Often overshadowed by the apple, the pear is one of the most underrated fruits out there. (No offense, peaches.) There are several different varieties, each with their own unique flavor profile and time of the season. 

While there are plenty of delicious ways to cook with pear, many people focus on their use in desserts while ignoring this fruit’s savory potential. For that reason, we’ve put together our list of some of the best savory ways to use pears, adding their distinct fall flavor to your favorite meals.

1. Teff Pancakes With Pomegranate and Pears

Teff is a small grain, popular in Ethiopian baking. Its unique flavor and fluffy texture make it the perfect candidate for gluten-free pancakes! Kathryn Geyer‘s Teff Pancakes with Pomegranate and Pear is spiced with cinnamon and topped with delicious pear, perfect for an Autumn morning!

2. Butter Lettuce Wedges With Sunflower Seed Dressing, Pears and Tempeh Bacon

This Butter Lettuce Wedges With Sunflower Seed Dressing, Pears and Tempeh Bacon by Annie Oliverio is a take on a classic salad at The Brown Derby. A big, crunchy wedge of lettuce topped with a creamy dressing and sprinkled with salty bacon. My version subs tempeh for bacon and adds refreshing sweetness with juicy pears.

Charlie Rioux’s deliciously easy Pear Protein Muffins are packed with plant-based protein (in this case, pea protein). They are nut-free, soy-free and super simple to make. Enjoy these yummy muffins for breakfast, snack, side dish, or even as a super healthy dessert!

4. Dutch Baby With Caramelized Apples and Pears

This Dutch Baby With Caramelized Apples and Pears by Abby Thompson brings Fall’s favorite fruits together for a delicious sweet-and-savory breakfast.

5. 30-Minute Quinoa Pear Salad

This 30-Minute Quinoa Pear Salad by Medha Swaminathan is a quick and easy meal, balanced with flavors from fresh Bartlett pears, creamy avocado, crunchy radishes, earthy walnuts, and hearty quinoa! Topped with a lime and olive oil dressing.

6. Pears With Brown Sugar, Bourbon, And Millet

This cozy, hot cereal by Rachel Hanawalt is the perfect accompaniment on a chilly fall or winter morning. The millet has a light, nutty flavor and the walnuts add a hearty crunch to these Pears With Brown Sugar, Bourbon, and Millet.

7. Pear Salad With Crispy Chickpea Croutons

This delicious Pear Salad With Crispy Chickpea Croutons has two creative tweaks – crispy chickpea croutons and lemon-mustard vinaigrette dressing. It’s fresh, healthy and filling at the same time! By Laine Rudolfa.

8. Berry Lavender Poached Pears With Granola

Reinvent the breakfast game with Laine Rudolfa‘s Berry Lavender Poached Pears With Granola. The berries give the pears a perfect subtle sweetness and the lavender adds something little extra that is kind of unexpected. The best thing about this recipe is that the after two days in the fridge the flavors are even more enhanced.

9. Pear Pecan Bread

This paleo, gluten-free Pear Pecan Bread by Katrina Nixon is packed with flavor and nutrients, full of antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s hard to imagine it tastes good, but it does! The pear brings out the natural sweetness of the rest of the bread, making it a truly delicious offering.

10. Asian Pear and Persimmon Stuffed Acorn Squash

In Emma D’Alessandro‘s Asian Pear and Persimmon Stuffed Acorn Squash, sweet and savory flavors are perfectly paired inside tender roasted acorn squash halves. The cinnamon and nutmeg add a great flavor to the squash, pear and persimmon and the texture from the bread and crunchy vegetables bring this dish together.

For more pear perfection, we recommend downloading the Food Monster App, it’s available for both Android and iPhone and has free and paid versions. The app is loaded with thousands of allergy-friendly & vegan recipes/cooking tips, has hundreds of search filters and features like bookmarking, meal plans and more! The app shows you how having diet/health/food preferences can be full of delicious abundance rather than restrictions!

Lead Image Source: Pears With Brown Sugar, Bourbon, and Millet