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There’s something incredibly comforting about baked fruit—the way heat coaxes out natural sweetness, transforming humble ingredients into something truly special. These Chai Spiced Baked Pears with Walnuts are exactly that kind of magic. Imagine ripe pears, their flesh turning tender and almost custardy in the oven, infused with the warm, aromatic spices you’d find in a perfect cup of chai. The walnuts add this wonderful crunch and toasty flavor that plays so nicely against the soft fruit… honestly, your kitchen will smell like a cozy autumn afternoon, even if you’re making these in the middle of July. They’re deceptively simple to put together, requiring just a handful of ingredients and minimal active time. You just mix, stuff, bake, and wait for the magic to happen. They feel elegant enough for a dinner party dessert but are so straightforward that you can easily whip them up on a quiet weeknight for a little treat. This is one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Chai Spiced Baked Pears with Walnuts

Effortless Elegance. With barely 10 minutes of hands-on work, you can create a dessert that looks and tastes incredibly sophisticated. It’s the perfect solution when you want something impressive without the stress of complicated baking.
A Symphony of Warm Spices. The chai spice blend—cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves—creates this incredible aroma that fills your home. It’s fragrant and cozy without being overly spicy, complementing the pear’s natural flavor beautifully.
Wonderful Textural Contrast. You get the melt-in-your-mouth softness of the baked pear against the satisfying, crunchy bite of the toasted walnuts. It’s a combination that just feels so right with every spoonful.
Naturally Sweetened Goodness. The pears caramelize in their own juices, and a touch of maple syrup enhances everything. It’s a dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth without being overly heavy or sugary.

Ingredients & Tools

4 firm, ripe pears (Bosc or Anjou work beautifully)
80 g walnuts, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil (or unsalted butter)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
A pinch of fine sea salt
For serving (optional): Greek yogurt, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of extra maple syrup

Tools: A sharp paring knife, a small spoon (a melon baller is perfect), a small mixing bowl, and a baking dish just large enough to hold the pears snugly.

The quality of your spices really makes a difference here—if they’ve been sitting in your cupboard for years, their flavor will be muted. Fresh, fragrant spices will make this dessert sing. And don’t skip the salt! It might seem odd in a sweet dish, but it truly makes all the other flavors pop.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 210 kcal
Protein: 3 g
Fat: 10 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Fiber: 6 g

Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 30-35 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

Choosing Your Pears. You want pears that are firm but ripe. If they’re too soft, they’ll collapse in the oven. Bosc pears are my favorite for this as they hold their shape beautifully, but Anjou works wonderfully too.
The Spice Blend is Flexible. Don’t have cardamom? A little extra cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg will work. Not a fan of cloves? You can leave them out. Think of the listed spices as a template for your own perfect chai mix.
Toasting the Walnuts (Highly Recommended). If you have an extra five minutes, toasting the walnuts beforehand is a game-changer. Just pop them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant. It deepens their flavor and makes them extra crunchy.
Don’t Throw Away the Cores! When you scoop out the seeds, you’ll create a nice little well. That’s perfect for holding the walnut filling, but the bits you remove are full of flavor. Tuck them around the pears in the baking dish—they’ll infuse the syrup as everything bakes.

How to Make Chai Spiced Baked Pears with Walnuts

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). This is the perfect temperature for the pears to cook through and caramelize without burning. While it’s heating up, grab your baking dish and give it a very light coating of oil or a quick swipe with butter—this just prevents any sticky situations later.

Step 2: Prepare the pears. Wash and dry them. Using a sharp paring knife, carefully slice a very thin sliver off the bottom of each pear. This creates a flat base so they stand up straight in the dish and don’t tip over. Now, from the top, use a small spoon or a melon baller to scoop out the core and seeds, creating a cavity that goes about halfway down into the pear. Be careful not to go all the way through the bottom!

