Cinnamon Baked Pears
If you're looking for a delicious and easy dessert that's both satisfying and kidney-friendly, these Cinnamon Baked Pears are the perfect choice. With their natural sweetness, heart-healthy walnuts, and minimal potassium, this recipe offers a tasty treat that fits seamlessly into a CKD-friendly diet, allowing you to indulge without compromise. And just 5 ingredients!
As a Registered Dietitian specializing in chronic kidney disease (CKD), I have extensive experience helping individuals manage their health through nutrition. With a deep understanding of the dietary needs for CKD, I focus on providing practical, kidney-friendly recipes that support overall health and well-being. My approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, ensuring that each recommendation is tailored to the unique needs of those managing CKD.
These Cinnamon Baked Pears are an excellent choice for a CKD-friendly diet, as they are low in potassium and sodium while providing fiber and healthy fats. The use of natural sweeteners like maple syrup and lemon juice ensures a flavorful dessert without compromising kidney health, making it a safe and delicious option for those managing CKD.
Eat these as a dessert with your roasted pepper pesto pasta entree or some Hawaiian chicken salad that is as easy to make as these pears are! And if you are craving black-eyed peas with your diet, try it with those. We loved these so much that we added them to a healthy meal for kidney disease for the new year!
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Ingredients for Pear Baked Dessert
This simple yet delicious cooked pears recipe uses just a handful of wholesome ingredients like ripe pears, ground cinnamon, and maple syrup, making it both flavorful and kidney-friendly. With the addition of lemon juice, vanilla extract, and walnuts, these ingredients come together to create a warm, satisfying dessert that’s perfect for anyone following a CKD-friendly diet.
- Pears: Pears are low in potassium and high in fiber, making them a great fruit choice for those managing CKD.
- Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds natural sweetness and flavor without the need for added sugar, and it has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup offers a natural sweetener option with minimal sodium, making it a kidney-friendly choice when used in moderation.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice provides a fresh, tangy flavor with a low potassium content, helping to enhance taste without adding salt.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract offers a rich, aromatic flavor with a minimal effect on sodium or potassium levels, perfect for enhancing sweetness naturally.
- Chopped Walnuts: Walnuts provide heart-healthy fats and protein, offering essential nutrients that support kidney health without overloading on sodium or potassium
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Baked Pears with Cinnamon
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, it’s time to turn them into a delicious, kidney-friendly dessert. Follow these simple steps to prepare warm, fragrant Cinnamon Baked Pears that are sure to delight your taste buds.
- Preheat oven to 350'F, and prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper and spraying with non stick spray.
- Cut your pears in half from top to bottom and remove the core using a melon baller or spoon. Pull off the stem.
3. Place them skin side down on top of the lined cookie sheet.
4. Sprinkle the pears with cinnamon evenly.
5. Mix the maple syrup, lemon juice and vanilla and drizzle over the pears evenly.
6. Flip the pears over, place a tent of aluminum foil over them loosely, and bake for 30-35 minutes until the pears are fork tender.
7. Remove the pears from the oven, flip them over and sprinkle with walnuts. Bake for 5 more minutes.
8. Serve warm.
Hint: Opt for firm but ripe pears to ensure they hold their shape during baking while achieving a tender texture.
How To Make Air Fryer Baked Pears
These are the changes to the recipe that I suggest to cook the recipe for pear baked dessert in the air fryer.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350'F - if you don't have the preheat setting, allow it to run empty for about 3 minutes at 350'F
- Follow the other directions up to putting the pears in the oven
- Lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with non stick spray (or line with perforated parchment paper designed for air fryers)
- Place the pears cut side down in the basket, and air fry for 8-10 minutes.
- Flip the pears, add the walnuts and continue air frying for 5-7 more minutes. Watch that the walnuts don't burn
- Check for doneness early, as air fryers cook faster than traditional ovens.
- Clean-Up Tip: If you’re worried about drips or sticky residue, place a small heat-proof dish or piece of parchment paper under the pears to catch any syrup.
Substitutions for Baked Pears
If you need to make adjustments to better suit your dietary needs or ingredient availability, here are three kidney-friendly substitutions:
- Lemon Juice Substitute: Try apple cider vinegar for a similar tangy effect if fresh lemons are unavailable.
- Sweetener Swap: Replace maple syrup with honey or agave nectar for a slightly different but equally natural sweet taste.
- Vanilla Extract Alternative: Use almond extract sparingly for a unique flavor twist that’s still kidney-friendly.
Variations on Baked Cinnamon Pears
This recipe is versatile, allowing you to tweak it while still keeping it kidney-friendly. Here are three variations to suit different preferences:
- Nut-Free Option: Substitute walnuts with a sprinkle of rolled oats for a nut-free, fiber-rich topping.
- Spiced Delight: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom alongside cinnamon for a richer flavor profile.
- Fruit Fusion: Pair the pears with fresh cranberries or diced apples for added natural sweetness and texture.
Top Tip
- Toast the walnuts briefly before sprinkling them on the pears for an extra crunch and enhanced flavor.
FAQ
Yes, you can substitute pears with apples, peaches, or nectarines, but ensure the chosen fruit aligns with your CKD dietary needs and is low in potassium.
You can replace maple syrup with honey or agave nectar for a similar natural sweetness. Choose options without added sugars to keep it kidney-friendly.
Yes, you can use rolled oats or sunflower seeds for a nut-free topping that still provides texture and flavor.
The pears are ready when they are fork-tender but not mushy. This typically takes 30-35 minutes, with an additional 5 minutes after adding the walnuts.
Related Dessert Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing with Baked Pears
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cinnamon Baked Pears:
If you tried this Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Recipe
Cinnamon Baked Pears Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ripe pears
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350'F, and prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper and spraying with non stick spray.
- Cut your pears in half from top to bottom and remove the core using a melon baller or spoon. Pull off the stem.
- Place them skin side down on top of the lined cookie sheet.
- Sprinkle the pears with cinnamon evenly.
- Mix the maple syrup, lemon juice and vanilla and drizzle over the pears evenly.
- Flip the pears over, place a tent of aluminum foil over them loosely, and bake for 30-35 minutes until the pears are fork tender.
- Remove the pears from the oven, flip them over and sprinkle with walnuts. Bake for 5 more minutes.
- Serve warm.
