3 Ways To Shell Pumpkin Seeds - WikiHow

Home » How To Shell Pumpkin Seeds » 3 Ways To Shell Pumpkin Seeds - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Shell Pumpkin Seeds PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Vanna Tran

Last Updated: November 20, 2025 Fact Checked

PDF download Download Article
  • Shelling a Large Batch of Pumpkin Seeds
    • |
  • Shelling Pumpkin Seeds One at a Time
    • |
  • Eating the Seeds
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Vanna Tran, a trusted member of wikiHow's volunteer community. Vanna Tran is a home cook who started cooking with her mother at a very young age. She has catered events and hosted pop-up dinners in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 5 years. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 554,132 times. Learn more...

Pumpkin seeds are also known as pepitas. They are found inside pumpkins and other members of the gourd family. Most pumpkin seeds are held inside a white or yellow casing known as the hull. The seed itself is green and flat. Pumpkin seeds can be eaten as part of a healthy diet, as they are a good source of magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, iron, copper, protein and zinc. While the hull is edible, some people may find it to be too tough to enjoy. You can remove pumpkin shells by cracking and then boiling the seeds. You can also remove the shells one-by-one by hand.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Shelling a Large Batch of Pumpkin Seeds

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Remove the seeds from the pumpkin. 1 Remove the seeds from the pumpkin. If you want fresh pumpkin seeds, you may take the seeds straight from a pumpkin you purchase at a grocery store. To start, carefully use a knife to cut a circle around the top of the pumpkin near the stem. Then, remove the section you cut out.
    • Use your hands, or a spoon if you'd prefer, to scoop out the insides of the pumpkin.
    • In addition to scooping out seeds, you'll find some orange pulp. You will have to wash this off the seeds later. Collect the seeds and pulp in a bowl.
  2. Step 2 Clean off the removed seeds. 2 Clean off the removed seeds. When you've fully cleaned out the inside of the pumpkin, you should clean the seeds until they're free of any pulp and juice. You can clean them by placing the seeds and pulp in a strainer. Then, run the strainer under cool water in your kitchen sink until most of the pulp is removed.[1]
    • It's okay to leave some pulp on the seeds, as some of it can be stubborn to get off. However, you should make sure to get most of the pulp off of the seeds, especially if you plan to roast the pumpkins later. Excess pulp could burn in the oven.[2]
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Shell Pumpkin Seeds 3 Roll a rolling pin over the seeds. Now, you can begin the process of removing the hard exterior shells from the pumpkin. These shells are non-toxic, so it's safe to leave them on, but many people prefer the softer seeds within. To start, spread the seeds out on a hard surface, like a counter top or cutting board.
    • Try to spread the seeds out evenly, so there's little overlap between seeds.
    • Take a rolling pin. Gently roll the pin over the seeds, using enough force to produce light cracks in the shell.
    • Do not use too much force here. You do not want to damage the soft seeds within. Just roll hard enough to lightly fracture the surface of the shells.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Shell Pumpkin Seeds 4 Boil the seeds in water for about 5 minutes. Boil a pot of water big enough to hold all your pumpkin seeds. Take your seeds and pour them into the water. The boiling process should cause the shells to gradually fall off.[3]
    • Keep an eye on the seeds as they boil and remove the seeds from the heat once most of the shells have shed. You'll notice the shells have slipped off of the seeds and are floating in the water or congregated at the bottom of the pan.
    • This process generally takes around 5 minutes, but it may take slightly more or less depending on how many seeds you're boiling. Less seeds may be ready in a couple of minutes, while more seeds may take closer to 10 minutes for the shells to shed.
  5. Step 5 Remove the seeds and let them cool. 5 Remove the seeds and let them cool. Once the shells are gone, remove the seeds from the heat. Strain them over the sink, using a sifter or strainer, and then set them out to dry.
    • You can set the seeds over tray or countertop covered in paper towel to absorb the water.
    • If there are any small bits of shell left on the seeds, you can pick these bits off using your fingers once the seeds are dry to the touch. Make sure to wash your hands first.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Shelling Pumpkin Seeds One at a Time

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Remove and clean the seeds. 1 Remove and clean the seeds. If you're taking seeds from a fresh pumpkin, you'll need to remove the seeds first. Remember, cut a circle around the stem of the pumpkin. Remove the section you cut by lifting the stem and then scoop out the pulp and seeds using your hands. To clean, you can place the seeds in a strainer and run them under cool water in your sink.
    • Be sure to get most of the pulp off, especially if you're cooking the seeds in the oven. You do not want them to burn.
    • Set the seeds out on an open surface and pat them dry with a paper towel. If they're still slightly wet, you may have to wait a bit before you begin shelling them.
    • You can roast the seeds before shelling them if you prefer them cooked.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Shell Pumpkin Seeds 2 Take a seed and gently fold it until it cracks. You may not want to shell a large amount of pumpkin seeds for a big recipe. If you just want to eat the pumpkin seeds, you can shell them as you go. To start, pick up a single pumpkin seed. Fold the seed slightly.[4]
    • To fold, hold one half of the seed between your thumb and index finger. Grasp the other end of the seed using your thumb and index finger with your other hand.
    • Fold the seed in half. Keep folding until the shell cracks slightly. This should not take too much effort, and pumpkin shells are not particularly rough.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Shell Pumpkin Seeds 3 Peel off the shell. Once the shell has cracked, you can simply pluck the shell off using your fingers. Dig your thumb into the crack you made and pull upward until the shell cracks in half completely. Pull one half of the shell off, and then the other.[5]
    • If there are any small bits of shell remaining, consider running the seed under water to remove.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Eating the Seeds

