Roasted Maple Pears
Indulge in the deliciousness of Roasted Maple Pears! Doused in apple cider, butter, real maple syrup, and cinnamon, the pears caramelize beautifully, creating an irresistibly sweet and spiced healthy dessert! Air fryer instructions included.
I’m often caught in a fresh fruit dilemma during the fall: apples or pears? While they both thrive in the cooler seasons, I recently decided to revamp my roasted maple pear recipe for no reason other than it’s been far too long since I’ve enjoyed these mouthwatering little gems.
I know it’s easy to overlook the simple, beloved classics in the whirlwind of trying out new recipes, but this roasted pears recipe deserves a spot in your fall fruit recipe rotation. Baked to perfection with butter, apple cider, maple syrup, and cinnamon, you’re in for a deliciously healthy sweet treat.
I love them with full-fat cottage cheese as a satisfying snack, but they’re also AMAZING with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream when you need a simple, elegant dessert. Regardless, everyone will return for seconds because these pears are GOOD –I’m talking, ‘slap ya mama good!’
Don’t stop there. Try my Cinnamon-Baked Apples, Protein-Packed Stuffed Apples, and Sugar-Free Apple Crisp recipes next and make your fall fruit game unstoppable!
Recipe features
Great for holiday entertaining. Fill your home with the warm, inviting aroma of cinnamon and maple, and impress guests with a quaint dessert they’ll love.
Celebrate pears at their peak. Make the most of this delicious, often overlooked cooler weather fruit.
Quick and easy. Made with five simple ingredients –pears, apple cider, butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon– minimal prep and only 30 minutes of baking time.
Healthy treat. Thanks to its wholesome ingredients, this recipe offers a healthier alternative to sugar-laden desserts and is easily adaptable for dairy-free dietary needs.
I love the fruits in season this time of year. It’s a toss-up between apples and pears for me, they both bake beautifully and make a delicious healthier dessert. I haven’t made these roasted maple pears in several years. I’m really not sure why, they are amazing. Roasted maple pears make the perfect lighter dessert to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Bosc pears. I prefer using firm, ripe Bosc pears for this recipe. They hold up beautifully during roasting, giving you a satisfying bite. If you can’t find Bosc, Anjou pears also work well for roasting.
- Apple cider. Enhances the fruits’ natural sweetness with a delightful, tangy sweetness. If you can’t find it, fresh-pressed apple juice works just as well.
- Butter. Creates a rich, buttery bath for your pears and helps them caramelize as they bake.
- Maple syrup. Its distinctive sweetness pairs perfectly with baked fruit. Avoid imitation syrups, which often contain artificial flavors and high-fructose corn syrup, and splurge on real Grade A maple syrup for best results.
- Cinnamon. Adds a warm, comforting spice to the dish.
How to roast pears with maple syrup
Step 1: Preheat your oven. Start by preheating your oven to 400°F.
Step 2: Prepare the cider and butter. Heat the cider in the microwave for 1 minute. Meanwhile, slice the butter into small pieces, then stir it into the warmed cider until fully melted and incorporated.
Step 3: Prepare the pears. Cut the pears in half and scoop out the seeds and core. Place the halves in a small baking dish, leaving a bit of space between each.
Step 4: Add flavor. Pour the cider mixture evenly over the pears, sprinkle with cinnamon, and drizzle maple syrup generously over the top.
Step 5: Bake. Slide the dish into the oven and bake until golden and tender, basting the pears with the juices from the bottom of the pan a few times.
Step 6: Serve. Remove the pears from the oven and serve warm. Enjoy!
Recipe tips and FAQs
- To peel or not to peel? Leaving the skin on your pears adds a bit of extra fiber and texture, but if you prefer a softer bite, feel free to peel them before roasting.
- Proper basting. Don’t leave the oven unattended while the pears are roasting. Basting them every 10 minutes with the juices from the bottom of the pan is key to keeping them moist and maximizing flavor absorption.
- Check for doneness. The pears are finished roasting when tender to the touch and golden brown on the edges. Test them with a fork to ensure they are cooked through.
Variations
- Dairy-free option – To add richness without dairy, replace the butter with a plant-based alternative, such as coconut oil or a good-quality vegan butter substitute.
- Alternate sweeteners – Feel free to swap the maple syrup for honey or agave syrup. Each imparts a slightly different flavor that complements the pears perfectly.
