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Follow these easy steps to bake pear chips in the oven for an easy, healthy snack. Take them to the next level by dipping them in chocolate for a decadent dessert.
The love affair with crispy chips continues. If you're not familiar with our obsession, please refer to our complete list of healthy alternatives to chips.
We've been working our way through various seasonal fruits and veggies to make healthy snacks and dippers like microwave zucchini chips.
With the holidays approaching, sweet crispy pears have to be on the menu. It's completely optional, but you can take these pear chips to the next level by dipping them in chocolate.
They're perfectly munchable straight from the oven, just like oven-dried apple chips. However, dipping them in chocolate lends itself to savoring the moment! They make the perfect gift too.
Ingredients
You'll need just a few simple ingredients to make the best pear chips:
- Pears - We used Bartlett pears. Most any type of pear will work, so long as it is firm. Save the over-ripe ones for another purpose.
- Dark chocolate - Optional! Used to dip half the chip in chocolate.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.
Directions
If you've made apple chips in the oven, then you will be right at home making baking pear chips.
Use a mandoline to thinly slice (about a ⅛ inch thick) the Bartlett pears. Flick out any seeds with the tip of a knife when you're done. You don't need to peel them first.
The pear slice won't be as firm as the apple slice, and that's okay. I used the smallest setting, and the slices were paper thin...and actually a little thinner than the apple slices.
Line up the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. You'll need at least two baking sheets. Put the oven racks inches apart from each other in the middle of the oven and stagger the sheets, so only the edges overlap in the middle.
Bake the pear slices in a 225°F oven for an hour, then turn the slices over. Note that the cooking time is a little less than what is needed to cook apple slices if they are sliced very thin. Also, you may need to "peel" the slices from the parchment paper when it's time to flip them. If you are gentle, they won't tear. And, if they do break, don't throw them away because they will still taste great.
Cook the pear slices for about 30 minutes more or until the chips are crisp. They will crisp up just a little more once you remove them from the oven. If the slices happen to be on the thick side, then you will have to cook them a little longer once they are flipped, most likely for about an hour in total.
Chocolate-Dipped Pear Chips (Optional)
Dip dried pear chips in chocolate, and you'll really have an indulgent treat!
Melt chocolate in the microwave and allow it to cool a bit, so you are not working with "hot" chocolate. Dip half of each pear chip in the chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip off, and then place the chip on wax paper to harden.
Allow the chocolate to set on the pear chips, which can take a bit of time, depending upon the type used and how thick it is layered. Speed up the process by placing the chips in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes. Don't leave them in the fridge for too long, though or the chips will become soggy. You can also use a pastry brush to paint on a thin layer of chocolate.
Of course, you can enjoy pear chips straight out of the oven too. Either way, don't plan on them lasting very long!
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a rating and tell us how you liked it!
📋 Recipe
Baked Pear Chips
Ingredients
- 2 Bartlett pears
- 4 ounces chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225°F.
- Cut pears into slices that are ⅛ inch thick using a madoline or knife. Use the tip of the knife or a toothpick to flick out any seeds that remain.
- Place slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 1 hour.
- Turn over slices (gently peeling from paper if necessary) and bake for 30 minutes more or until slices reach desired crispness. If the slices are on the thick side it may take up to an hour to become crisp.
- Melt chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler on the stove-top.
- Allow melted chocolate to cool so it's not "hot" to touch.
- Dip each slice in the chocolate and allow excess chocolate to drip off.
- Place pear chips on a wax paper and allow chocolate to set.
Nutrition
The post has been updated to improve the reader experience.
Betsy
I am confused…what is the problem with the chips disappearing quickly? 🙂
These are yummy and a refreshing change of pace!
Marjory
Thanks Betsy! It's just that they take about 2 hours to make start to finish (mostly baking though) and just a few minutes to eat. If you are not around when they are finally ready, you are out of luck. 🙂