Name: Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 large Bosc pears; 2 1/2 oz blue cheese (Danish blue cheese, crumbled); 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped; 3 sprigs fresh thyme, removed from the stem; 1–2 teaspoons olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste; 1–2 tablespoons honey; Extra thyme for garnish (optional)

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 41 reviews

If you’re looking for a simple yet elegant appetizer that always impresses, you have to try this Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but takes almost no time to pull together, and the flavor combo? Absolutely dreamy. Sweet, soft roasted pears cuddled up with sharp, creamy blue cheese, crunchy walnuts, and a drizzle of honey – it’s a party in every bite. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll sneak its way into your entertaining rotation fast!

❤️

Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Flavors: The sweetness of roasted pears contrasts beautifully with the sharpness of blue cheese, creating a harmonious bite.
Easy Prep: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean you can whip this up without stress.
Textural Delight: Crunchy walnuts add a lovely contrast to the creamy cheese and soft pear.
Elegant Presentation: These stuffed pears look fancy enough for company but are surprisingly simple to make.

Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears, stuffed pears appetizer, elegant pear appetizer, blue cheese and pear recipes, easy party appetizers - The image shows four halved baked pears on a white plate with brown speckles. Each pear half is topped with crumbled blue cheese, chopped walnuts, and small green herbs, likely thyme. Red pepper flakes and black pepper are sprinkled on both the pears and the plate, adding specks of red and black. The pears have a light golden-brown edge where they were baked, and their soft texture is visible. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface, with some walnut pieces scattered nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears Recipe plays a crucial role to bring you a dish that tastes as good as it looks. Here’s why I choose each one and some tips to get the best results.

Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears, stuffed pears appetizer, elegant pear appetizer, blue cheese and pear recipes, easy party appetizers - Flat lay of three large Bosc pears halved with cores removed, a small white bowl filled with crumbled Danish blue cheese, a small white bowl of chopped walnuts, three fresh thyme sprigs, a small white bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl of olive oil, a small white bowl with Aleppo pepper, and a few loose fresh thyme leaves arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Bosc Pears: Their firm texture holds up well to baking, and their natural sweetness intensifies beautifully when roasted.
Blue Cheese: I love Danish blue for its creamy bite, but any robust blue cheese works – just pick one you enjoy eating on its own.
Walnuts: Adds crunch and a slightly bitter note that contrasts the sweet and creamy components.
Fresh Thyme: The herbaceous touch lifts the flavors and keeps things fresh.
Honey: A drizzle of honey balances strong blue cheese with sweetness and adds a glistening finish.
Aleppo Pepper (or substitute): Gives the dish a subtle warmth and a little kick without overpowering the other ingredients.
Olive Oil: Just a light coating to help the pears roast up tender and caramelized.
Salt and Pepper: Simple seasoning to enhance every flavor involved.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I’ve played with a few tweaks to this Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears Recipe over time, and honestly, it’s all about what suits your palate and the occasion. Feel free to make it your own!

Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze: I love how a little acidity adds depth and a glossy finish when serving to guests.
Swap walnuts for pecans or pistachios: I’ve tried these too, and each nut brings its own personality—go with what you prefer or have on hand.
Use fresh rosemary instead of thyme: If you prefer a stronger, piney herb flavor, rosemary is a winner.
Make it vegan: Substitute blue cheese with a vegan cheese alternative and use maple syrup instead of honey for a delicious plant-based version I’ve tested successfully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears Recipe

Step 1: Prep Pears for Roasting

Start by preheating your oven to 400℉. Then, slice the Bosc pears in half lengthwise—this is satisfying work that I sometimes let the kids help with. Carefully scoop out the core and seeds to create a little cavity for our stuffing later. Place the pears cut side up in your baking dish or a cast iron skillet; I prefer cast iron because it helps with even heat and adds a nice caramelization. Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper, but here’s a fun twist I use: turn the pears cut side down to roast the bottoms first, concentrating caramelization.

Step 2: Roast and Flip

Pop the pears into the oven for about 15 minutes. At this point, your kitchen will start smelling sweet and earthy – that’s the pears caramelizing beautifully. After 15 minutes, take the pears out and flip them so the cut side is now facing up. This gentle flip ensures the pears cook evenly without turning mushy.

