These Vegan Granola Layered Poached Pears are a delicious dairy free, gluten free, healthy, and easy holiday dessert for entertaining friends with diet restrictions!
Okay so Halloween is over, meaning we’re officially in holiday mode, so if you’re already feeling a wee-bit overwhelmed with your social eating and entertaining calendar, I got you. Personally, I’m finding myself entertaining at least once each week, and I’m so busy I’m having to plan my shopping and food prep a week ahead. It’s getting a little stressful. So I’ve really been thinking hard about easy entertaining-worthy recipes that are ideal for a wide range of dietary restrictions like these gluten free vegan granola layered poached pears.
How to Make Vegan Granola Layered Poached Pears
I would agree with the great Ina Garten who often would say: “no one has more fun at a party when you make dessert from scratch”, but I still take some pride in at least assembling something together and calling it “homemade”. These vegan granola layered poached pears take a little short cut using storebought granola (whatever your favourite is!) and combining it with a simply poached pear and almond butter. It’s a light and actually healthy dessert that’s surprisingly elegant looking (while the leftovers make for an AMAZING breakfast or brunch you can look forward to).
Poaching pears is actually really simple. Once they’re peeled and cored, you just let them float around in simmering wine with something sweet and some aromatics. This part can be done ahead of time, making entertaining even simpler.
Once it’s “game time”, I simply slice the pears cross-wise, layer them with a little almond butter, and sprinkle with granola. You can serve these vegan granola layered poached pears as is, smear them in the syrup (after you reduce it down), or dollop with a little coconut cream, yogurt or ice cream (vegan or not, depending on your guests).
Now loves, let me know – what are you all planning to make for the holidays?
Do you have any healthy and easy holiday dessert favourites?
Leave me a comment below with your thoughts!
Vegan Granola Layered Poached Pears
Ingredients
- 1 750-ml bottle Riesling (or other semi-dry white wine)
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 whole vanilla bean split and scraped
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 firm pears peeled leaving the stem intact
- 1/2 cup natural almond butter
- 1 cup granola vegan and/or gluten free, as needed
Instructions
- Place the white wine, water, maple, vanilla bean (bean and the seeds scraped out), and cinnamon into a large saucepot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Meanwhile, using a melon baller, core the pears from the bottom. Lower the heat to medium low and place the pears into the liquid, cover and cook for 30-35 minutes or until the pears are tender. Transfer to a container.
- Optional step: Remove the vanilla bean and cinnamon from the saucepan, increase the heat to high and reduce the syrup to a quarter it's original volume, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool.
- When ready to serve, slice the pears into 2-4 slices cross wise (depending on how tall they are), and between each cut smear some almond butter and sprinkle with granola. Reassemble the pear and drizzle with the syrup, if using.
Nutrition
Updated on July 22nd, 2020
Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian (RD), regulated by the Ontario College of Dietitians. She is a mom, YouTuber, Blogger, award winning cookbook author, media coach specializing in food and nutrition influencers, and a frequent contributor to national publications like Healthline and on national broadcast TV shows.
Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com says
These looks absolutely amazing and decadent! My husband and I loves pears, so I am looking forward to making this recipe! YUM!!!
Abbey Sharp says
Amazing! Enjoy love
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
OH MY! These look absolutely amazing. Love the pear and granola combination. I bet this tastes amazing.
Abbey Sharp says
Sure does!
Deborah Brooks says
Wow pears are so good right now and these are a fun and creative way to mix up dessert. They look delicious
Abbey Sharp says
Right! I’ve been obsessed lately
Kelly says
I’m salivating! This looks amazing. What a great healthy sweet treat.
Abbey Sharp says
yass so delicious
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Wow! These look and sound so good!
Abbey Sharp says
you betcha!