Honey Caramelized Pears with Simple Oat Crumble

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These honey caramelized pears are simple and delicious. Spiced with cinnamon and bourbon and topped with an oat crumble, they are a perfect cozy dessert.

On my recent homemaking efficiency vlog on YouTube, I shared tips for making scratch cooking easier and faster. Though I covered a variety of tips, what it really boils down to is simplicity.

Even here in the suburbs, where I live what I call a “suburban homestead-ish” life, simple living is attainable, especially when it comes to cooking.

The trick is to have the right recipes to make simple food from scratch that you and your family love.

One way to keep things simple is to use seasonal produce and simple pantry staples. Doing so reduces the number of choices and decisions you have to make.

Cue the humble pear.

As soon as there is a hint of fall in the air, everyone rushes for pumpkin and apple everything. I get it. I love sourdough pumpkin cobbler and freeze-dried apples for fall treats.

But the peak season for pears is August through December. So, we are in the throws of pear season in the fall. And these honey caramelized pears are everything you need to pay homage to these juicy fall fruits.

Not only is this recipe simple and seasonal, it’s also fast. These beautiful honey caramelized pears are incredibly delicious and are ready in 20 minutes.

This recipe is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth on a cozy fall night. And since pears are in season through December, this is a quick recipe for Christmas dinners and holiday celebrations.

Here’s to a simple and golden season for you…and pears.

Why You’ll Love Honey Caramelized Pears

• One-skillet dessert – These caramelized pears are made directly in the skillet—no bowls, no mess, no fuss. I love making desserts like this in cast iron. Check out my cast iron care guide for everything you need to know about cooking and baking in cast iron.
• Healthy – Look, I love butter and sugar. Y’all have seen my sourdough skillet cookie recipe, right? This recipe doesn’t use refined sugar—just honey and the pears’ natural sweetness. Plus, it calls for only two tablespoons of butter (that might be a record low for me).
• Quick – From start to finish, this dessert is on the table in under 20 minutes.
• Versatile – You can easily switch up the ingredients to use your pantry staples. Use brown sugar instead of honey. Swap out the walnuts for pecans. Add a little nutmeg or cardamom. The world is your oyster…or your pear.

Tips for Making Honey Caramelized Pears

• Pick the perfect pear – Make sure the pears are ripe but not overripe. I once made this with pears that were a little too ripe, and it ended up mushy.
• Watch the temp – You want the butter to brown and the honey-butter mixture to bubble. But if it gets too hot, the pears will burn, and the sugars can turn bitter.
• Deglaze the skillet – Right before taking out the pears, I like to use a little bourbon to deglaze the skillet. This adds extra flavor to the pears and the oat crumble. You can deglaze it with a little water if you don’t use or have bourbon. That will still help release the stuck-on bits or “fond” for an elevated flavor.
• Prep your ingredients – Prepping the ingredients beforehand is one of the best ways to keep scratch cooking simple, efficient, and low-stress. Get everything ready and near your cook space.

Tools You Will Need

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• Knife – Grab a sharp knife or a paring knife to slice the pears in half.
• Large skillet – I prefer using a 12″ cast iron skillet to make honey caramelized pears, but any non-stick skillet will work. If you are in the market for a new cast iron skillet, check out my cast iron skillet size guide to find the perfect one for you.
• Wooden spoon – You will need a spoon to stir the butter-honey mixture.
• Measuring cups and spoons – Grab your measuring cups and spoons, but don’t get too wrapped up in the details. This is a forgiving recipe.
• Melon baller – A melon baller makes scooping out the cores a cinch and creates an aesthetically pleasing finish. If you don’t have one, use a spoon.

Ingredients

Caramelized Pears Ingredients

• Pears – Use ripe pears that are tender to the touch but not overripe. Using halved pears reduces the prep time (yay, no peeling and slicing!) and creates a rustic aesthetic.
• Butter – I used unsalted butter. If you use salted butter, skip the added salt in the recipe.
• Honey – Honey is the only sweetener used! You can substitute it with brown sugar or maple syrup.
• Cinnamon – Cinnamon adds a warm and cozy flavor. Feel free to add other spices, such as nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, or cloves.
• Bourbon – Deglazing the pan with bourbon adds extra warmth and flavor. But you can skip this part.
• Salt – A pinch of salt highlights the other flavors.

Oat Crumble Ingredients

• Rolled Oats – Use regular rolled oats like Bob’s Red Mill organic rolled oats and not quick oats.
• Walnuts – Toasty walnuts add a little extra crunch. Sliced almonds and pecans are also good choices.
• Vanilla – I used homemade bourbon vanilla extract.
• Cinnamon – Just a sprinkle adds a little cozy flavor.

How To Make Honey Caramelized Pears

In a large, well-seasoned cast iron skillet, brown the butter over medium heat. This happens quickly, so don’t leave the stove. As the butter foams and bubbles, keep stirring until it turns brown.

Stir in the honey, cinnamon, and salt.

Once the honey-butter mixture bubbles, place the pear halves cut side down in the cast iron skillet. Undisturbed, let the pears caramelize for about 3-4 minutes.

Check the bottom of each pear to make sure they are not burning. They should be a dark golden brown with some darkening around the edges. If they need more time, caramelize them for another minute or two or until done.

Optional: Deglaze the skillet with the bourbon, letting it run onto the pears. Scrape the sides of the pan if needed.

Transfer the pears to a separate plate. Set aside.

While the skillet is still hot, toss in the oats, walnuts, vanilla, and cinnamon into the remaining honey-butter mixture.

Drop the burner to medium-low heat and stir until the oats cluster.

Serve warm with a drizzle of honey, a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a beautiful oat crumble garnish. For a healthier option, serve with Greek yogurt and oat crumble.

How To Serve Honey Caramelized Pears

I like to serve caramelized pears while they are still warm. Drizzle them with a little extra honey or homemade molasses syrup. Then, top them with a heaping scoop of ice cream and oat crumble.

This is my favorite homemade vanilla ice cream recipe:

• 1 1/3 cups whole milk
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 teaspoons vanilla

In a medium bowl, mix the whole milk and sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.

Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla.

Pour the ingredients into your ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Note: this recipe came with our Kumio ice cream maker (affiliate link). It’s the best ice cream maker we’ve used. You just add the ingredients, hit start, and you have homemade ice cream in 45 minutes!

How To Store Leftover Caramelized Pears

Honey caramelized pears are best served right out of the skillet while still warm. If you have leftovers, let them cool to room temperature. Then, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

I do not recommend freezing caramelized pears.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of pears should I use?

Since Bosc, Bartlett, and Anjou pears are the easiest to find, I recommend using them for honey caramelized pears. However, you can use any variety of pears you can get your hands on. Extra points if they are from your garden.

Here is a little guide about the most common pears:

• Bosc – Bosc pears are a golden-brown color with an elongated neck. They retain their texture, so they are a good option for caramelized pears.
• Bartlett – Bartlett pears are great for baking and canning. They are usually red or yellowish-green with smooth skin and juicy texture. I used barlett pears for this recipe.
• Anjou – Anjou pears are short and bell-shaped. They are considered “all-purpose” pears and are great for snacking. This pear comes in both red and green varieties.

Can I use sweeteners other than honey?

Yes! You can swap out the honey for maple syrup, brown sugar, or white sugar. These honey-caramelized pears are versatile, so use what you have. Remember, pantry staples simplify cooking!

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If you tried this recipe and loved it, leave a comment or review!