Stewed pears are an easy and delicious dessert made with just 5 ingredients and can be made in under 15 minutes. This healthy stewed pear recipe is made without any added sugar, or dairy and can be enjoyed as dessert or part of breakfast with yogurt, granola, whipped cream, no-oat-meal, or protein oatmeal.
Warm, stewed fruit is a highly underrated dessert, especially in the colder months for a cozy sweet treat. Add a little cinnamon and vanilla for the comforting flavors you’ll be craving this fall and winter.
Fruit has its own sugar content and its inherent sweetness is highlighted even more when it’s cooked. The natural sugars in fruit come along with other nutritional value like fiber and vitamins which help your body process the sugars.
What’s to love about stewed pears:
- It’s a simple dessert to whip up when you’re craving something sweet. Or enjoy cooked pears for breakfast over yogurt, oatmeal or pancakes.
- Stewed pears are easier than cooking poached pears because the liquid turns into a glaze or syrup and adds flavor, instead of discarding extra liquid and flavor.
- This recipe highlights the natural sweetness in the pears, so you won’t need any added sugars, keeping your blood sugar stable and supporting good gut health.
- It’s gluten free, dairy free, whole 30, paleo, AIP friendly, vegan and made with whole food ingredients appropriate for almost any diet.
- Eat stewed pears with yogurt, whipped cream, on top of pancakes or protein overnight oats.
Simple ingredients you’ll need for this no sugar stewed pears recipe:
- 2 pears
- Coconut oil
- Vanilla extract or vanilla bean
- Ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick
- Cardamom
- Salt
- Water
Nutrient benefits of pears:
- Pears contain a good amount of fiber, vitamin C, K and potassium – all essential nutrients that support health and healing.
- Pears contain about 6 grams of fiber, with a good amount of the fiber in the pear skin. So leave the skin on.
- Because of their fiber content, pears can support balanced blood sugar and good gut health.
- Pears contain a number of phytochemicals and antioxidants that help fight inflammation.
How to make easy stewed pears:
This recipe is so simple. And with just 5 ingredients (plus salt and water) it’s done in under 15 minutes!
Here’s what you’ll do:
- Cut the pears. You can slice them vertically into ¼ inch long strips or dice them into ¼-½ inch cubed. Either way will work great, just keep the skin on.
- Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Once it comes to a simmer, reduce to low heat and stew for 8-10 minutes until the pears are softened and the liquid has reduced to a spiced syrup.
- Serve over yogurt or with a scoop of whipped cream as a tasty, simple dessert.
Substitutions & Variations
- You can use any variety of pear. The green varieties will work well for this recipe, while the red variety will take a little longer to cook.
- To make this recipe fully AIP, leave out the cardamom.
- Use other warming spices to give this recipe new life like ginger, star anise or a hint of nutmeg or clove.
- You can use this recipe to make stewed apples, bananas or peaches, when they’re in season.
- If you tolerate small amount of dairy, swap the coconut oil for butter or ghee. It adds a nice richness.
FAQ
Q: What pears are good for stewing?
A: Almost any green variety is best. Barlett, Bosc, D’Anjou, and Concorde will all work well.
Q: Will unripe pears soften when cooked?
A: Yes! Stewing is a great way to use hard or unripe pears. It will enhance their natural sweetness and decrease their bitterness while making them soft and edible.
Q: How long do stewed pears last in the fridge?
A: 3-5 days if stored in an airtight container. It will also keep well frozen for 3-6 months.
How to store stewed pears or make ahead:
Make enough stewed pears for a week of tasty topping on your favorite oats, yogurt, dairy-free ice cream, and more.
You can refrigerate them in a jar or airtight container for 3-5 days.
Then just reheat over the stove for 3-5 minutes, or enjoy cold when you’re craving something sweet.
Serve stewed pears with:
Overnight Protein Oats
Chia Pudding like this Chia Pudding Parfait Recipe
Yogurt
Your favorite dairy free ice cream
Spiced Apple No-Oat-Meal – just swap the apples for pears or add stewed pears over the top.
Other low or no sugar desserts you’ll love:
Almond Flour Banana Muffins {Sugar Free, Gluten & Dairy Free}
Matcha Brownie with Cheesecake Swirl
Chocolate Coconut Pecan Truffles
ENJOY!
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Healthy Stewed Pears {No Sugar}
Ingredients
- 2 pears
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Cut the pears. Either slice them vertically into ¼ inch long strips or dice them into ¼-½ inch cubed. Either way will work great, just keep the skin on.
- Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Once it comes to a simmer, reduce to low heat and stew for 10 minutes until the pears are softened and the liquid has reduced to a spiced syrup.
- Serve over yogurt or with a scoop of whipped cream as a tasty dessert.
