Sweet and Easy Caramelized Air Fryer Pears in 20 Minutes
Feb 01, 2023

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Warm air fryer pears coated in butter and brown sugar for the perfect caramelization with spicy cinnamon and comforting nutmeg granola on top. Add a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of coconut flakes, and youโve got a scrumptious dessert or snack. Ready for your enjoyment in 20 minutes.
Looking for a quick, easy, fry-it-and-leave-it dessert?
Then youโre going to love this recipe.
Caramelized Air Fryer Pears is sponsored by USA Pears.ย
Caramelized Air Fryer Pears are perfect for situations like:ย
- A dessert for unexpected company
- A treat for a neighbor or friend
- A surprise snack for your kids just because itโs Friday
Make this recipe with ingredients you already have or your favorite toppings for an extra layer of sweet and spicy flavors.
Letโs start frying!
What Are Air Fryer Pears?
Theyโre pears that are halved, coated in butter, sugar, and spices and finished with your favorite toppings. The air fryer keeps the pears soft and juicy inside with a crispy layer on the outside, especially when you leave the skin on. If youโve ever had grilled fruit, this is similar but with less work.
One of our favorite things about using an air fryer with fruit is that you can pop in the pears and leave them alone to caramelize. No flipping is necessary, like on a grill. And by the time youโre done cleaning the kitchen, the air fryer is done, and youโve got a bowl full of warm and cozy flavors to end your day.
Why Use an Air Fryer?
You could bake your pears, and theyโll still be warm, soft, and juicy. But itโs difficult to get the skin to crisp up on the outside without the inside becoming overcooked and mushy. Convection ovens use a fan to distribute electric or gas heat. The air fryer uses fans in a similar way to blow hot air around, so the outside cooks first. This keeps the inside of your pears juicy and crispy on the outside.
Since the air fryer is much smaller than an oven, it heats up quickly to reduce cooking time. It doesn’t need as much cooking fat, so itโs better for you, and it often cuts back on a mess to clean up later.
Less time, less oil, and less clean up.ย
Whatโs not to love?
Air Fryer Tips
Feeling unsure about using your air fryer? Here are a few tips to help you get the best caramelization on your pears without burning them.
Preheat your air fryer. This makes the air extremely hot when you add your pears, so they start to cook right away, reducing cook time.
Keep an eye on your pears. The strength of air fryers varies depending on which brand you have. Check on your pears around the 10-minute mark to make sure they arenโt browning too fast. If your pears look a little brown, lower the temperature by 20-25โ. If theyโre cooking slower, add 1-3 minutes to the cooking time.
Use slightly firm pears. Very ripe pears could become mushy after theyโre โfried.โ Itโs best to use pears on the more firm side, so they hold up better during the cooking process.
Ingredients
One of the best things about this recipe is that you likely have most of the ingredients on hand.
Youโll need:
- 4 Red Anjou USA Pears
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons granola
Customize your air fryer pears with your favorite toppings. We used whipped cream, honey, and coconut flakes for an easy balance between hot and cold and soft and crunchy. You can also top yours with yogurt, ice-cream or eat it just by itself with a cup of tea.
How to Air Fry Pears
Step 1
Preheat your air fryer to 375โ and line the basket with parchment paper. Then cut your pears lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
Step 2
Melt the butter, and add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to your mixing bowl.
Step 3
Mix the ingredients together.
Step 4
Put the pears in the sugar mixture until coated.
Step 5
Place them cut-side up in the air fryer.
Step 6
Mix the granola and the remaining sugar mixture and scoop it into an even layer on the pears. Air fry for 10-15 minutes.
Step 7
Top with whipped cream, honey, and coconut flakes, and serve.
How to Store
If you have leftovers, store your dessert pears in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. We donโt recommend freezing them. When youโre ready to heat them up, there are two options: the microwave or the air fryer.
Pop your pears in the air fryer at 350โ for 3-4 minutes to keep the outside crispy. Or microwave your pears for about one minute. Remember if you microwave them, theyโll be softer and likely lose their crunch on the outside.
FAQs
Can you air fry pears?
Absolutely. Iโm sure you enjoy baked fruit pies, right? When pears are cooked, they enhance the subtle sweetness and become juicier than when you eat them raw. And itโs more nutrient dense than other desserts, so you can forget about the guilt of eating something sweet.
Can you eat the peel of a pear?
Of course. Like many other fruits, pears are packed with nutrientsโฆ in the skin. Pears have been known to promote heart health, fight inflammation, and help with weight loss. The skin adds nutrition, and you get a crackly outside.
Can I serve these pears cold?
This dessert is warm and comforting, straight out of the air fryer. But it does taste delicious cold, especially during the summer at a backyard BBQ. Top it with ice cream for a treat the whole family will love.
Why We Love USA Pears
Washington and Oregon comprise the largest pear-producing region in the nation in the United States. The nearly 800 grower families in the Pacific Northwest take pride in the quality of each pear they grow, so you can enjoy them with your family.
February is American Heart Month. What better way to celebrate or give special attention to your cardiovascular health than with some homegrown, tasty food?
Celebrate heart month the best way we know how โ with caramelized air fryer pears!
Fresh Recipes From USA Pears
Caramelized Air Fryer Pears
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Melon Baller
Ingredients
Aire Fryer Pears
- 4 Red Anjou USA Pears
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons granola
Toppings
- Whipped cream
- Honey
- Coconut flakes
Instructions
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375ยฐF.
- With clean hands, use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the skin of your pears under cold water for 15-20 seconds. Be sure to get into the stem (top) and the calyx (bottom) to get rid of any dirt or bacteria. We prefer to leave the skin on, but you can remove them if you'd like to.
- Use a knife to cut the pears in half lengthwise, from the stem to the calyx. Then scoop out the seed with a melon baller or a tablespoon.
- Melt the butter in the microwave in a medium-sized, microwave-safe bowl. Then mix in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the ingredients are combined, and the mixture turns brown in color.
- Place the pear halves, flesh side down, into the sugar mixture and spoon it on top of the pears, all over the skin. Place the pears, cut side up, onto your parchment-lined air fryer basket.
- Add granola to the remaining sugar mixture and mix until the granola is coated. Spread the granola and sugar mixture on top of the cut side of the pears in an even layer.
- Air fry your pears for 10-15 minutes or until caramelized and slightly golden on top.
- Top with whipped cream, honey, and coconut flakes, and serve.
Notes
- Quarter your pears if youโd like smaller servings as wedges instead of pear halves.
- For a honey substitute, maple syrup can be used.ย
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.