Chili Roasted Zucchini (Paleo, Vegan & Whole30)

Chili Roasted Zucchini – This easy zucchini recipe is one of our favorites. Simple spices make this the perfect easy side dish! (Paleo, Vegan, and Whole30 approved!) 

Summer is the BEST time of year for produce! There, I said it. It feels like EVERYTHING is in season in the summer–watermelon, berries, tomatoes, cherries, corn, peaches, and zucchini.

So much zucchini.

Like, ALL the zucchini. I love zucchini all the time, but when it’s EVERYWHERE, sometimes you just need a few new ways to enjoy it.

Enter: Chili Roasted Zucchini! Chili Roasted Zucchini has been a favorite at our house for the last six years. We first ate it when Milo was about 6 months old, and he LOVED them. When I originally made these, I cut them into wedges (easier for babies and toddlers to hold), threw a few in the spice mix and left a few plain (other than olive oil). He *tasted* the plain ones, but he devoured the spiced ones.

We’ve never looked back. It’s SO GOOD!

WHY THIS CHILI ROASTED ZUCCHINI IS AMAZING

• IT’S A SIMPLE, EASY SIDE DISH. No fuss, no muss. Just a few pantry staples and some roasting, and you’re done. It’ll leave you plenty of time to finish up your main dish, make a salad, or cut up some fruit to go with dinner. Easy-peasy.
• YOU CAN EAT IT ANY TIME OF DAY. I often make a batch to reheat for myself for breakfasts and lunches throughout the week. Pair it with a soft-cooked egg, some chicken sausage, or leftovers from the night before for an easy meal. Or, serve it up at dinner next to your favorite main dish!
• THE SEASONING IS JUST RIGHT. It’s a simple combination of chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Then, I add a bit of fresh cilantro for some brightness. It maybe sounds too simple to be awesome, but you try it and tell me if I’m wrong!
• YOU CAN ADJUST THE FLAVOR BY SWAPPING OLIVE OILS. I’m a huge fan of Queen Creek Olive Mill (their mill is a fairly short drive from my house, but they ship nationwide!). Their Balanced Olive Oil is my go-to for day-to-day cooking, but I love their flavored oils when I want to experiment with different flavors. Their Mexican Lime Olive Oil is dynamite here if you’re looking to change things up! (PS – Get 10% off your first order with code ONELOVELYLIFE)

FAQ + TIPS FOR THE BEST CHILI ROASTED ZUCCHINI:

IS THIS SPICY? Nope! Milo LOVED this recipe as a toddler, and he has ZERO spice tolerance. Chili roasted zucchini uses a moderate amount of chili powder, so it’s generally very mild (unless you’re using a spicy homemade blend).

HOW TO MAKE THIS SPICIER. If you *like* some kick, I recommend adding a pinch of chipotle chili powder along with the regular chili powder for a yummy, smoky kick. (1/8-1/4 tsp is plenty)

CAN I MAKE THIS WITH SUMMER SQUASH? This mixture works well on summer squash (yellow zucchini-type squash), too. Just follow the same directions!

SWITCH IT UP AND TRY THIS! You can dice or slice the zucchini any way you like. I sometimes like to do wedges for a change of pace. Slice them lengthwise, then lengthwise again, then just halve them across the middle to make wedges.

A FUN FINISH. I like to finish this with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt flakes. They’re pretty, but also taste amazing.

ONE LAST FRIENDLY REMINDER. If it’s been a while since you’ve replaced your chili powder, you may want to to pick up a new container. If you’re chili powder is 3 years old, it’ll taste like it! (We like this one and this one.)

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Originally posted Sept. 2013. Completely updated July 2019.