I think people expect me to have, um… food… for them when they drop by my house. Weird.
Don’t they know I eat popcorn for dinner?
I’m learning.
I’m learning that I need to have at least a few staple items on hand for unexpected house guests: a jar of these spiced nuts, a cold bottle of vodka, fresh oranges and an old school juicer.
What a hostess I’m shaping up to be. Dang.
Nuts and spices need a little glue to be friends.
Egg whites. Winner.
These nuts bake up smokey and spicy with a hint of sweetness and lots of crunch. They’re pretty and satisfying.
And! Sealed in a glass jar with a bow, these nuts make a pretty great hostess gift… just sayin’.
Spicy Roasted Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 cup raw sunflower seeds
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste after baking
3/4 teaspoon dried chili flakes
1 large egg white
plus generous pinches of each of these spices to sprinkle over the top of the nuts just before they go in the oven.
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet and set aside.
Mix together salt, sugar and spices. Set aside.
Whip egg white in a medium bowl until loose and frothy. Add the raw nuts and toss to coat. Add the mixed spices. Toss to coat as evenly as possible.
Spread seasoned nuts in a single layer across the greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle nuts with a bit more seasoning. A generous pinch of each. You can totally eyeball it.
Place nuts in the oven and let bake for 7 minutes. Remove nuts from the oven to toss and flip. Return to the oven for another five minutes. Toss and flip them again and then bake for another 3 minutes. Nuts should be nicely browned. Carefully taste the nuts and add more salt to taste. Cool nuts completely before serving. Store in an airtight container for a week.
Kim
Wow, these sound so good.I had another reicpe and I looked everywhere for it to no avail. So I just found this and can’t wait to make it. So good in salads on plain yogurt or just out of the jar.. Thank you so much.
Fred Avery
just like them dry roasted in a fry pan for 5-10. Wonder you can still taste their flavours after these additions!
Michelle
I love the idea of using egg white rather than oil – much healthier and perfect for a protein snack! Thank you for sharing this.
Chris
Just did this except all I used was cinnamon, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Still turned out great!
Robin
Thanks so much for this recipe! Delicious. I think I’ll tone down the spice a bit when I give them as Christmas gifts but I love them just the way they are. Has anybody figured out if there’s a way to make them keep longer?
Chelsea
I must say, this recipe is absolutely amazing! I’m making them for a friend who is vegan, so I just switched the egg out for a tablespoon of flax seeds and water. Just amazing!
Kendall
um…you should know that I absolutely love nuts and seeds. my friends make fun of me for it. I might have been a squirrel in my past life. Needless to say, I love this recipe, and you for conjuring it up. I just made it and I LOVE IT. All those little seeds will be gone soon and I’ll be making more. Thanks, Joy =)
Laura
I feel like i am on a Joy the Baker food tour lately. Every time I cook it seems to be a JtB creation. These rock! And come out so perfectly crunchy. Triple yum. Thanks, Joy. And btw, what is your new bike? It looks like the Republic fixie that my friend and I were eyeing this past weekend. Ah bike love. Nothing better.
Jo
Just made these and I can tell already that they are dangerously addictive! I did not use as much cayenne as you called for and omitted the red pepper flakes, which made them just right for me, but my hubby and son would want all the spiciness – so next batch for them. Will def be on my Christmas party snack list and gift giving too, thanks for a great, easy recipe!
Cali
SO tasty! Thanks, Joy. Serving these at a pumpkin carving party tomorrow…if they last that long. Happy Halloween!
Holly
So these will only keep for a week?? Can you freeze them to keep longer? This sounds so good and amazing and I want to make them tomorrow, I like the idea of giving as a gift for the holidays but probably not as much if it only lasts a week. ( not that it would last that long around my house anyway)
H
fossil
Wow. This looks amazing. And I really, REALLY wanted to try this out.. until I read a pretty disgusting story about pumpkin seeds, clogged intestines, and projectile.. you know… on jezebel.com. So needless to say, I will bookmark this and try it next year, when i’m not so traumatized. =)
Rachel
I have a question about the pumpkin seeds for this recipe. Are they supposed to be whole seeds still in their shells or are they supposed to be just the meat without the shell?
