Healthy Baked Pears with Cinnamon
on Mar 22, 2021, Updated Jun 17, 2026
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These healthy baked pears with cinnamon are soft, sweet and perfect for a light and healthy dessert that works for summer or holidays like Thanksgiving.
They’re a great go-to when you a quick and easy dessert that delivers on flavour and presentation. You can make them as simple or dressed up as you like and leftovers are delicious over oatmeal, yogurt or pancakes.
Why You’ll Love Healthy Baked Pears
- They take only 2 minutes of prep to get them ready for the oven. Simply slice your favourite pears, add maple syrup and cinnamon and bake.
- You can use them in many different ways, from a yogurt or oatmeal topping to simple but elegant dessert.
- You can top them with anything from caramel sauce to coconut yogurt, chopped nuts, almond butter, granola, coconut or ice cream.
Ingredients
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
- Ripe Pears – You’ll need to make sure the pears you use are soft yet still slightly firm to the touch. Use bartlett, bosc, d’anjou or even red Asian pears.
- Pure Maple Syrup – This helps bring out the natural sweetness in the pears as well as helps them caramelize while baking. You’ll need about ½ tsp per pear. You can use honey (not vegan) or agave syrup as a substitute.
- Cinnamon – Use cinnamon or mix and match with ground ginger, cardamom, all spice, apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice.
Variations
- Vanilla Baked Pears: Add a hint of vanilla flavor by sprinkling a pinch of vanilla bean powder in with the cinnamon.
- Alternative Sweeteners: As a replacement for maple syrup, feel free to use: raw honey, coconut nectar, homemade date paste, coconut sugar or yacon syrup.
- Fall Baked Pears: For a great fall flavor, use pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice in place of the cinnamon.
- Zesty Baked Pears: Squeeze lemon juice over the pears before baking for a delicious tart flavor.
- Butter or Coconut Oil: You can spread a little butter or coconut oil over the pears before baking. It’s not necessary but it does make them get a little caramelized and browned.
How to Make Healthy Baked Pears
Step 1. Slice the pears in half and gently scoop out the seeds using a small cookie scoop or spoon. Place the pears cut side up in any baking dish. You can remove the stems or leave them on for a pretty presentation.
Step 2. Drizzle each pear with maple syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon. You can experiment here with different flavours like lemon, vanilla, apple pie spice, nutmeg, or ginger.
Step 3. Bake on a baking pan or in an oven-proof dish until soft and tender, about 25-30 minutes. Add any toppings you like and enjoy!
FAQs
You sure can!
Sure. You can skip the maple syrup and use a bit of coconut oil or your choice of butter instead.
Anjou and Bosc varieties are a top pick for baking as they hold their shape and texture best though any pear will work!
While warm baked pears taste great fresh out of the oven, you can eat them cold if you’d like. Slice up any leftovers and serve cold over waffles, oatmeal or pancakes. They can also be added to baking!
When the pears are completely cooked, you’ll be able to insert a knife and have it easily slide out.
How to Store Baked Pears
- Storing: Baked pears are best when served fresh, though leftovers keep covered in the refrigerator up to 2-3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or in a 350-degree F (176 C) oven until warmed through.
- Freezing: This recipe is not freezer friendly.
- Leftovers are delicious sliced and served over yogurt, Creamy Banana Oatmeal, Vegan Bread Pudding, Vegan Oat Banana Pancakes or Vegan French Toast Casserole.
If you make this recipe, please consider leaving a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comment section below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe, and I love to hear from you. Thanks for trying my recipes! – Deryn
Healthy Baked Pears with Cinnamon
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F
- Using as many pears as you like, slice the pears in half and gently scoop out the seeds using a small cookie scoop or spoon.
- Place the pears cut side up on a baking pan or in an oven-proof dish and drizzle each halve pear with 1/2 tsp maple syrup and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp sprinkle cinnamon.
- Bake until soft and tender, about 25-30 minutes. Serve warm with your choice of toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published on March 30, 2018.
So simple and so good! Very satisfying.
I had a bunch of pears that I wasn’t sure what to do with so I used 4 of them to make this recipe. So simple but so good! After cooling a little enough to handle, I cut up some of the pears and used them and chopped hazelnuts to top hot oat bran breakfast cereal. YUM! I think they would also be nice chilled, cut up and added to a salad.
That’s a perfect way to use them! Yum! So glad you loved them.
Nice and simple to make. I served mine topped with a dollop of homemade yogurt, drizzled with honey and cinnamon pear vinegar. Absolutely delicious. Family, who initially were a bit skeptical, enjoyed these as well. Will definitely be making these again.
Made this tonight! EXCELLENT! With all the push to watch the carbs and sugars, I am always looking for seasonal recipes that are simple. This one is great! I used small red pears, so that two halves would be a smart serving, and it worked fantastically! Added the maple sugar (in Wisconsin that’s a staple in every cook’s home) and a few chopped nuts. When they came out, I added the coconut greek yogurt – one small container for 4 servings – and it was divine!
This is a great way to present dessert that’s healthy! Thank you!
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed them! They sound perfect with coconut yogurt 🙂
Ahh-maaaazing Deryn, So clever
Thank you! ☺️?
You’re welcome!