Crispy Roasted Seed Mix with Lemon Zest
A crunchy, savory snack made with Burpee's garden seeds, roasted to perfection with a bright lemon twist for a healthy alternative to store-bought trail mix. This healthy snacks-inspired kid friendly ready in about 23 minutes pairs Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Sesame seeds for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup Sunflower seeds
- 2 tbsp Sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp Smoked paprika
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Spread 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, and 2 tbsp sesame seeds evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 2: Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, then sprinkle with 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, and 1/8 tsp smoked paprika, tossing gently until all seeds are evenly coated.
- Step 3: Roast for 15-18 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until seeds are golden brown and crisp (check at 12 minutes to prevent burning).
- Step 4: Remove from oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet (seeds will crisp further as they cool) before transferring to an airtight container.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Crispy Roasted Seed Mix with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 23 minutes (5 min prep + 18 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Crispy Roasted Seed Mix with Lemon Zest?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pumpkin seeds from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Roasted Seed Mix with Lemon Zest?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Crispy Roasted Seed Mix with Lemon Zest for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Crispy Roasted Seed Mix with Lemon Zest?
Healthy Snacks kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 18-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
