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These easy air fryer pears are coated in cinnamon sugar, have a golden caramelized exterior and are topped with a simple crisp oat crumble. They’re tender and juicy, and the topping is crispy, slightly spiced, and sweet!
📝 Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Pears:
- Taste: Sweet, lightly spiced with notes of caramel.
- Texture: Crispy yet tender with a golden-brown, caramelized exterior.
- Time & Difficulty: These air fryer baked pears are ready in 20 minutes, and clean up is a breeze.
- Customizability: Customize the recipe to your liking and swap out the brown sugar for a refined sugar-free alternative to make a healthier pear crisp recipe.
- Why We Love These Pears: If you’re in a pinch or you’re just crazing a quick sweet treat, then you’ll love these baked pears that are made in the air fryer! This recipe is a favorite in our house because of how easy yet cozy it is. Perfect for fall and winter! (P.S. no air fryer? No problem! The recipe card also includes oven instructions.)
Ingredients:
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
This dessert is made with just a handful of pantry-friendly, simple ingredients. You’ll need the following to make this recipe:
- Fresh Pears: Sweet, slightly ripe pears become tender and juicy when air fried. Pears can be swapped for apples in this recipe. The temperature may need to be decreased to 350F and the baking time may need to be increased by about 5 minutes to cook the apples all the way through.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds the perfect amount of spice. Add more or substitute the following spices for the cinnamon- apple pie spice, nutmeg or ginger.
- Dairy Free Butter: This helps caramelize the exterior. Plant butter can be subbed 1 for 1 with dairy-based butter or coconut oil in this recipe.
- Brown Sugar: This also helps to caramelize the exterior. Feel free to swap in maple syrup, coconut sugar (or one of these coconut sugar alternatives). You can also use Swerve’s Brown Sugar Substitute to make these pears sugar free.
- Old Fashioned Oats: for a crunchy, crisp topping
- Pecans: to add extra crunch and flavor
Add-Ins
- Lemon Juice or Zest: a squeeze of lemon juice will create lemony pears.
- Nuts: add walnuts or chopped almonds.
The best pears for baking, air frying & cooking
For baking and air frying, Bosc, Bartlett, or Anjou pears are best because they keep their shape nicely.
In this recipe, I’ve used Bosc pears and Bartlett pears since that’s what I had on hand.
For more info on different types of pears and when to use them, check out this informative article by The Spruce Eats.
Helpful Equipment
Below are some helpful tools to make the best vegan air fried pears.
- Air Fryer (or oven)
- Perforated Parchment Paper
- Cooking Spray
- Baking Pan (for the oven version)
Step-by-step Instructions
🎥 *Video Tutorial is Above the Recipe Card Below!*
STEP 1: Peel the pears (optional), and cut in half lengthwise. Use a melon baller, paring knife, or a tablespoon to scoop the seeds out. You can also quarter the pears or create pear slices.
STEP 2: Melt the vegan butter in a medium-sized bowl or shallow dish. Mix in the cinnamon and brown sugar. You can also use a small bowl, and spoon the cinnamon sugar directly on top of the pears in the air fryer basket.
STEP 3: Place the pears into the sugar and melted butter mixture and spoon it on top of the pears. Place the pears cut side up onto the parchment-lined air fryer basket.
STEP 4: Add the oats and pecans to the remaining sugar mixture. Mix to combine. Place the pear halves on the air fryer basket with the cut side of the pear facing up. Spread the rest of the topping in an even layer on top of the pears.
STEP 5: Air fry for 10-15 minutes at 375F, or until slightly golden on top. Or bake for 10-15 minutes at 400F, or until slightly golden.
📌 TIP: Air fryers vary, so check the pears periodically as they cook to make sure they aren’t browning too quickly.
How to Serve the Air Fryer Baked Pears
To make the best air fryer pear dessert you can top the pears with the following. All of these toppings help elevate the recipe and create an elegant dessert! A scoop of ice cream and coconut whipped cream are some of my favorite toppings that help satiate my sweet tooth.
- Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream
- Coconut Whipped Cream
- Drizzle of Maple Syrup
- A Sprinkle of Cinnamon
- Coconut Caramel Sauce
- Sprinkle of Granola
- More Pecans, Walnuts, or Slivered Almonds
Or opt for no toppings and make these spiced pears as a delicious breakfast served warm with a cup of coffee or tea!
Storage
These pears can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Note: the crisp may get a bit soggy if stored.
To reheat the pears: place them in the air fryer, and cook for 3-4 minutes at 350F, or until heated through.
Below are some tips to make the best baked pears in the air fryer!
Helpful Tips from Our Kitchen
❶ Preheat the air fryer: This helps make sure there’s even heat in the cavity.
❷ Use air fryer parchment: Parchment with perforations helps air circulation and even baking.
❸ Keep an eye on the pears as they cook: The strength of air fryers can vary quite a bit. I recommend keeping an eye on the pears as they get near the end of the cooking time. If the pear looks like it is cooking or browning too quickly, decrease the temperature by 20-25 degrees F (so 350F instead of 375F). If it looks like it isn’t done air frying, increase the time by 1-3 minutes.
❹ Use slightly ripe pears: For the best air-fried pears that retain some texture, make sure the fresh fruit isn’t overly ripe. Softer pears won’t have the best texture after baking.
FAQ
Yes, pears and other fruit can be baked or roasted in the air fryer. To make this air fryer recipe, preheat the air fryer to 375F and cook the pears for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Yes, you can use normal parchment paper, however parchment with holes provides better airflow which results in more even baking. If you don’t have parchment paper, you could use aluminum foil sprayed with baking spray. However, you may need to decrease the baking time if using foil.
More Breakfast & Air Fryer Recipes:
- Air Fried Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Air Fryer Granola
- Birthday Cake Air Fryer Yeast Donuts
- Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Cake
- Pear Crumble with Walnuts
Did you make This Air Fryer Pear Crisp recipe?
I’d love to know! Leave a star rating and comment below!
Video Tutorial
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Easy Caramelized Air Fryer Pears
Ingredients
- 1 ripe yet firm Bartlett or Bosc pear
- 1 tbsp salted butter of choice, I used Country Crock Plant Butter to make this recipe vegan
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon, or use apple pie spice
- 1 tbsp light or dark brown sugar, or sub maple syrup
- 1 tbsp old fashioned oats
- 1 tbsp finely chopped pecans
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) or the oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. If using an oven, line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Peel the pear (optional), and cut in half lengthwise. Use a melon baller or a tablespoon to scoop the seeds out. (You can also quarter or cut the pears into wedges.)1 ripe yet firm Bartlett or Bosc pear
- Melt the vegan butter in a medium sized bowl or shallow dish. Mix in the cinnamon and brown sugar.1 tbsp salted butter of choice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp light or dark brown sugar
- Place the pear halves into the sugar mixture and spoon it on top of the pears. Place the pears cut side up onto the parchment lined air fryer basket.
- Add the oats and pecans to the remaining sugar mixture. Mix to combine. Spread the rest of the topping in an even layer on top of the pears.1 tbsp old fashioned oats, 1 tbsp finely chopped pecans
- Air Fryer: Spray the pears with cooking spray. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, or until slightly golden on top. TIP: Air fryers vary, so check the pears periodically as they cook to make sure they aren’t browning too quickly.Cooking Spray
- Oven: Bake for 10-13 minutes or until slightly golden.
- Top with ice cream, coconut whipped cream or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Video
Recipe notes
- Preheat the air fryer: this helps ensure even heat in the cavity
- Use air fryer parchment: parchment with perforations helps air circulation and even baking
- Keep an eye on the pears as they cook: the strength of air fryers can vary quite a bit. I recommend keeping an eye on the pears as they get near the end of the cooking time. If the pear looks like it is cooking or browning too quickly, decrease the temperature by 20-25 degrees F (so 350F instead of 375F). If it looks like it isn’t done air frying, increase the time by 1-3 minutes.
- Use slightly ripe pears: for the best air-fried pears that retain some texture, make sure the fresh fruit isn't overly ripe. Softer pears won't have the best texture after baking.
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Categories:
10 Ingredients or Less, Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts, Fall, Feel Good Food, Recipes, Vegan & Gluten-free, Winter,
