Healthy Baked Pears

These easy vegan cinnamon baked pears are soft, sweet and perfect for a light and healthy dessert.

There’s really not much to baking pears. They’re so simple, you don’t even really need a recipe! Once you bake them, you’ll be able to use them in so many different ways. 

I like to top them with caramel sauce, coconut yogurt, chopped nuts, almond butter, coconut butter, shredded coconut, tahini, or granola. I’d recommend my cinnamon raisin granola or peanut butter granola as a delicious crunchy homemade topping.

This beautiful, simple dessert is a great go-to when you need something quick and easy that delivers on flavour and presentation. No one will know how easy they are to make!

Simply slice up your favorite pears and drizzle with maple syrup and a touch of cinnamon and bake to perfection. Enjoy them as is with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or serve sliced on top of waffles, pancakes or oatmeal.

Recipe Features

• They take only 2 minutes of prep time to get them ready for the oven. 
• Pears are a nutrient dense fruit that’s great for digestive health. They also contain a wide range of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. 
• The entire recipe consists of only 3 simple ingredients that can be found anywhere. 
• You can serve baked pears a variety of different ways including with desserts like brownies or to top breakfast foods like yogurt parfaits, pancakes amd oatmeal. 
• They look absolutely stunning making a great presentation for guests and special occasions.
• Baked pears are a light dessert making it great for the summer months but also hearty enough for fall and winter. 
• This recipe is 100% vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, nut-free…just simple whole food goodness! 
• These make a wonderful, wholesome and healthy dessert that everyone will love!
• Great for brunch too!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Complete list of ingredients with amounts and full instructions is located in the recipe card below. This section covers ingredient and substitution considerations.

• 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 – This warming spice pairs well with the texture and flavor of any pear. 

How To Make Cinnamon Baked Pears

Before You Start: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

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.

Quick Tip: 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.

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!

Topping Ideas

• Coconut yogurt or any other dairy-free yogurt.
• Dairy-free ice cream or coconut whipped cream.
• Chopped Nuts – try walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds or pistachios.
• Cinnamon Raisin Granola or any granola you like.
• Nut Butter – Try a drizzle of almond butter or tahini.
• Vegan Caramel Sauce

Variations

• Add a hint of vanilla flavor by sprinkling a pinch of vanilla bean powder in with the cinnamon. 
• As a replacement for maple syrup, feel free to use: raw honey, coconut nectar, homemade date paste, coconut sugar or yacon syrup.
• For a great fall flavor, use pumpkin pie spice in place of the cinnamon. 
• Add a splash of lemon juice for a delicious tart flavor. 

Storing & Freezing

• 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.

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Originally published on March 30, 2018.