This is the easiest roasted zucchini recipe for the most delicious vegetarian side dish. Roasting is the perfect way to enjoy extra zucchini all summer long, and this recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and has only 5 ingredients!
Summer means tons of the best produce. In New England, I'm loading up on strawberries, stone fruit, tomatoes, and of course, zucchini fresh from the farmers' market! The biggest challenge when cooking zucchini is having the squash absorb flavors without becoming soggy. My easy method for crisp, garlicky roasted zucchini is the answer.
This is the perfect last-minute veggie side dish that uses staple ingredients. Enjoy tender-crisp oven-roasted zucchini alongside grilled proteins, black bean burgers, and more all summer long.
This Roasted Zucchini Recipe at a Glance
- Crisp and juicy, but never soggy. It comes down to spreading the zucchini in an even layer and roasting at a high temperature to caramelize the edges. It's super easy!
- Perfect with any meal. I'll have zucchini roasting in the oven while a batch of white bean mushroom burgers cook on the grill. Throw in a fresh salad, and you have the perfect summer meal. Roasted zucchini is also versatile enough to make for the holidays, too, if you can get your hands on zucchini year-round.
- Adaptable. I share a simple 3-ingredient seasoning for zucchini that brings out the flavors so well! But you can just as easily adapt this recipe with any spices or seasonings you'd like.
Ingredients for Roasted Zucchini
You don't need much to make this flavor-packed roasted zucchini recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for the printable list and exact recipe amounts.
- Zucchini – You don't need to peel zucchini. In fact, the peels are full of nutrients, so leave them on!
- Olive oil – If you prefer a different cooking oil, go ahead and use it. I love the flavor of olive oil in this recipe.
- Seasoning – Sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to bring out the naturally sweet flavor in zucchini. You could also use fresh minced garlic instead of powder if you prefer.
How to Roast Zucchini in the Oven
Here's how to make roasted zucchini that's crispy and flavorful, not soggy. Cut the zucchini slices to an even thickness, and make sure to leave room on the roasting sheet so that they brown and don't steam.
Cut the zucchini. Start by slicing your zucchini into thin half-moons. This shape opens up a lot of surface area for seasoning.
- Season. Next, season the sliced zucchini with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss them well to coat on all sides.
- Bake. Finally, transfer the seasoned zucchini slices to a baking sheet and roast at 400ºF for 15 minutes, or until they're crispy and golden. Enjoy!
Variations
- Spices. Change the flavors by adding chili flakes, Cajun seasoning, or even fajita seasoning.
- Cheesy. Serve your roasted zucchini topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Lemon. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the zucchini before tossing it with seasonings.
What to Serve with Roasted Zucchini
This simple side dish goes with nearly anything! Burgers, grilled dishes, you name it. Here are some of my favorite summery recipes to serve with roasted zucchini.
Storage Suggestions
- Refrigerate. Store leftover zucchini in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
- Warm up leftovers. Reheat servings in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove to serve.
More Veggie Side Dishes
Roasted Zucchini
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Cut the zucchini into 1/4″ rounds. Either leave them as rounds or chop into halves or quarters (your choice!).
- Place the zucchini on a plate and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt. Let sit for 15 minutes.
- Once the zucchini has sat, they will have released some of their water content. Use a paper towel to pat them dry.
- Transfer the zucchini into a bowl and toss with the olive oil and remaining spices.
- Place the zucchini on a baking sheet (ideally lined with parchment), and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and enjoy!
Nutrition
