Throughout history, pears have been an important part of society. Ancient Romans and Greeks cultivated and traded them, Renaissance artists painted them, and since the 18th century, Christmas lovers have sung about them (in “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” of course). And yet, in modern society, they’re a little underrated.
Every year, bananas and apples make the top most-loved fruit list in the US. And last year, the USDA reported that sales of fresh pears were declining. Pears aren’t just falling out of favor in the US. In 2023, the head of Apple and Pear Australia Limited, Jeremy Griffith, expressed concern that the Australian public was falling out of love with pears.
But this fruit deserves its moment in the spotlight. Pears are incredibly nutritious, hydrating, and juicy. They’re naturally sweet, sometimes a little tart, and they have a pleasantly delicate, slightly floral taste. They’re delicious on their own, but they also bring flavor and texture to many different recipes, too. From grilled cheese to cakes, find some of our favorite ways to enjoy pears below.
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What are the benefits of eating pears?
Pears have much to offer in terms of taste, but their health benefits are also significant. For example, they contain essential vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin K. They’re also a great source of fiber, with each medium-sized fruit packing around six grams of the nutrient.
Right now, research suggests that most Americans don’t eat enough fiber, which is essential for digestive and heart health, so pears can help more individuals meet their targets, which is around 30 grams per day for most people.
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On top of all of this, pears also contain antioxidants, which are potent plant compounds that help to tackle free radical damage in the body and reduce the risk of disease. The fruit contains flavonoids and polyphenols, both of which can reduce chronic inflammation.
Plus, their natural juiciness means they’re a good source of hydration. In fact, the average pear is about 84 percent water. Hydration is essential for many different bodily functions, including body temperature regulation, circulation, brain function, nutrient absorption, and digestion. Drinking water is the best way to hydrate, but fruits, like pear, can help, too.
Vegan recipes that use pears
Snacking on a pear straight from the fruit bowl is one way to reap all of the fruit’s benefits, but if you want to get creative, you can also add pears to several different delicious recipes.
Gina Fontana
1 Vegan Grilled Cheese With Pumpkin, Pear, and Candied Pecans
Grilled pear brings a touch of delicious caramelized sweetness to this grilled cheese recipe, which is the perfect way to warm up on chilly fall and winter days. Mix in some pumpkin purée and candied pecans to take the flavor to the next level.
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Kenden Alfond
2 Vegan Pear and Plum Mini Farka Cakes
With layers of cooked couscous, cooked fruit (including pears and plums), and nuts, this recipe might not be exactly what you think of when you think of cake, but it’s equally delicious. With comforting spices like cloves and cinnamon, it’s the perfect winter dessert for warming up your insides on a cold evening.
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Jamie Orlando Smith
3 Vegan Puffed Pears With Chocolate Sauce
If you’re hosting and you really want to impress your guests, these puffed pears drizzled with indulgent chocolate sauce should do the trick. Not only do they look beautiful, but they also taste amazing, especially when paired with a generous scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream.
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Bakerita
4 No-Bake Vegan Pear Cheesecake
Cheesecake is usually topped with berries or chocolate, but this recipe from Bakerita successfully makes the case for why pears should be a go-to ingredient, too. It’s indulgent, creamy, and perfectly sweet. “[Pears are] under appreciated in the dessert world, despite their juicy, tender deliciousness that works perfectly in so many recipes, both sweet and savory,” says recipe developer Rachel Conners.
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A Virtual Vegan
5 Vegan Baked Pears With Feta & Hot ‘Honey’
In this unique take on baked pears, A Virtual Vegan founder Melanie McDonald pairs the soft, roasted fruit with vegan feta, walnuts, and a spicy vegan hot honey (which is actually made with a mix of maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, thyme, and chili flakes). The flavors pair beautifully to form a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s guaranteed to impress.
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Bianca Zapatka
6 Vegan Chocolate Pear Cake
Visually, this vegan chocolate pear cake is impressive, thanks to the whole slices of pear that are baked into the center. But once you get past the appearance, you’ll be thrilled to find out that it tastes even better than it looks. “The contrast between the soft, fluffy sponge cake and juicy pears is just amazing,” says recipe developer Bianca Zapatka. “It ticks all the checkboxes of what a perfect dessert should be; delicious, appealing, and easy to make.”
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Peanut Butter Plus Chocolate
7 Easy Vegan Pear Crisp With Caramel
Sure, apple crumble is delicious. But this recipe from Peanut Butter Plus Chocolate proves that pear crisp is a real winter dessert contender, too. It’s warm, crunchy, sweet, comforting, and especially indulgent when it’s finished off with a drizzle of caramel sauce. “Quick, simple, delicious,” says recipe creator Ciarra Siller. “Those are just a few words to describe this recipe.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
