This sweet peach compote is ideal for serving over ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, and more! Whip up a batch with overripe fruit.
Got a few ripe peaches on the counter? Try this sweet and tasty Peach Compote! A compote is one of the best ways to use fruit that’s almost overripe, like peaches, berries, apples or pears. Cook the fruit with a little sugar and it reduces down into a glossy, fruity sauce that’s perfect for ice cream, oatmeal, pancakes, and more. Flavored with a bit of cinnamon and vanilla, it’s heaven in every bite. We served this over melty vanilla ice cream and we couldn’t stop sneaking spoonfuls.
Ingredients for peach compote
A compote is a fruit sauce where fruits are cooked with water, sugar, and seasonings until thickened. You can serve compote as a dessert, or use it as a sauce for breakfast items like yogurt, oatmeal and waffles. This peach compote has a short ingredient list and comes together in just 10 minutes! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ripe peaches
- Sugar
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla
- Cinnamon and salt
Use fresh or frozen peaches…or peaches past their prime
A compote is a great way to use fruit that’s little past its prime. Because you’ll be cooking them down, it’s great for peaches that are just past perfectly ripe (but of course, not moldy!). It’s a great way to cut down on food waste when you have some fruit that’s ready to go bad. In our case, we had a load of peaches from peach picking that we had to use up: a compote was just the thing!
But if you’re simply craving peach compote, you can use regular ripe peaches or even frozen peaches. You may have to use a little more sugar if you use frozen peaches. Taste it once it’s done and stir in a bit more sugar as needed.
How to make peach compote (basic steps)
Peach compote is quick and simple to make: you’ll need about 5 minutes to prep the ingredients and 5 minutes to cook them. If you’re ready to get started, jump to the recipe below. Otherwise, here are the basic steps that outline the process:
- Heat the peaches, sugar and seasonings over medium heat in a saucepan.
- Cook about 5 minutes, breaking the peaches down with a potato masher. If you want a thicker sauce, you can also dissolve 1 teaspoon cornstarch in 1 tablespoon water and add that to the sauce. But we find it’s thick enough as is!
Ways to serve peach compote
There are so many ways to serve peach compote! Here are a few ideas that work as a dessert or for breakfast or brunch:
- Serve over vanilla ice cream for dessert
- Swirl into yogurt and top with granola
- Add to pancakes as a simple topping
- Serve over waffles (with a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent treat)
- Serve over oatmeal, baked oatmeal or overnight oats
How do you plan to serve this peach compote? It’s endlessly versatile. Let us know in the comments below!
More peach recipes
Got more ripe peaches on hand? Here are some great peach recipes and peach desserts to use them:
- Try our old fashioned Peach Crumble or Perfect Peach Crisp
- Go for show-stopping Peach Galette
- Preserving peaches? Try Peach Juice or How to Freeze Peaches
- Opt for Peach Ice Cream or Fresh Peach Salad
This peach compote recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Print
Easy Peach Compote
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Description
This sweet peach compote is ideal for serving over ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, and more! Whip up a batch with overripe fruit.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped ripe peaches (1 pound or 2 medium large peaches)
- ¼ cup sugar (or maple syrup)
- ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Chop the peaches, leaving the skin on.
- Bring the peaches, sugar, lemon juice, water, and salt to a low boil in a saucepan, and mash lightly with a potato masher until broken down into irregular chunks. Cook at a low boil for 4 to 5 minutes until reduced and saucy. (If it starts to become dry, you can add a splash more water.)
- Remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla and cinnamon. Taste and add additional sugar if desired. The sauce will thicken more as it cools. Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving. Store up to 1 week refrigerated or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Sauce
- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: Peach compote
Your weekly email arrived just in time today!! I had a few ripe peaches almost past its time and I decided to make this compote recipe this afternoon and it is delicious!! The cinnamon and the addition of the vanilla at the end made it pop. I plan on serving this for dessert this evening over vanilla ice cream. My family loves anything with peaches.
Next time, I will add a little less fresh lemon juice than it called for since I found it a little tart, but I am hoping that as it cools off, it will blend in nicely. This also is delicious warm.
I have tired several of your recipes and they are all fantastic.
★★★★★
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you are enjoying this one and yes, the lemon should mellow after it cools. Thank you for these kind words! Hope it’s great over ice cream :)
The last of the seasons peaches went into this, I just love having this sauce around for oatmeal topping or for yogurt etc. I use a Penzey Pie spice seasoning which we like. I have also used this as a base in making a cobbler too. A favorite and so easy.
★★★★★