Erin’s Recipe Rundown
Texture: Tender apple chunks in caramelized sauce.
Taste: Perfect balance between tart and sweet plus a touch of warm spice.
Ease: Comes together in just a couple of minutes!
Top Tips: This apple compote is super versatile. It is a great addition to both sweet and savory dishes (think: pork chops!)
Would I make these again? Yes! Apple is one of my favorite fall flavors and this compote goes with so many dishes. It’s a great way to use up large quantities of apples when the apple orchards are at peak ripeness.
xoxo erin
This post was originally published in May 2022. It was updated with new photos and instructions in September 2024.
A sophisticated alternative to applesauce, this apple compote is so easy and versatile, you’re sure to come back to it every fall!
You also might like these recipes for raspberry compote, blueberry compote and strawberry compote. Check out this full post on how to make fruit compote!
Featured Comment
From Rebecca: “We used apples from our tree to make this and it was absolutely delicious. My family was eating it by the spoonful. I doubled the recipe and we used it to top pancakes. We will definitely be making this throughout the fall. Yum!”
Table of Contents
- Erin’s Recipe Rundown
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Apple Compote
- Make-Ahead/Storage/Freezing Instruction
- What to Serve with Apple Compote
- What is compote made of?
- Is applesauce the same as apple compote?
- What is compote vs jam?
- What kind of apples should I use?
- Recipe Tips
- More Apple Recipes
- Simple Apple Compote Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are a few notes on some of the key ingredients to make this apple compote. See the recipe card below for exact measurements.
- Apples: I like to use a mix of Granny Smith apples (for tartness) and Honeycrisp apples (for sweetness), but you can use whatever you have on hand for this compote. Gala, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, or a variety of apples would all be great choices!
- Lemon: Lemon adds a bit of acidity to brighten up the flavor of the compote.
- Brown sugar: Light brown sugar adds a bit of sweetness to this homemade apple compote. Feel free to add as much or as little as you like. Or skip it altogether!
- Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth and spice to the compote, giving it that classic apple pie taste. You also might like these Vanilla Spiced Apples.
How to Make Apple Compote
Here’s an overview of how to make this apple compote. You can jump to the recipe for the full instructions!
- In a saucepan: Add the apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg over medium heat.
- Stirring occasionally: Cook the apples until they are fork tender (about 15 minutes). If the mixture begins to burn on the bottom, turn the heat down to low and add a few tablespoons of water.
- Cool completely: Remove the pan from the heat when the apples have reached the desired level of doneness. Allow the compote to cool completely before storing.
Make-Ahead/Storage/Freezing Instruction
To Make-Ahead: The compote will last in the fridge long enough to go on a variety of dishes all week. For more advanced preparation, I like to freeze the compote for later use.
To Store: Store any leftover compote in an airtight container (such as a Mason jar) in the fridge for up to 7 days.
To Freeze: Store in an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to serve.
To Reheat: You can microwave the compote for 30 seconds at a time until it reaches the desired temperature or reheat it on the stove over low heat.
What to Serve with Apple Compote
Apple compote can be served as a fruit topping or filling for so many different dishes! Here are a few ideas:
- Yogurt parfait
- Pancakes
- Toast
- French toast
- German pancakes – Try this gluten-free German pancake!
- Waffles – We love these oat waffles or buckwheat waffles.
- Crepes – Try these buckwheat crepes or gluten-free crepes.
- Over ice cream
What is compote made of?
Compote is made from fresh fruit that is cooked over the stove and sweetened with honey, white sugar, or brown sugar.
Is applesauce the same as apple compote?
Applesauce and apple compote are made with the same ingredients: apples, sweetener, and spices. However, apple sauce is typically pureed, while apple compote is made of apple chunks.
What is compote vs jam?
Compote usually has bigger fruit chunks than jam. Unlike jam, it doesn’t contain any pectin and sometimes includes spices like ground cinnamon and nutmeg.
What kind of apples should I use?
I like to use a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp to get that tart/sweet combo. You can use any kind of apples you like. Go with what you have on hand or the best of the season. Gala, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, or a variety of apples will all work!
Recipe Tips
- Variations: Feel free to add vanilla bean, lemon juice, orange juice, or lemon zest to this easy recipe, if you’d like!
- Type of apples: This versatile apple compote can be made with any apple varieties, including Fuji, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala apples, etc.
- Sweetener: You can omit the sweetener if you want a healthier apple mixture to use in a light dessert or breakfast. You can also sweeten your apple compote with honey or maple syrup.
More Apple Recipes
Simple Apple Compote
Ingredients
- 2 cups (240g) diced apple peeled and cores removed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice the juice of half a lemon
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2-3 tablespoons water if needed
Instructions
- Add the apple, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a medium saucepan set over medium heat.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are fork tender– about 15 minutes. If the mixture begins to scorch on the bottom, turn the heat to low and add a few tablespoons of water. We don’t want to burn the apples!
- When the apples are your desired doneness, remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.
I am making this now and I can tell it’s going to be a 5. I am looking forward to having this with pork chops and for breakfast with pancakes. Thanks for the rest of your Erin.
Thank you for such a vote of confidence, Phyllis! We hope you loved the recipe!
Super simple n delicious! We can’t eat all the apples off our tree and this is the perfect solution!! Thanks so much
Hi Jeff, thank you for the kind review! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the apple compote. Happy baking!
This recipe is fantastic and so easy to make. We put it on top of French toast.
Could I can this? How long to process in a water bath? Or will it not work?
Thank you so much
I haven’t tried this myself so I can’t say for sure!
We used apples from our tree to make this and it was absolutely delicious. My family was eating it by the spoonful. I doubled the recipe and we used it to top pancakes. We will definitely be making this throughout the fall. Yum!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment.
Delicious! I had it with pancakes this morning. So good!
We’re so glad you loved the compote, Heidi! We love it with pancakes too. Thank you for your kind feedback!
Erin, I don’t know why I know you either by using other recipes of yours or TV show. I have to go back thru recipes I’ve printed to find out but I know I trust you. We are having a friend over tomorrow for her gluten free breakfast and I’m making pancakes with this apple compote topping. I’ll let you know how it goes. Wish I could post a pic
This apple compote would be delicious on pancakes! I hope you enjoyed it!
As a semi retired Chef I always love to watch and see all the new stuff coming out. My middle name is SantaClaus and I spend most of my time working on my Santa business but when I come across something worth talking about I do. This is a very simple recipe but very good. Almost exactly what my Great-Great Grandmother served in her hotel in Minnesota. I served it with Smoked Duck, roasted potatoes, mashed carrot & rutabaga. Great meal, great apple compote.