7 Best Things to Do with Pears for a Yummy Fall Treat

1. Bake Them

Pears have a slightly firm texture that holds up well to cooking, which makes baking one of the best things to do with pears. Cut your pears in half, scoop out the core and seeds and lay the pears on a baking sheet. Fill the cavities with a mixture of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins and bake at 350 until the filling melts. Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. If you love the warm, soft texture of baked pears, you should also try roasting them with savory vegetables. If that is not one of the best of the yummy things to do with pears, I do not know what is!

2. Make a Sandwich

Do you love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Me too. To shake things up a little, try subbing pear for your regular jelly. Slice a pear thinly and slide several pieces onto your peanut butter. You’ll get a sweet sandwich that has more nutrients and a great texture. You can also add pear slices to a grilled cheese sandwich. Yum! For more seasonal inspiration, check out our healthy fall produce guide.

3. Have a Salad

Some of the best salads I’ve ever had have contained fruit. Pears are great for a salad because they have a pretty mild flavor that pairs really well with vegetables. One of the best combinations I’ve ever had is arugula, sliced pears, goat cheese and candied walnuts. It was absolutely delicious and totally filling. What’s not to love?

4. Whip up a Pie

Pears are an ingredient that are pretty easy to work with. I’ve found that they make a great substitution for apples, which means you can use them to make your favorite pie recipe. Pears are also great in tarts and galettes, so experiment with them and find out if you like pears in a warm dessert. If you are a fan of traditional fruit pies, you might also like these delicious apple recipes.

5. Grill Them

If you’ve never had grilled fruit, you are totally missing out. Slice pears into chunks, brush them with honey and cinnamon and grill on medium heat for several minutes until slightly soft. Cool the pears, then dice them and serve over ice cream. You can find more pear inspiration at the USA Pears website.

6. Make an Appetizer

There’s nothing more decadent than having an appetizer before the main course. Real Simple suggests wrapping pear slices with prosciutto and a bit of fresh blue cheese. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water. Pears also make a great addition to cheese platters and pair really well with a variety of cheeses. Try it – you won’t be sorry.

7. Roast Them

Pears have a slightly sweet flavor that combines really well with some types of vegetables. Try roasting them with sweet potatoes or squash and serving them as a side dish with pork. To roast your medley, heat the oven to 450 degrees, spread the pears on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Roast the pears and their accompanying vegetables for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are each tender. This may take longer for some depending on the firmness of the food.

Have you ever tried any of these ideas with pears? I love pears in a salad and in a sandwich. Which one will you try first? Let me know what you think in the comments!