Healthy Apple Compote (No Added Sugar) | Zero Waste Recipe

Healthy Apple Compote from Leftover Apples

There’s something quietly comforting about a few apples waiting in the fridge a little softer than yesterday, no longer crisp enough for a quick bite, but still full of promise. These are the apples that often get forgotten, even though they’re just a spoonful away from becoming something wonderful.

Instead of letting them go to waste, this simple recipe turns leftover apples into a naturally sweet, healthy apple compote or smooth apple sauce. It’s perfect for slow breakfasts, gentle snacks or as a cosy addition to cakes and everyday desserts.

This recipe lives in our Nothing Goes to Waste – Zero Waste Recipes & Kitchen Tips category, because it celebrates small, thoughtful kitchen habits. It shows how even the most ordinary leftovers can be transformed into something nourishing full of fibre, naturally sweet and made without added sugar. A reminder that good food doesn’t have to be complicated, just cared for.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

• 3–4 leftover apples, peeled and chopped

• 200 ml water

• Juice of ½ orange (or lemon)

• 1 cinnamon stick or a pinch of ground cinnamon

• A thin strip of orange peel

For a Healthier Version

Skip honey, sugar and vanilla sugar the natural sweetness of the apples and orange juice is more than enough.

Method

1. Place the apples in a saucepan and add the water, cinnamon and orange peel.

2. Cook over medium heat for 10–12 minutes, until the apples soften and the kitchen fills with the warm scent of apples and spices.

3. Add the orange or lemon juice, stir briefly and cook for another 1–2 minutes.

4. Remove the cinnamon stick and orange peel. The compote is ready to serve, warm or chilled.

Quick Version (5 Minutes)

Use a smaller quantity of apples, a little water, cinnamon and orange juice. Cook covered for 4–5 minutes, stir once and it’s ready.

How to Turn It into Apple Sauce

After cooking, mash the apples with a fork or blend until smooth. This version is perfect for pancakes, porridge or in baking.

How Long Does Apple Compote Last?

• Storing in the Fridge

Apple compote keeps well for 3–4 days, while apple sauce lasts 5–6 days when stored in an airtight container.

• Freezing

Both compote and sauce can be frozen for up to 2 months in airtight containers or freezer bags.

• Zero Waste Tip – Reusing Cinnamon and Orange Peel

Don’t throw away the cinnamon stick or orange peel. Once dried, the cinnamon stick can be reused to flavour tea, porridge or even baking, while orange peel can add aroma to other sweet or savoury dishes. This way, every ingredient is used to its fullest true zero waste cooking.

Bonus Ideas – How to Use Apple Compote or Sauce

Breakfast in a Glass

• ½ cup apple compote or sauce

• 100 g yoghurt (Greek or plain)

• 2–3 tablespoons granola or oats

• Chopped nuts or seeds, to taste

• A pinch of cinnamon or grated orange zest for decoration

Smoothie Idea

• ½ cup apple compote or sauce

• 100–150 ml yoghurt or milk of choice

• 1 banana or ½ cup berries

Blend until smooth and creamy, then serve immediately.

Extra Tips

You can layer compote and yoghurt several times in a glass for a visually beautiful breakfast. Additions like granola, seeds and nuts provide extra fibre and protein, while staying perfectly in line with a zero waste approach.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to see your version.

Tag me @smikiscorner and share the love.

Zdrav Kompot od Jabuka (bez dodatog šećera) | Zero Waste Recept

Često u frižideru ostane nekoliko jabuka koje nisu savršene za jelo sirove, možda su mekše ili su ostale od prethodnog doručka. Umesto da ih bacimo, ove male “ostatke” možemo pretvoriti u ukusan i zdrav kompot ili sos, savršen za doručak, užinu ili dodatak kolačima. Ovaj recept spada u našu kategoriju “Ništa Ne Odlazi u Otpad”, jer pokazuje kako i najmanji zalogaji jabuka mogu postati prava poslastica i smanjiti otpad u kuhinji a istovremeno je prirodno zdrav i pun vitamina i vlakana.

Kompot ili sos mala razlika, veliki efekat

Kompot od jabuka je lagano kuvano voće u vodi sa vidljivim komadićima jabuka i tečnošću koja osvežava. Može se jesti samostalno, koristiti preko jogurta ili kao dodatak kaši za doručak.

Sos od jabuka je gušći i kremastiji, jer se voće izgnječi ili izblenda u glatku kašu. Idealan je kao dodatak palačinkama, kolačima ili jelima gde želiš intenzivniji, ujednačen ukus jabuka. Iako se razlikuju u teksturi, oba su jednostavna za pripremu i zdrava alternativa kupovnim proizvodima.

Sastojci (za 3–4 porcije)

• 3–4 preostale jabuke, oljuštene i naseckane

• 200 ml vode

• Sok od ½ narandže (ili limuna)

• 1 štapić cimeta ili prstohvat mljevenog cimeta

• tanka traka narandžine kore

Za zdraviju verziju

Izostavi med, šećer i vanilin šećer jer prirodna slatkoća jabuka i soka od narandže je dovoljna.

Priprema

1. Staviti jabuke u šerpu i dodati vodu, cimet i narandžinu koru.

2. Kuvati 10–12 minuta na srednjoj vatri dok jabuke ne omekšaju, a kuća se ne ispuni mirisom toplih jabuka i začina.

3. Dodati sok od narandže ili limuna, kratko promešati i kuvati još 1-2 minuta.

4. Izvaditi cimet i koru. Kompot je spreman za serviranje topao ili ohlađen.

Brza verzija (5 minuta)

• Manja količina jabuka, malo vode, cimet i sok od narandže.

• Poklopljeno kuvati 4–5 minuta, promešati i gotovo!

Sos od jabuka

• Nakon kuvanja izgnječiti viljuškom ili blendirati u glatki sos. Idealno za palačinke, kašu ili kolače.

Saveti za čuvanje

• U Frižideru – Kompot može stajati 3–4 dana, a sos 5–6 dana.

• U Zamrzivaču – Do 2 meseca u hermetičkim posudama ili vrećicama.

• Zero Waste trik – Čak i ostatke cimeta ili narandžine kore ne bacati! Nakon sušenja, štapić cimeta se može koristiti još jednom za kuvanje čaja, aromatizovanje ovsene kaše ili pečenje, a kora narandže može obogatiti druge slatke i slane recepte. Tako maksimalno iskoristiš svaki sastojak, prava zero waste filozofija.

Bonus ideje – kako iskoristiti kompot/sos za doručak i užinu

Doručak u čaši

• ½ šolje kompota ili sosa

• 100 g jogurta (grčki ili običan)

• 2–3 kašike granole ili ovsenih pahuljica

• Seckani orašasti plodovi ili semenke po želji

• Prstohvat cimeta ili narendane narandžine kore za dekoraciju

Smoothie

• ½ šolje kompota/sosa

• 100–150 ml jogurta ili mleka po izboru

• 1 banana ili ½ šolje bobičastog voća

• Blendati dok ne dobiješ glatku, kremastu teksturu i posluži odmah

Saveti

• Možeš slojevati kompot i jogurt u čaši više puta za vizuelno lep doručak.

• Dodaci poput granole, semenki i orašastih plodova daju dodatna vlakna i proteine a i dalje su u skladu sa zero waste filozofijom.

Ako isprobate ovaj recept, volela bih da vidim vašu verziju.

Tagujte me na Instagramu @smikiscorner