Description
These Vanilla Pumpkin Seed Clusters are a delightful, crunchy snack made with raw pumpkin seeds coated in a sweet vanilla maple syrup. Roasted to perfection at a moderate oven temperature, they offer a wholesome treat perfect for munching on their own or adding extra texture to cereal or yogurt.
Ingredients
Scale
Seed Clusters
- ½ cup (about 64g) raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds
- 2 tsp (10 ml) maple syrup
- 2 tsp (8 g) coconut sugar
- 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
- Small splash of boiled water (to thin syrup)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) to ensure a low and steady temperature ideal for roasting the pumpkin seeds without burning.
- Prepare Syrup Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the maple syrup, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until a thick paste forms. Add a small splash of boiled water gradually to thin the paste into a runny syrup for even coating.
- Coat Seeds: Add raw pumpkin seeds to the syrup mixture and stir thoroughly to coat each seed evenly. Proper coating helps seeds stick together into clusters during baking.
- Form Clusters: Using a teaspoon, drop heaping spoonfuls of the coated pumpkin seeds onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Space clusters apart to prevent merging during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Check towards the end for a light golden brown color, adjusting time if needed to avoid burning.
- Shape Clusters: Remove baking sheet from oven and while the clusters are still warm, press firmly to help them hold together as they cool and dry.
- Serve: Once fully cooled and dried, serve the clusters as a snack or sprinkle over cereal or yogurt for added crunch and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure even coating of pumpkin seeds for clusters to form properly.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mat to prevent sticking during baking.
- Watch the clusters closely near the end of baking to prevent burning.
- Press clusters together while warm to maintain shape once cooled.
- Store cooled clusters in an airtight container to keep crisp.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
