Baked Pears with Cinnamon & Walnuts
A simple, elegant dessert that lets the fruit be the star. Baking concentrates the pear's natural sweetness, enhanced by warm spices and crunchy nuts for a comforting treat.
For 4 servings
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a medium baking dish (approx. 9x13 inch) or line with parchment paper.
Wash the pears thoroughly. Carefully halve each pear lengthwise and use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the core and any tough fibrous bits, creating a small cavity in the center of each half.
In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup (or honey), melted butter (or coconut oil), ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and vanilla extract (if using) until well combined.
Arrange the pear halves, cut-side up, in the prepared baking dish. Spoon the spice and syrup mixture evenly into the hollowed-out cavities of each pear half.
Pour the 2 tablespoons of water into the bottom of the baking dish. This helps create steam, keeping the pears moist and preventing them from drying out during baking.
Bake for 20 minutes. Then, sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the pears and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the pears are fork-tender and the walnuts are lightly toasted.
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. The pears will be hot and the juices will be concentrated at the bottom of the dish.
Serve warm, spooning any accumulated juices from the baking dish over the pears.
What to keep in mind.
4 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Choose pears that are ripe but still firm to the touch. Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett pears work wonderfully as they hold their shape well during baking.
- 2To prevent the pears from browning too quickly, you can cover the baking dish loosely with foil for the first 15-20 minutes of baking, then remove for the remainder of the time.
- 3For an extra layer of flavor, you can toast the walnuts lightly in a dry pan for 3-5 minutes before adding them to the pears. This enhances their nutty aroma.
- 4This dessert is best served warm, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and gently reheated.
Adapt it for your goals.
Fruit Swap
Substitute pears with apples (like Honeycrisp or Gala) or even firm peaches when in season. Adjust baking time as needed.
Spice & Nut MixSpice & Nut Mix
Experiment with other warm spices like ground ginger, cardamom, or a pinch of allspice. Pecans or almonds can be used in place of walnuts.
Added Sweetness/TextureAdded Sweetness/Texture
Mix a tablespoon of dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates into the filling for added chewiness and sweetness.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Fiber
Pears are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion, promotes satiety, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Antioxidant Powerhouse
Both pears and cinnamon contain antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, contributing to overall health.
Heart-Healthy Fats
Walnuts provide omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health and can help lower bad cholesterol levels.
Frequently asked questions
Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett pears are ideal for baking as they maintain their shape and texture well when cooked, becoming tender without turning mushy.
