How to Make Easy Berry Chia Seed Jam in Minutes
on Sep 18, 2023, Updated Jul 18, 2024
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This homemade berry chia seed jam is made in 10 minutes with just 2 ingredients and makes a healthy alternative to store-bought jam.
What is chia seed jam?
Chia seed jam offers the same delightful taste as traditional jam but is very easy to make in just 10 minutes, using only two simple ingredients: fruit and chia seeds.
The magic of chia seeds lies in their ability to transform the fruit into a jam-like consistency by absorbing moisture and naturally thickening, eliminating the need for pectin, cornstarch, or other thickeners.
Chia jam is nutritious, flavourful and versatile. It can be made with a variety fruits, including berries, a combination of berries, stone fruits, or any blend of fruit, and can be made with or without added sugar, making it healthier than regular jam.
Enjoy this wholesome and delicious homemade jam on your morning toast, pancakes, oatmeal, or yogurt, or incorporate it into your baking recipes.
For more easy ways to eat more chia seeds, try this Mango Chia Pudding, Chocolate Chia Pudding, or Banana Split Chia Seed Pudding. Chia seeds are also perfect for thickening stovetop oatmeal and overnight oats. You can even add them to pancakes!
Ingredient Notes
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
- Berries: This recipe is for blueberry jam but you can use strawberry, raspberry, a mixture of berries or even other juicy fruits like mango or kiwi. I like chia seed jam best made with frozen fruit bur fresh fruit works too.
- Chia Seeds: Black or white chia seeds work, just make sure they’re fresh.
- Optional Sweetener: If you prefer your jam a little sweeter, you can add 1-2 tbsp sweetener of choice such as maple syrup or agave syrup. I like to add a splash of lemon juice as well, which is also optional.
Variations & Additions
- Mixed Fruit Jam: Use any combination of your favourite berries such strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract can enhance the overall flavor of your jam.
- Spices: A pinch of cinnamon, cardamom or nutmeg can give your jam a warm and cozy aroma.
- Coconut: For a tropical twist, mix in some shredded coconut or coconut extract.
- Ginger: Use up to 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger for a spicy, slightly tangy kick to your jam.
- Apple or Pear: Grate an apple or pear into your jam for natural sweetness and additional fiber.
- Citrus: Add up to 1 tbsp orange zest or lemon zest for a zesty, citrusy flavour. It complements the sweetness of the berries nicely.
- Chopped Dates: Add chopped dates for natural sweetness and a caramel-like flavor.
- Stevia: If you’re looking to cut down on sugar, use stevia as a calorie-free sweetener.
- Mango or Pineapple: Mix in some diced mango or pineapple for a tropical berry jam.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the frozen berries to a small saucepan and heat over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thawed and juicy. This should take about 5-6 minutes.
Use a fork or potato masher to break them down into a chunky consistency.
Step 2: Add 2 tablespoons of chia seeds and give it a good stir.
If you’d like to add sweetener, add that now as well. Turn off the heat and let the pot sit on the element to thicken.
Taste the jam and adjust the sweetness if needed. You can also experiment with other flavours like vanilla, ginger, orange, lemon or cinnamon.
It should start to thicken in about 5 minutes. You can enjoy it after 5-10 minutes but it will have a more jelly-like consistency the longer it has to cool and thicken.
Transfer the jam to a sealable container like a mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Recipe FAQs
You can use any soft fruit like strawberries, cherries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries or any combination of berries to make mixed berry jam.
Stone fruit such as peach and apricot and other juicy fruits like kiwi and mango also work well.
Yep. I actually prefer frozen fruit for making chia seed jam because it gets juicy when it thaws which is perfect for the chia seeds to soak up all that juicy goodness!
Chia seed jam will last for about 1 week in a sealed container in the fridge. It can also be frozen in an ice cube tray then transferred to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
If you’d like your chia jam sweeter and more like traditional jam, you can sweeten it to taste with sugar, maple syrup, agave, honey or a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit or stevia.
No-Cook Method
This no-cook method is perfect for preserving the freshness and nutritional benefits of the fruits while still creating a delicious and healthy jam. Feel free to customize your jam with different berries and sweeteners.
- Prepare the Berries: If you’re using frozen berries, allow to thaw at room temperature in the fridge then mash. If you’re using fresh fruit, mash well in a bowl.
