Baked Pears with Maple Syrup and Walnuts - Spoonful of Kindness (2024)

These easy baked pears with maple syrup and walnuts are the kind of dessert you can make even when you don’t feel like baking, but still want to serve something sweet and delicious after dinner. Plus, this 4-ingredient guiltless treat is vegan, gluten free, free from refined sugar, low calorie and low fat, so you don’t have to stop at one.

Fall fruit is perfect for baking. Apples and pears taste amazing in pies, crumbles and galletes, but they’re delicious on their own as well. This easy baked pear recipe allows the fruit to be the main star of the show, with an impressive supporting cast made up of walnuts, maple syrup and cinnamon.

Here’s what else is to love about this pear recipe:

• Made with 4 ingredients
• Vegan and gluten free
• Free from refined sugar
• Low in calories and fat
• Light and healthy dessert

Are These Baked Pears Really a Healthy Dessert?

In my mind, unless you’re eating raw fruit in moderation, no dessert can truly be called a healthy dessert. But these baked pears with maple syrup and walnuts are as close as it gets. They’re low in calories and fat, with one baked pear having roughly 200 calories, sweetened with maple syrup and sprinkled with chopped walnuts. There’s no processed sugar, saturated fat, artificial colouring or preservatives. Only the simplest, natural fall flavours.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make These Baked Pears with Maple Syrup

Pears

Not all pears are created equal; some are perfect for eating raw, some were made to be turned into dessert, and some turn into a sweet mush faster than you’d like.

For baking whole pears, it’s best to use the sorts that hold their shape well. My top recommendations include:

• Bosc pears
• Anjou pears
• French butter pears

But whichever sort you pick, it’s crucial that it’s perfectly ripe. They need to be soft to the touch, but still firm.

If you’re using pears that are not perfectly ripe, make sure to bake them longer. After 35 minutes of baking, take them out of the oven and pierce them with a fork. They should be melt-in-your-mouth soft, and the fork should easily pierce through. If not, return to the oven and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Walnuts

Walnuts are the perfect addition to this recipe, pairing wonderfully with other fall flavours, adding a crunch, and even healthy fats to the mix. However, if you prefer to omit them, the recipe will definitely survive without. They’re also easy to substitute with a different nut, such as pecans, hazelnuts or even almonds.

Maple syrup

Like walnuts, maple syrup adds the finishing touch to this fall recipe. If you prefer, however, it is possible to substitute it with agave syrup or honey for a non-vegan treat. I don’t recommend omitting it altogether, but I’d you’re looking for a sugar-free dessert, it’s possible to leave the sweeteners out completely.

Cinnamon

A dash of cinnamon on top of each pear half is the perfect way to wrap up this dessert. It’s possible but not recommended to omit it.

How to Bake Pears

This is the perfect example of a 10-minute, 4-ingredient dessert. To make these baked pears with maple syrup and walnuts, all you need to do is:

1. Cut a pear in half.
2. Remove the bottom.
3. Sprinkle it with cinnamon.
4. Add chopped walnuts.
5. Drizzle with maple syrup.
6. Bake!

What Should I Serve with Baked Pears?

Once baked, you can add an extra drizzle of maple syrup, chopped walnuts or pecans, or a dash of cinnamon. For pure flavour perfection, serve these baked pears with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or plain yogurt for a healthier option.

How Long Do They Keep?

These pears are best when served right away, while they’re still warm. You can prepare them a few hours ahead, and then simply pop them in the oven before you’re ready to serve. This recipe is perfect as a Sunday dinner dessert, or a quick after-dinner treat.

Can I Reheat Them?

Yes. The easiest way to do this is in the microwave. It’s best to microwave them in shorter, one minute intervals, testing between each one, as you don’t want to overcook them.

More Healthy Fall Flavours

If you're looking for more vegan fall recipes, make sure to check out these easy baked apples with walnuts, crustless apple pie or apple pie muffins.