How To Cook Patty Pan Squash (4 Ways!)

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If you love summer squash, this quick patty pan squash recipe is going to be your new favorite during the summer months. Just like zucchini that you can cook many different ways (you can roast zucchini, saute zucchini, or even grill it), there are several simple ways to prepare pattypans. I’ll show you how to cook patty pan squash in four different ways, so you can serve it with just about any meal and use your favorite cooking method.

What Is Patty Pan Squash?

Also known as pattypan squash or scallop squash, this summer veggie is a flying saucer shaped squash with edible skin and seeds that you can often find in farmers markets, especially during its peak harvest season in July and August. It tastes a lot like zucchini, but a bit sweeter, and pairs well with a variety of fresh herbs, sauces, or seasonings.

4 Ways To Cook Patty Pan Squash

You can cook this type of squash with the same methods that you can use for zucchini or other summer squash. There are four ways to make this patty pan squash recipe, and each has its pros and cons, but they are all delicious:

Sauteed Patty Pan Squash – The fastest method, but needs more hands-on effort.
Oven Roasted Patty Pan Squash – Easiest method, but will only brown on one side.
Grilled Patty Pan Squash – Fast and easy for summer, but requires a grill (or grill pan).
Air Fryer Patty Pan Squash – Browns squash evenly, but can use up extra counter space from the air fryer.

Patty pan squash recipe on serving plates.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for cooking patty pan squash (no matter what method you choose), what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

Patty Pan Squash – Look for small to medium squash, about 2-4 inches in diameter, for the best flavor and texture. They can grow up to 7 inches across, but the larger ones are more tough, less sweet, and can even taste a little like potatoes. If you’ll be grilling it, opt for squash toward the larger side of the optimal range (about 4 inches across), so that it doesn’t fall through the grates.
Olive Oil – I use extra virgin olive oil, but any neutral oil works. Avocado oil is a great option.
Salt & Pepper – For easy flavor. I use sea salt, but kosher salt works as well.
Optional Seasonings – Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Ingredients for how to cook patty pan squash on plates.

How To Cut Patty Pans

You can cook the squash whole, but slicing it ensures that you get uniform pieces that cook at the same rate and you get more surface area for browning. To cut the squash simply:

Cut off the stem ends.
Slice smaller patty pans in half, or larger ones into quarters or wedges.

How To Cook Patty Pan Squash In The Oven

Toss. Add sliced squash to a medium bowl with oil and seasonings and toss to combine.
Bake. Place squash cut side down on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast until tender and golden brown on the bottom.

Patty pan squash tossed with oil and seasonings.

Roasted patty pan squash recipe on a baking sheet.

How To Saute Patty Pan Squash On The Stove

Saute. Add oil to a skillet, followed by squash (cut-side down in a single layer). Season with salt and pepper, then sear for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden.

Fully cooked and sauteed patty pan squash recipe in skillet.

How To Grill Patty Pan Squash

Season. In a bowl, toss squash with oil and seasonings.
Grill. Place squash cut-side down on the grill (or in a grill pan). Cook until grill marks form, then flip and grill until squash is crisp and tender.

Uncooked patty pan squash in a grill pan.

Patty pan squash in grill pan with grill marks.

How To Cook Patty Pan Squash In The Air Fryer

Season. Toss squash with oil and seasonings in a bowl.
Air fry. Transfer squash to a preheated air fryer and arrange in a single layer, cut-side down. Air fry until crispy and golden.

Fully cooked patty pan squash recipe in air fryer basket.

How Long To Cook Patty Pan Squash?

Your squash cook time will depend on the cooking method:

Oven Roasted: 15-20 minutes
Sauteed: 3-5 minutes per side
Grill: 3-4 minutes per side
Air Fryer: 10-12 minutes

Variations

Fresh Herbs – After cooking, sprinkle squash with fresh basil, fresh parsley, or fresh thyme for more summery flavor.
Sauces – Lemon butter sauce, lemon garlic aioli, or sugar-free marinara would pair well with cooked squash.
Cheese – Sprinkle finished squash with parmesan cheese or feta cheese.
Lemon – Lemon juice or lemon zest adds more fresh flavor.

Storage Instructions

Store: Keep leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Reheat: Reheat in a warm skillet, in the microwave, or in the oven at 350 degrees F.
Freeze: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

What To Serve With Patty Pan Squash Recipes

This squash tastes delicious with so many meals!

