5-Ingredient easy baked orgonzola 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
Since you're here for appetisers, you might love my mushroom paté spread - a rich and savoury spread that's one of my favourites. You can also explore my easy appetiser collection and find more simple, budget-friendly bites to try for your next gathering!
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 the pears are tender and the 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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📖 Recipe
Baked Pears with Gorgonzola, Walnuts and Honey
Video
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!
Bernice says
You might say that this dessert is absolute pear-fection! The pears are tender, yet still hold together perfectly and the unique flavour is not to be missed. My in laws were super impressed!
Gloria says
I just got some fresh pears this week. What a great recipe. The combination of pears and cheese is so delicious. Perfect as a starter or even dessert.
Liz says
Blue cheese and pears is such a yummy classic pairing! I served these to company with a pork roast and they were a huge hit!
Sonja says
I've had Pear and Gorgonzola before, but never baked. This was incredible. Even better than fresh with all the melted cheese and crunch from the nuts. And the honey over it! *drools*
Ashley says
Love this flavor combo! I made little crostini and served them alongside. It was a great appetizer!
Nora says
Super yummy appetizer! Our guests loved it!
Tina says
My whole family loved these stuffed pears! So delicious!
Katie says
This pear recipe was so good! Definitely making them all summer long!
Leslie says
What a delightful recipe! Such an impressive dish as well with minimal effort. My kind of treat!
Alexandra says
I love to bake pears - especially at this time of year. This is comforting and so delicious. I am a big fan of Gorgonzola cheese and so this is my kind of recipe!
Jess says
So delicious and easy to make!
Sharon says
Wonderful flavors and textures, what an elegant dessert. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Lindsey says
My whole family absolutely loved these!! So yummy and satisfying.
LISA says
This is the new family favorite by a mile! I've always loved baked pears but this takes it to a whole new level. Thanks for the great recipe! 10,000 stars!
Jeri says
I served these baked Gorgonzola pears at my dinner party, and they were a hit! The combination of creamy blue cheese with the sweetness of the pears and honey plus that crunch from the walnuts was absolutely delicious!