Instant Pot Pear Compote

By the Gracious Vegan

I was dubious about compote until fairly recently. I’d tried strawberry compote and didn’t like the texture. But once I tried pear compote? Wow! It’s like a pie filling, but healthy! No need to add sugar! It’s so good for breakfast or dessert—see my ideas below the recipe for ways to enjoy it. This recipe also works for apples. And it freezes well! The Instant Pot makes it simple.

Makes about 3 cups compote

(See variations before making this recipe.) Add all the ingredients into the Instant Pot. Set knob to “Sealing.” Use “Manual” setting and set for 3-5 minutes (3 minutes if your pears are ripe and soft; 5 if they are still fairly hard; 4 in the middle). Use an instant or a 10-minute natural release. (This recipe is forgiving. 😇)

• 6 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and diced

• 1/2 cup water

• 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon

• 3/4 teaspoon powdered ginger

Depending on the sweetness of your pears, you may want to stir in some maple syrup after you taste the result. 

Variations:

• If you want a thick sauce rather than a thinner sauce, toss the pear chunks with 1 Tablespoon cornstarch before adding them to the Instant Pot.

• It’s fine to cut this recipe in half and use the same timings.

Ideas for using this pear compote.

• For breakfast: warm or cold by itself or topped with nondairy milk and a little granola, sprinkling of nuts, sprinkling of raisins or other dried fruit; on top of oatmeal; on top of chia pudding; on top of vegan yogurt; on top of pancakes or waffles; on top of toast; on top of coffee cake. 

• For dessert: warm (with or without vegan ice cream or Vegan Whipped Cream) with a sprinkling of nuts and/or dried fruit; on top of a slice of frosting-less cake

Timing: About 30 minutes

Gluten-free