Watermelon seeds: 7 ways to use them in recipes

What can you do with watermelon seeds?

As mentioned above, it is best to eat watermelon seeds roasted! They can be easily roasted and lightly sprinkled with salt to make a tasty snack… A healthy and delicious way to eat watermelon seeds on the go! Plus, there are other delicious recipes you can try at home.

1. Homemade energy bars from watermelon seeds

How to do it?

1. Start by toasting the watermelon seeds in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Once they turn a reddish color, transfer them to a bowl.
3. Then, it will be necessary to coat them with a complete syrup or rapadura.
4. Once this operation is finished, grease your pan with coconut oil and place the watermelon seeds coated in syrup to form a kind of thick cake.
5. Finally, cut it into bars and eat them as a sweet and crunchy snack.

6. Rice with watermelon seeds

Fans of spicy food are in luck! Let’s quickly move on to the recipe.

How to do it?

1. In a pan, dry the watermelon seeds and red peppers, then transfer everything to a bowl.
2. Next, add salt and sugar, and grind everything into a thick powder.
3. After that, put oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, urad dal (flattened and cracked Indian lentils), curry leaves and Asa foetida powder.
4. Then you can add peanuts and fry them until they turn dark brown.
5. Finally, add the precooked rice and watermelon seed powder and mix everything well.

Your watermelon seed rice will be ready to serve to the whole family!

3. Savory waffle with poached egg and watermelon seeds

Have you ever made waffles or savory toast with a poached egg? Sprinkle roasted watermelon seeds on top… It’s a recipe to die for!

4. Watermelon seed salads

To benefit from all the nutrients they offer and to have an extra nutritious crunch, it would be perfect to sprinkle all your healthy salads with a good helping of roasted watermelon seeds!

5. Watermelon seed infusion

Yes, it is totally possible to consume these seeds in the form of an infusion!

How to do it?

1. To do this, grind about fifteen seeds with your blender until they become powder.
2. Then, in a saucepan, boil 1 litre of water mixed with this powder for a quarter of an hour.
3. Turn off the heat, cover the pan and let it sit for an hour before enjoying!

4. “Energy Bowl” for breakfast with watermelon seeds

What’s healthier and more nutritious than an Energy Bowl for breakfast? With a base made of oatmeal, top your bowl with bananas, blueberries, raspberries, and roasted watermelon seeds. Makes you want it, doesn’t it?

7. Watermelon seeds with chocolate

Do watermelon seeds and chocolate mean something to you? It doesn’t seem like it… Toasting these seeds gives them a nutty flavor that can only delight the palate. For this recipe, this is a dessert that you can eat as a snack or serve to the whole family after a hearty meal! All you need are a few slices of watermelon…

How to do it?

1. Glue sticks together and dip into melted dark chocolate.
2. Then add toasted watermelon seeds on top.

Whenever you get the chance, don’t hesitate to take out your frying pan and toast some watermelon seeds to enhance the flavors and create a variety of recipes!

Can you eat roasted watermelon seeds?

Watermelon is a fruit that comes in many delicious forms: you can eat it plain and fresh, in small cubes in a sweet/savoury salad, in juice, in a smoothie, in ice cream or even pan-fried.  But what’s a shame is that watermelon seeds are always forgotten. Enough with the preconceived notions! These wastes are not just waste that needs to be thrown away. Most people don’t know it, but they are full of nutritional benefits for the body and do not harm the intestine. You will even be surprised by all their benefits:  these seeds contain fibre, minerals and arginine, an essential amino acid that regulates blood pressure, prevents heart disease and does a lot of good for the liver.  What’s more, in certain Asian countries it is customary to dry and roast them to eat them as a snack, like nuggets. Special mention: these seeds are low in calories and cholesterol. All the more reason not to throw them away!

How to dry watermelon seeds?

Tempted by the idea?  Would you like to try these famous roasted seeds? Yes.  But there is a process to follow: first you have to store them in an airtight container (to protect them from humidity) and place them in a cool, dark and dry place. When stored in good conditions, they remain viable for 5 years!  So let’s get down to business: you can roast them directly in a pan or put them in the oven.  If you prefer the second option, here is the procedure to follow.

1. You must spread the seeds on the plate (previously soaked in salted water), to place in the oven preheated to 180°C.
2. Cook for about ten minutes, checking them carefully and turning them over so that they become crispy on both sides.
3. And there you have it, ready, time to taste… if you want you can season them with salt or sugar!