This apple compote includes sweet golden raisins, bright zesty lemon and savory fresh thyme for a unique spread on toast or a fruity dollop in oatmeal and yogurt.
Compote.
Doesn’t that word just sound so…idk, uppity? Pretentious?
I envision myself sitting in the perfectly hipster appointed coffee shop with old scuffed wood floors, trinkets everywhere, sipping a pour over and spreading my compote on homemade freshly milled rye bread with someone’s grandma’s tarnished old silver butter knife or something.
I mean, when it comes down to it, compote is basically like jam with bigger pieces of fruit, but it sure as heck commands a much grander image with just its name.
We moved to central NY two years ago this summer on a 20-acre piece of property that includes a large tree lined perimeter. The first fall we were here happened to be a year that had a late spring frost which ruined a lot of the fruit tree crop in the area. So we had absolutely no idea that our property easily included 25+ wild apple trees until last fall when we experienced a huge bumper crop and the ground was literally covered in them.
That’s when I started digging deep into the archives of this site looking for all the ways to use wild apples. This apple compote is one I settled on often because if you’ve ever eaten a wild apple you know it’s nothing like the store-bought varieties that offer the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavor. Wild apples are TART!
I love a good Granny Smith, but these go beyond that and a compote that cooks them down and pairs them with raisins is exactly what they need.
What’s the Difference Between Apple Sauce and Apple Compote?
Apple sauce and apple compote differ mainly in texture and preparation. Apple sauce is typically smooth and uniform, made by cooking apples until they break down completely and are often pureed or mashed to achieve a consistent, sauce-like texture. It usually has a simple flavor profile, often sweetened with sugar and sometimes spiced with cinnamon.
Apple compote, on the other hand, retains more texture and chunkiness. The apples are cooked until softened but not completely broken down, resulting in a mixture with visible pieces of fruit. Compote usually includes additional ingredients like raisins, spices, and citrus zest, giving it a more complex flavor and texture. It’s versatile, used as a topping or spread, for both sweet and savory dishes. It’s just as good on some toast for breakfast as it is topping a steak or chicken for dinner.
The Best Features of This Apple Compote Recipe
- Perfect Texture: The compote retains a chunky texture which is a welcome uniqueness compared to applesauce.
- Balanced Flavor: The combination of lemon zest, thyme, and spices creates an interesting flavor that’s both sweet and slightly tangy.
- Healthy Dessert Option: It can serve as a healthy dessert alternative, packed with natural sweetness from apples and honey.
- Pre-Workout Fuel: With its blend of fruit and nuts, it’s a surprisingly perfect workout fuel with oatmeal or yogurt.
Apple Compote Ingredients
- Apples: You can use almost any variety, but I suggest something on the tart side such as Gala, Pink Lady or Granny Smith. Our apple baking guide walks you through some great info on choosing the best variety for your needs.
- Golden Raisins: These add a burst of sweetness and a chewy texture to complement the softened apples. Golden raisins are sweeter and milder flavored than regular raisins. I like them SO much more than regular raisins and highly suggest them for this recipe.
- Lemon Zest and Juice: Both of these give a bright, citrusy flavor that livens up each bite.
- Honey: Acts as a natural sweetener. Maple syrup can certainly be substituted.
- Thyme: The subtle herbal note from this fresh herb makes the apple compote incredibly unique. I love the contrast of the tiny bit of savory flavor paired with the sweet raisins and apples.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice and is a no-brainer when it comes to anything with apples.
- Nutmeg: Contributes a slightly nutty, aromatic flavor, rounding out the spice profile.
- Salt: To bring out all the other flavors in this compote.
How to Make Apple Compote
Start by grabbing a small saucepan and tossing in your chopped and peeled apples, golden raisins, lemon zest, water, lemon juice, honey, thyme leaves, cinnamon, nutmeg and a pinch of salt.
Set the pan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Give it a good stir, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and let it simmer. Stir occasionally to make sure it doesn’t burn or stick to the bottom of the pot and feel free to add a tablespoon or so of water if needed as it cooks.
