Savor the sweet taste of summer with this maple peach compote. It's a versatile recipe that's perfect over pancakes, waffles, or vanilla ice cream. It's quick and easy-to-make, and uses only 3 ingredients!

If you love summer fruit toppings, also try our fresh cherry sauce or rhubarb strawberry chia jam!

Peach Compote in a bowl with a spoon

This easy peach compote recipe is the perfect fruit topping for summer. It's naturally sweetened, so it's healthy, too!

We use just three ingredients to make it: peaches, pure maple syrup, and a fresh squeeze of lemon juice. You won't find any cornstarch or thickeners in this recipe. If you're making it while peaches are out of season, frozen ones will work, too.

It's the sweet sauce we use in our peach pancake recipe. We also love it over waffles, crepes, or french toast, or even stirred into yogurt or oatmeal. For a quick dessert, we spoon it over vanilla ice cream and use it anytime we want to add a burst of fresh fruity flavor!

What is peach compote?

Peach compote is a simple fruit sauce made with fresh peaches and sugar cooked over the stove. Recipes traditionally call for sugar but we use maple syrup for a naturally sweetened version.

Compote is generally thicker and chunkier than a typical fruit preserve or jam. We like to keep the skins on for a rustic look and taste. If you prefer a smoother compote, simmer the fruit longer so it looks more like a sauce.

three pictures showing how to make peach compote

How to make maple peach compote

It's surprisingly easy and quick to make this recipe for peach compote. Here's how we do it in a few simple steps:

  1. Once you've removed the pits, start by dicing the peaches. Then add them, the maple syrup, and the lemon juice to a small saucepan.
  2. Bring the pot to a boil, stir, then lower to a simmer for 5 minutes. The liquid should start to thicken. At this point, you can either turn it off while the fruit still has some distinct chunks or continue simmering it until the pieces are more broken down and the consistency is sauce-like.
  3. Allow it to cool slightly before serving. If you're not eating it right away, transfer it to a container or sterilized jars for canning. This compote will keep for up to 5 days in your fridge.

Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.

Maple peach compote ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this sweet maple peach sauce:

  • Peaches – fresh, ripe, juicy peaches are ideal but frozen can work in a pinch.
  • Maple syrup – pure maple syrup is what you're after.
  • Lemon juice – to help thicken up the liquid into a sauce, and adds a little citrusy flavor.

How to peel peaches?

We prefer not to peel the peaches, which makes a wonderfully rustic compote. However, if you're planning on canning this compote, make sure to peel them as the skin will turn an unpleasant dark color over time. 

To peel peaches, cut a shallow X at the bottom of each peach then put them into a pot of boiling water for one minute. After a minute, scoop them out and put them in a bowl of cold water. Once they're cool, the skin will peel off easily. 

a pot of peach compote

FAQS

Can I use frozen peaches?

Yes, frozen peaches will work in a pinch, or when they're out of season.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Definitely, it will keep beautifully in the fridge in a sealed container or mason jar for up to 5 days.

Can I adjust the sweetness?

Yes! Simply add more or less maple syrup to sweeten the compote to your taste.

Does the compote need water?

Nope! The peaches will release enough of their juices that you don't need to add water. If it's looking too thick, you can add a tablespoon of water at a time.

Should I can this recipe?

While compotes are meant to be enjoyed somewhat soon after making them (and they're quick and easy so you can make a fresh batch on a moment's notice) they also can well. If you want to enjoy the taste of summer all year, can some of this peach compote.

Can I freeze peach compote?

Yes! Peach compote freezes very well. If you've made more than you can eat, freeze some in a freezer-proof container. We like to use theseĀ reusable Stasher freezer bags.Ā Keep in mind that if you leave the compote a bit chunky, as you see in the pictures, the peach chunks will be softer after you freeze them.

2 cans of peaches cooked in maple syrup

Ideas for serving maple peach compote

There are endless ways to use this fruity topping. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Serve it warm over oatmeal, peach pancakes, waffles, or french toast.
  • Stir it into your morning yogurt or top your overnight oats with it.
  • We love it over our vanilla coconut ice cream or cheesecake.
  • It's the perfect topping for birthday cake.
  • Serve it alongside savory recipes like roast chicken or grilled pork chops.

You really can't go wrong!

a wooden spoon stirring a pot of Peach Compote
Peach Compote in a bowl with a spoon

Peach Compote

Savor the sweet taste of summer with this maple peach compote. It's a versatile recipe that's perfect over pancakes, waffles, or vanilla ice cream. It's quick and easy-to-make, and uses only 3 ingredients!

If you love this recipe as much as we do, let us know with a 5-star rating!

4.89 stars (18 ratings)
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Ingredients

  • 4 ripe peaches, diced – see notes
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions 

  • Dice the peaches then add them, the maple syrup, and the lemon juice to a small pot.
    4 ripe peaches, ¼ cup maple syrup, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    image for recipe instruction
  • Bring the pot to a simmer of medium-high heat. Continue to simmer the peaches, uncovered and stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. The peaches should be soft but still in distinct pieces and the liquid starting to thicken a little – it will thicken more as it cools. If you'd prefer more of a sauce, continue to simmer the peaches until they've broken down as much as you'd like.
    image for recipe instruction
  • Let the peaches cool slightly before you serve them. Or transfer the hot peach compote to sterilized jars for canning. This compote will keep well for up to 5 days in your fridge.
    image for recipe instruction

Notes

We prefer not to peel the peaches, which makes a wonderfully rustic compote. If you want to peel the peaches, cut a shallow X at the bottom of each peach then put them into a pot of boiling water for one minute. After a minute, scoop them out and put them in a bowl of cold water. Once they're cool, the skin will peel off easily.Ā 
If you're planning on canning this compote, make sure to peel the peaches as the skin will turn an unpleasant dark color over time.Ā 
Serving: 1 = ½ cup, Calories: 79kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0.3g, Saturated Fat: 0.02g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 14mg, Potassium: 155mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 326IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 0.4mg
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