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    Home » Roundups

    Fruit Compote Recipes

    Published: Oct 19, 2020 · Modified: Aug 30, 2022 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Collage of compote recipe with text The Best Fruit Compote Recipes
    Collage of compote recipe with text The Best Fruit Compote Recipes
    Collage of compote recipe with text 15 Incredible Fruit Compotes

    You'll love this selection of the BEST Fruit Compote Recipes. Compote is a tasty topping or dessert made from fruit that is simmered briefly in sugar that forms a syrup. Perfect on ice cream, oatmeal, cheesecake and more.

    Collage of compote recipes, with text 15 Incredible Fruit Compotes.

    What is fruit compote

    Fruit compote (compôte) is a topping or dessert that's made with fruit or dried fruit that's briefly cooked with a little sugar until it forms a thick, fruity sauce.

    It's a quick and easy fruit sauce that is served warm or cold, with lots of uses, from a cheesecake or pancake topping to an easy flavoring for oatmeal or yogurt.

    It's like a simple jam, but is faster and has less sugar and doesn't keep for long.

    Compote originates from medieval Europe and is popular in many countries around the world and can be made with whole or chopped fruit.

    Why you'll love compote

    A versatile fruit sauce with many uses.

    A great way to use up fruit that's past it's best or slightly underripe.

    Very quick and easy.

    Made in one pot.

    Mix and match fruits and flavors.

    Not necessary to sterilize the jar.

    Use fresh or frozen fruit.

    Types of fruit

    You can make fruit compote with most fruits!

    Stone Fruit - these all work well. Try Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Apricots.

    Citrus - you can make compote with citrus fruits. Try oranges, clementines, satsumas, grapefruit. Remove the peel and white pith. Lemon and lime are a bit too bitter, but are great paired with other fruits in compote.

    Tropical fruit - mangoes, pineapple, figs, papaya etc.. are all great in compote. You can even make a banana compote, but the method is a little different: slice them, add to a skillet with a little butter and sugar and cook until golden and caramelised, flip and cook the other side.

    Melons - you can even make melon compote! Try cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew etc... Remove the seeds, chop and cook in a pan with a little sugar.

    Tomatoes - Tomatoes are technically a fruit and you can certainly make a compote from them. It's a savory compote and great on vegetables, as a dip or spread in a burger. Make Tomato Compote.

    How do you eat fruit compote

    There are so many ways to enjoy compote. Here are lots of ideas, but get creative and see what serving suggestions you can come up with.

    Ice cream or sorbet - try it on vanilla or get creative with flavor combinations. Pineapple Compote would be incredible on coconut sorbet, while Winter Spiced Berry Compote would be tasty on a ginger ice cream. I adore how the warm fruit compote melts the ice cream slightly.

    Yogurt - a classic way to enjoy compote is to swirl it into plain or flavored yogurt. It's perfect for breakfast or dessert and this is one of my usual ways to enjoy it! Or layer it into a yogurt parfait.

    Oatmeal - I love serving a bowl of hot oatmeal with a spoonful of fresh compote (grape compote is a particular favorite!). It really jazzes it up and makes the morning meal special. It's great on baked oats too.

    Cheesecake - Spoon any type of compote onto a vanilla cheesecake to add a pop of flavor. It's great on this vegan cheesecake.

    Pancakes, crepes or waffles - liven up your breakfast with a spoonful of fresh fruit compote. Try it on vegan pancakes or zucchini pancakes. Add a few bowls of fruit compotes to a pancake board!

    French toast - A little whipped cream and fresh strawberry compote are perfect on French toast. Like at IHOP or Denny's but fresh, healthier and much nicer. Great on cinnamon French toast.

    Straight up! - You can also enjoy compote simply on its own, or with a little whipped cream.

    Toast - spoon it onto toasted bread, brioche or challah.

    Variations

    Try these add-ins to make your fruit compote recipe extra special.

    I love how a dash or this or a drizzle of that can turn my simple fruit compote into something different.

    I make a LOT of compote (it's just so easy!), so it's fun to mix it up with spices, extracts, herbs or alcohol.

    Spices

    Spices are great for adding a different flavor.

    Sweet spices like pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or cloves would be delicious with berries, plums or pears.

    For tropical fruit, such as pineapple or mango, try adding a little ground cardamom or ginger.

    You could even add a little kick of heat by adding a touch of cayenne to a cantaloupe compote.

    Extracts

    Extracts are an easy way to add flavor is with a splash of rosewater (great with apricot compote), orange blossom water (perfect with Peach Compote) or of course vanilla extract.

    Mix it up with a little almond extract (incredible with Blackberry Compote) or coconut extract.

    Use extracts sparingly (particularly rose and orange) as a little goes a long way in a fruit compote. Just a few drops stirred in at the end is enough.

