Easy Stewed Pears Recipe (2024)

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Make this easy Stewed Pears recipe in just 15 minutes with 5 simple ingredients. Sliced pears are stewed in a cinnamon and clove spiced syrup until they get beautifully soft. Delicious on yogurt, ice cream, oatmeal, waffles and more.

Easy Stewed Pears Recipe (1)

You only need 5 ingredients to make Stewed Pears from scratch in 15 minutes!

Pears are stewed in a quick cinnamon and clove infused syrup. Perfect warm or cold on ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, waffles or just on their own as a dessert.

The scent of stewed pears in the air always reminds me of my mum. Stewed apples too. Delicate spices dance in the air scented with sweet soft fruit. Bliss.

Pears are lovely and fragrant when eaten fresh, but I really love stewing them. Simply adding them to a little sweetened water with spices takes them to a new level.

Be sure to also try Maple Fried Pears, Stewed Prunes, and Stewed Rhubarb!

A dish of soft, cooked pears swimming in a cinnamon and clove syrup. Can you imagine anything better? They're perfect on their own or over waffles, ice cream, whipped cream, cheesecake...

Five ingredients and 15 minutes to pear nirvana.

Be sure to also try my stewed plums and stewed rhubarb! Just as easy with a different fruit flavor.

Easy Stewed Pears Recipe (2)

I have a HUGE pear tree at the bottom of my backyard. Too big. That's the problem. It's massively overgrown and about 30 foot tall. And it's absolutely laden with glorious orbs of fruit right now. Thing is, we can only possibly reach the lowest few branches.

So all that free fruit turns into food for the birds, missiles in the wind or simply falls to the ground when they're overripe and smash, making food for any wild (or domestic) animals.

It's such a shame, but those few beautiful pears that we get are absolutely divine. And perfect for stewed pears.

Why you'll love this recipe

Ready in 15 minutes.
5 simple ingredients.
A great way to use up pears.
Stovetop cooked pears.
The spiced cooked pears are melt-in-your-mouth good.
The light syrup is flavored with cinnamon, cloves and pears.
Versatile - try it on yogurt, oatmeal, granola, pancakes, ice cream...

Easy Stewed Pears Recipe (3)

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients for these fragrant, delicious spiced stewed pears.

Pears - ripe, but not too soft, or they could break up into more of a compote. If they're on the firmer side, they'll soften while cooking.

Sugar - use brown sugar, white sugar or maple syrup.

Lemon juice - or substitute for orange juice.

Cinnamon stick - optional, but adds an amazing flavor.

Cloves - as with the cinnamon, they add a lovely flavor, but are optional.

Step by step tutorial

This is such a simple recipe, but full of WOW flavor. Follow these photo steps, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

Easy Stewed Pears Recipe (4)

Add the sugar, water, lemon juice and cinnamon stick to a pot. If using cloves, add them too.

Easy Stewed Pears Recipe (5)

Place over a medium heat and simmer until the sugar dissolves.

Easy Stewed Pears Recipe (6)

Peel, core and quarter the pears, then add them to the pot.

Easy Stewed Pears Recipe (7)

Simmer for 10 minutes or until soft. Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

Try these tasty ways to use up stewed pears!

On vanilla ice cream.
In yogurt.
On oatmeal.
On waffles or pancakes (try my Vegan Waffles and Fluffy Vegan Pancakes).
Serve in a bowl swirled with heavy cream.
Alongside custard.
Sprinkle with granola for a deconstructed pear crisp (aka pear crumble).
Try using the cooked pears in this Gingerbread Parfait.
Serve for Christmas breakfast as a quick topping for waffles, porridge, baked oatmeal, pancakes (perfect onGingerbread Pancakes),Cinnamon French Toastetc...

Tips

Swap the water for red wine or mulled wine for a more festive Christmas dessert.

I prefer to peel my pears before stewing, but you can leave the skin on. It softens as it cooks.

Firmer pears will take longer to cook, while ones that are more ripe could cook quicker. Keep an eye on them as you want the stewed pears to be cooked and soft, but not collapsing.

Try adding a thumb-sized piece of peeled root ginger, chopped, to your stewed pears.

Make it refined-sugar-free by using maple syrup or stevia instead of sugar.

Try it withvanilla ice cream.

Add a star anise or some cardamom for another flavor.

Delicious served warm on its own with toasted crushed salted hazelnuts.

Fruit recipes

I hope that you'll love these stewed pears as much as we do. Be sure to try these other tasty fruit recipes.

Fruit Tacos
Fruit Platter Ideas
Chocolate Avocado Dip with Fruit Skewers
Blackberry Compote
Raspberry Compote
Blueberry Popsicles
Fruit Salad with Tea Simple Syrup
Poached Pears in Red Wine with Cinnamon Cream

📖 Recipe

Easy Stewed Pears Recipe (8)

Easy Cinnamon Stewed Pears

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts

Make this easy Stewed Pears recipe in just 15 minutes with 5 simple ingredients. Sliced pears are stewed in a cinnamon and clove spiced syrup. Delicious on yogurt, ice cream, oatmeal, waffles and more.

5 from 36 votes

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Prep Time 3 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American, gluten-free, Vegan

Servings 6

Calories 152 kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ripe pears
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar brown sugar or white
  • Juice of ½ a lemon
  • 1 cinnamon stick optional
  • 5 cloves optional

Instructions

  • Place the sugar, water, lemon juice and cinnamon stick into a medium-sized pot over a medium heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.

