Honey and Pears: Poached, Roasted and Fresh
Honey and pears are a gentle, elegant pairing that shines from fall through winter. Ripe pears are juicy and delicately sweet with floral notes, and honey enhances those notes without overpowering them. Poach them in honey syrup, roast them with spices, slice them onto salads or serve them with cheese. This article covers pear varieties, how to tell when a pear is ripe, easy recipes and which honeys pair best. For another fall pairing, see honey and walnuts.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Pear varieties for honey dishes
Different pears suit different uses:
| Variety | Texture | Best with honey |
|---|---|---|
| Bosc | Firm, dense | Poaching, roasting, baking |
| Anjou | Firm, juicy | Roasting, salads |
| Bartlett | Soft, aromatic when ripe | Eating fresh, sauces |
| Comice | Very soft, buttery | Cheese boards, fresh |
| Asian pear | Crisp, watery | Salads, slaws |
How to ripen pears
Most pears are picked mature but unripe and ripen best at room temperature. Check the neck near the stem: when it gives slightly to gentle thumb pressure, the pear is ready. The body may still feel firm, since pears ripen from the inside out. Refrigerate ripe pears to slow further ripening.
For poaching and roasting, choose pears that are just ripe or slightly firm so they hold their shape.
Honey poached pears
Peel four firm pears, leaving the stems on. In a pot, combine four cups of water, half a cup of honey, a strip of lemon peel, a cinnamon stick and a few cloves or a vanilla bean. Bring to a simmer, add the pears, and cook gently for 15 to 25 minutes until a knife slides in easily. Cool in the syrup, then reduce the syrup to drizzle over the top.
- 4 firm pears, peeled
- 4 cups water
- Half a cup honey
- Lemon peel, cinnamon, cloves or vanilla
- Simmer 15 to 25 minutes
Roasted pears with honey
Halve and core pears and place them cut side up in a baking dish. Dot with butter, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon or cardamom. Roast at 400°F for 20 to 30 minutes, basting once, until tender and caramelized. Serve with yogurt, ricotta, vanilla ice cream or crumbled blue cheese.
Our article on honey and ricotta has a perfect creamy base.
Honey and pears in salads
Slice ripe pears thinly and toss with arugula or spinach, blue cheese or goat cheese, and candied walnuts. Dress with olive oil, cider vinegar, a teaspoon of honey and Dijon mustard. Asian pears add a crisp, juicy crunch to slaws with cabbage and a honey lime dressing.
Our honey vinaigrette guide explains dressing ratios.
Pears, honey and cheese
Pears and honey with cheese is a classic for a reason. Try Comice pear with gorgonzola and honey, Bosc pear with aged cheddar, or Bartlett with brie and a drizzle of honey. Our honey and cheese pairing guide has more combinations.
Breakfast ideas
Top oatmeal with diced pear, cinnamon and honey. Bake pear and honey muffins, or spread ricotta on toast and add pear slices and honey. Pears also work in pancakes and Dutch babies. Our article on honey and oats has oatmeal tips.
Baking with honey and pears
Pears and honey shine in tarts, crisps, galettes and upside-down cakes. For a simple crisp, toss sliced pears with honey and lemon, top with an oat and butter crumble, and bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes. Lower the oven by 25°F when using honey in batters so the edges stay golden rather than dark.
Our baking with honey guide explains substitutions.
Which honey suits pears
Raw Wildflower Honey, harvested in New York State, has a layered floral taste that echoes pear's perfume. Raw Buckwheat Honey adds a rich, malty note to roasted pears and blue cheese. Raw Orange Blossom Honey, from Florida, brightens poaching syrup.
Spice pairings
Pears and honey love warm spices: cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, star anise, vanilla and black pepper. A pinch of black pepper on roasted pears with honey adds a surprising warmth. Our article on honey and cardamom covers that spice.
Nutrition notes
A medium pear provides around 100 calories and about 5 to 6 grams of fiber, much of it in the skin, according to USDA data. USDA MyPlate encourages whole fruits. Poached and roasted pears with honey are desserts, so enjoy them in reasonable portions.
Storing poached pears
Poached pears keep in their syrup in the fridge for up to five days, and the flavor deepens over time. Warm them gently or serve chilled.
The takeaway
Honey and pears are an elegant pairing for poaching, roasting, salads and cheese. Choose firm pears for cooking, ripe pears for eating fresh, and match your honey to the dish.
Honey and pears sauce
Like applesauce, pear sauce is easy to make. Peel and chop four ripe pears, simmer with a splash of water, a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of cinnamon until soft, then mash or blend. Stir in honey to taste once it cools a little. Serve with pork chops, pancakes or yogurt. Children over 12 months often love it.
Honey for pear season
Try Raw Wildflower Honey for salads and Raw Buckwheat Honey for roasted pears. Save with a 3 jar or 6 jar pack of any honey, and orders over $50 ship free. Visit our shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Fruits · USDA MyPlate
- Honey: nutrient profile · USDA FoodData Central
- United States Standards for Grades of Extracted Honey · USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Frequently asked questions
- Which pears are best for poaching?
- Firm Bosc or Anjou pears hold their shape best.
- How do I know when a pear is ripe?
- The neck near the stem gives slightly to gentle pressure.
- How long do I poach pears in honey?
- About 15 to 25 minutes at a gentle simmer.
- Which honey goes with pears?
- Wildflower for fresh dishes, buckwheat for roasted, orange blossom for poaching.
- What cheese goes with honey and pears?
- Gorgonzola, blue cheese, aged cheddar and brie.
- How long do poached pears keep?
- Up to five days in their syrup in the fridge.
- Should I peel pears for roasting?
- Not necessarily; the skin holds fiber and helps them keep shape.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