Grilled Meats – Serve up squash with grilled shrimp skewers, grilled bruschetta chicken, or juicy burgers.
Air Fryer Proteins – Make air fryer chicken legs, air fryer lamb chops, or air fryer pork chops to serve with squash.
Oven-Baked Mains – Squash pairs well with oven baked chicken thighs, cheesy bacon ranch chicken, or sirloin steak in the oven.
Pan Seared Dishes – Try pan seared halibut, sun-dried tomato chicken, or Mediterranean chicken with this squash.

More Summer Squash Recipes

Veggies taste so fresh in the summer! Once you master this squash, try these dishes next:

Zucchini Fries

Yellow Squash Casserole

Ratatouille

Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Recommended Tools

Grill Pan – If you don’t have a grill, this is the next best thing!
Air Fryer – My favorite for making a variety of air fryer recipes.
Skillet – I use mine almost every day!

How To Cook Patty Pan Squash

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Ingredients

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Basic Patty Pan Squash:

2 lb Patty pan squash (cut into pieces of the same size; you can cut them in half, or into quarters or wedges if they are larger) ▢
2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
1 tsp Sea salt ▢
1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢

Optional Flavor Boosters:

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

Sauteed Pattypan Squash:

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the pattypans and arrange, cut side down, in a single layer. Season with salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using. (Work in batches if they don't fit in a single layer.)
Sear the squash for 3-5 minutes, without moving, until golden on the bottom. Flip and repeat until golden on the other side.

Roasted Pattypan Squash:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C).
In a large bowl, toss the pattypan squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using.
Transfer the squash to a baking sheet and arrange, cut side down, in a single layer.
Roast pattypan squash for 15-20 minutes until tender and golden brown on the bottom. (If desired, you can stir halfway through for more even browning.)

Grilled Pattypan Squash:

Preheat the outdoor grill for at least 10 minutes, or a grill pan on the stovetop, over medium-high heat.
In a large bowl, toss the pattypan squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using. (If using an outdoor grill, larger squash pieces work best, so they won’t fall through the grates.)
Place the squash, cut side down, onto the grill or grill pan in a single layer.
Grill for 3-4 minutes, until the grill marks form on the bottom. Flip and grill for 3-4 more minutes on the other side, until the squash is tender.

Air Fryer Pattypan Squash:

In a large bowl, toss the pattypan squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using.
Place the pattypan squash in the air fryer basket, cut side down, in a single layer. (Cook in batches if they don’t all fit in a single layer.)
Air fry for 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees F (204 degrees C), until crispy and golden.

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Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 67

Fat 4.8g

Protein 1.9g

Total Carbs 6g

Net Carbs 4.1g

Fiber 1.9g

Sugar 3.6g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keywords: how to cook patty pan squash, patty pan squash, patty pan squash recipe

Calories: 67 kcal

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7 Comments

Sandra
0 January 11, 2023Reply

I just found this recipe today ( too bad it’s now January & out of season ). Anyway, this is my very favorite squash, thanks to my late sister. The only place you can find them in this area is at farmers markets. I could eat these every day !!
Next summer, I’ll have to try out your way of cooking these.
This is how I make them: First, scrub them to clean them; wipe dry and cut off the stems.
I have a mandoline cutter and slice them about 1/8th inch width. Then I use a frying pan and butter it; once butter is melted, the slices are put in and stirred into the butter to coat the slices. Cook them between low and medium heat, with a spatter shield ( round screen with a handle, so that steam can escape), until soft and tender. I also add sliced yellow onions and salt to taste with the squash. ( Are onions even Keto ? )
Once done, you are in heaven; they go with anything. Enjoy!
Donna
0 July 28, 2022Reply

Love how easy this was. I have always been a little bit intimidated by patty pan squash, but this made cooking them so easy, and they turned out perfectly!
- Sharon
  0 September 13, 2022Reply
  
  Can you make this squash into a soup?
  - Wholesome Yum D
    0 September 13, 2022Reply
    
    Hi Sharon, I have not used this variety of squash in a soup.
Scarlet
0 July 28, 2022Reply

Thanks for the tips on how to cut and cook patty pan squash. It was my first time but they came out great!
Shelby
0 July 27, 2022Reply

I love that there are so many ways to make this! Having a grill option in the summer is super helpful.
Addison
0 July 25, 2022Reply

I had never had patty pan squash before. The pan version was delicious.