  • Peel and core the pears and cut into quarters, and add them to the pot.

  • Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the fruit is soft and begins to break down. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick and cloves.

  • Enjoy hot or cold. Delicious on yogurt, pancakes, waffles, ice cream, granola or cheesecake. Get creative with the tasty stewed pears.

Video

Notes

Swap the water for red wine or mulled wine for a more festive Christmas dessert.

I prefer to peel my pears before stewing, but you can leave the skin on. It softens as it cooks.

Firmer pears will take longer to cook, while ones that are riper could cook quicker. Keep an eye on them as you want the stewed pears to be cooked and soft, but not collapsing.

Try adding a thumb-sized piece of peeled root ginger, chopped to your stewed pears.

Add a star anise or a large pinch of ground cardamom for another flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 152kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 275mgFiber: 8gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 59IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

Easy Stewed Pears Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are stewed pears good for you? ›

Stewed pears are a tasty simple snack, or even meal, that help to to reduce inflammation in our guts.

Do you peel a pear before boiling? ›

No. Pear skins are totally safe and easy to digest for the stomach. In fact, a lot of the pear's nutrients are found on the skin or just below the skin. If you do keep the skin on you may need to cook the pears for longer and the puree will not be as smooth (unless you have a powerful blender).

How do you boil pears to soften them? ›

Keep the liquid at a very low boil and simmer the pears until cooked through, 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the pears. While they are poaching, every so often gently push down the pears to make sure they are submerged in poaching liquid. (The round of paper helps to keep the pears moist and wet.)

How long are cooked pears good for? ›

Poached pears can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week and are delicious served on their own or topped with whipped cream or ice cream (or both). You can also pair them with yogurt and granola for a healthy breakfast.

Do pears cleanse the liver? ›

Potential Uses of pear for the liver health

Pear has antioxidants that might show a beneficial effect on liver health. In an animal study conducted by Ajilore B et al. 2016, the seed extract of pear fruit showed a decrease in oxidative stress on the liver.

What is healthier, a pear or an apple? ›

Apples and pears have equal amounts of minerals potassium, phosphorous and sodium, and vitamins C and B2. Pears contain more iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamins B3 and K than apples, while apples are richer in vitamins A, E and B1.

How long to boil pear? ›

Poach pears in a gentle rolling boil for approximately 20-30 minutes. To test doneness, gently poke pears with a paring knife. If the pears offer little to no resistance, then they are done.

Will microwaving a pear ripen it? ›

Just note that any berries picked while they were still green or white will likely not get any sweeter. Ripe pears should have a bit of softness around the stem. If completely firm, place them in the microwave for about 10 seconds, then add to a paper bag or place on the countertop next to other fruits.

Should you wash pears before eating? ›

Wash Before Eating

Washing the entire exterior of the pear will help to eliminate dirt and/or commonly occurring bacteria that may be found on the fruit's surface. Wash fruit even if you plan on peeling it.

Why do stewed pears go brown? ›

It happens when oxygen hits the cut fruit. Lemon juice can help slow down the browning and keep your fruit looking bright and delicious. To keep the inevitable discoloration at bay, mix a light solution of water and lemon juice (strain the lemon juice before adding to the water).

What are hard pears called? ›

Bosc Pear. Famous for its warm cinnamon color, these pears are known for their hard flesh and brown skin. They are juicy, crunchy and sweet.

How to soften pears quickly? ›

If you don't have a lot of time to wait for your pears to ripen, use the tried and true banana trick. Place your pears in a paper bag or an enclosed area with a ripe banana or apple. Ripe apples and bananas give off a gas called ethylene that triggers the ripening process in unripe pears. You gotta love science!

When should you throw out pears? ›

Putting them in a bowl with other ripening fruits or in a paper bag allows the ethylene ( a gas naturally given off during the ripening process) to speed the process along. A pear becomes overripe once it starts to squish around the middle, but that doesn't mean they should be tossed out.

Should pears be stored in the fridge or on the counter? ›

If you want your pears to ripen, keep them on the counter at room temperature for 2-4 days; once they ripen, you can keep them longer in the fridge if you're not ready to eat them right away.

Are stewed pears good for constipation? ›

In addition to being rich in fiber, pears are a natural laxative due to their higher fructose content and the presence of sorbitol, per a 2022 study in Foods. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that is not well absorbed and draws water to the colon, making stools soft and easy to pass.

What is the healthiest way to eat pears? ›

Eat pears whole or cut into quarters. If desired, remove the core. The skin is edible and a great source of fiber. To keep sliced pears from browning, briefly soak them in 1 quart of water + 3 tablespoons lemon juice.

Is stewed fruit still nutritious? ›

Stewed fruits are very health giving due to the soluble gel like fibre component (the mushy bits) for gut and bowel health. They encourages growth of healthy bacteria, and enables regular bowel movements.

Do pears lose nutrients when cooked? ›

We also know that boiling fruit, such as one might do for canning or making pear sauce as you describe, accelerates the the loss of many vitamins. As much as one-half to one-third of vitamins A and C, thiamine and riboflavin are lost in cooking.

What are the pros and cons of eating pears? ›

They are low in protein and can cause an imbalance of your essential fatty acids. On the other hand, pears are high in fiber; increase good gut bacteria and prolong your life. Balance out the disadvantages of pears by eating other fruit and vegetables in your diet. Also eat enough protein every day.

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