Can You Freeze Pumpkin Seeds?

Last updated on September 26th, 2022 at 03:19 am

Pumpkin seeds are a delicious snack. Many people roast pumpkin seeds during the fall months when it is time to harvest the pumpkins in the fields. 

Pumpkin seeds can be eaten raw or roasted. But what about freezing them? Can pumpkin seeds be frozen to be used later? 

Pumpkin seeds can be kept in the freezer. If you have store bought pumpkin seeds you can place the package directly into the freezer. If you have previously opened the package of pumpkin seeds and now need to freeze them you will need to make sure that they are in an airtight container. 

You do not want any chance of moisture or air getting to your pumpkin seeds. They are best stored in a plastic freezer bag where you can remove all of the air from the bag. 

If you have fresh pumpkin seeds from your garden then you will need to do a little more to store them in the freezer. If you have cleaned out the inside of a pumpkin to make Jack-o-lanterns or to make pumpkin pie you will want to save those seeds. 

First clean away all the pumpkin pulp from the seeds then wash your seeds. To wash your pumpkin seeds, you simply need to run them under water and give them a gentle rub to make sure all of the pumpkin pulp has been washed away. 

Lay the washed pumpkin seeds in a single layer on some paper towels and allow them to dry. Once the seeds have dried you can either roast them and then freeze them or freeze them raw. 

If you are choosing to freeze your pumpkin seeds raw all you need to do next is to place the seeds into a plastic freezer bag and remove all of the air from the bag. Then label the bag with the contents and the date. 

Pumpkin seeds will stay good in the freezer for multiple years but will have the best taste and texture if used within 12 months. 

If you are roasting the pumpkin seeds before you freeze them then you will also need to start with your clean pumpkin seeds. Some people will first boil the seeds in the salt water before they roast them to give the seeds a little extra crispness. 

All you need for a basic roasted pumpkin seeds is some melted butter, salt, and pepper, a baking sheet, and of course your pumpkin seeds. 

Toss the pumpkin seeds in a bowl with a little melted butter in order to lightly coat the seeds. Spread them out on a baking sheet and then salt and pepper them to your desired taste. 

Then place them in a preheated oven that is set to 350 degrees. Bake the pumpkin seeds for 15 to 20 minutes. 

Half way through the baking process you will want to give the seeds a little stir. Allow the pumpkin seeds to cool completely before you place them into a freezer safe bag. 

Remove all the excess air from the bag then label it with the contents and the date. Your roasted pumpkin seeds will keep in the freezer for 12 months for best quality and then multiple years without being bad. 

How Long Do Pumpkin Seeds Last In The Fridge?

If you have purchased pumpkin seeds from the store or even harvested them from your own garden you can keep them fresh in many different ways. 

They can be kept in the pantry as long as they are in a cool, dark, and dry place. 

You can freeze them for up to twelve months. Pumpkin seeds will also stay good in the fridge. 

Pumpkin seeds, if stored properly, will keep in the fridge for 6 to 12 months. If you are choosing to store your pumpkin seeds in the fridge then you will need to make sure that they are in an airtight container.

Should You Rinse Pumpkin Seeds Before Roasting?

Roasted pumpkin seeds are a delicious and healthy snack. This is something that you can snack on without feeling any guilt about how much you have consumed. 

Before you roast your pumpkin seeds you need to first rinse them clean and then allow them to dry completely. To rinse your pumpkin seeds, you will want to run them under cold water until all of the pumpkin pulp is gone. 

Then lay your seeds out on some paper towels and allow them to dry. If you want to hurry along this process, you could pat them dry with some paper towels. 

Once the pumpkin seeds are completely dry, they are ready to be roasted. 

There are so many different recipes for pumpkin seeds. You could easily roast your pumpkin seeds to any flavor that you want.

How Long Do Pumpkin Seeds Last After Roasting?

Roasted pumpkin seeds are a wonderful, seasonal treat. You roasted a bunch of pumpkin seeds after you turned pumpkins into Jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, or perhaps you made a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving then roasted the seeds. 

How long will the roasted pumpkin seeds last? 

If you are storing your roasted pumpkin seeds in the pantry, they will stay good for up to a week. If you want your roasted pumpkin seeds to last longer than that they will keep in the fridge for 1 to 2 months or the freezer for 12+ months. 

Pumpkin seeds have a high oil content which means that they can go rancid rather quickly when exposed to air. You will need to make sure that you store your pumpkin seeds in an airtight container. 

To avoid exposing them to the air every time you open the package to get a handful you might want to think about storing them in multiple small freezer bags instead of a large one-gallon freezer bag.

How Do You Know If Pumpkin Seeds Go Bad?

Pumpkin seeds can go rancid when exposed to air due to their high oil content. How do you know if your pumpkin seeds have gone rancid? 

Pumpkin seeds that have gone bad can have a visible mold on them. Rancid pumpkin seeds will also have a sour odor and be discolored. 

Sometimes pumpkin seeds will not have an obvious sign that they have gone rancid but if you noticed that they have a sour or off taste then they have probably gone rancid and should be tossed out just to be on the safe side.