    Alcohol

    Alcohol makes a tasty grown-up treat. Simply stir a little alcohol into your fruit compote.

    A boozy fruit compote is great on ice cream or cheesecake.

    Rum, bourbon, whiskey, gin etc... all work well. Get creative with sweeter alcohol too.

    For something fancy, opt for fruity cassis with Berry Compote, rum with Pineapple Compote or Pimm's Cup with strawberry compote.

    A splash of Cointreau is perfect in an apricot compote.

    Try wine - a crisp white wine would be lovely with mango, while red wine would be gorgeous with winter berries.

    For a festive compote, pair spiced mulled wine (or German Gluhwein) with a berry compote.

    Acid

    Many compote recipes call for an acid, usually orange or lemon juice, to cut through the sweetness and brighten the flavor.

    Mix it up and try vinegar too - a dash of balsamic vinegar is perfect in strawberry compote, and a little apple cider vinegar would be tasty in apple compote.

    Herbs

    Herbs add a new flavor dimension.

    Try a sprig of thyme (perfect in an Orange Compote), some rosemary (with a watermelon compote), a few bay leaves or some mint (great with a Mango Compote).

    Dried Fruit

    You can add dried fruit for more texture and flavor in your fruit compote.

    I love adding raisins to my Apple Compote and they would be great in pear compote too.

    Dried cranberries add a festive flavor to a mixed berry compote, and chunks of dried apricot are delicious in a peach compote.

    Fruit combos

    Mix the fruit! There's no need to stick to one variety of fruit for your compote. You can mix different berries or other fruits for a different taste.

    Sweeteners

    Instead of sugar, try sweetening your compote with maple syrup, honey, agave, coconut sugar, stevia etc...

    FAQs

    Can I use frozen fruit for fruit compote?

    Absolutely! Just use frozen fruit the same as you would fresh. You may need to decrease the water if it is added in your recipe.

    How many days does compote last?

    In the fridge up to 5 days or in a sterilized jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

    How many calories in fruit compote?

    This depends on the recipe. My Raspberry Compote has 20 calories per serving, while my Blueberry Compote has 33 calories and my Mango Compote has 18 calories. Reduce the calories further by using a little less sugar.

    Storage and freezing

    Compote can be stored in the fridge in a lidded dish for up to 5 days. It will keep in a sterilized jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

    How to freeze compote
    Fruit compotes can be frozen. Allow it to cool completely, then put into freezer-safe bags or containers. It can be frozen in individual portions or batches. To defrost, place into the fridge overnight and reheat in a pot on the stove.

    Types of fruit sauces

    You can make so many different types of sauces made with fruit. Although they all generally contain fruit and sugar, the varying proportions, textures and cooking methods all have subtle differences that create quite different results.

    I love turning some ripe fruit in my fruit bowl into something extra special with just a few simple pantry ingredients.

    Compote

    Compote is when fruit is cooked quickly with just a little bit of sugar until it softens. They generally take about 15 minutes to make, but don't keep for long. It's usually eaten on the same day or within a few days. Pectin is not added to fruit compote recipes.

    Jam

    Jam is when fruit is cooked with a larger quantity of sugar, which acts to help preserve the jam. When stored in a sterilized jar, it can be store for longer periods of time.

    Depending on the fruit, pectin is sometimes added to help it thicken and gel.

    Jelly

    Jelly is similar to jam, but is strained or made with juice so that the results are more translucent and there aren't any chunks of the original fruit.

    Pectin is usually added and it has a firm 'jelly-like' texture.

    Chutney

    Chutney is a more savory version of a fruit sauce. Fruit (chopped or whole) is cooked with sugar, spices and an acid such as vinegar so it's not too sweet.

    It can be stored for longer periods of time, like jam.

    Chutney is often served with cheese and crackers, used as an Indian condiment (like mango chutney) or used in sandwiches.

    Fruit Pie Filling

    Fruit Pie Filling - this is similar to compote but is sweeter and thicker.

    You can turn your compote into fruit pie filling by adding more sugar and thickening the results with a slurry of 1 tablespoon of corn starch stirred into 1 tablespoon of water, then stirred into the pot and heated until thicker.

    As the name implies, it's used in pies and tarts! You can buy it in a can, but fresh is so much nicer. Try it in my Cherry Pie.

    Fruit Compote Recipes

    You can make fruit compote with so many different fruits for different flavors! Make it simple and highlight the taste of the fruit, or try it with add-ins like spices, herbs, extracts or alcohol.

    Use your quick and easy versatile fruit compote on waffles, pancakes, yogurt, French toast, ice cream, cheesecake...

    Blueberry Compote

    Blueberry compote is super quick and easy and delicious on pancakes, waffles, ice cream and more. It's an easy way to add a fruit sauce to many dishes, whether for breakfast, a snack or dessert.

