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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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
How To Cook Patty Pan Squash
Learn how to cook patty pan squash with this quick and easy patty pan squash recipe, made for the stovetop, oven, air fryer, or grill!
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Basic Patty Pan Squash:
Optional Flavor Boosters:
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
Sauteed Pattypan Squash:
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Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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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.)
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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:
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Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C).
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In a large bowl, toss the pattypan squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using.
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Transfer the squash to a baking sheet and arrange, cut side down, in a single layer.
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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:
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Preheat the outdoor grill for at least 10 minutes, or a grill pan on the stovetop, over medium-high heat.
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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.)
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Place the squash, cut side down, onto the grill or grill pan in a single layer.
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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:
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In a large bowl, toss the pattypan squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any flavor boosters, if using.
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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.)
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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 are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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13 Comments
Ginger R
0I got 8 of them in my CSA farm box and had never cooked them before. Very much appreciated your video and all the options—made it less intimidating. Decided to roast them all, even though we only have 3 of us to eat them. They turned out perfect with 20 minutes in the oven, which allowed me time to cook the main dish on the stove. YUM! Looking forward to eating the leftovers, too!
Cathy Zywicki
0Do you peel patty pan squashes? Mine are about 8 inches in diameter.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Cathy, I did not peel my patty pan squash, my squash were 1-2 inches in diameter.
Lynn Walker
0Tried the air-fryer method and it worked great! Squash was tender just the outside was beautifully browned and crisp. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Margie
0Can I roast a patty pan squash whole? The outside is so hard I can not cut it.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Margie, I haven’t tried that before, but let me know how it goes if you do. Patty pan squash are not usually hard, though, they are typically pretty soft like zucchini or yellow squash. Are you sure what you have is a patty pan squash and not some kind of winter squash? Larger patty pans do have tougher skin, but I’ve never had one that I couldn’t cut with a sharp knife.
Sandra
0I 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
0Love 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
0Can you make this squash into a soup?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Sharon, I have not used this variety of squash in a soup.
Scarlet
0Thanks for the tips on how to cut and cook patty pan squash. It was my first time but they came out great!
Shelby
0I love that there are so many ways to make this! Having a grill option in the summer is super helpful.
Addison
0I had never had patty pan squash before. The pan version was delicious.