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Have the seeds as a snack raw. 1 Have the seeds as a snack raw. Many people enjoy eating pumpkin seeds raw. They're a fairly nutritious food as they are rich in fiber and a good source of magnesium, copper, selenium, and zinc. If you're vegetarian or vegan, pumpkin seeds can be a healthy snack as they're rich in protein.[6]
    • Most people can eat pumpkin seeds without a problem, especially if the shells are fully removed. However, if there are small traces of shells remaining on the seeds, you may get a slight stomach ache.
    • If you're serving pumpkin seeds to kids, it's a good idea to be extra cautious about removing the shell to prevent choking.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Shell Pumpkin Seeds 2 Fry the pumpkin seeds. There are many different ways you can prepare pumpkin seeds. One way is to fry them in olive oil. Spread out some olive oil over a frying pan. How much you will need depends on how many seeds you are frying, but it should be enough to coat the pan.[7]
    • Allow the oil to heat for a few minutes and then throw in your seeds. Cook the seeds over the oil until they begin to make a popping noise.
    • From here, add about a tablespoon of table sugar. Continue frying until the seeds pop again. Remove the seeds from the heat, let them cool, and enjoy.
  3. Step 3 Roast the pumpkin seeds. 3 Roast the pumpkin seeds. You can also roast the pumpkin seeds in an oven heated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then lay the seeds out on a baking pan.[8]
    • If you like your seeds plain, you can put them in the oven as is. Some people prefer to sprinkle them with curry powder, chipotle flakes, or cayenne pepper. Clove, cinnamon, or nutmeg can be used for sweet pumpkin seeds.
    • Bake the seeds for about 20 minutes, or until they're golden brown.
  4. Step 4 Finished. 4 Finished.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question Can the pumpkin seeds be ground? Community Answer Community Answer Yes. Pumpkin seeds are ground for many recipes, such as pumpkin butter and pumpkin flour. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 22
  • Question Will eating pumpkin seeds keep me from going to the bathroom at night? Community Answer Community Answer Pumpkin seeds do contain zinc, vitamin A and other nutrients that can improve the functioning of your urinary system, but eating them alone won't stop you from needing to go to the bathroom at night. Focus on improving your overall diet and stop drinking liquids a few hours before you go to bed to reduce the problem. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 34
  • Question In the recipe above, the seeds are white, but pepitas are usually green. Does the cooking turn them white? Community Answer Community Answer It just depends upon the type of pumpkin used. For example, most jack-o-lantern pumpkins are white on the inside. A Queensland pumpkin, however, is green on the inside. Both kinds of seeds are edible and delicious. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 21 Helpful 31
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement Did this article help you? Say thanks with a small tip. icon $1 $3 $5 Leave a Tip Support our mission to help everyone in the world learn how to do anything.

Video

Read Video Transcript

Tips

  • Many of these methods can also be used for seeds from other vegetables in the gourd family. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • To prevent burning yourself keep your hands and arms out of the way of the water when straining the seeds after boiling them. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 8
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How toEat Pumpkin Seeds Roast Pumpkin SeedsHow toRoast Pumpkin Seeds Clean Pumpkin SeedsHow toClean Pumpkin Seeds Dry Pumpkin SeedsThe Best Ways to Make Dried & Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Clean a PumpkinHow toClean a Pumpkin Eat Maple SeedsHow toEat Maple Seeds Freeze PumpkinHow toFreeze Pumpkin Clean a PomegranateHow toClean a Pomegranate Shell Pine NutsHow toShell Pine Nuts Shell PecansHow toShell Pecans Remove Eggplant SeedsHow toRemove Eggplant Seeds How to Eat Pistachios How toCut a Pumpkin Cut a PomegranateThe Best Way to Cut, Deseed & Eat Pomegranates Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://ohsheglows.com/how-to-roast-perfect-pumpkin-seeds-easy-crunchy-addictive/
  2. ↑ https://www.food.com/how-to/roast-pumpkin-seeds-13
  3. ↑ https://ohsheglows.com/how-to-roast-perfect-pumpkin-seeds-easy-crunchy-addictive/
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B34CX_zWn0
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B34CX_zWn0
  6. ↑ https://www.newhealthadvisor.org/How-to-Eat-Pumpkin-Seeds.html
  7. ↑ https://www.newhealthadvisor.org/How-to-Eat-Pumpkin-Seeds.html
  8. ↑ https://www.newhealthadvisor.org/How-to-Eat-Pumpkin-Seeds.html

