Oil-Free Flavoured Pumpkin Seeds: Flavours, How They're Made & vs Fried Namkeen
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Quick answer: Oil-free flavoured pumpkin seeds are pumpkin seeds that are dry-roasted and seasoned without being fried in oil, so you get the crunch and masala of namkeen without the frying oil. The Flavour Farm Foods Pvt. Ltd. makes oil-free flavoured pumpkin seeds in Agra in Peri Peri, Lime n Chilli and Himalayan Pink Salt, sold in 100g packs, a 9 x 30g party pack and in bulk for businesses.
What are oil-free flavoured pumpkin seeds?
Pumpkin seeds (kaddu ke beej, also called pepitas when shelled) are naturally rich in fat, protein and minerals. Most savoury seed snacks in India are either sold plain or fried and coated like namkeen. Oil-free flavoured pumpkin seeds sit in between: the shelled seed is dry-roasted until crisp and then seasoned, with no frying step and no oil added for flavour.
The result is a snack that eats like a chatpata mixture but whose fat comes only from the seed itself. Because pumpkin seeds already contain roughly half their weight as natural fat, there is no need to add more for taste or crunch.
Which flavours are available?
Our current range of oil-free flavoured pumpkin seeds covers three distinct taste profiles:
- Peri Peri pumpkin seeds – smoky and fiery, for people who reach for peri peri fries.
- Lime n Chilli pumpkin seeds – tangy nimbu-mirchi, the closest to a classic chatpata namkeen.
- Himalayan Pink Salt pumpkin seeds – lightly salted, the easiest to add to salads, raita and poha.
If you cannot decide, the flavoured pumpkin seeds party pack (9 x 30g) splits the flavours into single-serve 30g pouches, which also makes portion control simple.
How are oil-free flavoured seeds made?
The broad steps are the same whether you make them at home or buy them packed:
- Cleaning and grading – shelled seeds are sorted so they roast evenly.
- Dry roasting – the seeds are roasted with heat alone, not in oil, until the moisture drops and they turn crisp.
- Seasoning – spice blends are applied while the seeds are warm so the masala clings to the surface.
- Cooling and sealed packing – roasted seeds pick up moisture from air quickly, so they are cooled and sealed in resealable pouches.
At home you can dry-roast plain premium pumpkin seeds in a heavy kadhai on low flame for 5–7 minutes, stirring constantly, then toss with chaat masala or black salt while still hot.
Oil-free flavoured pumpkin seeds vs fried namkeen
Fried namkeen like bhujia and mixture is made from besan or other flours fried in oil, so a large share of its fat comes from the frying medium. Pumpkin seeds are a whole food whose fat is part of the seed. Here is how they compare in practice:
| Point | Oil-free flavoured pumpkin seeds | Typical fried namkeen |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking method | Dry-roasted, no frying | Deep-fried in oil |
| Main ingredient | Whole pumpkin seed | Besan / flour, often with peanuts |
| Source of fat | Naturally present in the seed | Largely from frying oil |
| Protein | High – a seed naturally rich in protein | Usually lower; varies by recipe |
| Minerals | A good source of magnesium, zinc and iron | Varies; not a main reason people eat it |
| Best use | Chai-time snack, salad and raita topping | Chai-time snack |
For a deeper look at frying versus roasting, read our guide on oil-free vs fried snacks.
What is the nutrition of pumpkin seeds per 100g?
The table below shows plain dried pumpkin seed kernels, approximate, based on USDA FoodData Central. Flavoured versions will vary slightly with seasoning and salt; always check the label on the pack.
| Nutrient (per 100g) | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | ~559 kcal |
| Protein | ~30 g |
| Total fat | ~49 g |
| Dietary fibre | ~6 g |
| Magnesium | ~592 mg |
| Zinc | ~7.8 mg |
| Iron | ~8.8 mg |
Our Peri Peri pack lists 26g protein and 475mg magnesium per 100g on its product page. Since seeds are energy-dense, a 25–30g handful is a sensible snack portion, which is exactly what the 30g party-pack pouches hold.
How can you use flavoured pumpkin seeds in Indian meals?
- Chai-time: swap your bowl of mixture for a 30g pouch.
- Poha and upma: sprinkle Pink Salt seeds on top instead of fried peanuts.
- Raita and salads: Lime n Chilli seeds add crunch to kachumber and boondi-free raita.
- Bhel and chaat: mix Peri Peri seeds into bhel or sprout chaat for extra protein.
- Tiffin and travel: sealed pouches carry well in office bags and school tiffins.
Can businesses buy oil-free flavoured pumpkin seeds in bulk?
Yes. The Flavour Farm Foods Pvt. Ltd. manufactures in-house at an FSSAI-certified unit in Agra and supplies flavoured pumpkin seeds wholesale to retailers, cafés, gifting companies and brands. Lots typically run 200–500 kg (larger on request) in food-grade bulk packs, with sample packs, GST invoice and pricing shared within 24 hours. Brands wanting their own label can explore private label healthy snacks, and companies planning festive hampers can see corporate Diwali gifts.
We follow the same oil-free approach for makhana and kaju, sold in bulk only; see our guides to oil-free flavoured makhana and oil-free flavoured cashews.
This article is general information, not medical advice.
Shop the seeds and snacks in this article
- Peri Peri Pumpkin Seeds 100g – the spiciest oil-free swap for fried chips.
- Lime n Chilli Pumpkin Seeds 100g – tangy, namkeen-style flavour.
- Himalayan Pink Salt Pumpkin Seeds 100g – mild, ideal as a topping.
- Flavoured Pumpkin Seeds Party Pack 9 x 30g – try every flavour in pre-portioned pouches.
- Premium Pumpkin Seeds – plain seeds for roasting and seasoning at home.
