Its October, and pumpkin patches are filled to the brim with pumpkins for carving! Our son is infatuated with all things Halloween and pumpkins, I’ve never seen a 2 year old so into Halloween like he is! Jack Skellington and pumpkins. This is our life right now…

So after I’m going to be forced to by all those pumpkins because he can’t just pick on an I’m a softee, there’s going to be so many pumpkin seeds left over after carving them. One of my favorite things to do after all the carving is finished, is roasting up pumpkin seeds and seasoning them with different flavor or even just plain salt.

But you can only eat so many pumpkin seeds by themselves. There’s also plenty of different ways to incorporate pumpkin seeds into recipe, and plenty of benefits of using them in recipes as well. They’re full of nutrients, antioxidants and have many benefits to your vital organs – heart, liver, and even prostate in us men!

I put together 11 recipes from other food bloggers that have a different take on how to use pumpkin seeds. Why 11? Well today is the first day of the 2015-2016 NHL Season, and since the Kings are obviously the best team in the league I went with their best player Anze Kopitar’s number: 11.

Actually I just wanted to make sure everyone was clear about the Kings being the best team in the NHL. OH, whats that? You disagree?

Well then you can take that up with my son. ????????????

11 Awesome Pumpkin Seed Recipes

1. Drunken Pumpkin Seeds by Sweet C’s Designs

The only “plain” pumpkin seed recipe in this roundup but its too good not to include, and adult twist on pumpkin seeds with whiskey, brown sugar, vanilla and salt!

Link to recipe here

2. Pumpkin Hummus by High Heel And Grills

I love me some hummus, so I’m all about throwing some pumpkin seeds in a hummus!

Link to recipe here

 3. Vegan Pumpkin Caramels by Minimalist Baker

Vegan or not, these caramel bites smothered in pumpkin seeds are making me drool! Pumpkin butter is making a guest appearance in this recipe to make the “caramel”

Link to recipe here

4. Quick Pumpkin Beer Bread by Foxes Love Lemons

A sourdough style bread with pumpkin ale topped with pumpkin seeds. Honestly, you had me at beer.

Link to recipe here

5. Kale and Pepita Pesto by All Roads Lead To The Kitchen

Pesto is so expensive to make when using pine seeds, using Pumpkin seeds, or Pepita, is a great alternative for a great pesto and this one with kale is awesome!

Link to recipe here

6. Pumpkin Energy Balls by Lean Green Bean

There’s nothing I like to do more than to load my son up with energy food right before I head out the door for work – my wife LOVES it. Ok, I made that up. But this recipe is packed with energy and full of that great pumpkin seed flavor!

Link to recipe here

7. Salted Dark Chocolate Bark With Pumpkin Seeds by Flavour and Savour

Salty and sweet never looked so good! Chocolate goes so fast in our house, and this makes a great addition to any chocolate lover’s stash!

Link to recipe here

8. Kale Salad With Pumpkin Seeds by The Roasted Root

After you’re done devouring all that chocolate, use the leftover pumpkin seeds for this salad. Salad after chocolate cancels the chocolate out. It’s science.

Link to recipe here

9. Pumpkin Seed Cherry Trail Mix by Cooking In Stilettos

This is always a great thing to keep in the cupboard for the kids, plenty of nutrients and energy, just before sending them off to the grandparents house!

Link to recipe here

10. Gluten-free Matcha Shortbread Cookies by Snixy Kitchen

You didn’t think I was going to leave you gluten-free people out did you? These make a great after-meal palette cleanser!

Link to recipe here

11. Fall Cranberry and Pumpkin Seed Bark by My Catholic Kitchen

Super simple and quick way to get use out of your roasted pumpkin seeds! Plus, you know.. chocolate!

Link to recipe here

Honorable Mention: Bacon Roasted Pumpkin Seeds by The Gunny Sack

I was going to leave this at 11 but decided to add one more recipe. Why? Bacon. That’s why.

Link to recipe here

What’s your favorite recipe using pumpkin seeds? I’ve love to hear from you!