.

  8. Chloe Crabtree says

    October 22, 2016 at 12:03 pm

    I have never tried pepitas, but wow, you have given me some fantastic recipes for trying them! Thanks so much for sharing over at Celebrate Your Story!

  9. April J Harris says

    October 23, 2016 at 11:16 am

    Candied nuts are my kryponite! Love your Pumpkin Spice Candied Pepitas, Morgan. Pinned. Thank you for sharing with us at Hearth and Soul.

Hi! I’m Morgan!

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