Roasted Zucchini Slices

Our roasted zucchini is a great addition to any meal. Baked in the oven, this recipe is versatile and easy. For a stand-alone side dish top with dairy-free basil pesto or drizzle with a garlic butter sauce, use it in your favorite lunch bowl, or as part of a roasted veggie sandwich. Roasted zucchini slices can be served warm or at room temperature.

If you struggle with making fresh zucchini quickly without the rubberiness or excess water.  Then this recipe is for you!

This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

We have been on a roasting streak in the Peel house lately.  You can check out our most recent slow roasted tomatoes and our roasted garlic to see what I am talking about.  Serious goodness! 

And just like our other roasted favorites, this recipe could not possibly be any easier! It is basically the cold-weather version of my summer sautéed zucchini!

Jump to:

• 📖Why This Recipe Works
• 🧾Ingredient Notes
• ⏲️How to Roast Zucchini Slices
• 🥗 How to Use Roasted Zucchini
• 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip
• 💭 Seasoning Ideas
• 🌡️ Storing Leftovers
• More Roasted Vegetable Recipes
• 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
• 📖 Recipe Card
• ⭐Reviews

📖Why This Recipe Works

This easy side dish is a great way to use up extra zucchini. Season with dried or fresh herbs, it is a versatile dish ideal for picky eaters.

Most roasted zucchini recipes cut zucchini into spears or zucchini fries. The problem with this cooking method is that the outer skin remains tough while the center, which is naturally soft, is the smallest point and quickly overcooks.

By cutting into rounds and cooking quickly at high heat the outside gets perfectly crisp before the inside becomes mushy. Making the perfect sliced zucchini!

🧾Ingredient Notes

The quantities for this recipe are based on 1 pound of zucchini. Depending on the size of your zucchini this should be about 2 to 3 medium zucchini.

Extra large zucchini is better grated and used in soups and baking recipes like our cheddar and onion gluten-free zucchini bread.

Additionally, you will need a neutral oil, salt, and pepper. See below for other seasoning ideas.

Neutral oils include filtered coconut oil, high- quality vegetable oil, and avocado oil.

⏲️How to Roast Zucchini Slices

This recipe is foolproof. Perfect for first time home chefs!

Step 1: Prep the Zucchini

Wash and dry the zucchini. Trim both ends and then slice ½ inch thick on the diagonal. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Alternatively, you can oil the baking sheet or use aluminum foil but I find parchment works better. Arrange the zucchini on the baking sheet in a single layer.

Be sure the slices are not touching. Lightly oil both sides. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper and any other seasonings you like.

Step 2: Roasting

Roast in a pre-heated 400 F degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Flip halfway through for even caramelization. Roasted zucchini rounds shouldn't be mushy or rubbery. A nice firm texture with a light crunch and golden brown.

If you want a more golden color, cook for 10 minutes and then broil for 1 to 2 minutes per side. Note that if you used parchment paper it may burn a little (see my photos for reference!).

🥗 How to Use Roasted Zucchini

While roasted zucchini is great on its own as a healthy side dish we find it is one of those vegetables that can be incorporated into various dishes. Here are some of the ways we use them:

• Served with roasted eggplant, topped with feta, toasted pine nuts, and fresh parsley
• Tossed with our quick and easy san marazano sauce and fresh parsley
• As a side dish for my gluten-free lemon chicken piccata
• Over a salad with marinated artichokes, roasted peppers, Kalamata olives, and cherry tomatoes
• As part of a veggie stack with dairy-free basil pesto
• On a roasted veggie sandwich

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip

Slicing the zucchini rounds on the diagonal will provide a larger surface area for seasoning and create a more attractive presentation.

💭 Seasoning Ideas

While this recipe is for the basics of roasting zucchini slices, we get you might want to jazz it up a bit more than salt and black pepper. Here are some of our favorite seasoning blends that you can add before baking the zucchini.

Lemon- Pepper- 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning blend or 1 teaspoon of black pepper and the zest of two lemons

Greek- 2 tablespoons Za'atar spice blend

Parmesan- ¼ cup of parmesan cheese plus ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper

For crunchy parmesan, check out my favorite roasted zucchini and summer squash with parm recipe!

Curry- 2 teaspoons Madras curry powder plus ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove of fresh garlic

Tuscan- 1 tablespoon crushed fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Tex Mex- 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons cumin, and 1teaspoon coriander. I don't recommend taco seasoning as it is too salty.

Peel House Blend- 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon celery salt, and a pinch of cumin (hold the kosher salt)

Spicy Italian- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning blend plus 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Sesame & Herb- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, ½ teaspoon celery seed, ½ teaspoon dried parsley, and ½ teaspoon onion powder

Lemon & Herb- zest of one lemon plus 1 teaspoon each of dried basil, parsley, and oregano

🌡️ Storing Leftovers

I recommend eating the baked zucchini right away. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.  Reheat in the oven set to 400 F degrees until warmed through. 

Do not freeze roasted zucchini.

More Roasted Vegetable Recipes

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

How can you tell if zucchini is ripe?

Like eggplant and other squashes, zucchini should feel heavy for its size. The skin should be dark green and smooth and free of blemishes. If the skin looks slightly shriveled, it probably hasn't been freshly picked.

How do you know when zucchini is ready to pick?

Zucchini is ready to harvest when it is a minimum of 6 inches long. The color should already be bright green. You can wait to pick some larger varieties until they are bigger.

If the zucchini is soft discard it. Zucchini should always feel firm.

How do I store zucchini?

I prefer to store zucchini in the crisper section of the refrigerator. Store them whole, dry, and unwashed. The zucchini should keep for at least a week.

Do you need to peel zucchini?

No. You do not need to peel the zucchini. Like other vegetables with high water content, the majority of the nutrients are in the skin.

Many supermarket veggies are waxed so be sure to thoroughly clean and dry them before using.

How do I cut zucchini?

For this recipe, we cut into ½-inch round slices for quick and even cooking. You can also cut into spears when roasting or baking but I found that spears having one thick side and one thin side result in under or over-baking one part of the zucchini.

Zucchini can be cut into half moons or spiralized for sauteing and shredded for fritters.

How long should you cook zucchini at 400 F degrees?

10 to 15 minutes turning halfway through. This recipe says 12, but check it at 10 minutes. The recipe assumes you did at least a ½ inch round. If your zucchini is smaller it will be done sooner. Well-cooked zucchini should be a little crunchy still.

Why is my zucchini soggy?

There are three reasons soggy zucchini happens. First, overcrowding in the pan. Leave plenty of space on the baking sheet.

Second, overcooking the zucchini. Always check your zucchini a few minutes before you think it will be done. If you are roasting zucchini for meal prep only cook it halfway so it is properly done on the reheat.

Third- your zucchini wasn't fresh. See above for selecting and storing zucchini.

Did you enjoy making this recipe? Show it some love with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment! Hungry for more? Get more flavorful recipes!

📖 Recipe Card