Chia seed jam is so quick and easy to make, is super healthy, and so tasty too! Only three ingredients and fifteen minutes!
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I will grant you that it is easier to buy jam from the grocery store. But, when the jam only takes fifteen minutes and one pan to make, it’s really not that much easier.
I learned how to make jam after picking strawberries with my kids. Pectin and a loootttttt of sugar.
We all know that consuming too much sugar is not good for you. Need more convincing? Take a look at these (read this, look at this, or watch this) and see what excess sugar can do to our health.
Since my first jamming experience, we have taken a lot of strides in reducing our everyday sugar intake. Fewer treats, switching to more homemade pantry staples, and keeping sweetened drinks at a minimum (our iced tea is just barely sweetened).
13 grams of sugar in 2 Tablespoons of grape jelly!
If you are wanting to make changes to your diet but you are not sure where to begin, taking a look at how much sugar is in the packaged foods at the grocery store can be eye-opening.
My suggestion is just to pick one thing to stop buying and start making at home.
Remember: You don’t have to do it all and gradual changes are much better than jumping all in and getting overwhelmed.
Before I say anything else, though, I want to be clear that we haven’t (and don’t plan to) eliminated sugar completely from our diet. I don’t think that food is a moral issue– so I don’t think that one mom is “better” than another simply because they eat less sugar.
However, if you are here, you are either interested in making some things a little healthier than what you can buy, or you are already familiar with my passion of making from-scratch cooking more accessible and family friendly!
Chia Seed Jam
This jam can be made with just three ingredients and in just about fifteen minutes. Which is why it’s the ONLY jam I ever make, because I always have the honey, frozen fruit, and chia seeds on hand, and it’s so easy to start a batch of jam while I make my morning coffee or when I’m doing something else in the kitchen.
If you’ve never worked with chia seeds before, they are pretty incredible (not to mention fascinating). They absorb whatever liquid they are mixed in and take on a gel-like consistency. This makes them perfect for jam, pudding, and even as a substitute for eggs in baking.
Honey is my jam sweetener of choice, but you could substitute a different option if you prefer. Add enough to taste. Thankfully, because berries are sweet on their own, not too much is needed!
As far as the berries go, farm-fresh berries in strawberry season are amazing. But, this recipe works with fresh or frozen fruit. I’ve made it with all strawberries, or a mix of berries. Same process whichever you choose.
Of course, this jam is great on sandwiches and on toast. But it’s also really delicious dolloped on homemade yogurt, or sandwiched in between pie dough to make homemade pop-tarts.
More Like This ::
- Easy Strawberry Crisp (naturally sweetened & gluten-free)
- Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Perfect Creamy Peanut Butter
- Maple Vanilla Ice Cream
- 20 Essential Summer Recipes You Can Make in 10 Minutes or Less
Chia Seed Jam
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 3+ cups 1x
Description
Chia seed jam is so quick and easy to make, is super healthy, and so tasty too! Only three ingredients and fifteen minutes!
Ingredients
- 5 cups fresh or frozen berries
- 1/4 C water
- 1/4 cup honey (to taste)
- 2 (heaping) tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
1. Stir together water and berries in a medium saucepan.
2. Heat berries over medium-high heat, until they come to a boil, about five minutes.
3. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes. Use the back of a wooden spoon or a potato masher to mash the berries as they soften.
4. Stir in honey.
5. After about ten minutes, when the fruit is soft and thickened, remove the pan from heat. Stir in the chia seeds and mix well.
6. Transfer the jam to jars and let the it cool completely. Keep in the refrigerator. The jam will thicken as it cools.
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This was outstanding! After we used it in pancakes, had a little over 16 Oz left which we’ll use with fridge storage. Thank you!
★★★★★
Could it be made with fresh or frozen peaches?
Just made this recipe, it’s delicious and so easy! The kids taste tested for me and they approve! I used fresh Oregon hood strawberries. Will definitely be making this more often! I also plan on freezing some so we have it on hand.
★★★★★
Loved this recipe! Most recently, we used half rhubarb and half strawberries. We had to double the sweetener (because of the rhubarb) but it came out delicious! I will never use pectin again!
★★★★★
Very impressed with this recipe, its so easy to make and yields pretty close to 24oz. I love the texture of this jam its smooth and the honey gives it just enough sweetness. I will not be going back to buying store bought jam!! ♥
Can the jars of jam be frozen? And just take one out at a time?
Definitely
I. Going to try this, it looks yummy. About how long will the jam be good for in the refrigerator?
what kind of texture does this have?
It just tastes like jam!
How long will this keep in the fridge?
I really like this recipe and it makes a big jar, BUT after 10 days or so in the fridge I get mold on the top of the jam. What can I do to prevent this besides eat it faster?
★★★★
You could put it in smaller jars and freeze. I used the 8oz jars for my recipe.
★★★★★
In one place you say 1/4 cup water, and then in another you say 1/2 cup water. Which one is it? Thanks – I plan on trying it this week!
Thank you for pointing that out. I updated the post and added an updated printable recipe. (And it’s definitely no more than 1/4 C water).
This recipe comes together so quickly! I will never buy jam/jelly at the store again! Plus this is much healthier. I’ve made it twice. In 1 week!
★★★★★
I made this today and it was so simple and delicious. We used it on French toast for dinner tonight. Yum!, thank you Lisa
★★★★★
Would it work to use another natural sweetener, such as Pyure (stevia/erythritol blend), instead of honey?
Yes, that should be fine.
I just made this jam…it was so easy! I’m all about easy AND I’ve been looking for a healthy alternative to store bought jam!
Wonderful Michelle!