Introduction

Experience a warm, comforting start to your day with Honey-Spiced Pear Oatmeal topped with crunchy pistachios. This dish combines tender baked pears infused with aromatic spices and a luscious honey glaze, served over creamy cinnamon oatmeal. It’s a perfect blend of sweet, spice, and texture that will brighten your breakfast table.

The image shows a white bowl with a delicate black pattern on the rim, filled with a creamy oatmeal base that has a soft beige texture. On top, there are four poached pears – two whole and two halved – standing upright with a shiny golden brown caramel glaze covering their smooth surface. The pears are sprinkled with small chopped nuts and green cardamom pods, adding texture and color contrast. Around the pears, whole dark brown star anise pods rest on the oatmeal, enhancing the dish's rich and warm look. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, with blurred cinnamon sticks and star anise in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Flavor Base:

½ cup honey
Juice and zest of 1 orange
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole star anise
8 whole cloves
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup unsalted butter

Fresh Ingredients:

4 firm, ripe pears, peeled, halved, and cored
½ cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped

For the Oatmeal:

4 cups milk
2 cups quick-cooking oats
5 tablespoons brown sugar (or adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon kosher salt

For Serving:

Heavy cream or half-and-half, for pouring

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the honey-spice syrup by combining honey, orange juice and zest, water, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, salt, and butter in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high, stirring occasionally until the butter melts and the mixture bubbles. Once fragrant and blended, remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the pear halves cut side up in a baking dish, trimming the bottoms slightly if needed to ensure they sit flat. Pour the hot honey-spice syrup evenly over the pears. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

Step 3: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 25–30 minutes, until the pears are soft and the syrup has thickened into a glossy glaze. Discard the cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves. Set the pears aside to cool slightly.

Step 4: While the pears bake, make the oatmeal. In a medium saucepan, combine milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

Step 5: Stir in the oats and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the oatmeal is thick and creamy. Remove from heat and let it rest for a minute.

Step 6: To serve, divide the oatmeal into four bowls. Top each with two pear halves and drizzle with the spiced honey syrup from the baking dish. Sprinkle chopped pistachios over the top and add a splash of cream or half-and-half.

Step 7: Serve warm and enjoy the delightful combination of sweet, spice, and crunch.

Tips & Variations

Use firm pears like Bosc or Anjou to ensure they hold their shape while baking.

For a nut-free version, substitute the pistachios with toasted coconut flakes or pumpkin seeds.

Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar according to your taste.

Add a splash of vanilla extract to the oatmeal for extra warmth and depth of flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover oatmeal and baked pears separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the oatmeal gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a little milk or cream to loosen it. Warm the pears briefly in the oven or microwave before serving to refresh the glaze.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes, substitute the milk with any plant-based milk such as almond or oat milk, replace the butter with a vegan alternative, and use maple syrup instead of honey to keep it vegan-friendly.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

You can bake the pears a day ahead and store them refrigerated. Prepare the oatmeal fresh in the morning for the best creamy texture. Gently reheat both components and assemble before serving.