This flavorful peach compote is easy to make and ready in no time. Great for breakfast on top of muesli or waffles and amazing as a light summer dessert.
Making peach compote is easy and so satisfying. It tastes amazing, better than you would even think, and it is so versatile when it comes to serving.
From breakfast to dessert, you can serve it on its own; it can be added to other desserts; you can even serve it as a small side dish for savory dishes, like roasted duck breast, for instance.
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What is a compote?
Compote is a mixture of fruit, sugar, and spices cooked in a little water (or wine). Its origins can be found in medieval Europe, compote meaning mixture in French.
It can be served hot or cold, and it can be made with pretty much any fruit or berry you can think of. Or with a mixture of fruit and/or berries.
Or try more simple recipes: strawberry rhubarb compote or apricot compote, for instance.
Recipe ingredients
- Peaches: this recipe is a good one to have when you happen to buy peaches that are not perfectly ripe and soft. And that happens quite often, doesn't it?
- Frozen peach slices are fine as well.
- Otherwise, you will need sugar, a lemon, ½ cinnamon stick, and vanilla extract or paste.
Alternative ingredients
- Sweeteners: Light brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or other sweeteners like stevia or xylitol.
- When using stevia, I add it at the end and always to taste.
- Nectarines or apricots instead of peaches.
- Star anise instead of cinnamon.
How to peel a peach?
I prefer to peel the peaches when making compote; I am not crazy about the skin bits floating in the finished dish. It is, however, an optional step.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- In the meantime, score the bottom of each peach with an X; the peel will start releasing there, making it easier for you to peel the fruit (1).
- Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with cold water and adding some ice cubes to it. If you don't have ice cubes, just make sure that the water is very cold; you have to stop the cooking process immediately so that the peaches don't become mushy.
- Blanch the peaches for only 30 seconds (2).
- Drain (3) and place them in the ice bath. Leave them for 1 minute.
- Peel with the fingers or a small knife, starting at the bottom where you scored the X (4).
How to make peach compote?
- Peel and slice the peaches.
- Place in a saucepan with all the other ingredients. (5)
- Cook for 5 to 8 minutes and adjust the taste with lemon juice. (6)
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Expert Tips
Consistency:
- I cook the compote for only 5 to 8 minutes because I like the fruit to keep its shape.
- If you prefer a less chunky compote, cook the peaches for about 10 minutes until they start to break down. Mash them lightly with the back of a spoon if you wish.
Recipe FAQ
Yes. Thaw and drain them before using them in the recipe. Frozen peaches may have a slightly softer texture after cooking compared to fresh peaches.
Yes, peach compote can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.
If you prefer a sweeter compote, add more sugar during the cooking process. If you prefer a less sweet compote, reduce the amount of sugar or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup instead.
Yes. You can add berries (strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries) or diced apples. Just keep in mind that different fruits may have different cooking times, so adjust accordingly.
How to store?
- You can make a larger batch of compote and keep it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. This way, you will have something to add to your breakfast, for instance, for several days.
- It will keep well for up to one week.
- You can reheat it or serve it directly from the fridge.
- Freeze the compote for up to 3 months.
How to serve compote?
- This peach compote is so good you can definitely serve it on its own as a light dessert in summer.
- Otherwise, it makes a great addition to many other desserts.
- Serve it over semolina or milk pudding, over ice cream, with strained yogurt, or with regular Greek yogurt.
- You can have it for breakfast with müsli, over waffles, or pancakes.
- And you can serve it as a side dish for roasted duck breast, for instance.
More compotes or fruit sauces
Peach Compote
Ingredients
- 8-9 peaches about 1 kg/ 2.2 lbs, Note
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ stick cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Peel peaches: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Score the bottom of each peach with an X. Place peaches in the boiling water and blanch for about 30 seconds. Drain and place in an ice bath or very cold water for about 1 minute. You should be able to remove the skin very easily now; it will start releasing where you scored the X, so start peeling it off there.
- Slice the peaches. Place them in a saucepan and add the sugar, lemon juice, water, cinnamon stick, vanilla, and salt. Combine very gently.
- Simmer: Bring to a simmer on medium-low heat and cook gently for about 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally and carefully. The liquid should reduce slightly, and the peaches should be soft but not mushy, they should still hold their shape.
- Consistency: If you prefer a less chunky compote, cook the peaches for about 10 minutes until they start to break down. Mash them lightly with the back of a spoon if you wish. Adjust the taste with more lemon juice, if necessary.
Notes
- Substitute peaches with nectarines.
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze it for up to 3 months.
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