These baked pears are a cozy, comforting dessert that combines the natural sweetness of pears with a deliciously spiced oat filling. It’s the perfect way to enjoy seasonal fruit with minimal effort and maximum flavor!
If you love simple desserts that taste as good as they look, these baked pears are about to become your new favorite treat. Ripe pears are halved and filled with a warm, buttery mixture of oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then baked until perfectly tender. The result? A rustic, heartwarming dessert that’s elegant enough for dinner parties yet simple enough for a weeknight indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Pears Recipe
- Simple ingredients. This recipe uses pantry staples like oats, cinnamon, and brown sugar, along with fresh pears. Nothing fancy, just good, straightforward ingredients.
- Easy to make. With minimal prep and just a few steps, this dessert is quick to put together. Perfect for when you want something homemade but low on effort.
- Versatile. These baked pears can be served as a dessert, a sweet side dish, or even as a unique breakfast treat.
- Comforting and delicious. The combination of tender baked pears and a crunchy, cinnamon-spiced filling makes for an irresistible, comforting flavor and texture.
What You’ll Need
- Pears – Look for firm pears like Bosc or Anjou that will hold their shape when baked.
- Oats – I like to use old-fashioned rolled oats here, but you can substitute the same volume of quick oats if you prefer those smaller pieces. Learn more: Rolled Oats vs Quick Oats
- Brown sugar – Be sure to pack this firmly in the measuring cup or measure by weight, which is my preferred method.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg – Check that yours are fresh by simply using your nose. If they don’t have a strong aroma, it’s time to replace them so your baked pears will have those warm, cozy spice notes.
- Salt
- Butter – I prefer using unsalted butter, but you can use salted butter and omit the salt. The filling may still be a bit saltier than if you used unsalted butter plus salt, so just keep that in mind.
- Vanilla extract
How to Make Baked Pears
- Prepare for baking. Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a large baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Make the filling. Mix together the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir in the melted butter and vanilla until the mixture is well combined and crumbly.
- Prepare the pears. Halve the pears and remove the cores. Cut a small slice off the backs as well so they’ll sit flat in the pan.
- Assemble and bake. Place the pear halves in a baking dish, cut side up. Spoon the oat mixture into each pear half, pressing gently to secure it. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the pears are tender and the topping is golden.
Make-Ahead Option
These pears can be prepared in advance for easy entertaining. Simply follow the steps up to stuffing the pears with the filling. To prevent the pears from turning brown, you can brush the cut sides with a bit of lemon juice. Cover the baking dish tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake as directed, adding a couple of extra minutes if needed to ensure they are heated through.
Tips for Success
- Choose the right pears. Use firm, ripe pears that will hold up well during baking. Overripe pears can become too mushy. To determine if pears are ripe, gently press near the stem; they should give slightly under pressure but not feel too soft. If they’re still very firm, let them ripen at room temperature for a few days until they soften just a bit.
- Don’t overfill the pears. Make sure to pack the filling in gently, so it stays put while baking. I usually fill the hollow so that it’s heaping and pack it well.
- Cover, then uncover. Baking with foil first helps soften the pears, while uncovering them allows the filling to get crisp and golden.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic treatment. Enjoy the pears warm with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup and a dollop of Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Nutty twist. Sprinkle toasted or candied nuts over the pears when serving, or add 1/4 cup of chopped nuts (like pecans, almonds, or walnuts) to the filling for a bit of crunch.
- Breakfast treat. Serve these baked pears with Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of granola for a comforting breakfast.
- Decadent dessert. Top warm pears with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a dessert that feels extra special.
How to Store
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until warmed through. The topping may soften over time, but the flavors will still be fantastic!
More Pear Recipes
Baked Pears
Fall in love with the simplicity of baked pears! This easy recipe combines fresh pears with a sweet, spiced oat filling.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe but firm pears (Bosc or Anjou work well)
- 1/2 cup (49g) rolled oats
- 1/4 cup (50g) firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional toppings: chopped toasted nuts (like pecans or walnuts), honey or maple syrup, Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir in the melted butter and vanilla until the mixture is crumbly.
- Halve the pears and remove the cores, creating a small hollow for the filling. Cut a small slice off the backs as well so they'll sit flat.
- Place the pear halves in the prepared baking dish, cut side up. Spoon the oat mixture into the hollow centers of each pear, pressing gently to secure the filling.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the pears are tender and the topping is golden.
- Serve warm with your desired toppings.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days.
For tips, step-by-step photos, and extra details, be sure to read the full post above before starting. It’s packed with helpful info to answer common questions!
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