Abstract Background The Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP) refers to mild characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that extend beyond the threshold of diagnosis into the general population. Individuals with BAP traits exhibit reduced social skill and social cognitive ability relative to individuals without these traits, but the degree to which non-social aspects of ASD extend to the BAP has received considerably less attention. The current study examined whether a prominent non-social characteristic of ASD, circumscribed interests (CIs), are qualitatively similar in the BAP. Method Typically-developing adults (N = 174) categorized as either BAP positive (n = 49) or BAP negative (n = 125) on the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire rated their subjective emotional responses to images of common CIs and non-CIs (i.e., interests not commonly reported in ASD). Participants also completed the Interests Scale measuring the number of their current interests and the intensity with which they pursue their primary interest. Results BAP positive adults rated CIs more arousing (i.e., more energizing) and non-CIs lower on valence (i.e., less pleasurable) compared to BAP negative adults. Additionally, BAP positive males but not females showed higher valence responses for CIs relative to their BAP negative counterparts. BAP positive adults also endorsed more CIs than BAP negative adults on the Interests Scale, and reported greater intensity and inflexibility when engaging with their primary interest. Conclusions These findings suggest that many aspects of the content and function of CIs reported for autism extend to the BAP in the general population in a milder form.