Pears honestly don’t get enough love in the fall.
Everyone goes on about pumpkins and apples, and pears are just sitting there looking all sad and delicious.
Okay, maybe that’s not true in our home because my middle kid loves eating them and taking them in her lunch.
But I do like using them in fall recipes…they have such a sweet and savory flavor that pairs so well with autumn flavors.
When you cook them, they get all soft and sweet and kind of buttery.
So instead of hauling out the pumpkin puree, why don’t you give pears a try?
Here are some yummy pear recipes for autumn that you can throw together in no time:
1. Spiced Pear Muffins
Start by whisking together some flour, sugar, baking powder, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Then fold in diced pears so they’re spread through the batter.
The pears bake up soft and juicy, giving each muffin little pockets of sweetness!
Bake until the tops are golden and the kitchen smells like autumn.
Pro Tip: I always use muffin liners because scrubbing a tin after everything sticks is just not happening on a school night.
2. Sourdough Pear Bread
Take some active starter and mix it with flour, sugar, and chopped pears to create a sweet and chewy dough.
As the bread rises, the pears soften and leave little bursts of flavor in the crumb.
You can sprinkle a quick mix of cinnamon and sugar over the top before baking to make the crust extra good.
Slice it thick, toast it, and smear with butter for breakfast or a late-night snack.
3. Pear Dump Cake
All you need for a pear dump cake is a baking dish, some pears (fresh or canned), a box of yellow cake mix, and butter.
Layer the pears in first, pour the dry cake mix right over, and drizzle melted butter across the top so everything bakes together.
I love how you can throw this dessert in the oven while you’re making dinner and forget about it (until the smell takes over the house!).
Serve it warm and let the cake and pears melt together under a scoop of ice cream.
4. Pear Crisp
Slice up a few fresh pears and toss them with sugar, cinnamon, and just a little lemon juice to keep them bright.
The topping is simple: just oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter mashed together until crumbly and ready to sprinkle over the fruit.
Press the topping in place and bake until the edges are bubbling and the top is golden and crisp.
5. Cinnamon Cubed Pears
You can even make yummy air fryer pears!
Cube some ripe pears and toss them with cinnamon and a little sugar before spreading them in the air fryer basket.
They cook really quick and come out with caramelized edges and soft centers, almost like little bites of pie filling.
Oh, to save yourself from a sticky mess, line your basket with parchment paper.
Eat them warm with yogurt in the morning or just grab a fork and snack right out of the bowl.
6. Warm Pears with Cinnamon
In a skillet, melt butter and add sliced pears with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar.
The fruit softens fast, filling the kitchen with a smell that makes it impossible not to sneak a bite.
These are great spooned over pancakes or waffles, but honestly I usually just throw them in a bowl.
Add some whipped cream if you’re feeling like dessert in the middle of the day.
7. Oatmeal Pear Pancakes
Speaking of pancakes!
Grate or finely dice a pear and stir it into your favorite pancake batter along with a handful of oats.
The pears make the pancakes tender and a little naturally sweet, so you don’t need to drown them in syrup.
I always double the recipe because the kids inhale them faster than I can flip!
Top with butter and maple syrup while they’re still hot from the pan.
8. Upside Down Pear Cake
Butter and brown sugar go in the bottom of your pan first, then arrange pear slices neatly on top before pouring the cake batter over everything.
When it bakes, the pears caramelize underneath so you flip it out after cooling a bit and all that sticky goodness shows.
If it sticks just patch it together and no one complains once they taste it. Serve it warm with whipped cream or ice cream and call it a day.
9. Pear Cobbler
Slice pears and toss them with sugar and a spoon of cornstarch, then spread them in a dish.
Drop spoonfuls of biscuit dough on top so you get that mix of juicy fruit and fluffy topping.
Try brushing the dough with a little milk and sprinkle sugar before baking to make the crust shiny and golden.
Pull it out when the filling is bubbling through and the biscuits look puffed and crisp.
10. Pear Turnovers
Use puff pastry to wrap up a filling of chopped pears, sugar, and cinnamon, folding each square into neat little triangles.
Seal the edges with a fork, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with sugar so they bake up golden and flaky.
Keep the filling simple because pears already have so much flavor once they’re baked!
Let them cool just enough that you don’t burn your tongue before biting in.
11. Pear Fritters
Chop some pears and mix them into a batter with flour, sugar, and a good shake of cinnamon.
Drop spoonfuls of the batter into hot oil and fry until they’re puffed and golden all over.
Drain them on paper towels and dust with powdered sugar for that bakery look.
12. Pear Hand Pies
Roll out store-bought pie dough and cut into circles for easy filling.
Add spoonfuls of pear filling, fold over, and crimp the edges so they don’t burst open.
Cut a tiny slit in the top of each so the steam escapes and they don’t get soggy.
Bake until the crusts are browned and glossy, then grab one while it’s still warm.
13. Pear Tart
Spread puff pastry with cream cheese or almond paste, then layer on thin slices of pear in a fan pattern.
A sprinkle of sugar over the top helps everything caramelize as it bakes.
The trick is cutting the pears evenly so the tart looks nice when it comes out.
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with honey right before serving.
14. Pear Pie
Pile sliced pears into a crust with sugar, cinnamon, and just enough flour to thicken the juices.
Cover with a top crust or lattice, then brush with egg wash for shine.
Sometimes if I’m ambitious I’ll do a lattice, but you can just cover the pie with a plain circle of pie crust.
Bake until the filling is bubbling and the crust is deeply golden.
15. Pear Galette
Roll out pie dough into a rough circle, pile the pears in the middle, and fold the edges over in a casual way.
Brush with egg wash and sprinkle sugar around the crust so it bakes up shiny and crisp.
I like galettes because they’re meant to look imperfect, which is exactly my style of baking.
Pull it out of the oven when the crust is golden and the pears are bubbling in their own juices.
16. Spiced Pear Ice Cream
Cook pears with sugar and spices until soft, then puree and mix into a cream base.
Pour it into an ice cream maker if you have one, or freeze and stir every half hour.
The pears make it creamy and slightly caramel-like without adding too much effort.
Scoop into bowls and drizzle with caramel sauce for extra sweetness.
17. Baked Pears
Halve the pears and scoop out the cores so there’s a little well in each.
Fill the centers with oats, nuts, or honey, then place them cut side up in a baking dish.
They come out soft, warm, and smelling like dessert without being too heavy!
Eat them straight from the pan while they’re still steaming.
18. Pear Scones
Mix a basic scone dough and fold in chopped pears with a dusting of cinnamon.
Cut the dough into wedges, brush with cream, and bake until the tops are golden.
I’ll drizzle glaze over them if I have the energy, but honestly they’re great plain.
Serve with butter, jam, or just as-is for breakfast.
19. Spiced Poached Pears
Simmer peeled pears in water with sugar, cinnamon sticks, and cloves until they’re tender but still holding their shape.
Leaving the stems on makes them look extra pretty, like something out of a fancy restaurant!
You can serve them warm right from the pot or chill them in the syrup for later.
Spoon a little of the spiced liquid over before serving.
20. Grilled Pears
Cut pears in half, brush with butter or oil, and place on the grill until you see nice char marks.
The heat caramelizes the fruit, making it smoky and sweet at the same time.
Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or scoop ice cream on top while they’re still warm.
A Little Love for Easy Pear Recipes
Pears don’t always get the spotlight, but they fit right into everything once you start using them!
I keep a bowl on the counter and somehow they always end up in a dessert, a breakfast, or just eaten plain over the sink while the kids yell for snacks.
So grab a few pears next grocery run and put them to work on the weekend or even on a random Tuesday night.
