Super simple 4-ingredient maple vanilla baked pears are a healthier treat that will still satisfy the sweet tooth! Juicy ripe pears get even more flavorful thanks to cinnamon, maple syrup, and vanilla. Bake until warm and soft, and top with crunchy granola and Greek yogurt. Ready in around 30 minutes!
I originally published this recipe in 2016 and have since added new photos and more helpful success tips.
While I love baked apples, especially warm from the oven, today’s baked pears are even easier. Plus, they soften up beautifully and have a creamy-like consistency infused with maple syrup and pure vanilla. They’re simple, healthy, and on a cold night—they hit the spot!
This is a beautiful dessert, elegant in its simplicity, and the best part is that you can make and serve it in about 30 minutes.
One reader, Ashley, commented: “Literally took 5 minutes to prep and the end result was ridiculously delicious. Would have never thought to top with Greek yogurt—so good! Best part was that everyone thought this was some insanely complicated recipe—little do they know! ★★★★★”
Another reader, Pat, commented: “I just made these and everyone just devoured them. Unbelievably delicious! So very simple and elegant, yet so delicious… ★★★★★”
Why You’ll Love These Baked Pears
- A healthier dessert option, yet still satisfies the sweet tooth
- Only 4 ingredients!
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Perfect for beginner bakers
- Top with granola and Greek yogurt, or up the indulgence with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
- A gluten-free dessert recipe
These maple baked pears are a prime example of how simple ingredients can come together to produce a dessert that everyone will love. 🙂
Best Pears to Use for Baked Pears
Select pears that are medium-ripe. Not too firm, but not too ripe and soft, either. Medium-ripe pears have a subtle sweetness, and will hold their shape when baked, while also becoming so melt-in-your-mouth soft that you can easily slide a spoon through them.
Anjou, Bartlett, and Bosc pears are the most widely available, and you can’t go wrong with any of these varieties. Extra sweet and buttery Comice pears, usually available around December, are also a good choice for baking.
I typically use Anjou pears. This variety is super juicy and naturally sweet. Their flavor and juicy interior make the pears perfect for baking. I usually use this variety when making pear galette.
Other Ingredients You Need:
- Cinnamon: 1/4 teaspoon is just a suggested amount… feel free to measure with your heart here!
- Maple Syrup: You want to use the pure stuff, not the bottle labeled “pancake syrup.” With so few ingredients, you will taste the difference.
- Vanilla Extract: Same goes for the vanilla! Use pure, or homemade vanilla extract.
Assemble & Bake
And I use the term “assemble” very lightly here—you hardly have to do anything!
Start by cutting your pears in half lengthwise. No need to peel them. Next, scoop out the cores. I usually use a medium cookie scoop for this, but you can use a melon baller if you have one. If your pears are ripe enough, this should be easy to do with just a spoon.
Give the pears a little sprinkle of cinnamon, whisk together maple syrup and vanilla extract and drizzle over the pears, and bake in a large and lightly greased baking dish.
When the pears come out of the oven you can go a little crazy with toppings. I usually add some crunchy maple cranberry granola, and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt. (Note I replaced the almonds with pecans in the granola recipe here.) The pears are also fantastic topped with pumpkin granola or vanilla almond granola.
The baked pears are warm, fragrant, and a little bit caramelized around the edges. Soft and juicy, topped with crunchy, toasty homemade granola, and cold, creamy Greek yogurt.
Texture paradise on a plate.
For more healthier dessert options to satisfy your sweet tooth, here are 20+ healthy dessert recipes.
Print
Easy Baked Pears
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: serves 4
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
4-ingredient super simple maple vanilla baked pears that are cooked until warm and soft, completely infused with maple and vanilla, and topped with crunchy granola and creamy yogurt.
Ingredients
- 4 large pears (or 6 medium pears)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (120ml) pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- optional toppings: maple almond granola & plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a large baking pan (any size that will fit the halved pears) or line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- Cut pears in half. Using a large or medium cookie scoop or melon baller (or a regular spoon), core out the seeds. Arrange pears, facing up, in/on the prepared baking pan/sheet. Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon—feel free to add more cinnamon if you’d like.
- Whisk together the maple syrup and vanilla extract. Drizzle all over the pears.
- Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes, or until soft and lightly browned on the edges. If your pears were quite firm, you may need to extend the bake time. Remove from the oven. Serve warm with granola and yogurt, if desired.
- Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: Pears are best baked right before they are served, but you could bake them completely and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Then, warm back up in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Baking Sheet | Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper (optional) | Cookie Scoop | Glass Mixing Bowl | Whisk
- Best Pears to Use: Select pears that are medium-ripe. Not too firm, but not too ripe and soft, either. Anjou, Bartlett, and Bosc pears are the most widely available, and you can’t go wrong with any of these varieties for baked pears.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 halved pear
- Calories: 159
- Sugar: 27.7 g
- Sodium: 3.9 mg
- Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38.4 g
- Protein: 0.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
This looks yummy and I think I can probably switch out the maple syrup for honey but just checking to see what your thoughts are.
Hi Marty, the flavor will obviously be different, but that shouldn’t be a problem.
A better dessert alternative! We are really underwhelmed by processed desserts so I made these tonight, except I filled them with an apple cinnamon preserve and fresh whipped cream and my husband said where have these been his whole life. Super delicious! Thank you.
Can I use Bosc pears?
It’s snowing here and don’t want to go out on roads
That will work just fine, Trudy—enjoy!
Made this for Christmas 2023 with our turkey dinner…and it was a hit with everyone. Absolutely delicious! Than you ever so much for sharing this! Also made it with a prime rib…yummy! Plus making it tonight for our New Year dinner!
Super easy & super good! We loved these baked pears! So yummy!!
Watch the video – that’s about how long it takes to throw these together, seriously!! Thanks Sally for another great recipe!
Could I substitute honey for maple syrup?
Hi Susan! The flavor will obviously be different, but that shouldn’t be a problem.
Hi, this sounds so easy and looks delish! Just wanted to confirm that pears do not need to be peeled first?
That’s correct!
First time I tasted one of these was with my boyfriend’s mom making it. I’m Asian and he’s white so my American food experience is fairly limited. Holy heck was that pear dessert a bomb! So, I made it it for myself and this recipe was also delish! So simple, yet so delicious!
Where can I find the Pecan Pie Granola recipe for the topping?
Hi Tania, that was a very old recipe on the site. You can use this maple granola and replace the almonds with pecans.
Oh my goodness! These pears are even more delicious than the sound!!!
SO Good. Even my husband who is not a pear lover thoroughly enjoyed them. Thanks for sharing!
Literally took 5 minutes to prep and the end result was ridiculously delicious. Would have never thought to top with Greek yogurt – so good! Best part was that everyone thought this was some insanely complicated recipe – little do they know! Haha 🙂
I just made these and everyone just devoured them. Unbelievably delicious! So very simple and elegant, yet so delicious. Thank you for sharing.
I absolutely loved this recipe and I wouldn’t change a thing. Simple ingredients with amazing results! I’m a huge pear fan but, I can’t get my family to like them. One of my son’s said they reminded him of his all time favorite desert…apple crisp.
I made this recipe for breakfast today and they devoured the entire dish. Minus the 6 halves I inhaled by myself! I was talking with my best friend on the phone when I first tried them and actually told her I needed a minute… because I was at a loss for words and wanted to continue eating… not talking. I needed the silence to savor the experience as I did a happy dance (literally exactly what happened) Thank you for this recipe!!
A very good and simple recipe; delicious and a big hit with friends at dessert with cake. Used more cinnamon than you called for; it made for a more aromatic experience, but not overwhelming.
What kind (flavor) of yogurt do you use?
I usually use Greek yogurt, vanilla or plain, but this is just for the topping so you can use whatever type you enjoy!
I’m bringing these to my family tomorrow. I love how they capture all the flavors of fall without making me break out the mixer, roll out dough, or spend hours in the kitchen. Thank you.
Wow! I fixed these for my family tonight. My 8 year old son said he didn’t want one…. but he ended up eating 2 halves as my husband and I both did! I topped with plain greek yogurt that I had added vanilla extract and honey to. Drizzled that with the syrup/vanilla mixture and sprinkled with cinnamon. Divine! We will do this again very soon!
I made these last night for a dinner party, they were so crazy easy (I’m not the greatest cook!) and everyone raved about them. Thanks so much, this will be on regular rotation for sure.
College gave me a crazy appreciate for pears. I just love them! I’m all over how easy and simple this is but wow, what a unique dessert! Bless vanilla + maple granola combo. Also major congrats on this next step for SBA! It’s so cool to see and celebrate the success SBA is having!
I made these tonight and that were absolutely FANTASTIC! So easy, too! Also, seems to be diabetic-friendly.
How do you select pears at the grocery store? They always seem hard as a rock and I am uncertain when they are ripe and ready to eat or bake with. Would appreciate a how to.
Do The pears you use need to be very ripe? Or will the get soft in the oven anyway?
Not super ripe. But definitely not too firm. Is that too vague? Just when they begin to ripen 🙂