Simple Cinnamon Baked Pears
Tender, juicy pears baked with warm cinnamon and a drizzle of honey until soft and golden. A simple, naturally sweet dessert that makes the whole house smell like autumn. Perfect on its own or with a scoop of yogurt.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~5 min
Preheat the oven and prep the pears.
1.Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).2.Halve each pear lengthwise and scoop out the core with a spoon.3.Arrange pear halves cut-side up in the baking dish.TIPLeave the skin on — it helps the pears hold their shape while baking. - mix · ~2 min
Season and drizzle the pears.
1.Brush melted butter evenly over the cut sides of the pears.2.Drizzle honey over each pear half.3.Sprinkle cinnamon evenly across all pears. - bake · ~25 min
Bake until tender and golden.
1.Place baking dish in the preheated oven.2.Bake for 20 minutes, then scatter chopped walnuts over the pears.3.Continue baking another 5 minutes until pears are fork-tender and edges are lightly golden.TIPCheck at 20 minutes — riper pears bake faster. You want a knife to slide through easily. - serve
Serve warm with yogurt.
Let pears cool 3 to 5 minutes in the dish. Spoon any pan juices over the top and serve each pear half with a tablespoon of yogurt.
TIPThe pan juices are liquid gold — don't leave them behind.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Choose Bosc or Anjou pears that yield slightly at the stem but are still firm for the best texture after baking.
- 2Leave the skin on to help the pears hold their shape and add a subtle texture contrast.
- 3Use a melon baller or teaspoon to neatly scoop out the core and seeds without removing too much flesh.
- 4Check doneness at 20 minutes by inserting a knife into the thickest part—it should slide in with little resistance.
- 5Scatter walnuts halfway through baking so they toast lightly without burning.
- 6Spoon the buttery cinnamon pan juices over the pears just before serving for extra flavor.
- 7Make ahead by baking the pears without walnuts, then reheat gently and add walnuts before serving.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan
Replace the butter with coconut oil and the honey with maple syrup or agave. Use a dairy-free yogurt like coconut or almond-based for serving.
Low oilLow-oil
Omit the butter entirely and brush the pears with a little maple syrup mixed with water. The pears will still soften and caramelize beautifully.
Spiced chaiSpiced chai
Add 1/4 teaspoon each of ground ginger, cardamom, and a pinch of cloves along with the cinnamon. Swap honey for maple syrup to echo chai's warm sweetness.
Gluten free & nut freeGluten-free & nut-free
Skip the walnuts or replace them with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for crunch without any gluten or nut allergens.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Dietary Fiber
Pears with skin on provide about 6 grams of fiber per medium fruit, supporting healthy digestion and satiety.
Heart-Healthy Fats
Walnuts contribute omega-3 fatty acids, which are associated with reduced inflammation and better heart health.
Natural Sweetness Without Refined Sugar
This dessert relies on the pear's own sugars and a small amount of honey, avoiding processed white or brown sugar.
Probiotic Support from Yogurt
A dollop of plain yogurt provides live cultures that support gut microbiota, making this a gut-friendly treat.
Frequently asked questions
Bosc or Anjou pears are ideal because they hold their shape well during baking and have a sweet, buttery flesh that softens evenly.
