How to Broil Zucchini or Summer Squash

Broiled zucchini rounds are simple to make and a great way to use up this abundant summer vegetable. Zucchini has a light sweet flavor that becomes almost buttery when broiled. It tastes great served simply with a squeeze of lemon juice and fresh herbs. 

If you’ve never broiled vegetables before, don’t worry it’s super easy. You can whip up a batch for two in less than 15 minutes! 

Broiled zucchini and squash rounds on a roasting pan.

Using a broiler to cook vegetables is a lot like grilling. There’s a high heat involved and your food is cooked one side at a time. It’s really easy, let me show you how!

Since we’re a household of just two people, when it comes to ovens we’re all about our toaster oven. Especially during August when it’s over 100 degrees every day.

So I usually turn to our toaster oven’s broiler to make a batch of broiled zucchini rounds. But you can use a traditional oven if you want.

Breville Smart Oven with rack in the top placement.

How To Broil Zucchini or Summer Squash

For the toaster oven, you’ll want to adjust the rack to the top position, turn the dial to the “Broil” setting and select the “High” temperature option if your broiler has a High/Low option.

Our traditional oven and toaster oven don’t require preheating when using the Broil setting.

Fresh zucchini and yellow summer squash on a cutting board.

Next, slice the zucchini into 1/2-inch thick rounds.

The first time I tried broiling zucchini we made thinner slices (about 1/4-inch) and they turned out a little soggy instead of just softened. For the best results, you’ll want to pay attention to the size of your slices.

Zucchini and yellow squash sliced into rounds on a cutting board.

Now, toss the slices with a little oil, salt, and black pepper or your favorite seasoning blend.

Recently, we’ve been making our slices with the 21 Seasoning Salute from Trader Joe’s, it’s got a strong herb/lemon/garlic blend that goes great with pretty much any vegetable.

Sliced zucchini in a glass bowl tossed with oil and seasonings.

Now, place the rounds in an even layer on a roasting pan.

Broil the zucchini until a few pieces are just starting to brown. In our toaster oven that took about 3 to 4 minutes. The broiler in our traditional oven took a little longer, about 6 minutes.

Once the pieces start to brown in spots, use oven mitts to remove the pan (it will be very hot!) and carefully flip the zucchini. Return the pan to the broiler for an additional 3 to 4 minutes to cook the other side.

In my experience, the second side cooks a little faster than the first.

Seasoned zucchini slices on a black roasting pan.

Troubleshooting

If your zucchini is turning out watery, you’re overcooking it. What you’re looking for is tender middles (where the seeds are) and for the flesh and skin to have softened slightly.

It might take a few batches to get the timing just right for your toaster oven or oven but once you’ve got it dialed in making a batch will be easy peasy.

Serving Ideas

If I’m serving the zucchini rounds as a side dish, I’ll usually top it with chopped parsley and squeeze a few lemon wedges over the whole pan just before serving. Lemon + Zucchini is the best flavor combo!

If you’re planning to add the cooked zucchini to another recipe you’ll probably want to skip the lemon and herbs…at least for now.

The broiled rounds make a yummy addition to everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to veggie calzones.

Broiled zucchini and summer squash on a black pan with fresh herbs.

More Delicious Zucchini Recipes

Broiled zucchini and summer squash on a black pan with fresh herbs.

How to Broil Zucchini (Summer Squash)

Yield: 2 people
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes

Broiled zucchini rounds are simple to make and a great way to use up this tasty little summer vegetable. 

Ingredients

  • 2 small zucchini, washed and dried
  • 1 teaspoon avocado oil (or another high-heat oil)
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning blend (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Adjust toaster oven cooking rack to the top position.
  2. Slice 2 small zucchini into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
  3. Toss with oil and seasoning blend or salt and pepper.
  4. Place in an even layer on a roasting pan.
  5. Broil zucchini (on High) until it starts to brown in spots, about 3 to 4 minutes. Use oven mitts to remove the pan and carefully flip the zucchini. Return the pan to the broiler for an additional 3 to 4 minutes to cook the other side.
  6. Sprinkle the zucchini with parsley and serve warm with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: Half a Pan
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 41Total Fat: 2.5gSaturated Fat: 0.3gSodium: 161mgCarbohydrates: 4.3gFiber: 1.5gSugar: 2.1gProtein: 1.6g

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4 Comments

  1. Hello! I just purchased a Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS) and am impressed. It was manufactured in 2022 and I just did the oven thermometer test, which revealed that my oven runs 10 degrees cold (if my ECKO thermometer is correct). I’ve also learned not to line the crumb tray with a silicone mat, which scorched on the right side.

    I’ve got lots of frozen zucchini and yellow squash rounds and so I’ll try to broil them from their frozen state. But I have a question about silicone mats. When and where are they best used in this toaster oven? Obviously not on the crumb tray 🙁

    I’m really enjoying your content and will learn much from you. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. It certainly makes experimenting easier for this toaster oven challenged novice.

    1. Hi Susan,

      Cooking with our toaster oven, we mostly use a silicone mat to replace parchment paper. They’re great for lining pans when baking cookies and bread, roasting vegetables, and a bunch of other stuff.

      We’ve got a big post about silicone mats which includes some do’s and don’ts (broiling with them is usually not recommended) that you might find helpful. You can read it here: https://toasterovenlove.com/what-is-a-silicone-baking-mat/

      I know that some people like to line the crumb tray in their countertop ovens but most manufacturers warn against it.

      That tray is very close to the lower heating elements and covering it can cause a potential fire hazard – so we always leave ours unlined and wipe it down as needed.

      Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, we’re so glad you’re here. If you have more questions, feel free to ask, we’re glad to try and help.

      Happy Cooking!

      P.S. I’ve never broiled frozen zucchini before and would love to hear how it goes for you 🙂

    1. Hi Kathy,

      Butter has a really low smoke point so I don’t think it would be great for broiling. Clarified butter or ghee might work but I’ve never tried it myself.