Easy Baked Pears [Stuffed with Nuts and Fruit]

Name: Easy Baked Pears [Stuffed with Nuts and Fruit]
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 ripe pears, (halved); ¼ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans ((or a combo of both)); 3 tablespoons of raisins or dried cranberries ((or a combo of both)); ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, (more for garnish ); 3 tablespoons of agave or maple syrup (or a combo of both), more for drizzling

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5-ingredient baked pears with nuts, dried fruit, and maple syrup are easy to throw together as a quick & simple yet elegant breakfast or dessert! + Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

completed Easy Baked Pears [Stuffed with Nuts and Fruit] on a white surface

Quick Easy Fruit and Nut Stuffed Baked Pears

This fall and holiday season (or anytime you can get your hands on delicious, ripe pears), put a pause on your pumpkin and apple goodies (even baked apples) to try this easy baked pears recipe. You won’t regret it.

In this recipe, fresh pears are cored, stuffed with a crunchy, chewy dried fruit, nut, and syrup filling, then baked to bring out the fruit’s natural sweetness and caramelization and soften the flesh to an almost ‘buttery’, melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Like simple crisps, crumbles, and cobblers, these baked stuffed pears are sweet, cozy, delicious, and so simple to prepare. Yet they’re also a great way to add a touch of elegance to your breakfast or dinner table – ready to enjoy warm or chilled alone or with toppings.

Quick Easy Fruit and Nut Stuffed Baked Pears
The Ingredients and Substitutes
What Could I Add To The Stuffed Pears?
How to Make Baked Pears
FAQs
Pro Recipe Tips
Serving Suggestions
Storage Instructions
More Easy Vegan Pear Recipes
Easy Baked Pears [Stuffed with Nuts and Fruit] Recipe

The Ingredients and Substitutes

All you need are five simple and inexpensive pantry staples for this simple yet elegant recipe for baked pears.

ingredients for Easy Baked Pears [Stuffed with Nuts and Fruit] on a white surface

Pears: For this easy pear dessert recipe, we like Bosc or Anjou pears that are firm yet ripe, but not overly ripe (or they’ll become mushy).
Dried fruit: You can use raisins, dried cranberries, or both. Dried apricots, currants, cherries, or dates will also work.
Nuts: We love to use raw (or toasted) walnuts and/or pecans. Slivered or chopped almonds would also work.
Spices: We used pumpkin pie spice to keep things simple, but you could alternatively make cinnamon-baked pears with an optional pinch of nutmeg and/or ginger.
Sweetener: We love to use unrefined maple syrup, agave, or both. However, coconut sugar, brown sugar, or a sugar-free brown sugar alternative would work, too.

What Could I Add To The Stuffed Pears?

This cooked pears recipe is actually a fairly blank canvas, perfect for pairing with different flavors, colors, and texture, like:

Vegan butter: For slightly juicer, ‘buttery’ pears, brush them with melted dairy-free butter before filling and baking them.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness in the dish.
Vanilla extract: Use natural vanilla for the best flavor, stirring a little into the filling.
Orange zest: For brightness and refreshing, zesty flavor.
Rolled oats: Add oats to the stuffing for a heartier recipe for cooked pears.
Ginger: Just a teaspoon or so of finely diced candied/crystallized ginger will add some zingy depth and spice – perfect for Christmas pears.
Lavender: A tiny amount of culinary lavender adds a subtle yet delicious floral, aromatic flavor to the baked pear dessert.

How to Make Baked Pears

First, preheat the oven to 350F/180C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Then, prepare the filling by combining the nuts, dried fruit, spice, and sweetener in a bowl until well combined.

process shot showing fruit and nut mixture alongside bowl

process shot of mixing ingredients together in a bowl

Next, slice the pears in half and use a melon baller to scoop out the core. Then, divide the fruit-nut mixture between the pears and optionally top with more sweetener/spice.

process shot showing halved pears on a white surface

process shot showing addition of stuffed nuts and fruits on pear

Transfer the stuffed pears to a baking dish at least 2 inches apart and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the pears are tender.

process shot showing pears on parchment paper

Finally, allow the cooked pears to cool for a few minutes (this also leaves more time for the flavors to meld), then enjoy!

process shot showing pears cooling post baking

Air Fryer Baked Pears

Prepare steps 1-3, then transfer the pears to your air fryer with space between each one and air fry for 12-15 minutes at 350F/180C.

FAQs

Can I assemble baked pears ahead?

Brush the hollowed pears with lemon juice to reduce browning. That way, you can prepare them 12 hours in advance and keep them covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. Bring them back to room temperature for 15 minutes before baking.

How do I stop the pears from falling over?

If any pears keep tipping, you can use a small paring knife to slice a very thin sliver from the bottom to make a more stable base. Alternatively, scrunch some aluminum foil to wedge them upright.

What are the best pears for baking?

Several types of pears work particularly well for this baked pear recipe, including:

1. Bosc pears or Concorde pears are dense and firm and hold up well to coring and baking.
2. Anjou/D’anjou pears are moist, tender, and fairly juicy but maintain their shape when baked.
3. Bartlett pears (which are softer but still hold their shape if firm when baked) will also work. However, we don’t recommend Comice pears, as their soft flesh makes them more likely to fall apart.

Should I peel the pears before baking?

No – the skin will actually create more structure to hold the pear’s shape while baking.

Are pears good for you?

Pears are a tasty, low-calorie snack packed with nutrients, antioxidants (to reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and dementia), and high in fiber, to keep you feeling full and your heart and digestive system in good shape.

Pro Recipe Tips

Don’t over-core the pears: You don’t want to lose unnecessary pear flesh when coring, or the fruit will be more likely to collapse when baked.
Tweak the flavors: This baked pears recipe is incredibly versatile. Adjust the amount of sweetener/spices, swap out various elements in the filling, add extra flavors, etc.
Line the pan: This makes clean-up a breeze.
The baking time may vary: Due to differences in pear size and your desired texture. Really large pears could take 35-40 minutes. We recommend baking them until tender while maintaining their shape.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy the roasted pears alone or with toppings/garnishes for a touch of elegance (and extra deliciousness) at breakfast or dessert time.

Fresh herbs (mint or basil)
Vegan cheese (like vegan feta or blue cheese for a salty, savory contrast)
Vegan caramel sauce or nut butter
Plant-based yogurt (a dollop of Greek-style yogurt works best)
Coconut whipped cream
Powdered sugar
A scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream

You can also serve Christmas pears alongside a vegan brownie for more of a decadent treat.

Storage Instructions

Leave the cooked pears to cool and store any leftovers in an airtight container (or plastic-wrapped dish) in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Alternatively, they freeze well for 3-4 months. Leave them to flash freeze on a tray until solid, then transfer them to a Ziplock/Stasher bag to store.

Thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying chilled or reheating in the oven at 350F/180C (10-15 minutes), air fryer (3-5 minutes), or microwave (20-second increments).

completed Easy Baked Pears [Stuffed with Nuts and Fruit] in a storage container

More Easy Vegan Pear Recipes

Photos by Alfonso Revilla