9 Ways to Use Pumpkin Seeds

Written by Dana Plucinski

There are SO many reasons to love sprouted pumpkin seeds (check out our top 10 reasons!). Mostly we love their versatility and the way they add great-tasting flavor, protein, and crunch to just about anything. In today’s blog, we’re sharing some tasty ideas on how to use them to upgrade your snacks, salads, sauces, and more!

1. Make Pumpkin Seed Butter
   Have you ever tried making your own seed butter? It takes only two ingredients and could not be easier to make! Our Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds have 2g more protein and more than double the amount of magnesium AND zinc per 1oz serving than almonds, making this seed butter a delicious, nutritious, nut-free alternative. Make your own Pumpkin Seed Butter with our recipe here.

2. Sprinkle On Desserts
   Adding Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds to your favorite dessert is an easy way to sneak in extra protein and nutrients. Plus, the little bit of Sea Salt on the seeds helps balance out the level of sweetness, making your desserts even better than you imagined. We love combining pumpkin seeds with any chocolate treat, like on our Swirled Chocolate Bark.

3. Use In Pesto
   Pesto is one of those magic sauces that makes your meal taste so much better. For an allergen-free option, Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds are the perfect alternative to pine nuts, and they have flavor similar enough to parmesan to make a delicious vegan pesto by simply omitting the cheese. While classic basil pesto is a comfort food we’ll never tire of, we love switching up our routine with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto. We’re pretty confident that this will be your new favorite addition to pasta, pizza, and more.

4. Upgrade Your Snacks
   The best kind of snacks are not just tasty, but also have extra nutritional value to nourish and power you through your day. We love adding Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds to classic snacks like ants on a log, apples with seed or nut butter, trail mix, and on one of our current faves—stuffed Medjool Date with shredded coconut.

5. Arrange On Veggie Boards
   All veggie (and charcuterie) boards need some crunch! Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds are the perfect addition to any board, especially if yours is plant-based and you’re looking to add extra protein.

6. Blend Up Pumpkin Seed Milk
   In lattes, on cereal, in baked goods, and more—we can't get enough Pumpkin Seed Milk! Our Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds are perfect for making into milk since they require no soaking or prep work beforehand. Plus, if you need plant-based milk in a pinch, you're good to go as long as you have seeds in your pantry. Get our recipe for Pumpkin Seed Milk developed by our Brand Ambassador Cory Starbird here.

7. Use In Pie Crust
   If you don’t eat gluten (or try not to), it can be hard to find a delicious pie crust out there that’s not too complicated to make. We love our Sprouted Pumpkin Seed Crust because it’s made with only three wholesome ingredients: coconut oil, maple syrup, and, you guessed it, Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds. Try this crust with your next baking project—you won’t be disappointed!

8. Incorporate Into Waffles or Pancakes
   When our recipe developer created these Sweet Potato Waffles, we knew she was onto something. Gluten-free, plant-based waffles made with Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds hidden in the batter for extra protein and nutrients?! Sign us up! Get our super tasty recipe for your new favorite breakfast here.

9. Use It In Place of Croutons on Salads
   While croutons are a delicious addition to any salad, Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds offer a gluten-free, low carb, and nutrient-dense alternative while still providing that tasty crunch. For a stronger, more complex flavor profile, try toasting seeds in a pan beforehand with a dash of olive oil or neutral oil. Or use one of our Go Raw Sprouted Seed Salad Toppers, with flavors like Italian Herb, Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper, and Garlic Thyme, developed specifically to work with Salads.

How do you use Pumpkin Seeds? Please share with us and the Go Raw community below as we always love to hear new ideas from our customers!