5-Ingredient Easy Baked Gorgonzola Pears with Honey & Walnuts – a sweet and savoury gluten-free appetiser ready in 20 minutes! Perfect for parties, this elegant dish features creamy Gorgonzola, crunchy walnuts, and warm honey-drizzled pears. Simple, delicious, and crowd-pleasing!
Serves 6 | 🌿 Gluten-Free | 🧀 High-Protein | ⏱ 20-Min Meal | 🥗 Elegant Appetizer
Tangy blue cheese, sweet pears with honey, a herby touch of thyme, and a little crunch from walnuts make this a luscious treat for parties or dinner dates. You are guaranteed to impress your guests!
This quick and simple appetiser is ideal for a party or family gathering. Whether served as a dessert or an appetiser, it will leave everyone wanting more. You should also try our crunchy cauliflower bites, easy-baked cornflake chicken bites, traditional pide/ Turkish pizza, or simple tuna potato patties, the perfect dishes for any family event.
💗 Why you'll love this recipe
You'll love this recipe because it combines the sweetness of pears with the creamy richness of Gorgonzola cheese, creating a perfect balance of flavours. Plus, it's incredibly easy to make and makes a stunning appetiser or dessert for any occasion.
🥘 Ingredients
- Pears: Choose ripe but firm pears like Bosc or Anjou for the best texture. Avoid ones that are too soft.
- Walnuts or Pecans: Use fresh nuts. Toast them before chopping them for extra flavour and crunch.
- Honey: Pick a good-quality honey with a mild taste. Local or raw honey adds a special touch.
- Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola): Choose a creamy and tasty Gorgonzola. Use more or less depending on how strong you want the flavour.
- Thyme: Use fresh thyme if possible. Dried thyme works too, but use less as it's stronger in flavour.
♻️ Substitutions
- Pears: You can substitute apples or firm peaches for pears if desired.
- Walnuts or Pecans: Substitute almonds, hazelnuts, or macadamia nuts for walnuts or pecans.
- Honey: Maple syrup or agave syrup can be used as an alternative to honey.
- Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola): Feta cheese or goat cheese can be used as substitutes for Gorgonzola cheese.
- Thyme: Substitute rosemary or sage for thyme as a garnish. Alternatively, you can omit the herb garnish altogether.
📖 Variations
- Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze: After baking, add a drizzle of balsamic glaze over the stuffed pears for a sweet and tangy taste.
- Top with crispy prosciutto: Before serving, top each baked pear with a slice of crispy prosciutto for a savoury twist.
- Sprinkle with chopped herbs: Garnish the baked pears with chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, or basil for added freshness and flavour.
- Substitute with different cheeses: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as goat cheese, brie, or camembert, for a unique combination.
- Serve with toasted bread: Serve the baked pears alongside slices of toasted baguette or crusty bread for a delicious appetiser or snack.
👩🍳 How to Make Baked Gorgonzola Pears
Ready to cook something delicious? Give our Baked Gorgonzola Pears a try! This quick and simple recipe is packed with tasty ingredients that will leave your taste buds wanting more.
Please take a peek at our handy guide, complete with step-by-step photos.
Step 1: Slice each pear in half lengthwise, remove the core and seeds using a spoon, creating a hollow centre.
Step 2: Arrange the pear halves with the cut side facing up on a baking dish or sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 3: Dice the Gorgonzola cheese.
Step 4: Place the cheese in the centre of each pear half.
Step 5: Chop the walnuts into chunks.
Step 6: Add the walnuts to the centre of each pear.
Step 7: Drizzle honey over the filled pears. Bake in the preheated oven until pears are tender and cheese is melted.
Step 8: After baking, garnish with fresh thyme leaves. Serve warm as an appetiser or dessert.
*Find detailed instructions in the recipe card below.
💭Expert Tips
- Pick the Right Pears → Use ripe but firm pears like Bosc or Anjou to prevent mushiness.
- Choose High-Quality Gorgonzola → Creamy, tangy Gorgonzola melts best for a rich filling.
- Bake to Perfection → Bake until the cheese bubbles (10-12 mins) but pears stay tender.
📌 Serving Suggestions
- Pair with: Prosciutto, arugula salad, or sparkling wine.
- Meal prep: Stuff pears ahead, refrigerate, and bake before serving.
❓Baked Gorgonzola Pears FAQS
You can experiment with different cheeses like goat cheese, brie, or camembert.
You can make a vegan version by using dairy-free cheese and skipping the honey. You can also substitute the honey with a vegan-friendly sweetener.
Peeling pears isn’t necessary before baking. However, if you’re using pears with firm skin, peeling is a good idea, as the skin may not soften sufficiently during baking.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container once they have cooled; they will keep for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a preheated oven or microwave. The texture may change a bit, but they’ll still taste great.
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Baked Pears with Gorgonzola, Walnuts and Honey
Ingredients
- 6 pears
- 50 g walnuts or pecans
- 50 g honey
- 150 g blue cheese gorgonzola
- thyme to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Cut each pear in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the core and seeds, creating a hollow cavity.
- Place the pear halves cut-side up on a baking dish or sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cut small cubes of Gorgonzola cheese and place them into the centre of each pear half along with a piece of walnut.
- Drizzle honey over the stuffed pears.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pears are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once baked, remove the pears from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme leaves.
- Serve warm as a delightful appetizer or dessert. Enjoy your delicious baked Gorgonzola pears!
Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Sonja says
I was looking for an easy appetizer and these gorgonzola pears were just the thing. They came together so quickly and vanished even faster once served. So delicious with the sweet and savory contrast!
Amy Liu Dong says
Wow! This is such a great-looking appetizer, it looks incredibly delicious and very enticing! An awesome treat that everyone will gonna love and enjoy eating! The gorgonzola cheese will definitely gonna boost it's taste and flavor! Perfect!
Nora says
These baked gorgonzola pears turned out perfectly! The perfect appetizer! Our guests loved them!