Step 3: Stuff ’Em Up and Finish Roasting

Here comes the fun part: stuffing! Fill the cavity of each pear half with crumbled blue cheese, sprinkle chopped walnuts, and tuck in some fresh thyme leaves. Return the pears to the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, just enough to soften the cheese and mingle the flavors without melting everything away. I keep a close eye to avoid overt melting because I like pockets of flavorful cheese rather than a puddle.

Step 4: The Sweet and Spicy Drizzle

While the pears finish baking, stir together honey and Aleppo pepper in a small bowl—the warm spice balances the honey’s sweetness perfectly. Once the pears are done, transfer them to a serving platter, drizzle with the honey-pepper mixture, and sprinkle a few more thyme leaves on top if you want that herbaceous pop. Serve warm and watch your guests swoon!

💡

Pro Tips for Making Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears Recipe

Pears Matter: Choose pears that are ripe but still firm — they’ll hold their shape much better through roasting.
Don’t Overstuff: A little cheese and nuts go a long way; overstuffing can make the pears soggy and messy.
Watch the Oven: Keep an eye during the final bake so the cheese melts softly without browning too much.
Drizzle Last: Add your honey and Aleppo pepper drizzle just before serving to keep that fresh zing and honey shine.

How to Serve Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears Recipe

Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears, stuffed pears appetizer, elegant pear appetizer, blue cheese and pear recipes, easy party appetizers - A white speckled plate holds three pieces of roasted pear wedges with a golden brown caramelized outer edge. On top of each pear wedge, there is a layer of crumbly blue cheese mixed with chopped walnuts and sprinkled with small red chili flakes and thyme leaves, adding texture and color contrast. A gold fork rests on the left side of the plate, which sits on a white marbled surface. The scene shows close-up textures of the juicy, soft pears and creamy cheese topping photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually top these stuffed pears with a few extra fresh thyme leaves and a light sprinkle of cracked black pepper to add a bit of color and a fresh herbal finish. Sometimes, I throw on a few extra chopped walnuts for crunch contrast. If I’m feeling fancy, a little microgreens or even edible flowers does wonders for presentation and adds a fresh burst to the dish.

Side Dishes

Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears pair beautifully with a crisp green salad dressed in a lemon vinaigrette or alongside a charcuterie board stacked with your favorite meats and olives. For a heartier spread, I like serving them next to a warm slice of rustic bread, which helps soak up all those delicious drips.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve served these pears as elegant bite-sized canapés by slicing the roasted halves into smaller wedges and skewering them on toothpicks—great for cocktail parties! Another favorite is plating them on a large board with assorted nuts, honeycomb, and even some fig jam to create an inviting, shareable appetizer. Pairing them with a glass of chilled white or sparkling wine instantly elevates the experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, I recommend storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Since the pears are roasted and the cheese is soft, they hold up well chilled, but they’re best warmed up before serving again.

Freezing

I haven’t found freezing to be ideal for this Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears Recipe because the texture of the pears changes and the cheese can become crumbly. If you do freeze, try freezing the pears before stuffing them and bake fresh when you thaw — that way you maintain better texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm leftovers in a low oven (about 300℉) for 10-15 minutes—this softly remelts the cheese and warms the pears without drying them out. Microwave can work in a pinch but tends to make the pears a bit mushy.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pears for this Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears Recipe?

Absolutely! While Bosc pears are ideal because of their firm texture, you can use Anjou or Bartlett pears too. Just make sure they’re not overly ripe, as softer pears won’t hold their shape during roasting and might turn mushy.
Is there a good substitute for Aleppo pepper in this recipe?

If you can’t find Aleppo pepper, paprika with a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes can work well to add mild warmth. Just be careful not to overpower the dish with too much heat.
How do I keep the blue cheese from melting too much?

Adding the cheese after the initial roasting and keeping the final bake short (8-10 minutes) helps soften the cheese just right without it turning to liquid. Keep an eye on it and remove once it looks melty but still holds its shape.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can prep the pears and stuffing ingredients in advance and keep them refrigerated separately. Assemble and bake right before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Final Thoughts

This Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen repertoire because it’s effortlessly elegant and full of surprising flavors. Every time I make it, my guests are genuinely wowed, and I love how it feels both seasonal and sophisticated without requiring hours of prep. If you’re ready to impress with minimal fuss, give this one a whirl – you’ll thank me later!