Samantha
I want to make these for Christmas gifts! They look great.
Sue
I always enjoy reading your blog. Thank you for sharing that I’m not the only one who eats popcorn (or worse, but always gluten free) for dinner!
Taz
mmm, my mum used to make something like this when I was a kid – thanks for reminding me!
Shari
Hey, these are exactly what i’ve been looking for! Do they stay crunchy after being in the jar for awhile?
Emma
“spiced nuts, a cold bottle of vodka, fresh oranges and an old school juicer”
Sounds good to me!
jennifer
i am so glad that i came across your little blog. i love trying new recipes, and you have some of the most unique and tasty ones i have found!!!
Monica
Sounds like a great little salty/sweet treat to keep around the house. Or serve as munchies to go with an afternoon cocktail? I think I will have to try – though I may be tempted to throw in other ingredients too.
lynne (thetwistedchef)
I heart your pictures big time. The recipe sounded good before I checked out the pictures… but… i heart your pictures. thanks for sharing Joy.
Lucia
When you love cooking people always expect you to cook; but here in Italy they expect you to cook even if you don’t like it ;-)
Kaitlin With Honey
These look so good! I love the idea of giving them as gifts. I also love that this is one of those recipes for which I have all of the ingredients always at the ready in my cupboard!
Seed Parade
Sounds lovely, am printing this and will give it a whirl in the kitchen next time.
Thanks :)
The Nerd
These look great, but I’m more impressed with the fact that you have a picture with the word “balls” across it. Awesome. In so many ways.
joythebaker
hahahahaa! balls. i was hoping someone would laugh at that with me.
Ladybird
So sorry to hear about your accident! Hope you’re back to 100% real soon.
This looks like a great nibbly snack to have on hand for unexpected company. Yum :)
Cookbook Queen
Joy–I’m so glad you are back!! We’ve missed you!!
How is your head? And your eye?
A bike wreck is totally something I would do, which is why I don’t do anything that requires coordination outside of the kitchen. At least if something goes wrong in the kitchen, there are cookies within close reach.
I’m so sorry you’re having such a run of bad bike luck. It sucks because you seem like a really good person. I hope things get better soon. I’m sending virtual hugs and get well wishes across the blogosphere.
Hang in there, girl!!
P.S. This looks so yummy.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
Yum yum! What a great snack… I hope you’re feeling better since your bike accident, Joy.
chocolate freckles
Beautiful PICS!!! :)
jodye @ 'scend food
So these look and sound amazing. I am totally about to make them, like right now
Danielle
I totally undertand your pain…I am “the baker” and peaople always expect some sort of treat when they pop by….I don’t bake for myself usually so they are always confused by the lack of cake waiting for them
Claire
These look SO good! I definitely have to try this recipe. Are they really spicy?
joythebaker
a little kick, but not too spicy at all!
Bonnie@WhatAboutPie
This looks really delicious! Next time I am at the grocery store I am picking up raw pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds! Can’t wait to make this! Very Fall and right up my alley! I always love your posts! It is always a pleasure to visit your blog! You seem like such a sweet person and I wish I knew you! Have a great weekend!
joythebaker
bonnie! thank you for the kind words! really.
When Pigs Fly
Don’t you love it when you have people stop by and then they expect to be fed? I think having alcohol on hand at all times is more important. But, I too try to keep some sort of nuts and olives in the house just in case. The nut mix sounds divine.
life and kitchen
Pumpkin seeds are the best part of fall! Love them!
Sanura
Ditto for the egg whites, for it’s a splendid idea. Pumpkins seeds are the perfect last minute hostess snack. I mix them with whatever spices are available.
Catherine
Yay! Finally another post! :) woah Joy these look really yummy! can’t wait to try them! haha i bet these would make great hostess gifts, great idea! :)
joythebaker
fiiinally!
Christyna
These were awesome! Just cooked up a batch using sunflower seeds I had on hand. Great snack, and my little guy really like them, too.
Snowpea
PP: the egg is used to bind the spice to the nuts. If you cannot use egg white, maybe use egg white alternatives like soaked flax seed mucilage? (mucilage sounds all wrong but it might work!)
