Most people spit out watermelon seeds without thinking twice, but these little seeds are actually edible and can be a nutritious addition to your diet. Once properly cleaned, dried, and roasted, watermelon seeds become pleasantly crunchy and have a mild, nutty flavor.
They contain protein, unsaturated fats, magnesium, iron, zinc, and other nutrients. However, some of the health claims circulating online are exaggerated. Watermelon seeds are a nutritious food, but they are not a treatment for diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, or other diseases.
How to Prepare Roasted Watermelon Seeds
Ingredients
- 1 cup watermelon seeds
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika, optional
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
Step 1: Collect the Seeds
Save the mature black seeds from a watermelon.
Rinse them thoroughly under cool running water to remove any remaining watermelon flesh.
Step 2: Dry the Seeds
Spread the cleaned seeds on a clean kitchen towel or baking sheet.
Allow them to air-dry completely. You can also place them in a warm oven at a very low temperature for a short time to speed up the process.
Dry seeds roast more evenly and become crispier.
Step 3: Season
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