Can pumpkin seeds be frozen? - Storage options

Pumpkin seeds, also sometimes known as pepitas, are one of the few snacks you can snack on to your heart’s content and not only not feel guilty about snacking, but be proud of your healthy choice.

Pumpkin seeds are packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. They are as satisfying as they are delicious.

Can pumpkin seeds be frozen?

The answer is yes, you certainly can. They freeze very well, but there are many ways to make the most of your supply.

Pumpkin Seed Storage Options

The best thing about pumpkin seeds is that a little goes a long way, although they are certainly a more cost effective product to buy in bulk.

Pumpkin seeds go rancid if not stored properly. If you purchased a sealed package, you can keep it unopened in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight, for up to 3 months, or you can place it unopened in the freezer for a year or more.

When seeds are exposed to air, they are immediately at risk of going rancid.  Every time you unseal a package, make sure that you reseal it only after removing as much air as possible.

After opening a packet of pumpkin seeds, it is highly recommended that you transfer them to a zip-top bag or container and store them in the fridge or freezer. 

Regardless of where you store your seeds, the most important thing is to make sure no moisture seeps into the container.

If you keep an open container tightly closed in the fridge, they should last up to 6 months. You can easily double that duration by freezing the pumpkin seeds.

Harvesting Fresh Pumpkin Seeds

If you like to make pumpkins for your family or have hollowed out some of the large pumpkins to make spooky decorations, don’t waste the valuable seeds inside.

All you have to do to enjoy them is clean out the pulp and give them a good wash.

If you’re going to eat them right away, you can choose from many of the delicious options we share below, but if you’d rather keep them for future use, just lay them out in a single layer to dry well before storing.

How to tell if your pumpkin seeds are still good

The first thing to check if you are concerned that your seeds have gone bad is any signs of discoloration or strange odors. If there is visible mold, it is a dead giveaway that you should throw out the entire container.

Even if there are no visible or odorous identifiers, your pumpkin seeds may have gone rancid and the only way to tell is to taste them.

Even if they have gone rancid, they are not likely to make you sick or cause any harm, but they will taste slightly sour or just plain bad. If you don’t like the taste as before, throw them away and start over.

How to freeze pumpkin seeds

If you have purchased a sealed bag or packet of pumpkin seeds and it is not yet opened, you can put it directly in the freezer.

It is already airtight and moisture-proof, so it will last more than a year without losing quality.

If you’ve opened a bag of store-bought pumpkin seeds and want to freeze the rest to make them last longer, be sure to place the seeds in a freezer-safe, resealable container or Ziploc bag.

The most important factor is keeping moisture out of the container, so every time you open and close it, be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible.

Freeze fresh pumpkin seeds

If you want to freeze fresh pumpkin seeds from your own pumpkin, you’ll need to take a few steps first.

Thoroughly clean all the squash remains from your seeds and dry them completely by spreading them in a single layer on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.

It is important to use parchment paper and not plastic or aluminum foil because nothing sticks to parchment, wet or dry, hot or cold.

Once the seeds are completely dry, which usually takes a day or two, you can still transfer them in a single layer to the freezer.

You should freeze each one separately before putting them together so they don’t clump together. This will take you between 20 and 30 minutes.

Once frozen individually, you can put them together and put them in any airtight freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag. At this point, be sure to reseal the airtight bag each time you remove some of the seeds in the future.

Freeze cooked pumpkin seeds

Freezing cooked pumpkin seeds is a very similar process to freezing fresh pumpkin seeds, but instead of waiting for the seeds to dry out completely, you should wait for them to cool completely.

They need to be at room temperature before you put them in the freezer or the change from hot to cold will cause condensation, allowing moisture to collect on the seeds and increasing the likelihood that they will go rancid or build up ice crystals in the freezing process.

How to thaw frozen pumpkin seeds

Depending on how you want to eat the pumpkin seeds, you may not even need to thaw them. If you plan to bake them, you can put them in your recipe frozen and they will turn out just fine.

If you want to eat them as a snack, you can leave them out on the counter to thaw and start chopping when they come back to room temperature. 

They should be as good as fresh when you take them out of the freezer, but if you froze raw pumpkin seeds and want to give them a bit of flavor, this would be a good opportunity for you to try some roasting seasoning combinations.

If you’ve frozen the raw seeds, they’ll still sprout, so that’s another option that’s still open to you.

Health benefits of pumpkin seeds

Raw pumpkin seeds are one of the best natural supplies of magnesium and zinc , which together can help you sleep better, every night.

More than 75% of Americans are deficient in magnesium, a mineral that is responsible for controlling blood pressure, keeping bones healthy, regulating blood sugar levels, and protecting the heart.

They are also great sources of vitamin K, iron, copper, manganese, and phosphorous, all of which are important factors in your overall health. 

Best of all, they’re high in polyunsaturated fat , which is one of the types of good fats that help you feel full and satiated, and actually fight weight gain.

Pumpkin seeds have a low glycemic index, making them diabetes-friendly, and they’re only 180 calories per ¼ cup of raw, shelled seeds, so you can have a nutrient-packed snack that won’t ruin your next meal nor your diet, if you are following it.

