Make your crunchy salad topper with turmeric and pumpkin seeds! This quick and healthy recipe adds flavor, texture, and anti-inflammatory benefits to any dish.
One Crunchy Upgrade Your Salad Has Been Waiting For
Suppose you've ever been told to eat more salad greens but can't get excited about the taste-good news! You can quickly transform any simple salad by adding flavorful homemade dressings and finishing it with delicious, crunchy salad toppers. The flavorful salad toppings bring bold flavor and satisfying texture, while the greens become a healthy, fresh base. Such an easy way to eat healthier, right?
The health benefits multiply when your dressing and topper are made with anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric and olive oil. The best part? Both are incredibly simple to make at home and are gluten-free!
I usually make a batch using 1 cup of pumpkin seeds, store it in an airtight container in my pantry, and go through it in about a week. While my kids aren't big fans of the turmeric flavor, my husband and I enjoy it often-especially on salads or sprinkled over soups.
One of my favorite ways to use it is on top of pumpkin soup, but it works beautifully with just about any soup. Did you know pumpkin seeds are packed with protein? And it's all plant-based protein, so this crunchy topping is a popular choice for vegans! That means this crunchy topper isn't just tasty-it's also a great way to boost your protein intake. I even love adding it to avocado toast for that perfect crunch!
Why You'll Love This Crunchy Salad Topper
- Packed with nutrients - Pumpkin seeds are full of protein, healthy fats, and magnesium, which are great for your body and energy levels.
- Good for inflammation-Turmeric has natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers, making this topper tasty and good for your health.
- It's so easy to prep. Make a batch and sprinkle it on salads, soups, or roasted veggies weekly.
- It adds flavor and crunch, making any plain salad exciting and satisfying. And not only salads! You can also add it to soups or grain bowls.
Ingredients You'll Need for This Crunchy Salad Topping
- 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp paprika powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Helpful Tips & Variations
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for some heat. If you like a bit of spice, sprinkle in some chili flakes. It'll give your topper a little kick and balance out the flavors of the turmeric and paprika.
- Swap olive oil for avocado oil: Avocado oil is an excellent alternative to olive oil. It has a mild taste and is also healthy.
- Try other seeds (like sunflower seeds): Feel free to swap pumpkin seeds with sunflower seeds or other seeds you like. It's a fun way to change up the flavor and texture.
How to Make This Crunchy Salad Topper
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (about 350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the dry spices in a small bowl: turmeric, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the olive oil to the spice mix and stir well until it forms a paste.
- Add the pumpkin seeds to the bowl and mix until all seeds are evenly coated.
- Spread the seeds out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure even roasting. You want to achieve that perfect golden brown color.
- Let cool completely before transferring to a jar or airtight container.
Quick Tip!
Let the seeds cool completely before storing them! This helps keep them extra crunchy and prevents any moisture from getting trapped in the container.
Serving Suggestions
- Sprinkle over your favorite salad for a flavorful, crunchy bite.
- Add to grain bowls, soups, or avocado toast.
- Snack on them straight from the jar! This is what my husband does very often!
Wrapping Up
This crunchy salad topper is super easy to make and adds a tasty boost to just about any meal. Once you try it, you might never want store-bought toppers again! Say goodbye to boring salads-plus, you get the bonus of turmeric's anti-inflammatory goodness!
More Clean Eating Recipes You Might Enjoy
More Healthy Toasts & Wellness Tips to Try!
Want more anti-inflammatory recipes? Try my 3-ingredient salad dressing-you'll love this recipe! Check out other healthy recipes on Nena's Wellness Corner! Also, try my popular gluten-free almond flour brownies; I am sure you'll love them!
Do you know what clean eating and an anti-inflammatory diet have in common? Clean eating and the anti-inflammatory diet perfectly match, emphasizing whole foods and natural and minimally processed foods that support overall health and reduce inflammation. Discover more about the anti-inflammatory diet here!
Ready to kickstart your clean eating journey? Download my free meal plans, sign up for my newsletter, or explore my collection of healthy recipes. Also, please find the information about a balanced diet and ways to incorporate it into your daily routine to achieve a healthy lifestyle!
What's your favorite salad combo to pair this with? Drop it in the comments below!
📖 Recipe
Turmeric Pumpkin Seed Crunchy Salad Topper
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (about 350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the dry spices in a small bowl: turmeric, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the olive oil to the spice mix and stir well until it forms a paste.
- Add the pumpkin seeds to the bowl and mix until all seeds are evenly coated.
- Spread the seeds out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure even roasting. You want to achieve that perfect golden brown color.
- Let cool completely before transferring to a jar or airtight container.
- Quick tip: Let the seeds cool completely before storing them! This helps keep them extra crunchy and prevents any moisture from getting trapped in the container.
Notes
- Refer to the post above for video instructions and other useful information.
- Nutrition information is an estimate and will depend on your specific ingredients.
Helpful Tips & Variations
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for some heat. If you like a bit of spice, sprinkle in some chili flakes. It'll give your topper a little kick and balance out the flavors of the turmeric and paprika.
- Swap olive oil for avocado oil: Avocado oil is an excellent alternative to olive oil. It has a mild taste and is also healthy.
- Try other seeds (like sunflower seeds): Feel free to swap pumpkin seeds with sunflower seeds or other seeds you like. It's a fun way to change up the flavor and texture.
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