    Grape Compote

    Grape compote is so easy to make and absolutely bursting with flavor. Use any seedless grapes you like - black, concorde, green etc...

    Plum Compote

    Plum compote is a tasty way to use up seasonal fruit. It's quick, easy and so delicious. The cinnamon really brings out the flavor of the plums.

    Raspberry Compote

    Juicy fresh or frozen raspberries are delicious in a compote. Keep a jar for topping pancakes, using between cake layers, spreading on toast and so much more.

    Mango Compote

    Make this tropical mango compote in just 15 minutes with 4 simple ingredients. Use fresh or frozen mangoes and try it on waffles!

    Cinnamon Apple Compote with Raisins

    Apples are cooked in butter with brown sugar, raisins, cinnamon and ginger in this delicious apple compote. A wonderful topping for yogurt or oatmeal on winter mornings.

    Peach Compote

    Juicy fragrant peaches are perfect in this tasty peach compote. Ready in just 15 minutes with 3 simple ingredients: peaches, sugar and lemon juice. Perfect for peaches that are past their best and need to be used up.

    Easy Strawberry Compote

    Fresh or frozen strawberries are perfect in this tasty compote. It's a great way to make the most of seasonal strawberries!

    Blackberry Compote

    Buy fresh blackberries, pick them yourself or use frozen for this tangy, sweet and tasty blackberry compote. So tasty and easy to make.

    Pomegranate Compote

    Make this tasty easy Pomegranate Compote recipe with only 3 ingredients in less than 10 minutes! It's the perfect way to level up your breakfast or dessert.

    Vanilla Pineapple Compote

    This tropical pineapple compote is bursting with flavor. Delicious on pancakes or dolloped onto plain yogurt. You only need 5 ingredients and 15 minutes.

    Easy Cherry Compote

    Make this easy Cherry Compote recipe with just 3 ingredients in 10 minutes! Use the simple fruit sauce as a topping on ice cream, pancakes, cake, yogurt, and much more.

    Winter Spiced Berry Compote

    Mixed berries combine with wintery spices in this compote. It's perfect on oatmeal on wintery mornings, or served with whipped cream for a light dessert.

    Photo Credit: family-friends-food.com

    Dried Fruit Compote

    Succulent spiced fruits are cooked in a rich syrup in this dried fruit compote that makes a delicious dessert or a healthy, nutritious breakfast.

    Easy Rhubarb Compote

    Make this sweet, tangy rhubarb compote in just 7 minutes with 3 ingredients, including fresh or frozen rhubarb.

    Kiwi Compote

    This zesty, zingy and sweet Kiwi Compote is quick and easy to make, and it's incredible on pancakes, oatmeal, or pavlova!

    Quick Cranberry Compote

    This tasty cranberry compote is ready in under 10 minutes with just 5 ingrediets! A tasty and lighter alternative to cranberry sauce.

    I hope you'll love all these tasty fruit compote recipes! Scroll down to the comments and let me know your favorites.

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    Comments

    1. Heather

      December 28, 2021 at 11:18 pm

      Can someone tell me how to make watermelon and rockmelon compotes?

      Do I need to add any other fruit to it?

      I found a recipe and they added heaps of other fruit with it.

      Reply
    2. charlie

      February 10, 2021 at 1:30 pm

      If I was to put these in a water bath for 20 minutes, would they keep on the shelf like jam?

      Reply
      • Kate Hackworthy

        February 10, 2021 at 2:31 pm

        Hi Charlie, compotes are usually meant to be eaten pretty soon and not stored for that long. Some of them, if acidic enough, can be canned, but not all. However, fruit compote can usually be frozen. If I want to them to keep, I usually freeze them in small portions.

        Reply
    3. Tomi

      October 26, 2020 at 2:00 am

      My personal experience with compotes is that they last in the refrigerator for well over a month without having to can them. It depends on how much sweetener and acid you use, and how long you cook them.

      This year I made strawberry rhubarb; strawberry blueberry; strawberry balsamic; blueberry amaretto; strawberry loganberry; strawberry apricot; blueberry, strawberry, loganberry; blueberry, marionberry, loganberry; peach; apricot; quince; apple; dry farmed tomatoes. I am currently making pineapple guave with quince, and pineapple guava with pineapple.

      There are just so many possibilities. If you don't add a bunch of sugar and spices when making them, you can add whichever spices later to change it up to make different things. Pies, cakes, cheesecakes, ice cream toppings, hot cereal toppings, flavoring teas or lemonade, tofu and vegetable dishes, etc.

      I freeze jars of them to have for winter months when berries and summer fruits are not in season.

      Reply
    4. Helen

      October 19, 2020 at 4:03 pm

      What a fabulous selection! I love the idea of putting compote on my morning porridge. Thanks for these great recipes.

      Reply

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    Collage of press logos.

    Popular recipes

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    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
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    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

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