The antioxidants in pumpkin seeds have been shown to fight inflammation . Most health experts agree that inflammation is the main cause, or at least an underlying component, of almost all chronic health disorders, including many types of cancer.

Pumpkin seeds are also high in fiber , which is another nutrient most Americans lack. These delicious bites can help protect your gut, improve digestion, and reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

In the end, a handful of pumpkin seeds consumed every day in the way you prefer can be a great decision for your health. In addition, it is an additional advantage that its consumption is very satisfactory.

How to eat pumpkin seeds

Now that you’re ready to stock up on a large supply of pumpkin seeds, let’s consider some of the many different ways you can eat them.

Pumpkin seeds with or without shell

If you buy pumpkin seeds, you will probably see a difference between the shelled and shelled versions. Both are edible, but raw or sprouted pumpkin seeds in the shell can be quite chewy and your jaw can get tired trying to break through the shell.

If you buy raw seeds, they will probably already be shelled.  You can tell the difference because the shells are white, while the seeds are green.

If you harvest your own seeds directly from the pumpkins, or buy shelled versions, you may find it easier to eat if you roast or fry them in the skin. This is an option worth considering, because if you’re looking for zinc, you’ll get more of it from the peel.

One of the best things about pumpkin seeds is that they’re so versatile that you’ll have plenty of options to eat them with and without the shell, so stock up on both.

raw pumpkin seeds

Raw, shelled pumpkin seeds are the perfect addition to rolled oats for breakfast, salad for lunch, or sprinkled over a pasta sauce for dinner. They retain all their nutrients and have a nice natural crunch.

Homemade trail mix just isn’t the same without them. You can also use raw pumpkin seeds to add nutrients in dressings, dips, and sauces, such as pesto or hummus .

Soaked and sprouted pumpkin seeds

Soaking shelled pumpkin seeds for a few hours encourages their germination, making them easier to digest and slightly altering their nutritional profile.

It also enhances the natural sweetness of the seed, giving them a completely unique flavor. They are delicious in wrappers, sprinkled on salads, or simply eaten as is.

baked pumpkin seeds

Baking with pumpkin seeds should be asked for much more often. Any recipe that you are used to putting nuts in can be embellished with pumpkin seeds, including desserts, breads, or even pie fillings.

You can even chop them up to create a brittle that is as healthy as it is delicious. The seeds are often used in plant-based meat alternatives, such as burgers. You can puree them to add flavor and nutrition to the meat.

roasted pumpkin seeds

You can buy roasted pumpkin seeds, but it’s very easy to make your own and you can better control the quality, so it’s highly recommended.

Just mix the raw, dried shelled seeds with a little oil and your favorite seasonings, like salt, garlic powder, and a little smoked paprika. Then roast them in the oven on a parchment-lined sheet pan at 350º F for up to 15 minutes, stirring well every 5 minutes.

Try not to roast the seeds for more than 20 minutes maximum, even if you like them crispier, because the healthy fats change structure at that time and much of the valuable nutrients are compromised.

Let them cool for a few minutes before eating them, because they will burn your mouth if you’re not careful.

fried pumpkin seeds

If you’re making a stir-fry, pasta sauce, or even a casserole of some kind, sprinkling some fried pumpkin seeds on top takes your meal from good to unforgettable.

To fry pumpkin seeds with or without the shell, just heat a teaspoon or two of oil in a pan and add the seeds. Season with salt and pepper and cook until golden and crisp.

You can also add them directly to your sauces or stir-fried vegetables, but in this case, the shelled versions will work best.

as drink

This may seem a bit extreme to you, but there are plenty of nut and seed-based milks on the market, and there’s no reason you can’t make your own with pumpkin seeds.

Simply blend 1 cup of raw, shelled pumpkin seeds with 3 cups of water (and a date, if you want to sweeten the milk naturally), then strain through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth, and you can have homemade milk in a matter of minutes.

You can even take an easier route and simply add raw, shelled pumpkin seeds to your smoothie. This also works amazingly well for non-dairy cream based sauces and soups.

Related questions

How many pumpkins do you get per seed?

Every pumpkin seed you plant has the potential to grow into a single pumpkin plant. Each healthy plant will typically harvest 2-5 pumpkins a year, although mini pumpkins can produce up to 12 a year.

However, not all seeds will grow, so it is a good idea to plant 3-5 seeds per mound to increase the chances of a strong, healthy plant.

Is it difficult to grow pumpkins?

It’s not overly difficult to grow pumpkins, but the right circumstances have to be in place for them to be successful. They don’t like the cold, so if you live in a cool climate, it’s a good idea to start them indoors and transplant them only when you’re absolutely sure there’s no danger of future frost.

Once the plants are up and running, you have to water them weekly and keep an eye out for bugs. It’s a good idea to fertilize them from time to time and trellise the vines, but neither of these tasks is particularly difficult or time consuming.

What is the best way to preserve seeds for planting?

The most important factor in preserving seeds for planting is making sure they stay dry and cool. Any small amount of moisture can cause them to start to sprout or grow mold. A glass container with an airtight light kept in the fridge is a great solution.

If you have several types of seeds, you can keep them together in the jar, just separate them first into small envelopes or paper packets.