Cinnamon Spice Roasted Pepitas

Pepitas—AKA pumpkin seeds—add delicious crunch whatever you add them to. When you dress them up a little, you’re more likely to add them to your diet. Toss them with coconut oil, honey, and cinnamon, and you add warm, deep flavor in every bite. They’re perfect to sprinkle on fall salads, butternut squash soup, and even desserts like a healthy chocolate pudding. Of course, you can also just keep a bag in your purse and grab a handful when you need a quick, yummy, nutritious snack.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon coconut oil, melted
1 teaspoon honey, melted
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup raw pepitas

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Combine coconut oil, honey, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
3. Add pepitas to mixture and toss to evenly coat.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Spread the mixture evenly on the baking sheet in a single layer.
6. Bake for 30-45 minutes, tossing every 15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE Pepitas are rich in a few important, tricky-to-find nutrients. These include, magnesium (which plays a role in bone health, sleep, and PMS relief) and zinc (which is important for brain health and thyroid function). Cinnamon is a great source of manganese and calcium, and boosts brain health while also helping control blood sugar. (What doesn’t cinnamon do?)