Can't get enough apples? Here's a super easy apple compote recipe - perfect for topping all your dessert and breakfast favorites.

apple compote in a white bowl more apples on a light surface with an orange and white linen.

If you're wondering what a compote is its fruit that has been cooked with some sweetener, usually sugar or honey. Apple compote is with larger not too soft chunks of apple, while apple sauce is made of very soft, smashed down apples. I based this recipe on my strawberry compote recipe that we all adore. And don't miss my mixed berry compote or cherry sauce.

apple compote on top of ice cream with biscuits on a light surface with an orange and white linen.

Let's get to the recipe

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Ingredients Needed
Instructions for Apple Compote
What to use apple compote on?
More apple recipes
Recipe Card
Recipe Ratings & Comments

Ingredients Needed

For this delicious fruit topping you will need:

Cooking Apples. I prefer Granny Smith Apples or Honey Crisp Apples, I like to do a combo! Pink Lady and Gala are also great options! But you can use any cooking apple, to help ensure the apples don't turn to mushy texture. You can use slices of apples or down to small diced apples. Just keep in mind larger slices of apples will take longer to cook than small diced apples.
Dark Brown Sugar. You can most certainly use granulated sugar or light brown sugar, I prefer the flavor of dark brown sugar. The extra molasses I think pairs beautifully with the cinnamon and apples. You could also try honey or maple syrup instead of the sugar.
Ground Cinnamon. I like the flavor the cinnamon gives to the apples, you could also add some other warm spices like ground nutmeg, ginger or allspice.
Lemon. You will first use the zest of the lemon then the juice of the lemon. The juice helps create the slurry which will thicken the juices. Overall the lemon brightens the flavors.
Cornstarch. This litte star thickens the juices into more of a syrup. You'll first mix the cornstarch with the lemon juice to create a slurry. When you cook the cornstarch let the mixture cook for at least a minute to ensure the cornstarch flavor cooks out.

If you want more of an apple pie style filling thickness then mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with a splash of water or lemon juice to create a slurry. Then add that to the apples cooking and make sure to keep the mixture cooking for at least one full minute longer to cook out any cornstarch flavor.

Don't miss my blueberry compote perfect on top of my lemon ricotta pancakes!

ingredients for apple compote laid out on a light grey surface.

For ingredient quantities please reference the recipe card below. On the recipe card there is a button for US or M (Metric) measurements.

Instructions for Apple Compote

Zest the lemon and set aside. In a small bowl mix together the cornstarch and lemon juice.

Peel, core and dice apples into similar size chunks. Keep in mind smaller chopped apples will cook quicker and larger pieces of apples will take longer to cook!

apples chopped up on a cutting board and a slurry in a small bowl on a light surface.

In a large pot or saucepan over medium heat cook together the apple, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon zest. Make sure to stir frequently. You want the apples to to simmer so most of their juices are released but you don't want to soften the apples too much or you will end up with apple sauce.

apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon mixed together in a large pot on a light surface with an orange and white linen.

After 4-6 minutes once the juices of the apples have been released mix in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another minute to two to cook out the cornstarch flavor and thicken the juices to sauce. Take off of the heat.

on a light surface with an orange and white linen.

Let the apple compote cool then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Delicious on top of yogurt, ice cream, waffles, cake filling etc.

If you want to freeze this, once the apple compote is done cooking let it cool completely then transfer to a freezer safe storage container and freeze for up to a month. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

hand holding a bowl of apple compte up to the camera on a light surface with an orange and white linen.

What to use apple compote on?

Breakfast

Yogurt- this make a great yogurt parfait
Oatmeal
Pancakes or Crepes
Waffles
French Toast

Dessert

Cake filling
Trifle
Vanilla Ice Cream
Pudding

This is also great on pork chops! Or a pork sandwich!

More apple recipes

★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

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Recipe Card

Apple Compote

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Print Recipe

Can't get enough apples? Here's a super easy apple compote recipe - perfect for topping all your dessert and breakfast favorites.

Total Time: 15 Minutes
Yield: 1 ½ Cups Compote 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 Medium Lemon, juiced
1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
1lb Cooking Apples*, I prefer Granny Smith and Honey Crisp
66 grams (⅓ Cup) Dark Brown Sugar
¾ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

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Instructions

Zest the lemon and set aside. In a small bowl mix together the cornstarch and lemon juice.
Peel, core and dice apples into similar size chunks.
In a large pot or saucepan over medium heat cook together the apple, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon zest. Make sure to stir frequently. You want the apples to to simmer so most of their juices are released but you don't want to soften the apples too much or you will end up with apple sauce. After 4-6 minutes once the juices of the apples have been released mix in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another minute to two to cook out the cornstarch flavor and thicken the juices to sauce. Take off of the heat.
Let the apple compote cool then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Delicious on top of yogurt, ice cream, waffles, cake filling etc.