- Enhance the flavor – In addition to cinnamon, add a splash of vanilla extract and a sprinkle of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, or cardamom for an extra layer of warmth and complexity.
- Toasted nuts – Add a handful of chopped pecans, walnuts, or pistachios toward the end of the cooking. They’ll toast in the oven and add a delightful crunch to the soft pears.
- Dried fruit – Sprinkle raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates over the pears before baking. The dried fruit will plump up and add unique bursts of sweetness to every bite.
- Boozy twist – Add a splash of bourbon or rum to the cider mixture for an adult-only version with enhanced warmth and depth.
FAQ
Absolutely! Roasting apples and pears together is a great idea! Just make sure to cut them into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Remember that pears cook slightly faster than apples, so you may want to remove them from the baking dish if they become soft before the apples.
Yes, you can roast pears in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Prepare the pears as instructed, then place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes, checking occasionally and basting with the cider mixture halfway through.
Serving suggestions
This recipe is incredibly versatile! Enjoy the pears warm with a dollop of cottage cheese or vanilla Greek yogurt as a healthy snack, or pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, frozen yogurt, or Cool Whip for an indulgent dessert.
Once cooled, you can chop the roasted pear halves and add them to oatmeal, yogurt bowls, or salads like this Winter Fruit Salad. For a bit of crunch, sprinkle some granola or chopped nuts on top before serving.
Storing and freezing
Storing: Store leftover pears in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave or oven until heated through. Or, enjoy them cold for a quick, refreshing snack or breakfast topping.
Freezing: Place the cooled roasted pear halves in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then place in a freezer-safe bag and keep frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating or enjoying cold.
More baked fruit recipes
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Roasted Maple Pears
- 4 Bosc Pears halved and cored
- 1/2 cup apple cider or fresh pressed apple juice
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp real grade A maple syrup
- Cinnamon to taste
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Heat cider or apple juice in the microwave for 1 minute
- Slice butter into pieces and stir into juice until melted
- Slice pears in half and scoop out just the seeds and core
- Place pears in a small baking dish
- Pour cider mixture over pears and sprinkle with cinnamon
- Drizzle maple syrup over top and bake for 30 minutes, basting with juice from the bottom of the pan every 10 minutes
- Serve warm
- To peel or not to peel? Leaving the skin on your pears adds a bit of extra fiber and texture, but if you prefer a softer bite, feel free to peel them before roasting.
- Proper basting. Don’t leave the oven unattended while the pears are roasting. Basting them every 10 minutes with the juices from the bottom of the pan is key to keeping them moist and maximizing flavor absorption.
- Check for doneness. The pears are finished roasting when tender to the touch and golden brown on the edges. Test them with a fork to ensure they are cooked through.
- Variations. Refer to the post for tasty variation ideas.
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These roasted pears look delicious. We have only a few this year on our pear tree and I’ve been looking for a great recipe, for when they are ripe. Loving the idea of not peeling them!!! Will definitely serve with a large scoop of ice cream. Thank you for a delicious recipe. Sammie.
You’re welcome Sammie! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I hope that you enjoy the recipe.
Yup, pears and apples are my favorites, too. And now I must roast up some pears—yours look divine!!!
Thank you so much, Liz!
Oh this is just mouthwatering Amee! Apples and Pears and Pumpkins…all wonderful fall flavors!
Thank you Renee! ๐
I had a major kitchen fail making a pear tarte tatin last weekend …. this sounds like a safer and still oh-so-delicious way to prepare them!
Great fall flavor combination — looks delicious and so elegant!
Thank you Bernie!
These pears look amazing! and what a roundup of recipes here. can’t wait to check them all out!
Thank you Jessica!
These pears look ready to jump off the screen (into my mouth) lol! Adding cider and cinnamon sends this over the top!
I almost bought pears at the store today, now I wish I did!
They are so easy Lauren! Let me know if you try them. ๐
I LOVE pears and apples.
It looks delicious. I will try!!!
Thank you Lois!
We used to do this with apples each year after picking, love the idea of using pears!
Thank you Sarah! It’s a fun twist!
I’d love mine with ice cream please!
Sounds good to me Sue!
This will be a delicious surprise for my wife, thanks, Bruno
I hope she loves them Bruno! ๐