Spiced Pear Oatmeal Recipe

Spiced Pear Oatmeal is warm, cozy, and full of cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg, with tender pears cooked right into the oatmeal. A simple maple pear topping adds even more fresh pear flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.

This pear oatmeal has become one of my favorite breakfasts when the mornings turn cool. The combination of cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg is especially good with pears, and I love the extra texture from the mix of oats, seeds and optional quinoa. But the best part may be the warm maple pears spooned over the top—they make a simple bowl of oatmeal feel a little special.

Why You’ll Love This Spiced Pear Oatmeal

This easy oatmeal has plenty of flavor and texture, but everything comes together on the stovetop in about 20 minutes.

• Warmly spiced. Cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg complement the mild sweetness of ripe pears.
• Full of pear flavor. Pears cook right into the oatmeal, with more warm pears added on top.
• Great texture. Old-fashioned oats are the base, with steel-cut oats, chia seeds, flax and quinoa adding extra texture if desired.
• Naturally sweetened. Pure maple syrup sweetens both the oatmeal and the pear topping.
• Easy to customize. Use your favorite milk and add as many or as few of the optional grains and seeds as you like.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list is a little more interesting than basic oatmeal, but most of the extras are optional and easy to adjust to what you have on hand.

• Pears: Bartlett pears are my favorite here because they become soft and tender as they cook, but another ripe pear variety will also work.
• Old-fashioned oats: These make up the base of the oatmeal. Skip instant or quick-cooking oats for this recipe.
• Steel-cut oats: A small amount adds a pleasant chewy texture. If you leave them out, simply use additional old-fashioned oats.
• Chia seeds and ground flaxseed: Both add texture and are optional.
• Quinoa: Also optional, and added near the end for a little extra bite.
• Cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg: This combination gives the oatmeal its warm spiced flavor. Freshly grated nutmeg is especially good if you have it.
• Coconut oil: Used to soften the pears and toast the spices. Its mild flavor works especially well with the pears.
• Milk and water: Use whichever milk you normally enjoy in oatmeal.
• Vanilla: Rounds out the spices and maple flavor.
• Pure maple syrup: Sweetens the oatmeal and creates the simple maple pear topping.
• Salt: Just a small amount helps bring out the other flavors.

How to Make Spiced Pear Oatmeal

The oatmeal and pear topping use many of the same ingredients, so prepping both at the beginning makes the recipe especially easy.

• Prep the pears. Peel and chop the pears into ½-inch pieces, placing one pear in a saucepan for the oatmeal and one in a small skillet for the topping.

Start the oatmeal. Cook the saucepan pears in coconut oil with cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and a dash of salt for a couple of minutes.

Add the oats and liquid. Stir in the milk, water, old-fashioned oats, steel-cut oats, chia seeds, flaxseed and vanilla. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the oatmeal begins to thicken.

Cook the pear topping. When the oatmeal is nearly done, cook the second pan of pears with coconut oil and spices until tender.

• Finish with maple syrup. Stir maple syrup into both the oatmeal and warm pear topping. Add the optional quinoa to the oatmeal near the end of cooking.
• Serve. Spoon the oatmeal into bowls and top generously with the warm maple pears. Add a splash of warm milk if desired.

Maple Pear Topping

The warm pear topping is what really sets this oatmeal apart, and it takes only a few extra minutes to make.

• Cook chopped pear in coconut oil with cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg until tender.
• Add pure maple syrup at the end so it coats the warm pears.
• Spoon the pears and maple syrup over each bowl just before serving.
• For even more pear topping, simply double this portion of the recipe.

Recipe Tips and Variations

A few simple adjustments make it easy to get exactly the flavor and texture you like.

• Use ripe pears. A ripe or nearly ripe pear softens beautifully and gives the oatmeal better flavor than a hard, underripe pear.
• Adjust the texture. For a simpler version, skip the steel-cut oats, chia, flax and quinoa and use 1 cup old-fashioned oats instead.
• Make it creamier. Add a little additional milk when serving if you prefer a looser, creamier oatmeal.
• Try another fruit. Apples can be substituted for the pears, although I prefer the softer texture and mellow flavor of pears in this recipe.
• Make it gluten-free if needed. Use certified gluten-free oats and verify the labels on your other ingredients.
• Make it dairy-free or vegan. Use almond milk or another plant-based milk.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover pear oatmeal keeps well, although the oatmeal will thicken considerably as it sits.

• Store leftover oatmeal in a covered container in the refrigerator.
• If possible, refrigerate the maple pear topping separately.
• Reheat the oatmeal gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
• Stir in a splash of milk or water while reheating to loosen the oatmeal to your preferred consistency.
• Warm the pear topping separately and spoon it over the oatmeal before serving.
• For best texture and flavor, enjoy leftovers within 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of pears are best for oatmeal?
Bartlett pears are my favorite for this recipe because they soften nicely and have a sweet, mellow flavor. Other ripe pear varieties can also be used.

Can you put raw pears in oatmeal?
You can, but cooking the pears first softens them and brings out their sweetness. In this recipe, the pears are briefly sautéed with coconut oil and spices before the remaining oatmeal ingredients are added.

Do I need the steel-cut oats, chia seeds, flaxseed and quinoa?
No. They add interesting texture, but they’re optional. If you leave out the steel-cut oats, chia and flax, use 1 cup of old-fashioned oats instead of ¾ cup.

Can I use apples instead of pears?
Yes. Apples work, although I prefer pears because their softer texture and mild sweetness are especially good with the cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg.

This Spiced Pear Oatmeal is one of those breakfasts that makes an ordinary morning feel a little cozier. The warmly spiced oatmeal is delicious on its own, but those tender maple pears on top are what make me look forward to making it again whenever pears are in season. Add a splash of warm milk and a few extra pears on top, and breakfast is ready.

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4.84 from 6 votes

Spiced Pear Oatmeal Recipe

Spiced Pear Oatmeal is warm and cozy with tender pears, old-fashioned oats, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg. Top each bowl with warm maple pears for an easy breakfast that’s ready in about 20 minutes.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 168

Author Sally Humeniuk

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

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For the oatmeal

• ½ tbsp coconut oil
• 1 ripe pear peeled and chopped into ½-inch pieces
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• dash of salt
• 1 cup almond milk or any milk you prefer
• 1 cup water
• ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
• 2 tbsp steel cut oats
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tbsp quinoa optional

Maple Pear Topping

• 1 ripe pear peeled and chopped into ½-inch pieces
• ½ tbsp coconut oil
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup

Instructions

Make the oatmeal

• Prep the pears. Place one chopped pear in a small saucepan and the other in a small skillet. Add ½ tablespoon coconut oil, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon cardamom and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg to each pan. Add a dash of salt to the saucepan only. Set the skillet aside.
  ½ tbsp coconut oil, 1 ripe pear, ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp cardamom, ¼ tsp nutmeg, dash of salt
• Cook the spiced pear. Heat the saucepan over medium heat. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring as the coconut oil melts and coats the pear with the spices.
• Add the oatmeal ingredients. Stir in the milk, water, old-fashioned oats, steel-cut oats, chia seeds, flaxseed and vanilla. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes.
  1 cup almond milk, 1 cup water, ¾ cup old-fashioned oats, 2 tbsp steel cut oats, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 tbsp ground flax seeds, 1 tsp vanilla extract

Make the maple pear topping and finish

• Cook the pear topping. When the oatmeal is nearly done, heat the skillet over medium heat. Stir as the coconut oil melts and coats the pear with the spices. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the pear is tender, about 5 minutes.
  ½ tbsp coconut oil, ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp cardamom, ¼ tsp nutmeg
• Finish with maple syrup. Stir 2 tablespoons maple syrup into the oatmeal and 2 tablespoons into the pear topping. If using quinoa, stir it into the oatmeal now. Remove both pans from the heat.
  2 tbsp pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp pure maple syrup, 1 tbsp quinoa
• Serve. Divide the oatmeal among bowls and spoon the warm maple pears over the top. Serve with additional warm milk, if desired.

Equipment

Small saucepan

Small skillet

Notes

• Keep it simple: If you don't have steel-cut oats, chia seeds or flaxseed, use 1 cup old-fashioned oats instead of ¾ cup. I prefer the texture when all are included, but the simpler version works well too.
• Optional quinoa: Stir 1 tablespoon quinoa into the oatmeal at the very end of cooking. It is intentionally not fully cooked and adds a slightly firm texture. Leave it out if you prefer.
• Adjust the consistency: Oatmeal continues to thicken as it sits. Stir in a splash of milk before serving if you'd like a creamier consistency.
• Choose ripe pears: Ripe or nearly ripe pears will soften more quickly and give the oatmeal the best flavor.
• For gluten-free oatmeal: Use certified gluten-free oats and check the labels of the remaining ingredients.
• For vegan oatmeal: Use almond milk or another plant-based milk.

Nutrition Facts

Spiced Pear Oatmeal Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 168 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Trans Fat 0.01g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Sodium 87mg4%

Potassium 110mg3%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 0.5g1%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 4IU0%

Vitamin C 0.1mg0%

Calcium 120mg12%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.