Easy Chia Jam

This Easy Chia Jam recipe takes just 10 minutes to make, uses only 5 ingredients, and is super healthy! Store-bought jam is loaded with sugar, but my homemade chia seed jam is thickened with chia seeds (instead of sugar), and is sweetened with just a touch of maple syrup or agave (which is totally optional)! Choose your favorite fruit and make a batch of homemade jam - you will never buy the store-bought stuff again! 🫐🍓

If you have ever made jam before or looked at the ingredients on the back of a jam jar, you'll know that there is a LOT of sugar in jam. A jar of jam might contain as much as 1 cup of sugar, (in addition to the natural sugars in the fruit). Not the healthiest way to start your day.

Instead of using a ton of sugar, this chia jam is thickened with chia seeds! This not only makes it healthier and adds a great source of omega-3, but the chia seeds also give it that perfect jammy texture we all love. I like to sweeten the jam with a bit of agave or maple syrup, but depending on the fruit, some are sweet enough that they don't need any additional sweetener at all. Lastly, I add a bit of lemon juice and lemon zest to really brighten the jam.

This time, I made my batch of Easy Chia Jam using only raspberries (because raspberry jam is my favorite). But you can pick and choose which fruit you would like to use and follow the same steps. It’s an easy and healthy way to enjoy your daily dose of berries or any other fruit. This chia seed jam recipe is perfect spread on toast, in a PB & J sandwich, dolloped on oatmeal, drizzled on vegan yogurt, swirled on top of vegan ice cream, or spread on fresh pastries, pancakes, or waffles. This morning, I enjoyed mine on a piece of toast with my morning coffee, and it was pure bliss! ☕

Common Questions About Chia Jam:

Can you use any fruit to make chia jam? Almost! While not every fruit will work well here (for example bananas or melon wouldn't make a good jam) but most fruits should work fine. Some of my favorite choices are raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, peaches, mangoes, pineapple, apricots, plums, kiwi, or a mix! 

How long does Chia Jam last in the fridge? Once your cooked jam is cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and it should last in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, or you can also freeze it for up to 8 months if stored in an air-tight container.

What is the best sweetener for chia jam? I like using agave and maple syrup because they dissolve easily and add a nice flavor. You can also use white sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, zero-calorie sweetener, or even skip the sweetener if your fruit is naturally sweet enough.

How do chia seeds thicken jam? Chia seeds are rich in soluble fiber, which allows them to absorb liquid and swell up, creating a gel-like consistency. When you mix chia seeds with cooked fruit, they thicken the mixture, giving it the perfect jammy texture without the need for pectin or excessive sugar. This makes chia jam a healthier and simpler alternative to traditional jams.

How to Make Easy Chia Jam...

Start by adding your chosen fruit to a medium saucepan. Cook the fruit over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it softens and begins to bubble. This should take about 5-10 minutes. If the fruit starts to stick, add a small splash of water to the saucepan.

Once the fruit is cooked, use a potato masher or a spoon to mash it to your desired consistency. For chunkier jam, mash less; for a smoother texture, mash more.

Next, stir in the chia seeds. Add sweetener to taste, using either maple syrup or agave. Some fruits might be sweet enough on their own and not require any added sweetener, so taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness accordingly. Mix in lemon juice and lemon zest, if you like a bit of extra zing.

Remove the jam from heat and let it cool. As it cools, it will thicken. Once cooled, transfer the jam to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, or freeze it for up to 8 months. Use your homemade chia jam as desired—spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, top off vegan yogurt bowls, drizzle on vegan ice cream, spread on pastries, or use any way you like.

This Easy Chia Jam Is...

• quick and easy: just 10 minutes and 5 ingredients
• affordable and healthy
• delicious!

Serve this jam with:

The Best Vegan Bagels
Vegan Sandwich Bread
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Easy Vegan Sheet Pan Pancakes
Super Easy Vegan Croissants
Vegan French Toast

If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.

5 from 6 votes

(click stars to vote)

Easy Chia Jam

This Easy Chia Jam recipe takes just 10 minutes to make, uses only 5 ingredients, and is super healthy! Store-bought jam is loaded with sugar, but my homemade chia seed jam is thickened with chia seeds (instead of sugar), and is sweetened with just a touch of maple syrup or agave (which is totally optional)! Choose your favorite fruit and make a batch of homemade jam - you will never buy the store-bought stuff again!

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 12 (makes about 1 ½ cups)

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Ingredients

 

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• ▢ 2 cups fresh or frozen fruit, (such as raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, peaches, mangoes, pineapple, apricots, plums, kiwi, or a mix) *see notes
• ▢ 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• ▢ 1 - 4 tablespoons maple syrup or agave, (optional)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ▢ 1 pinch lemon zest, (optional)

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Instructions

 

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• Start by adding your chosen fruit to a medium saucepan. Cook the fruit over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it softens and begins to bubble. This should take about 5-10 minutes. If the fruit starts to stick, add a small splash of water to the saucepan.
  
• Once the fruit is cooked, use a potato masher or a spoon to mash it to your desired consistency. For chunkier jam, mash less; for a smoother texture, mash more.
  
• Next, stir in the chia seeds. Add sweetener to taste, using either maple syrup or agave. Some fruits might be sweet enough on their own and not require any added sweetener, so taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness accordingly. Mix in lemon juice and lemon zest, if you like a bit of extra zing.
  
• Remove the jam from heat and let it cool. As it cools, it will thicken. Once cooled, transfer the jam to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, or freeze it for up to 8 months.

  Use your homemade chia jam as desired—spread it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, top off vegan yogurt bowls, drizzle on vegan ice cream, spread on pastries, or use any way you like.
  

Notes

Fruit of choice: if needed, prep fruit by peeling it, removing pits, chopping it, and/or removing stems. I love using a bag of frozen fruit because all the work is already done for you and it's picked at peak ripeness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, about 2 tablespoons(recipe makes 12 servings) | Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 24IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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Author: Sam Turnbull

Cuisine: American

Course: Breakfast

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