These sweet honey-glazed pears cooked in the air fryer are wrapped in crisp puff pastry and brushed with a buttery honey-cinnamon glaze. They make an elegant dessert for a warm summer evening, yet are equally at home on a holiday table. The contrast of tender, aromatic pear and flaky pastry is simple to achieve and impressive to serve.
I’ve always enjoyed baked pears for their natural sweetness and fragrant texture, but preparing them in an air fryer streamlines the process and yields reliably golden, flaky results. This version uses a simple glaze of melted butter, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon, then a sheet of puff pastry cut into strips to wrap each pear. The air fryer seals in the glaze and crisps the pastry quickly, so you get warm, tender fruit with a crisp, buttery crust in under twenty minutes.
I began working with puff pastry sheets about ten years ago and love how versatile they are—sweet or savory. Experimenting with glazed pears in the air fryer made this dessert fast and fuss-free while still feeling special. It’s a favorite at family gatherings because it looks elegant but is very simple to prepare.
Serve these pears warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkling of toasted nuts for texture. They also pair nicely with a drizzle of extra honey or a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving. If you prefer, slice the pears after baking and serve on a plate with the pastry strips arranged alongside for a shareable presentation.
What you need to make Air Fryer Honey Glazed Pears
Choose ripe but firm pears so they hold their shape when cored and wrapped. Bosc pears are especially good here because their dense flesh and subtly spicy flavor complement cinnamon and honey. Bartlett and Anjou pears also work well if you prefer a slightly juicier texture. If fresh pears are out of season, canned pears can be used, though fresh will give the best flavor and texture.
Besides pears, you only need a few pantry staples:
- Fresh pears (4 small or medium)
- Melted butter (about 3 tablespoons)
- Honey (about 2 tablespoons)
- Cinnamon (about 2 teaspoons)
- Frozen puff pastry sheet, thawed
- Brown sugar (about 2 tablespoons)
These ingredients combine to create a simple, aromatic glaze that caramelizes during air frying and keeps the pear moist while the pastry crisps.
How to make Glazed Pears in the Air Fryer
Start by coring each pear from the bottom or center, taking care to leave the stem intact for a pretty presentation. If you prefer slices, you can skip coring and cut the pears into halves or wedges before glazing.
In a small bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon until smooth. Brush or spoon the glaze over each pear so they are evenly coated. Thaw the puff pastry and cut it into narrow strips, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. Wrap strips around each pear, beginning at the top and working downward until the fruit is covered in a spiral of pastry.
Brush a final light coating of the glaze over the wrapped pears, then place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket on a piece of parchment paper or a lightly greased surface. If needed, secure loose pastry ends with toothpicks to keep the strips in place while they cook.
Air fry at 360°F (about 180°C) for 8–10 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and crisp and the pear is heated through. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size and ripeness of the pears and the model of air fryer. Remove any toothpicks before serving.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. A light dusting of cinnamon or a drizzle of extra honey finishes the dish beautifully and enhances the pear’s natural sweetness.
FAQs
What are the best pears for baking?
Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou pears are excellent choices. Bosc offers a firmer texture and subtly spiced flavor that pairs particularly well with cinnamon and honey.
Are pears high in sugar?
A medium pear contains natural sugars—roughly 15–18 grams depending on size and variety. If you’re monitoring sugar intake, enjoy smaller portions or share a pear between two people.
How do I cook these if I have a rack-style air fryer?
Place the wrapped pears on a rimmed baking sheet or on the rack in your air fryer so they can cook evenly without touching. Adjust spacing to allow hot air to circulate around each pear.
More Air Fryer Ideas
- Air-fried grilled pineapple or honey BBQ pineapple for a tropical dessert
- Air-fryer cupcakes or blueberry cheesecake wontons for quick sweets
- Air-fried corn on the cob or twisted bacon as savory sides
Air Fryer Honey Glazed Pears
Prep: 10 mins • Cook: 10 mins • Total: 20 mins
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 4 small pears
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
Instructions
- Core each pear, leaving the stem on top. If slicing, you may skip coring.
- In a bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon. Coat each pear with the glaze.
- Cut the puff pastry into 1/2–3/4 inch strips. Wrap strips around each pear from top to bottom until covered.
- Brush wrapped pears with remaining glaze and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on a rimmed tray.
- Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 8–10 minutes, until pastry is golden and crisp. Remove toothpicks before serving.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Calories: 554 kcal • Carbohydrates: 66 g • Protein: 5 g • Fat: 32 g • Sugar: 29 g • Fiber: 6 g
Nutrition information is an approximation and will vary with ingredient brands and portion sizes.