Pepitorias (Mexican Pumpkin Seed Brittle)
Why this recipe works
- Simple ingredients: Sugar, water, salt, and pumpkin seeds create a full-flavoured brittle without needing additional flavourings.
- Clean snap: Cooking the caramel to a hard-crack stage gives the brittle its crisp, glassy texture once cooled.
- Balanced sweetness: Toasted pumpkin seeds and fine sea salt offset the caramel, keeping the finish nutty rather than one-note sweet.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Work quickly after caramelising: Once the caramel reaches a deep amber colour, stir in the seeds and spread it immediately before it begins to harden.
- Cool completely before breaking: The brittle needs to set fully for the cleanest shards; breaking it too soon can make it bend or stick.
Texture tips
- Spread it thin: A thinner layer sets with a lighter, crisper snap and makes the brittle easier to break into neat pieces.
- Keep it away from humidity: Store the shards in an airtight container at room temperature, as moisture can soften the caramel and make it tacky.
Common mistakes
- Stirring after the sugar dissolves: Stir only until the sugar has dissolved, then let the syrup bubble undisturbed, swirling the pan if needed to encourage even colouring.
- Letting the caramel go too dark: Deep amber gives a rounded caramel flavour; if it turns very dark, the brittle can taste bitter.
- Starting without preparation: Have the lined tray, spatula, and toasted seeds ready before cooking the caramel, as the mixture sets fast.
Ingredient notes
- Pumpkin seeds: Use hulled pumpkin seeds for the best texture; toasting them first brings out their nutty flavour and helps keep the brittle crisp.
- Salt balance: Fine sea salt disperses evenly through the caramel, giving a subtle savoury edge without obvious salty pockets.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Line a baking tray and set it beside the hob. Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry saucepan over a medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until they smell nutty and start to pop. Tip into a bowl and keep the pan handy.
- Add the caster sugar, water and fine sea salt to the saucepan and set over a medium heat. Stir just until the sugar dissolves, then stop stirring and let it bubble steadily. Cook for 8 to 12 minutes until it turns a deep amber, swirling the pan occasionally; if using a thermometer, aim for about 150°C (300°F).
- Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the toasted pumpkin seeds until evenly coated. Pour onto the lined tray and quickly spread as thinly as you can with a spatula. Leave to cool completely until hard and crisp.
- Once fully set, lift the brittle off the tray and break into shards. Serve straight away, or pack into an airtight container for sharing.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Have everything ready before you start the caramel, as it moves quickly once it begins to colour.
- For the cleanest snap, let the brittle cool completely before breaking it into shards.
- Caramel is extremely hot; keep children away from the hob and avoid touching the mixture until fully set.
Substitutions
- Replace fine sea salt with pink himalayan salt for a slightly rounder, mineral finish.
- Replace caster sugar with granulated sugar; it will take a little longer to dissolve, so keep the heat moderate at the start.
Storage
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days, separating layers if needed to prevent sticking. Avoid the fridge, as humidity can make the brittle tacky.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 30min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Mexican
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Bacalhau Cakes (Portuguese Salt Cod Fritters)
Crisp salt cod and potato cakes served with lemon
Air Fryer Chicken 65
Air-fried Chicken 65 with curry leaves and lemon.
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
Crisp air fryer popcorn chicken with a cornflour coating.
Smoked Haddock Fishcakes with Tartare Sauce
Crisp smoked haddock fishcakes with tartare sauce
Bruschetta with Tomato and Garlic (Bruschetta al Pomodoro e Aglio)
Toasted bread topped with fresh tomato and garlic
Fritto Misto di Mare (Italian Mixed Fried Seafood)
Crisp fried squid and prawns with lemon
Air Fryer Blueberry Pie
Air fryer blueberry pie with lemon and cornflour-thickened filling.
Filloas (Galician Crepes with Honey)
Thin Galician crepes served warm with honey
Air Fryer Chocolate Cake
Small chocolate cake baked in the air fryer with icing.
Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce
Crisp churros rolled in cinnamon sugar with chocolate dipping sauce
Crème Brûlée à la Vanille (Vanilla Crème Brûlée)
Vanilla baked custard with a crisp caramelised sugar top
Gluten-Free Torta di Mandorle (Italian Almond Cake)
Gluten-free almond cake with lemon zest and icing sugar
Homemade Soy Milk
Fresh soya milk made by soaking, blending, simmering and straining
Turkish Coffee (Türk Kahvesi)
Unfiltered Turkish coffee gently heated with water and optional sugar
Homemade Lemonade
Homemade lemonade with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup
Caffè Shakerato (Iced Espresso Shake)
Frothy iced espresso shaken with sugar and strained
Patjuk (Korean Red Bean Porridge)
Korean red bean porridge with rice flour dumplings
Moroccan Mint Tea (Sweet Mint Green Tea)
Sweet mint green tea served hot with a light foam
You might also like
Hollandse Linzenstoof (Dutch Lentil Stew) with Smoked Sausage
Dutch lentil stew with smoked sausage and vegetables
Gemista (Greek Stuffed Peppers and Tomatoes with Herby Rice)
Peppers and tomatoes stuffed with herby rice and baked
Pasta Bowl Mediterranea with Tomatoes, Olives and Mozzarella
Spaghetti with tomatoes, olives, mozzarella and basil
Air Fryer Keto Chicken Thighs
Keto air-fried chicken thighs with lemon butter and broccoli.
Harissa Roast Chicken Traybake
Harissa chicken traybake with chickpeas and peppers
Aubergine and Feta Bake with Tomato Sauce
Roasted aubergine baked in tomato sauce with feta and oregano
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
WMF Mini Saucepan 16 cm with Lid
- High-quality stainless steel
- Even heat distribution
- Higher price point
T-fal Specialty Nonstick Handy Pot with Glass Lid 3 Quart
- Easy food release
- Dishwasher safe
- Not induction compatible
All-Clad Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan
- Excellent heat control
- Premium build quality
- Expensive
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
