We’ve all heard time and time again that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Starting your day with a wholesome meal can help energize you, aid your performance throughout the day, and kick-start your metabolism, which can help with weight management. However, between early starts and busy schedules, carving out time to sit down and have a meal in the morning can be difficult, let alone finding new ways to break out of your same old breakfast routine.
That’s why preparing breakfast the night before (or even on the weekend for the week ahead) is a total game-changer.
This recipe for Cinnamon-Baked Pears can be eaten fresh or made in advance, and will be an instant favorite for adults and kids alike. The fruit is baked with cinnamon and a hint of honey, creating a tender treat that tastes of an autumnal pie – without the guilt!
If you have the time, you can eat the pears warm, but they are just as delicious cold or at room temperature. They make a nice light take on dessert as well, but if you are having them for breakfast, serve them with a combination of protein and whole grains to ensure you’re getting a well-rounded meal. We recommend serving them with some plain greek yogurt and a sprinkling of toasted almonds or your favorite low-sugar granola.
If you are after a breakfast you can take on the run, prepare your pears the night before and layer your nuts or granola, yogurt and fruit (cut into cubes or slices) into a plastic container or mason jar. Simply pop on a lid and store the parfait in the fridge so it’s ready to grab in the morning. This also makes a great ready-to-eat breakfast for kids before school or even a snack between afterschool activities.
No matter how you serve these spiced baked pears, make sure you keep the skin on, as this is where a lot of the fruit’s nutrients are stored. Pears are a good source of Vitamin C and antioxidants, as well as an excellent source of fiber. In fact, pears are higher in fiber than a lot of fruits, with 6 grams of fiber packed in per serving. Pair this nutrient-dense fruit with a protein-rich yogurt, whole grains and heart-healthy nuts, and you’ve got a breakfast that will keep you feeling full and satisfied well into your day.
When seeking out pears at the market, go for any color and variety. For this recipe, the pears should be just ripe – the skin should give slightly when pressed, but not too much; if they are overripe, they will fall apart in the oven. Since pears are a fruit that ripen after they are picked, you can buy them very firm and let them ripen up on your kitchen counter until they are ready for use. Once they are ready to eat, make a big batch of these Cinnamon Baked Pears and store them in airtight containers (either on their own or in a pre-made parfait) in the refrigerator up to 5 days. You can also give this recipe a try with apples, which also pair beautifully with cinnamon and honey. In the summer, give this recipe a try with stone fruit, such as peaches.
Cinnamon Baked Pears
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon honey (or you can try agave instead!)
2 pears, cut in half lengthways and cored with a paring knife
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
(or, double/triple the batch for meal prep)
Preheat oven to 375ºF.
In a small saucepan, warm water and honey until honey is dissolved.
Place pears, flesh side up, in a baking dish and pour over the honey-water. Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon and bake until pears are tender and golden, 15-20 minutes.
Serve pears with yogurt, almonds or low-sugar granola.