Step 3: Make the spiced walnut filling. In your small mixing bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, maple syrup, melted coconut oil (or butter), all the spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves), and that all-important pinch of salt. Stir it all together until every walnut piece is glossy and coated in the fragrant, syrupy mixture. You’ll notice the aroma is just incredible already.

Step 4: Stuff and arrange the pears. Take your prepared pears and place them upright in your baking dish. Divide the walnut filling evenly among them, pressing it gently into the cavities you created. It’s okay if some spills over the top—that just gets extra caramelized and delicious. Remember to tuck those leftover pear core trimmings around the base of the pears in the dish.

Step 5: Bake to perfection. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size and ripeness of your pears. You’re looking for the pears to be easily pierced with a knife or skewer—they should be tender but not mushy. The filling will be bubbling and the edges of the pears will have taken on a beautiful golden-brown color.

Step 6: Rest and serve. Once out of the oven, let the pears sit in the dish for about 5 minutes. They’ll be incredibly hot, and this resting time allows them to reabsorb some of the delicious spiced syrup from the bottom of the dish. This step makes them even more flavorful and ensures you don’t burn your tongue!

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

A simple green salad with a sharp vinaigrette — The acidity and freshness of the salad cut through the warm, sweet richness of the pears, creating a wonderfully balanced start to a meal.
Roasted chicken or pork tenderloin — The warm chai spices in the dessert complement the savory, herby notes of a simply roasted meat, making for a cohesive and elegant menu.
A creamy, mild soup like butternut squash — The silky texture and gentle sweetness of the soup act as a perfect bridge to the spiced, fruit-forward dessert that follows.

Drinks

A hot cup of Masala Chai — It’s the most obvious pairing for a reason! The shared spice profile creates a deeply comforting and aromatic experience from the main course through to the last sip.
A glass of off-dry Riesling — The wine’s slight sweetness and bright acidity beautifully highlight the fruitiness of the pear and balance the warm spices without overpowering them.
Cold brew coffee with a cinnamon stick — The smooth, low-acidity coffee and hint of cinnamon offer a refreshing, modern contrast to the warm, baked dessert.

Something Sweet

A scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream — The classic choice for a reason. The cold, creamy vanilla is a dream against the warm, spiced pears and creates an irresistible hot-and-cold contrast.
A dollop of thick Greek yogurt — For a less decadent but equally satisfying option, the tangy yogurt provides a lovely counterpoint to the sweetness and adds a rich, creamy texture.
Dark chocolate shavings or a square on the side — A little bit of dark chocolate (70% or higher) introduces a bitter, complex note that makes the pears taste even sweeter and more sophisticated.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

Using overripe pears. If the pears are too soft to begin with, they will turn to complete mush in the oven. You want that beautiful, tender-but-intact texture, so firmness is key.
Skipping the base slice. It seems like a tiny detail, but if you don’t create a flat bottom, the pears will wobble and potentially tip over in the oven, spilling the precious filling and cooking unevenly.
Overbaking. You’re aiming for tender, not pear-sauce. Check them at the 25-minute mark with a knife. If it slides in with just a little resistance, they’re done—they’ll continue to soften as they cool.
Using stale spices. Ground spices lose their potency over time. If yours don’t smell like much when you open the jar, they won’t impart much flavor to your dessert. It’s worth using fresh ones for this recipe.

Expert Tips

Tip: For an extra flavor boost, add a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest to the walnut filling. The citrus brightens everything up and adds another layer of complexity that cuts through the sweetness beautifully.
Tip: If your pears are on the larger side and you’re worried they might not cook through, you can cover the baking dish with foil for the first 20 minutes of baking. This will steam them gently, then you can remove the foil to let the tops caramelize for the final 10-15 minutes.
Tip: Make a quick syrup with the pan juices. After removing the pears, pour the syrupy liquid left in the baking dish into a small saucepan. Let it simmer for a minute or two until it thickens slightly, then drizzle this intensely flavored syrup over the plated pears.
Tip: Prep them ahead! You can stuff the pears and have them waiting in the baking dish in the fridge for a few hours before your guests arrive. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time since you’re starting from cold.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely, you can! You have a couple of options. You can fully bake them, let them cool, and then gently reheat in a 160°C (325°F) oven for about 10-15 minutes before serving. Alternatively, you can do all the prep—washing, coring, and stuffing—cover the dish tightly, and refrigerate for up to 8 hours before baking. Just remember to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you’re putting them in the oven straight from the fridge.