- Add Chia Seeds: Sprinkle the chia seeds over the berry mixture. Stir well to evenly distribute the seeds.
- Sweeten and Flavor: Add your sweetener of choice (optional) and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired to the mashed berries. Stir to combine. Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness as needed.
- Let it Sit: Cover the mixture and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 . During this time, the chia seeds will absorb the liquid and help thicken the jam. Stir the mixture every 5-10 minutes.
- Check Consistency: After 15-30 minutes, your chia seed jam should have thickened to your liking. If it’s too runny, you can add more chia seeds, a teaspoon at a time, and wait for a few more minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Store: Once you’re happy with the thickness, transfer the jam to an airtight container or jar. Refrigerate it to cool and allow it to set further. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
How to Use Chia Jam
Here are some yummy ideas for using your chia jam:
- Spread on toast, bagels and English muffins.
- Stir into oatmeal, breakfast quinoa or yogurt.
- Make a yogurt parfait by layering yogurt, chia jam and granola.
- Make a peanut butter and jam sandwich.
- Mix into overnight oats.
- Use for sweet potato breakfast bowls.
- Use in baking like these cranberry crumble bars or thumbprint cookies.
- Spread on muffins, banana bread, zucchini bread or baked oatmeal cups.
- Mixed into homemade banana ice cream.
- Try it on these crepes, whole wheat fluffy pancakes or chia seed pancakes.
- Spread on homemade seed bread.
How to Store
- Store chia jam in an airtight container for up 1 week.
- To freeze chia jam, let it cool completely then either freeze portions in an ice-cub tray before transferring to a zip lock freeze bag or store a batch in any freezer safe container.
- Chia jam can be frozen for up to 3 months and thawed at room temperature or in the fridge.
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
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Blueberry Chia Jam
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen berries of choice, 280 g of blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry or a mixture
- 2 tbsp chia seeds, 24 g
- 1-2 tbsp maple syrup, optional for sweeter jam
Instructions
- Heat Berries: Add the frozen berries to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thawed and juicy. About 5-7 minutes cooking time.
- Mash Berries: Once the berries have thawed, use a fork or potato masher to mash to your desired consistency.
- Add Chia Seeds: Stir in 2 tbsp of chia seeds. If you’re using sweetener, add it now and adjust to taste. If you’d like to add any other flavours like vanilla or lemon zest, add that now as well. Turn the heat off and let the pot sit on the element for 5-10 minutes to thicken.
- Store: Enjoy right away or transfer to a sealed container and store in the fridge. It will continue thickening in the fridge and will keep for up to 1 week.
Wow! Delicious and easy! I did add the maple syrup because I have a sweet tooth. This was so good. Thank you!
Easy to make! I made this recipe exactly as written using maple syrup. It was easy, quick, and delicious.
I used on the Seed Bread recipe you posted and absolutely loved it.
I got 10 slices and plan to try each one with a different topping. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Cara! This is perfect with the seed bread.
This is awesome!! I used a 3 berry blend from Costco, turned out perfect! 🙂
Thanks, I have been looking for an easy homemade jam.
This was fast and REALLY easy and delicious! Can’t wait to try with other fruit. I’ve been searching for a healthy jam and this is it!
Glad you liked it, Marianne!
Silly question but, do you use whole or ground chia seeds?
Thanks
Whole chia seeds. Enjoy!
Hallo Deryn! If I use mango,should I cook it or simply blend it?
If it’s fresh, you don’t need to cook it. You can just blend it or mash it up. Since this recipe is for frozen berries, cooking them over low heat is simply to thaw them. If the mango is frozen, you can thaw it in the fridge first or use the stovetop method.
I made it and gave it to my awesome vegan neighbor, she had some home made bread, spreaded peanut butter added the chia seed blueberry jam for dinner!!
Absolutely loved it!! Too bad I can’t post the photo she sent me on a Tiffany plate🫶
Man-o-man, this is the best thing since sliced bread!!! Absolutely love it. As a diabetic, I’ve shunned fruit jams and preserves for a very long time. Now I can indulge, judiciously, without repercussions! Thank you so much! I’ve made blueberry, raspberry, and peach, so far. I only make 1 cup fruit/1 c seeds for a smaller batch for a 2 person household.