After about 20 minutes, your kitchen will be filled with a delicious aroma and the apples and raisins will be perfectly softened. Stir the compote again to ensure everything is well mixed, then transfer it to a bowl and let it cool.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
Apple Variety: Choose apples based on your preference. Pink Lady apples offer a sweet-tart flavor, while Granny Smith apples provide a tangy, crisp taste. Also check out our guide to apples for information on more varieties.
Cooking Bubbles: When cooking the compote, keep an eye on the bubbles. If they get too vigorous, lower the heat slightly to avoid burning or over-reducing the mixture.
Adjust Sweetness: Taste the compote as it cooks and adjust the sweetness to your preference. Add more honey if you like it sweeter, or a bit more lemon juice if you prefer a more tangy flavor.
Consistency: For a chunkier compote, cook for a shorter time. If you prefer a smoother texture, let it cook a bit longer and mash some of the apples with a fork or potato masher.
Cooling Time: Allow the compote to cool before serving to let the flavors meld together. If you prefer it warm, just let it sit for a few minutes after cooking before enjoying.
Recipe Variations
To switch things up, try these substitutions and add-ons:
- For a deeper sweetness, swap honey for light brown sugar.
- Add extra spices like ground ginger or cardamom for a hint of warmth. A splash of vanilla extract is also a delicious add-in.
- If you want a richer flavor base, replace the water with apple cider or orange juice.
How to Serve the Compote
Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy this apple condiment:
- Serve it warm over vanilla ice cream for a gourmet dessert.
- Add a spoonful to your pancakes or waffles for a fruity twist to your breakfast. It beats those gloppy fruit compotes from the diner any day!
- Mix it into your overnight oats or hot oatmeal for an extra flavor boost.
- Use it as a filling for an apple pie, apple galette or even apple crisp. Try it in our air fryer apple crisp or microwave apple crisp recipes.
- For a savory option, pair it with a pork chop chop dinner. It’s similar to our glazed pork chop and apples recipe.
Storage and Freezing
To store the apple raisin compote, place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to a week.
For longer storage, you can freeze the compote. Transfer it to a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
Check Out More Recipes Like This:
This butternut squash goat cheese dip is one of my favorite seasonal appetizers and it features a tart cherry compote that’s wonderful on so many fall recipes.
These lemon thyme mini cheesecakes are topped with a blueberry compote that makes it an irresistible sweet small bite.
For another sweet and savory combination, try this jalapeño mango jam. Spice lovers will be seriously into this recipe and it’s so good on crackers and paired with different cheeses.
Apple Compote
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple, peeled and chopped
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- zest of 1/2 a lemon
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon honey
- 3-4 sprigs of thyme, leaves removed
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pot over medium heat.
- Bring to a boil, stir then reduce heat to low, cover and let cook for about 20 minutes until raisins and apples are softened and liquid has almost cooked completely off.
- Stir, transfer to a bowl and let cool.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Your post is SO SWEET!! I love the message behind this and will definitely be buying some Kind bars!
This sounds so good! I always have the KIND granola bars on hand, they are a great go to snack. This looks like a great breakfast idea!
I love kind bars and I totally agree, compote does sound a bit uppity, but you make it look so darn good!
I love the KIND breakfast bars, I usually crumble them on a cup of yogurt for breakfast on the run, but I like your hipster version much better :)
oooh, so delicious
Im always looking for ways to add sweetness to my plain greek yogurt and this compote looks like the perfect thing! NOMS
I LOVE the lemon and thyme flavors that are infused in this compote! What a great idea to serve it with some granola and yogurt!
SO much agreeance (is that a word) on the word “compote” and hipster coffee shops. BUT, this looks like my kinda breakfast! I LOVE KIND bars and that lemon thyme dealio going on? YUM. Pinned!
Haha – you sure are right, “compote” sounds uppity – pretentious even – but gosh darn it – looking through your ingredients list – this here sure does stand out – and above basic apple jam! Love your pairing of it with Kind bars!
Dear Gina, I love the sound of this…what a delicious idea for yogurt or oatmeal. I would love to have this this morning! xo, Catherine