Pin it
Slices of fresh pears loaded up with creamy blue cheese and crunchy toasted walnuts make this showy but super easy bite. Finish it off with honey and balsamic for a pop of flavor. The whole thing looks gorgeous and tastes even better. Great for dinner parties or just leveling up your weeknight meal.
I first whipped this up for a friend's holiday dinner and people ate them up in no time. Now if I want to make something that looks fancy but is honestly so quick, I turn to this treat.
Mouthwatering Ingredients
- Fresh pears: These give you a juicy, sweet bite. Try to grab ones that are still pretty firm but yield just a bit if you press a thumb in.
- Blue cheese: This adds a creamy tang. A good, creamy blue with lots of veins is what you want.
- Honey: Adds a gentle sweetness with floral hints. Go for a thick one to drizzle nicely.
- Balsamic vinegar: Cuts through the richness with a bright, tangy zip. An aged one will give more depth.
- Ground black pepper: Just a little for a hit of heat and flavor.
- Walnuts: All about that rich crunch. Toast lightly and always use the freshest you can so there’s no bitter taste.
- Fresh thyme: The herbal note finishes these off. Grab some from a window box or the store for best results.
Simple Directions
- Finish and serve
- Take the hot pears out of the oven and set them on a serving plate. Add a small drizzle of honey on each, then stick a sprig of thyme on top of the filling. These are fantastic right out of the oven, so serve 'em warm.
- Bake and top
- Bake the stuffed pears for about 20-25 minutes. You're aiming for tender pears and bubbling cheese. When they’re ready, hit them right away with ground pepper and a splash of extra balsamic if you want.
- Stuff the pears
- Spoon as much filling as you can fit into those pear halves. Gently press it down so it won’t fall apart when you bake.
- Make the cheese mixture
- Mix blue cheese crumbles, toasted walnuts, and honey in a bowl. Stir till it looks pretty even and you get bits of everything in each bite.
- Prep the pears
- Heat up your oven to 375°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment so nothing sticks. Cut pears in half straight down the middle, scoop out the cores, and line them up flat side up on your baking pan.
Pin it
I pick blue cheese for this every time. It’s just so rich and creamy. We all like piling the filling into the pears together, and everyone adds their own honey swirl. Fun family project!
Storing leftovers
Pop any extra stuffed pears in an airtight container in your fridge. They'll last about two days. To warm them up, put them back in the oven until they're hot—don't bother with the microwave or you'll end up with weird cheese. Let them sit on the counter for a bit before you dig in for the best flavor.
Swap outs
If blue cheese is too much for you, mix goat cheese with cream cheese—it’s softer but still really tasty. Pecans swap right in for walnuts if you’ve got those handy or want a little sweeter flavor. No honey? Maple syrup works and gives a different kind of sweetness.
Ways to Serve
Want to change it up? Lay these on top of peppery arugula, then finish with a little extra balsamic. For brunch, try putting them out with toast and roasted grapes. I even serve ‘em between salad and the main dish and they’re always a hit.
Pin it
Backstory and tradition
Pairing fruit and cheese goes way, way back—think centuries ago in Europe. Pears and blue cheese together are a classic French and Italian combo, so this dish takes a little from both. Tossing sweet fruit with bold cheese never goes out of style.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What type of pears work best?
Try to snag pears that are soft and juicy, but don’t go for squishy—if they’re too mushy, they’ll fall apart in the oven.
- → Can I substitute the blue cheese?
If blue cheese isn’t your jam, swap in gorgonzola or goat cheese for something milder or a twist on the flavor.
- → Should I serve this hot or cold?
Right from the oven, these taste awesome, but honestly, they’re still tasty after they cool or even chilled from the fridge.
- → Can I use pecans instead of walnuts?
Go for it—pecans bring a softer, sweeter taste that’s awesome with the pears and cheese.
- → How should I garnish the finished pears?
Top each one with a bit more honey and a fresh thyme sprig if you want it to look and taste extra fancy.