This roasted zucchini spears recipe adds a spicy twist on our roasted zucchini sticks base recipe. Turn up the heat with a peri peri spice blend, garlic, and just the right touch of salt and pepper. It’s quick to make, full of flavor, and perfect for anyone who likes their veggies with a little kick.
Must-Know Cooking Skills to Level Up your Kitchen Game
Want to whip up this recipe like a pro? Brush up on the basics with these quick how-to videos:
Take it a step further with our Knife Skills 101 course, and you’ll be slicing and dicing like a seasoned chef in no time!
Culinary Tips for the Most Delicious Peri Peri Roasted Zucchini Spears
We use weight instead of volume for the zucchini because sizes can be highly variable. Weigh at the store or use a simple kitchen scale. It’s okay if you have slightly more or less than 1.5 pounds.
If the zucchini is sticking to the pan after cooking, allow to cool for 5 minutes, and then it will naturally release.
For best results when roasting, use our memorable acronym: ROAST WELL.
Right Temp
Set your oven to a high cooking temperature to achieve optimal caramelization. In general, anywhere between 400ºF and 500ºF is considered a roasting temperature. Zucchini requires a high temp due to its high water content.
Oil Generously
Don’t be scared of oil! Healthy oils add nutrition, satiety, and great flavor to roasted vegetables. Make sure every piece is thoroughly coated with oil; it’s better to use a little too much than not enough. Use oils with high smoke points, such as canola or avocado oil.
Alike Items
If you want to roast an assortment of vegetables at the same time, select ones that are similar and will cook in the same amount of time.
Skip Pan Liners
For best caramelization and browning, place the oil-coated vegetables directly onto the pan. Although parchment paper, silicone mats, and foil make clean-up easier (we get it!), your vegetables won’t be quite as delicious.
Traditional Sheet Pan
When roasting, be sure to use a traditional sheet pan, with no more than a 1-inch rim along the sides. Deeper dishes cause vegetables to steam rather than roast – not optimal when trying to make crispy veggies! A metal pan also ensures browning.
Wash and Dry
You should always wash fresh produce before eating or cooking, but another important step when roasting is to make sure your vegetables are dry. Water generates steam, and again, we want to avoid steam to ensure the vegetables turn brown and crispy.
Even Cuts
It is important to make your pieces approximately the same size to ensure even cooking. Small pieces cook faster than large pieces. Check out our online Knife Skills class to improve your speed and efficiency in the kitchen!
Leave Space
Spread the vegetables out on a sheet pan and leave plenty of space around each piece. If you overcrowd the pan, the vegetables will steam. Are you noticing a trend here? Steam is the enemy when trying to create crisp, roasted veggies!
When in doubt, use two pans. Yes, that might mean more dishes to clean, but we promise that it will be worth it!
Let them Cook!
Cooking requires patience. While it can be tempting to pull the vegetables from the oven once they are soft, make sure that they get that nice, brown exterior. For longer cooking vegetables, such as potatoes, you can stir them halfway through the cook time to brown on all sides, but it’s not totally necessary.
To learn more about how to roast vegetables, check out this article!
Ingredient Swaps & Substitutions
- Zucchini: Substitute Mexican calabacita squash or yellow summer squash.
- Canola or Avocado Oil: substitute a lower-quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Peri Peri: A bold, spicy seasoning blend rooted in African and Portuguese cuisine with a mix of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic and onion powder, oregano, thyme, black pepper, salt, and a touch of lemon zest or citric acid for tang. Sometimes a bit of sugar is added to balance the heat. If you can’t find the spice in stores, make your own! Try out this recipe.
- Granulated Garlic: Sub fresh minced garlic, but be sure to mix it into the oil to avoid burning.
Recipe Variations: Make it YOUR Own!
Add a squeeze of lemon juice to add more of a citrusy pop!
Looking for more zucchini inspiration?
Start with our roasted zucchini sticks base recipe, then try these variations:
Equipment Recommendations
You just need a few basic tools for this recipe. Here’s your shopping list:
- Cutting Board & Chef’s Knife – for precise veggie prep
- Medium Mixing Bowl – to toss the zucchini evenly
- Baking Sheet – for roasting to crispy perfection
- Measuring Cups & Spoons – for accurate seasoning
Want to upgrade your kitchen tools? Don’t miss our Essential Equipment Guide for all the must-haves!
Health Benefits of Peri Peri Spiced Roasted Zucchini Spears
Zucchini
Zucchini is a nutrient-rich vegetable loaded with fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It’s great for digestion and hydration, too!
Peri Peri
Chilies contain capsaicin, which may reduce inflammation. This bold spice blend can enhance flavor without needing a lot of salt.
Explore our Ingredient Guide for more tips on choosing the freshest, most flavorful picks for your recipes. Because great ingredients = great food! 🌟🍴
Serving Suggestions for Peri Peri Spiced Roasted Zucchini Spears
These roasted zucchini sticks are perfect for:
- A kid-friendly veggie side
- A healthier alternative to fries
- Pair with rice, quinoa, or couscous
- Serve alongside grilled tofu, chicken, or fish
- Eat as spears or dice as a topping fir grain bowls, noodle dishes, or salads
- Complementing Asian-inspired or fusion menus
Learn how to build a healthy balanced meal with our Whole Life Plate, meal plan, and book!
Storage & Reheat Tips
Leftovers? No problem! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a 450°F oven or air fryer for a few minutes until crisp. Avoid the microwave; it makes them soggy.
Craving more spicy roasted vegetable recipes?
Here are a few fan favorites to try!
Sweet and Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
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Unlike many other recipe blogs, we encourage you to tweak our recipes to suit your taste. Try it out, leave us a review, and tell us what changes you made! We love hearing how you make it your own.
FAQS
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Roasted Zucchini Sticks with Peri Peri Spice
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis (1 – 1 ½ pounds)
- 1 Tablespoon avocado or canola oil
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon peri peri
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450ºF.
- Cut ends off zucchinis. Cut in half the short way. To create zucchini sticks, cut each half lengthwise, then into lengthwise halves or thirds again, depending on the size of the zucchini. Dry sticks with a paper towel.
- Combine oil, granulated garlic, peri peri, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add zucchini and using clean hands or a spatula, toss to coat.
- Spread zucchini sticks on a baking sheet in a single layer. Place cut sides down for best browning. Roast ~12 minutes or until the sides touching the pan are brown and sticks are easily pierced with a fork. Enjoy!
