These stewed pears have just four ingredients and are quick and easy to make. They are refined sugar free and make a delicious snack, dessert, or even breakfast!
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Poached pears are an easy and healthy dessert. The natural sugars in the pears mean there's no need to add extra sugar so they are refined sugar-free, vegan, and naturally gluten-free.
They are delicious warm straight from the stove, with some custard or vanilla ice cream for dessert, or cold with yogurt and cereal for a healthy breakfast or snack. I like to make a big batch at the beginning of the week so I have an easy healthy option throughout the week.
Can you stew unripe pears?
Yes, in fact, it's a great way of making unripe pears or hard cooking pears edible. Stewing unripe pears will enhance their natural sweetness, decrease their bitterness and make them soft and edible.
How long do stewed pears keep?
Stewed pears will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
Can you freeze stewed pears?
Yes you can. To freeze wait until the pears a completely cool, then store them in their stewing liquid in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.
Looking for more fabulous pear recipes? Why not try making my pear compote, pear ice cream or pear crumble. Delicious!
Ingredients
Pears: fresh pears are best for this recipe. The beauty of this recipe is it works no matter how ripe your pears are. If you have unripe pears or crunchy pears you can cook them a little longer to soften them up but it's also great for using up really ripe pears that are on their last legs and are just about to become overripe.
Water (not pictured): a splash of water helps loosen up these pears and gets the juices flowing to allow them to cook without drying out.
Cinnamon: some ground cinnamon goes perfectly with these pears. You could mix things up by adding some other warming spices, such as cloves, ginger or nutmeg.
Vanilla extract: sometimes also called vanilla essence, depending on where you live. You can use either, or imitation vanilla essence, depending on your preference and budget.
How to make stewed pears
Peel the pears, cut them into quarters, and cut out the core. You can leave the skin on if you prefer, they will soften up when you cook them and be a bit healthier that way.
Put the water into a small bowl and add the vanilla, mix well.
Add the pears to a small with a lid. Pour over the water and vanilla and sprinkle with cinnamon and any other spices you want to add.
Put the lid on and cook until delicious. If your pears are hard, crunch pears to start with and then cook them for fifteen to twenty minutes. If your pears are very ripe and soft to start with, cook for five minutes.
Remove from stove, serve and enjoy!
How to serve
To serve the poached pears spoon them into a bowl and enjoy! Fabulous hot or cold on their own, with some cereal and yogurt for breakfast or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or custard for dessert! Delicious!
How to store
In the fridge: These pears will store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
In the freezer: To freeze the pears wait until pears are completely cool and transfer pears and syrup to a sealed, airtight freezer proof container. The pears will freeze for up to three months. Thaw completely before eating, either cold or reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Have you made this recipe? Tell me how it went in the comments below and tag me on Instagram so I can see your delicious creations! @keep_calm_and_eat_icecream
Looking for more yummy dessert recipes?
Why not try making
- Pear Ice Cream
- Easy vanilla ice cream
- Apple crisp (apple crumble)
- Cinnamon, apple and oat ice cream
- Pear Crumble
Follow me on Facebook or Pinterest for many more delicious recipes.
📋 Recipe
Stewed pears
Ingredients
- 4 medium pears
- ¼ cup (60mls) water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Peal and core the pears and slice into quarters. You can leave the skin on if you prefer, it will soften as it cooks.
- Put the water into a small bowl and add the vanilla essence. Mix well.
- Put the pears into a small pot on the stove. Pour over the water and vanilla. Sprinkle over the cinnamon.
- Put the lid on the pot and cook until soft. For already soft ripe pears this will take about five minutes. For hard, crunchy, under ripe pears will take about ten to fifteen minutes.
- Remove from post, serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate based on an online database. The nutritional content of ingredients may vary by brand. If you require accurate nutritional information, you should calculate this based on the specific brands and products you are using.
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Sylvie says
Such an easy and delicious way to use pears, so comforting too! Would love to have some with yogurt right now
Mimi says
I had some stubborn pears that just wouldn't ripen up on my countertop and this looked perfect. I thought maybe I should add some sugar since they were underripe, but I trusted the recipe and I'm glad because in the end it didn't need sugar. I used half a cinnamon stick instead of the ground cinnamon. They taste great! Thanks!
Sarah Brooks says
Hi Mimi, I'm so glad you loved them, its a great way to use up pears and they are so simple to make 🙂 Good to know they worked with the cinnamon stick to, I'll add this to the recipe, thanks!
JJ says
Really simple to make, no added sugar and went great with Greek yoghurt
Sarah Brooks says
Hi Mimi,
I'm so glad you loved it. It is indeed delicious with Greek yogurt. I like mine with a sprinkle of granola to 🙂
Alex says
Simple and delicious recipe. Love to serve these pears with some coconut yoghurt 🩷
Sarah Brooks says
That sounds delicious Alex, will have to try that next time I make them 🙂