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

4 halves of baked pears topped with maple syrup and whipped cream in a baking dish.

Introduction

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 you favorite pears, 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 whipped cream, or serve warm and 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

Sliced open pears on a small plate with small dishes of maple syrup and cinnamon beside them.

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

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.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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.

Sliced opens pears with seeds removed in a baking dish.

Step 2. Drizzle each pear with maple syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Quick Tip: You can easily experiment here with different flavours. Try lemon, vanilla, apple pie spice, nutmeg, or ginger!

Spiced open pears in a baking dish drizzled in maple syrup and 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!

Baked pears topped with maple syrup and whipped cream in a baking dish.

Topping Ideas

  • Coconut yogurt or any other dairy-free yogurt.
  • Dairy-free vanilla ice cream or coconut whipped cream.
  • Cashew cream.
  • Chopped Nuts. Try walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds or pistachios.
  • Toasted pumpkin seeds.
  • Dried fruit like dried cranberries, raisins or chopped dates.
  • Cinnamon Raisin Granola or any granola you like.
  • Nut Butter. Try a drizzle of almond butter or tahini.
  • Vegan Caramel Sauce

FAQs

Can I use apples instead of pears?

You sure can!

Can I make these sugar-free?

Sure. You can skip the maple syrup and use a bit of coconut oil or your choice of butter instead.

What are the best pears for baking?

Anjou and Bosc varieties are a top pick for baking as they hold their shape and texture best though any pear will work! 

Can baked pears be served cold?

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!

How do I know when baked pears are cooked?

When the pears are completely cooked, you’ll be able to insert a knife and have it easily slide out. 

4 halves of baked pears topped with maple syrup and whipped cream in a baking dish.

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.
  • Leftovers are delicious sliced and served over yogurt, pancakes, oatmeal, bread pudding or baked French toast.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
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4 halves of baked pears topped with maple syrup and whipped cream in a baking dish.

Healthy Baked Pears with Cinnamon

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

These healthy baked pears can be a sweet and simple snack or a fancy, decadent dessert. Serve them on their own or try them topped with coconut yogurt, nuts and granola.


Ingredients


Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Bake until soft and tender, about 25-30 minutes.
  5. Serve warm with your choice of toppings.

Notes

Topping Ideas: Coconut yogurt, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, granola, dairy-free whipped cream or ice cream, maple syrup, granola, caramelized banana, caramel sauce.

Storing: Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for 2-3 days and enjoyed cold or reheated in the microwave or oven. Try them sliced and served over waffles, pancakes, yogurt or oatmeal.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: half a pear
  • Calories: 63
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 3.5 g
  • Protein: 0.5 g

Originally published on March 30, 2018.