About This Article

VT Co-authored by: Vanna Tran Experienced Cook This article was co-authored by Vanna Tran, a trusted member of wikiHow's volunteer community. Vanna Tran is a home cook who started cooking with her mother at a very young age. She has catered events and hosted pop-up dinners in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 5 years. This article has been viewed 554,132 times. 19 votes - 84% Co-authors: 17 Updated: November 20, 2025 Views: 554,132 Categories: Featured Articles | Nuts and Seeds Article SummaryX

To shell a large batch of pumpkin seeds, scoop them out of the pumpkin and clean them in a strainer under cool, running water. Spread the seeds out on a firm surface, like a cutting board or countertop, and gently roll a rolling pin over them. Use just enough pressure to crack the shells without smashing the seeds inside. Put some water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil on the stove, then boil the seeds for about 5 minutes, or until the seeds separate from their shells. Strain off the water and discard the shells, then spread the seeds out on a tray lined with paper towels to cool and dry off. If you want to shell pumpkin seeds one at a time, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages German Spanish Russian Portuguese Italian French Indonesian Dutch Arabic Chinese Korean Hindi Thai Vietnamese Japanese
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 554,132 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Anonymous

    Anonymous

    Jun 9, 2018

    "When trying something new, sometimes we don't think of everything that's needed, so it was great to have..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. VT Co-authored by: Vanna Tran Experienced Cook Co-authors: 17 Updated: November 20, 2025 Views: 554,132 84% of readers found this article helpful. 19 votes - 84% Click a star to add your vote Anonymous

Anonymous

Jun 9, 2018

"When trying something new, sometimes we don't think of everything that's needed, so it was great to have..." more Toby Fouks

Toby Fouks

Oct 29, 2016

"This was extremely helpful because I just took all the seeds out of a pumpkin that I plan to bake. I wanted to have..." more Jessica De Langen

Jessica De Langen

Mar 27, 2017

"I usually look up how to do pretty much everything on YouTube, but this time I could not find how to shell the..." more Rated this article: Anonymous

Anonymous

Oct 22, 2017

"The rolling pin trick to crack the seeds before boiling works really well. Before, I just boiled them and had to..." more V Pill

V Pill

Jun 8, 2020

"Was soooo surprised to hear that the seeds are good for the bladder!! Thank you for a very helpful article." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

Guess the Food QuizGuess the Food QuizTake QuizWhat Pasta Shape Am I QuizWhat Pasta Shape Am I QuizTake QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake QuizWhat Veggie Am I QuizWhat Veggie Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Bake QuizWhat Should I Bake QuizTake QuizWhat Fruit Am I QuizWhat Fruit Am I QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Eat Pumpkin SeedsHow toEat Pumpkin SeedsRoast Pumpkin SeedsHow toRoast Pumpkin SeedsClean Pumpkin SeedsHow toClean Pumpkin SeedsDry Pumpkin SeedsThe Best Ways to Make Dried & Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Trending Articles

Mental Illness TestMental Illness TestType A B C D Personality TestType A B C D Personality TestCan We Guess How Tall You Are QuizCan We Guess How Tall You Are QuizAm I Autistic QuizAm I Autistic QuizDiscover the Secret Meaning of Your First NameDiscover the Secret Meaning of Your First NamePractice KissingHow toPractice Kissing

Watch Articles

Amazing Super Bowl Party Ideas Guests Will Cheer ForAmazing Super Bowl Party Ideas Guests Will Cheer ForDevelop Listening SkillsHow toDevelop Listening SkillsNot Lose Your GirlfriendHow toNot Lose Your Girlfriend Draw an OwlHow to Draw an OwlTreat AllergiesHow toTreat AllergiesIntroduce Friends to Other FriendsHow toIntroduce Friends to Other Friends

Trending Articles

5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your ShapeWhat Would My Nickname Be QuizWhat Would My Nickname Be QuizCan We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Can We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Depression Test for TeensDepression Test for TeensSCP Fight Simulator: Who Will Win?SCP Fight Simulator: Who Will Win?Kiss PassionatelyHow toKiss Passionately

Quizzes & Games

What Food Am I QuizWhat Food Am I QuizTake QuizAm I a Picky Eater QuizAm I a Picky Eater QuizTake QuizMinecraft Trivia QuizMinecraft Trivia QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Eat for Dinner QuizWhat Should I Eat for Dinner QuizTake QuizWhat Does Your Favorite Thanksgiving Food Say About You?What Does Your Favorite Thanksgiving Food Say About You?Analyze MeDo I Have Common Sense QuizDo I Have Common Sense QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Food and Entertaining
  • Nuts and Seeds
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Let's do this! X --513

Tag » How To Shell Pumpkin Seeds