Looking for an easy fall inspired dessert? Make this simple apple compote flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and thyme. Serve it as a dessert, breakfast or sauce.

This post was originally published in 2009 and has been updated with new pictures and additional information.

Fall is the season when apple is abundant. Luckily, it is one of my favorite fruit and I have shared several apple recipes with you. Have you seen our Baked Apples Stuffed With Cinnamon and Walnuts? One of the easiest desserts ever!

This compote recipe is yet another way to use up apples.

What Is Apple Compote?

It is basically a kind of sauce that is made with chopped apples, a sweetener like brown sugar or maple syrup and spices. Cook it in a skillet or saucepan over stove and serve either warm or cold. Although I put it in the sauce category, it can also be served as a light dessert on its own or with a dollop of ice cream or yogurt.

By looking at the ingredients and the cooking method, you might think that compote is the same as jam. However, they are completely different.

For one thing, unlike a jam, compote doesn’t have a sticky and juicy texture. Second, a compote cooks faster and is easy to customize. You can change the amount of sugar or add in the flavors you want in your compote. Third, if you want, you can add some butter when making a compote. Last but not least, you should store a compote in the refrigerator. Otherwise it goes bad within 2-3 days depending on the room temperature.

What Is Turkish Compote?

Fruit compote has completely a different role in Turkish cuisine. It is a light juicy dessert (almost like a thin soup) that is served along with the main dishes and side dishes, not at the end of the meal.

In addition to this, the cooking method is different too. Turkish fruit compote is made with 3 main ingredients: water, sugar and fresh or dried fruit. First, you mix water and sugar in a pot and bring it to boil. Then, you add diced or sliced apples in the pot and cook until tender. Next, let it cool and chill preferably overnight.

You can use this recipe with any fruit you like. And you can always add in some spices like cinnamon sticks or cloves when boiling or even when chilling.

Apple Compote Vs Applesauce

The main difference between these two are about the texture. Applesauce is a puree whereas compote is chunky. Also, apples for applesauce are peeled for a smooth result while you can leave the skin on apples for compote.

Another difference is the usage. Applesauce is used as a substitute for oil or butter when baking cakes or breads while apple compote can be served both on its own and used as a pie or cake filling.

Last but not least, it is a good idea to can or preserve applesauce while this is not recommended for compote. Indeed, there is really no need to preserve compote because it is so easy to make that you can make it right before serving.

Woman sprinkling cinnamon over diced apples

How To Make Apple Compote Recipe

The recipe has four easy steps.

First, dice the apples and put them in a bowl. You don’t really need to peel them but peel if you don’t like the skin when apples are cooked.

Second, add in the spices. I use cinnamon(oh it could be my favorite spice in the world!), cloves, nutmeg (because hey we are in fall) and dried thyme (for a slight herb flavor).

melting butter and brown sugar in a skillet

apple cinnamon compote recipe in a skillet

Third, melt butter in a skillet and add in sugar. Cook over low heat until sugar dissolves.

Fourth, add in spiced apples and cook covered until tender, stirring occasionally. If you want your compote more juicy, pour a little water and cook together.

Optionally, garnish it with pomegranate arils before serving.

Pro Tip: If you want, you can add in other fruit in your compote. I sometimes add chopped pear, quince and raisins. We love this combination of flavors. More fruit that could be added are cranberries, blueberries, raspberries or plums.

easy compote recipe with apples and spices in a skillet

About The Spices In This Compote

To make this compote, you can use whatever spice you like. I think cinnamon is a must because it is the perfect spice to pair with apple flavor. In addition to cinnamon, other suggested spices are cardamom, ginger, cloves, star anise and nutmeg. As for the herbs, I use dried thyme because that was what I had on hand, but fresh rosemary would be a perfect match as well.

If you want to enrich your apple compote even more, you can add in a vanilla bean as well.

How To Store Homemade Apple Cinnamon Compote

Let it cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 10 days. Also, you can freeze it up to 2 months. Although the texture might change a bit when thawed, it tastes good. Do not refreeze after you thaw it, so freezing it in batches is a good idea.

Can I Make This Compote Recipe Without Sugar?

Yes, you can. If you want to make your apple cinnamon compote with a natural sweetener, use maple syrup, agave or honey. Furthermore, if the apples you use are sweet enough (like fuji apples), you can make the compote completely sugar free or sweetener free.

easy apple cinnamon compote with pomegranate arils in a white bowl

What To Do With Apple Compote

This is a simple compote recipe that you can use in many ways.

Use it for breakfast over:

As a dessert on its own or over:

Yogurt
Ice cream
Whipped Cream
Cakes
Pies

As a sauce over

Roasted pork or beef
Soups

Pro Tip: If you are planning to use apple compote as a sauce over a savory dish, I recommend that you slice an onion and cook it together with apples.

Other Compote Recipes You Might Like

Other Apple Desserts For Fall You Might Like