Aunt Baaa
Love the pumpkin seeds. I haven’t had them since I was a child.
But my big question is, are you okay after your bike accident?
joythebaker
i’m on my way to okay after my bike accident. thanks for asking!
Jessica @ bake me away!
Yum, I love sweet/spicy/salty combos!
Samantha
These look amazing. I can not wait to make some of them.
newlywed
These look great! I have spiced nuts many times, but never seeds.
PP
What would you use if you couldn’t use egg? Olive oil?
joythebaker
hmmm… olive oil might work, as would egg substitute. give it a try!
Laura
Reminds me of when I was little and every Halloween we would roast pumpkin seeds at the daycare I went to. So tasty!
:)
Snowpea
I make something similar for my father each Christmas, but with almonds, cashews or peanuts — or mix of all three! I always steal a few before I pack them up for him :)
Amalia
gorgeous! I’m a terrible host for my friends…ugh…maybe these will make me better ;) thanks!
-Amalia
http://buttersweetmelody.wordpress.com
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes
love love pumpkin seeds…Going to have to give this one a whirl! And those spices! wow..
Thanks for the inspiration!
Cathy B. @ brightbakes
Rachel
Fabulous! I love pumpkin seeds and I have a pumpkin on my counter just waiting to be cut open. Looks like a good, healthy snack!
Jen-
Your nuts look delicious.
Lina
Ohoho, what coincidence… I have all the ingredients. I even have relatives coming over in a few days…
Jen
Is it weird that I don’t think I’ve ever actually eaten pumpkin seeds? I think as a child my mother would just wrap up all of the pumpkin carving mess in old newspapers and toss it in the trash. And I don’t think I’ve carved a pumpkin since then! We usually paint ours with paints so that we can have a variety of colors. This year though, I am planning on pumpkin carving with my husband and stepdaughter, so this might be my FIRST CHANCE to test out pumpkin seeds!
Megabite
Just wanted to tell you that these are beautifully styled! So you’re one stylin’ lady. A stylish hostess even. And I bet this snack is tasty.
Gen
Great to eat in front of the tv!
Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
Yum! These look so delicious. I am often bad at those things too – and generally not great at being a grown up. These are tres impressive though ;) Thanks for the tip!
Heidi xo
Jenny
My college roommate used to make something remarkably similar every fall. Since she and I have parted ways, I can’t imagine why it never occurred to me to copy her. Thanks for the reminder.
Lauren at KeepItSweet
i like the combo of sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. hope you are feeling better!!
Kylie @ A Hungry Spoon
YUM! LOVE spiced nuts n’ seeds….so very tasty. I’m totally on board with your gift-giving idea as well: I started saving my little nut butter jars last month so I’ll have a handy collection when the holidays roll around to fill with nuts and snack mixes!
Thanks for sharing another fantastic one :) Have a great weekend!
Katrina
I love the combo of pumpkin and sunflower! These would be perfect for guests!
peachkins
you just gave me an idea..
MiloCakeDesign
I like it! Thanks for sharing.
Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet
This recipe would probably work great for other nuts as well, say like pecans or walnuts or almonds or all of them. Just toast them a little longer. Nice recipe.
Katie
your wit and recipes always make my day…can’t wait to try these!
Style Your Food Recipes
oh yes I am so making this. thanks for sharing
the blissful baker
yumm what a great snack!
Jennifer @ Maple n Cornbread
I love roasted pumpkin seeds but never thought to combine it with other seeds! YUM
Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
I once had roasted pumpkin seeds but with maple syrup and not quite as spicy. So frickin’ good. I totally didn’t think to add egg whites.
Samantha @ Bikini Birthday
Mmm… spiced seeds are the bomb. I’ll have to try this spice mix with mixed nuts.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
Love that these babies are SPICY!
Tabitha (From Single to Married)
I’m learning something similar – to keep certain ingredients on hand in case I need to whip up a quick batch of something or another.
Wei-Wei
I’ve never thought about using egg whites as a binder… but it’s quite a low-fat alternative, no? Yummy.