diff --git a/esphome/arduino8266/framework.py b/esphome/arduino8266/framework.py
index 9172c95066..7a8b51e2be 100644
--- a/esphome/arduino8266/framework.py
+++ b/esphome/arduino8266/framework.py
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ toolchain has always used, so the bits are identical); the
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import functools
 import os
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import NamedTuple
@@ -155,9 +154,13 @@ def get_build_env(toolchain_path: Path) -> dict[str, str]:
     return env
 
 
-@functools.cache
 def ccache_path() -> str | None:
-    """The ccache binary to prefix compiles with, or None when disabled."""
+    """The ccache binary to prefix compiles with, or None when disabled.
+
+    Deliberately uncached (matching espidf): the decision reads
+    ESPHOME_CCACHE_ENABLE and PATH, which can change between builds in a
+    long-lived host process.
+    """
     return resolve_ccache_path()
 
 
diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/test_arduino8266_framework.py b/tests/unit_tests/test_arduino8266_framework.py
index 74a20c85fb..21bf756e6b 100644
--- a/tests/unit_tests/test_arduino8266_framework.py
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/test_arduino8266_framework.py
@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@ from esphome.core import CORE, EsphomeError
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
-def _clear_caches(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
-    framework.ccache_path.cache_clear()
+def _build_path(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
     CORE.build_path = tmp_path
 
 
@@ -100,18 +99,19 @@ def test_get_build_env_prepends_toolchain_bin(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
     assert env["CCACHE_DIR"] == "x"
 
 
-def test_ccache_path_delegates_and_caches(
+def test_ccache_path_delegates_uncached(
     monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
 ) -> None:
     """The wrapper delegates to the shared policy (covered in
-    build_helpers/test_ccache.py) and caches the result."""
+    build_helpers/test_ccache.py) on every call: the env/PATH decision
+    must not freeze for the process lifetime in a long-lived host."""
     monkeypatch.delenv("ESPHOME_CCACHE_ENABLE", raising=False)
     with patch.object(
         framework, "resolve_ccache_path", return_value="/usr/bin/ccache"
     ) as mock_resolve:
         assert framework.ccache_path() == "/usr/bin/ccache"
         assert framework.ccache_path() == "/usr/bin/ccache"
-    mock_resolve.assert_called_once()
+    assert mock_resolve.call_count == 2
 
 
 def test_ccache_env(tmp_path: Path) -> None: