As summer winds down and autumn approaches, there is a common but often overlooked fruit that comes into season: the pear. With a prime season that runs from August through October, it’s never too early to start thinking about the pear recipes you’ll enjoy as the new school year gets underway.
If you’ve been skipping out on this delicious fruit, it’s time to add some pear recipes to your menu. Nutrition-rich pears are packed with benefits, from reducing inflammation to providing a daily dose of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
They also come in many different varieties, such as Bosc and Asian, the latter of which is considered to be one of the best high-fiber foods.
While some types of pears are available throughout most of the year, pears’ real time to shine is from late summer through winter, when there’s an abundance of varieties available. That’s also good news for your wallet. Since they’re in season, prices will be low at farmers markets and grocery stores.
Though pears are tasty on their own, they’re a fantastic addition to your family’s meals. These pear recipes will have you munching on this sophisticated fruit throughout the day.
19 Pear Recipes
1. Blueberry Pear Smoothie
Filled with energy-boosting chia seeds and brain-boosting blueberries, this frosty smoothie makes a great breakfast or a snack to push you through an afternoon slump.
Photo: Blueberry Pear Smoothie / Simply Happenstance
2. Butternut Squash & Pear Soup With Rosemary Croutons
Put a new spin on your go-to autumn soup with this delicious pear recipe. It comes together in under 30 minutes with just a few staple ingredients, and the rosemary croutons are the perfect topping.
Photo: Butternut Squash & Pear Soup With Rosemary Croutons / Lark & Linen
3. Cinnamon Baked Pears
Dessert with only five ingredients? Not only is it possible with this pear recipe, but it’s healthy, too.
Fill halved pears with walnuts for a dash of omega-3 fatty acids, drizzle with honey, sprinkle with cinnamon and pop in the oven. Serve with some goat milk yogurt for a great probiotic boost, and you’re done.
4. Cinnamon Pear Chips
These cinnamon-y sweet pear chips make a wonderful after-school or post-dinner snack. They’re crunchy and a breeze to make.
Thinly slice the pears, sprinkle with a cinnamon-sugar mix (coconut sugar would work nicely) and bake. Make extras, because these will be gone quickly.
5. Clean-Eating Pear Crumble
This crumble is so simple to make and tastes extra good with freshly picked pears. It’s a great change of pace from the usual apple crumbles and pies, and it’s ready in under an hour, perfect for when unexpected company comes knocking.
Photo: Clean-Eating Pear Crumble / Whole Foods New Body
6. Crock-Pot Balsamic Chicken With Pears and Portobello Mushrooms
Healthy crock-pot recipes are a godsend for busy households, and this one is no exception. The balsamic vinegar gives this chicken dish a tart flavor, while the pears add a natural sweetness. Together, this is one pear recipe you’ll turn to again and again.
Photo: Crockpot Balsamic Chicken With Pears and Portabella Mushrooms / LaaLoosh
7. Crockpot Paleo Chicken with Butternut Squash, Pears and Cranberries
Not only is this recipe Paleo appropriate, but you get a dose of antioxidants from the cranberries. The prep time is super fast, and it comes together in six to eight hours in the crockpot, turning this into the perfect fall go-to dinner.
8. Easy Pear Butter
This easy-to-make pear butter is the perfect spread for toast or muffins. It’s made right on the stovetop and comes together in only an hour. Make this when you’ve got extra pears on hand or want a fun weekend kitchen activity with the kids. 
Photo: Easy Pear Butter / Gimme Some Oven
9. Healthy Pear and Apple Crisp With Quinoa
This breakfast/dessert hybrid gets a boost from the nutrition-rich quinoa. The gluten-free oats make it great as an a.m. meal, while the coconut sugar, maple syrup and cinnamon make it appropriate for after dinner.
No matter when you eat it, you’re sure to love it!
10. Kale Salad With Apple, Pear and Roasted Pecans
Because kale is so healthy, it’s a great addition to meals, but eating it the same way can get boring. This pear recipe combines the leafy green with zesty lemon, pears, apples, crunchy pecans and Gorgonzola cheese for a delicious salad that’s loaded with flavor. Topped with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette, this one’s a winner.
Photo: Kale Salad With Apple, Pear and Roasted Pecans / The Roasted Root
11. Pear Almond Steel-Cut Baked Oatmeal
Forget those flavored packets of oatmeal, and spice it up yourself with this baked recipe. It makes enough to feed a crowd, and the leftovers reheat well.
