Homemade chia jam in basket full of fruits

How to Make Low-Sugar Chia Seed Jam in Only 30 Minutes

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For this quick, low-sugar chia seed jam you will need only 30 minutes, and you’ll get tasty, much healthier version of classic fruit jam that can be used in numerous combinations!

A basket full of chia jam with strawberries, yellow cherries, raspberries and currant

The idea for quick chia seed jam has been sitting in my bookmarks section for a while. It seems that the chia seeds on my shelf were actually patiently waiting for fresh berries season because I’ve managed to make two phenomenal chia seed jam combinations that are so good that you won’t believe how they are easy to make! Although I looove classic jams and marmalades, sometimes sugar and the long cooking process can “mask” beautiful, natural fruit flavor, but here it definitely isn’t the case.

In this blog post, I won’t bother you with my stories, but I will mention a few important things you need to know when you’re making your own chia seed jam. Also, in order to encourage you to try out this recipe, I’ll give you my short list of fruit and spices flavor pairings.

What do you need to know about preparing chia seed jam?

  • Chia seed jam isn’t actually a real, classic jam. It is a quick fruit spread with a small amount of sugar or some other sweetener and its jammy consistency is coming from chia seeds.
  • Whoever uses chia seeds in their kitchen is probably well acquainted with their superpowers of transformation when they come in contact with a liquid. Precisely because chia seeds can easily absorb a large amount of water, this jam doesn’t have to cook for a long time to get the right consistency, and therefore you don’t need to use a lot of sweeteners. If you like more acidic flavors, you don’t need to put sugar in chia jam at all.
  • However, there is one catch: chia jam doesn’t have a long shelf life and therefore I recommend that you make small batches and keep it in smaller jars. The jam after the opening in the fridge lasts for about 7-8 days, and you can put it in the freezer if you want. But I guarantee you that you’ll eat this jam in a day or two 🙂
  • Given these facts, feel free to play around a bit with various spices and combinations of fruit, as I have done in the recipes down below. Also, instead of white sugar, you can use brown sugar, honey, agave syrup, stevia, or any other artificial sweetener.
  • Although it has a short life shelf, I still recommend putting chia seed jam in sterilized jars.
  • You can also use frozen fruit.
  • And finally, you can enjoy your chia jam in so many ways! Spread on a slice of banana bread, croissants, on top of granola with some yogurt, with pancakes, waffles, and muffins. Also, I believe that chia jam can easily fit into a cake.

Chia seed jam jars in basket full of berries

Chia seed jam spread on croissant

Best fruits and spices flavor combinations

Down below I’ve written for you some interesting combinations of fruits and spices. These are, of course, only indicative and a matter of your personal preference. It all depends on how will your taste buds respond. Think of it as an inspiration 🙂


Strawberries – mint, basil, vanilla, lemon zest, ginger, black pepper, lavender;

Cherries – tonka bean, bitter almond extract, vanilla, orange zest, cinnamon;

Raspberries – basil, cinnamon, nutmeg, mint, vanilla;

Blueberries – vanilla, mint, thyme, rosemary, orange zest;

Apricots – cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom, bitter almond extract;

Plums – clove, lavender, tonka bean, coriander seeds, allspice;

Pears – vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, anise, ginger;

Apples – cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, sage;

Grapes – anise, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, coriander seeds, allspice.


If you’re familiar with other interesting fruits and spices flavors which I didn’t mention here or you maybe want me to add some other fruit on this list, be sure to let me know this down below in comments, on my Instagram profile or Facebook page. Also, did I mentioned that you can also follow me on Pinterest? 🙂

And don’t forget to send me some photos of your chia seed jams, I would be thrilled to see your combinations!

Homemade chia jam in basket full of fruits

How to make low-sugar chia seed jam in only 30 minutes

Mateja Zvirotic Andrijanic
For this quick, low-sugar chia seed jam you will need only 30 minutes, and you’ll get tasty, much healthier version of classic fruit jam that can be used in numerous combinations!
No ratings yet
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Condiments, Jams
Calories 1123 kcal

Ingredients
  

Variation no. 1 – Chia seed jam with strawberries and cherries

  • 200 g strawberries (cleaned)
  • 250 g cherries (pitted)
  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp chia seeds
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp rum
  • a good pinch of tonka bean (freshly grated)
  • pinch of salt

Variation no. 2 – Chia seed jam with frozen raspberries

  • 450 g raspberry (fresh or frozen)
  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp chia seeds
  • pinch of nutmeg (freshly grated)
  • few leaves basil (fresh)
  • pinch of salt

Instructions
 

Variation no. 1 – Chia seed jam with strawberries and cherries

  • Clean and cut the fruit to the desired size. Place the cherries, strawberries, rum, salt, and sugar in a pot on a medium-strong fire. Let it boil and don't forget to stir occasionally.
  • Add vanilla extract and freshly grated tonka bean. Leave the jam to simmer on a low fire for another minute or two. Make sure it is sweet according to your taste; add sugar if necessary.
  • Add chia seeds, stir well to combine with fruit, and let it simmer on low fire for about 5 minutes or until the jam thickens.
  • When the jam is done, pour it into warm, sterilized jars, put the lid and allow it to cool to room temperature. Store it in the refrigerator. After once opened, you can keep it in the refrigerator for about a week.

Variation no. 2 – Chia seed jam with frozen raspberries

  • The procedure is the same as with fresh fruit. Frozen fruits don't need to be thawed beforehand.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Nutrition

Calories: 1123kcalCarbohydrates: 211gProtein: 21gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 19gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 19mgPotassium: 1838mgFiber: 63gSugar: 134gVitamin A: 371IUVitamin C: 254mgCalcium: 632mgIron: 10mg

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