What other nuts can I use?
Walnuts are classic, but feel free to experiment. Pecans would be fantastic, offering a similar texture with a slightly sweeter, buttery flavor. Almonds, especially slivered ones, would provide a great crunch. If you use hazelnuts, I’d recommend giving them a rough chop and maybe even rubbing off some of the skins after toasting for a smoother flavor. The spice blend is versatile enough to pair with most nuts.

My pears aren’t very sweet. What can I do?
No problem at all! First, make sure you’re using the maple syrup in the filling—it’s your primary sweetener. If you taste the filling and it still seems a bit tart, you can add another tablespoon of maple syrup to the mix. You can also drizzle a little extra syrup over the pears just before serving. The pears themselves will also sweeten as they bake and caramelize.

Can I make this recipe vegan?
It’s already almost there! Just ensure you use coconut oil instead of butter for the filling. Also, double-check that your maple syrup is the real deal—some cheaper syrups might contain hidden non-vegan ingredients, but pure maple syrup is plant-based. For serving, opt for vegan yogurt or ice cream instead of dairy-based options.

How should I store leftovers?
Leftovers (if you have any!) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The texture of the pear will become even softer, almost like a compote, which is actually lovely stirred into oatmeal or yogurt. You can eat them cold or gently reheat them in the microwave or a low oven.

Chai Spiced Baked Pears With Walnuts

Cost Level $

Category Healthy Holiday Desserts

Difficulty Medium

Cuisine Dessert, global

Servings 4

Total Time 45 minutes

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Make these easy Chai Spiced Baked Pears with Walnuts for a simple yet elegant dessert. Warm, fragrant, and naturally sweetened. Get the recipe and bake tonight!

Ingredients

For the pears:

4 pears (Bosc or Anjou work beautifully)
80 g walnuts (roughly chopped)
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil (or unsalted butter)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
A pinch fine sea salt

For serving (optional):

Greek yogurt, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of extra maple syrup

Instructions

01
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). This is the perfect temperature for the pears to cook through and caramelize without burning. While it's heating up, grab your baking dish and give it a very light coating of oil or a quick swipe with butter—this just prevents any sticky situations later.
02
Prepare the pears. Wash and dry them. Using a sharp paring knife, carefully slice a very thin sliver off the bottom of each pear. This creates a flat base so they stand up straight in the dish and don't tip over. Now, from the top, use a small spoon or a melon baller to scoop out the core and seeds, creating a cavity that goes about halfway down into the pear. Be careful not to go all the way through the bottom!
03
Make the spiced walnut filling. In your small mixing bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, maple syrup, melted coconut oil (or butter), all the spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves), and that all-important pinch of salt. Stir it all together until every walnut piece is glossy and coated in the fragrant, syrupy mixture. You'll notice the aroma is just incredible already.
04
Stuff and arrange the pears. Take your prepared pears and place them upright in your baking dish. Divide the walnut filling evenly among them, pressing it gently into the cavities you created. It's okay if some spills over the top—that just gets extra caramelized and delicious. Remember to tuck those leftover pear core trimmings around the base of the pears in the dish.
05
Bake to perfection. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size and ripeness of your pears. You're looking for the pears to be easily pierced with a knife or skewer—they should be tender but not mushy. The filling will be bubbling and the edges of the pears will have taken on a beautiful golden-brown color.
06
Rest and serve. Once out of the oven, let the pears sit in the dish for about 5 minutes. They'll be incredibly hot, and this resting time allows them to reabsorb some of the delicious spiced syrup from the bottom of the dish. This step makes them even more flavorful and ensures you don't burn your tongue!