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With fresh pears, cinnamon, almonds, honey and almond milk, it tastes amazing, too. Serve this for brunch or anytime you need a cozy breakfast.
Photo: Pear Almond Steel-Cut Baked Oatmeal / Recipe Runner
12. Pear and Blue Cheese Roasted Brussels Sprouts
These nutrition-packed Brussels sprouts are supposed to be a side dish, but I dare you not to gobble them all up. In this pear recipe, the crunchy vegetable gets a little fancy when it’s sautéed with blue cheese crumbles, chopped pears and walnuts. Add in a dash of salt and pepper, and you’ve got yourself a killer meal.
Photo: Pear and Blue Cheese Roasted Brussels Sprouts / The Cookie Rookie
13. Pear Cucumber Tomato Salad
This crisp, refreshing salad is great on warmer days. It’s so simple to make, too: Combine chopped pears, cucumbers, tomatoes and avocado, and season with fresh lemon juice and salt and pepper.
Let the flavors meld in the refrigerator for at least half hour, and there you have it! Add it to a bed of greens, or serve as is. Try it as an alternative to French fries with your burgers.
14. Pear Ginger Cinnamon Oat Smoothie
This smoothie is filled with ingredients that don’t seem like they’d work together — and yet they do, deliciously. I love the health benefits of ginger, like protection for the heart, and the fact that you can use frozen pears in this recipe. (Tip: Buy ’em when they’re cheap, dice them and freeze them for later.)
Plain yogurt adds a protein boost to this smoothie, so it’s an excellent meal replacement any time of day.
Photo: Pear Ginger Cinnamon Oat Smoothie / Mom on Timeout
15. Pear Salad With Glazed Walnuts
Make a restaurant-worthy dish right at home with this pear recipe. With red onions, pear slices, walnuts and your choice of yummy cheese (feta or goat milk), this salad is impressive. Top it sweet lemon vinaigrette, and wait for the compliments to roll in.
16. Pomegranate, Pear and Pistachio Salad with Creamy Pomegranate Dressing
The combination of textures and flavors in this salad makes it an elegant step up from the normal side salad. In fact, this one deserves main dish billing.
I love how it combines pistachios, a nut most of us just snack on, with veggies like red peppers, onions and cucumbers for a unique salad that’s gorgeous to look at and even tastier to eat.
Photo: Pomegranate, Pear, Pistachio Salad With Creamy Pomegranate Dressing / Carlsbad Cravings
17. Red Pear, Blue Cheese and Walnut Pizza
When you’re ready to crank pizza night up a notch, this pear recipe fits the bill. This pie is better than anything you’d find at a restaurant.
The homemade, whole-wheat crust gets topped with grated mozzarella, thin-sliced pears, blue cheese crumbles and walnuts. Finished with a handful of arugula, Himalayan rock salt and freshly cracked pepper, this is gourmet pizza at its finest.
Photo: Red Pear, Blue Cheese and Walnut Pizza / The Healthy Foodie
18. Rosemary-Infused Pear Sorbet
Although this homemade sorbet is made with only four ingredients, it’s big on flavor. Blame it on the fresh rosemary, which gives this a fresh, subtle taste.
Serve immediately after processing through the ice cream maker for soft-serve style, or freeze for an hour to get a firmer texture. This is one dessert you won’t feel guilty about eating.
19. Toasted Quinoa and Pear Salad
This salad is one of those meals that appears much more difficult than it is. Tart cherries are a welcome addition, as is the tangy goat cheese sprinkled on top. I especially love the homemade, Dijon mustard-based dressing.
Pair it all with filling quinoa, and you’ve got a new favorite pear recipe on your hands.
Photo: Toasted Quinoa and Pear Salad / The Glitter Guide
20. Pear Salad Recipe with Sautéed Spinach
Looking for quick pear recipes to put together? Add this pear salad to the mix.
In just 15 minutes, you’ll have a tasty, healthy meal that combines spinach, pears, radishes, almonds, avocados and more. It’s filling, delicious and good for you too!
21. Roasted Beet Salad Recipe
While beets are the main player here, this salad joins the pear recipes list thanks to the nutritious fruit’s addition to this recipe. Along with goat cheese, honey onion and almonds, you can enjoy this dish any time of day.
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