This Fresh Pear Bread is packed with goodness, fresh pears, bananas, and applesauce! Moist and flavorful, with a hint of cinnamon. You’ll love this easy homemade pear bread!

Everybody has been baking a storm so far in 2020. I’ve seen SO many friends attempt homemade bread. Sourdough starters are in high demand on our neighborhood chat group. It makes sense to me; baking (and eating baked goods) is so comforting, and shoot, we definitely have the extra time! Sourdough loaves aren’t really my thing, but I’ve been spending my time experimenting with sweet quick breads. The result of this experimentation? This homemade pear bread!

Fresh Pear Bread

This homemade pear bread is packed with wholesome ingredients, fresh pears, bananas and applesauce. It is light, moist and sweet without being too sweet. 

Using applesauce greatly reduces the need for oil in the recipe, while still keeping the bread moist! You can use traditional applesauce OR look for pear applesauce, which will help enhance the pear flavor of the bread. Pear applesauce uses mashed pears and apples combined for an awesome flavor!

Fresh Pear Bread

Can I Make this Pear Bread Recipe Gluten Free?

I should note that I have successfully made this pear bread gluten-free. I used this gluten-free baking flour, which is a 1:1 substitute for wheat flour. I also used a narrow loaf pan, made specifically for gluten-free loaves.

Fresh Pear Bread

Gluten-free flour has a hard time “standing up,” especially when made into larger loaves, and this pan shape helps it bake through. I truly think do think a narrow loaf pan is worth the investment if you’re baking GF bread often.

Or you could also choose to make muffins. Muffins always turn out great for me with the GF flour!

Serving Suggestions

My very favorite way to enjoy this moist pear bread is just a little warm (20 seconds in the microwave will do it), with a smear of butter. I love to eat it for breakfast, or for a mid-afternoon snack!

If you have extra pears to use up after making this quick bread recipe, I recommend checking out this homemade pear wine or my pear arugula salad recipe!

Recipe Substitutions for Pear Bread

Of course, there are more substitutions you can make for this recipe! I have a few ideas below:

  • Instead of cinnamon, consider substituting pumpkin pie spice
  • You can replace the applesauce with oil if needed
  • I do not recommend replacing the oil with apple sauce, to make sure the bread turns out moist
  • Melted butter is a fine substitution for the oil
  • For the oil, use any neutral tasting cooking oil like canola oil or vegetable oil
  • Instead of white sugar, feel free to use brown sugar. Or use half white sugar and half brown sugar. Brown sugar is just white sugar with added molasses, so it adds great flavor!
Fresh Pear Bread Ingredients

Saving Leftover Pear Bread

There is not doubt that this bread goes quickly in my house, so I barely need to worry about storing it!

If you do have leftovers, cover the bread pan with an airtight seal, or transfer into a Ziploc bag. Store on the counter for up to 4 days, if it lasts that long!

This pear bread recipe has turned into a reader favorite over the years! If you end up making it, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Fresh Pear Bread

Fresh Pear Bread

4.92 from 62 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 1 standard loaf
Calories: 2231kcal
Author: Michelle Goth

Ingredients

  • 1 banana large, overripe
  • ½ cup applesauce
  • ¼ cup oil
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¼ cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 pear peeled, cored, diced

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together banana, applesauce, oil and sugar until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla.
  • Mix in flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until just combined.
  • Stir in diced pear.
  • Pour batter into a prepared loaf pan. (I used parchment paper, or you can grease the pan).
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes.  Allow to cool before removing from the pan.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 2231kcal | Carbohydrates: 388g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 67g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 39g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 327mg | Sodium: 1812mg | Potassium: 1022mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 244g | Vitamin A: 634IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 10mg
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