How to Make Easy Strawberry Chia Seed Jam
Easy Chia Seed jam recipe. Chock full of good stuff like fresh fruit and chia seeds, my easy chia seed jam is quick to make, and low in sugar! Best of all it has the fruitiest taste!
You may have read about Chia Jam or seen it trending on Instagram or Facebook. Unlike lots of online ideas that seem delicious in theory, but are actually a waste of time and ingredients, Chia Jam has a lot of great things going for it.
I love to stir this chia jam through my chia pudding or spread on my toasted muffin bread!
What is Chia Jam?
Chia Jam is, quite simply, fresh fruit simmered until it reaches the point of collapse, thickened with Chia Seeds. Whereas traditional jams rely on slow simmering and lots and lots and lots of sugar to both thicken and sweeten, Chia Jam tastes more like the actual fruit because of the quicker cooking time.
Chia Seeds look a little like poppy seeds when you buy them, but once they are immersed in a liquid, they release a gel-like consistency around them. This makes them also a great egg replacer in baking (although I prefer ground flaxseed).
So, Chia Jam has minimal ingredients, minimal cooking time and is sweetened only by the fruit itself (unless you add a little extra to your own taste). It’s a great way to use fruit that is past its prime, or that you can buy reduced in the supermarket. You know, the raspberries that are starting to look a little squished, yeah, they’re perfect for this.
Chia Seeds are also really high in fiber and great for your digestion. Here’s an article discussing the benefits of adding Chia Seeds to you daily intake.
Price-wise, Chia Seeds are quite cheap to buy these days, and you can buy them in larger quantities which makes it cheaper too. They are fabulous sprinkled on salads or on toast, but don’t really have a great deal of flavour. However, the health benefits make them a worthy addition to your morning smoothie or lunch.
How do I Make Chia Jam?
It really is incredibly easy to make.
- To make one cup of jam, you need two cups of fruit. If you are using berries, you don’t need to do anything with them; if using strawberries, or larger fruits, then chop them a little.
- Simmer the fruit in a saucepan, over very gentle heat for about 5-10 minutes (depending on how soft your fruit is), until it starts to collapse. Gently press the fruit with the back of a spoon to squish it down. You can make it as smooth or chunky as you prefer.
- Remove from the heat and stir in a tablespoon of lemon juice. This is optional but it helps sharpen up and balance the flavour of super-sweet fruits.
- Stir in 2 tbsp of chia seeds (one tablespoon per cup of RAW fruit), and leave to cool. You will see it start to thicken almost immediately.
- Once cooled a little, pour into a Kilner jar and store in the fridge for upto a week.
What Fruit Can I Use to Make Chia Jam?
- Berries like Blueberries, Raspberries, Loganberries, Strawberries, Blackberries
- Stone fruit like Peaches, Nectarines, Cherries or Plums
- Seasonal fruits like Gooseberries, Rhubarb, Apples or Pears (peeled and cored)
- You can of course use frozen fruit too!
- You can pimp your Chia Seed Jam by stirring in some chopped herbs, like mint or basil or lavender to add an herbaceous flavour. Make sure to add after cooking.
- You can add a drizzle of Balsamic Vinegar to a strawberry Chia Jam for a classic twist
What Can I Use Chia Seed Jam For?
- Spread on toast for a delicious, healthy breakfast
- Thumbprint Cookies
- Stirred into yogurt and granola
- Added to a smoothie bowl or blended into your morning smoothie for extra fruitiness!
- Stirred into Rice Pudding or Porridge
- Topping Chia Seed Pudding!
- Served with my Crispy Cornmeal Waffles!
Chia Seed Jam
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Kilner Jar
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 2 cups Berries Fresh Fruit, chopped, peeled and stoned if necessary, see notes above
- 2 tbsp Chia Seeds (note, for larger quantities, it's 1tbsp seeds, per 1 cup RAW fruit)
- 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice optional but adds a lovely tang
- 1 tbsp (upto) of sweetener of your choice optional and to taste
Instructions
- In a saucepan, add your fruit and simmer for between 5-10 minutes, or until the fruit starts to collapse and break down
- Break down any large lumps with the back of a wooden spoon. Leave as chunky though as you like
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice
- Let cool a little and then taste for sweetener. Add if needed
- Stir in the Chia Seeds
- Leave to cool for about 5 mins, then pour into prepared jar. Leave to cool completely before refrigerating.
- Will last for about a week in the fridge
Never knew how easy making jam could be! This recipe is awesome!!
Love Chia seed jam. Such a quick and easy recipe.
I’m such a big fan of chia jam. Thanks for breaking it down for us Freya!
Chia jam is the best! Love your recipe!
sounds so good! and love the look of that texture
I was just looking for a chia seed jam recipe! This is awesome and so simple!
This chia jam looks SO simple! I have got to try this now!
Chia seed jam is sooo good! This one looks delicious, thanks for all the chia info.
Chia jam is amazing! Will definitely be saving this one!
I’ve been really wanting to make my own jam lately! So much random stuff in store bought jams and making your own is so fun and sooo delicious!
This chia seed jam looks wonderfully unintimidating and I can’t wait to try it out! Thank you for sharing.
I will definitely try this! It looks so ?
I love chia seeds! What a great idea!
This jam is delicious with a cheese plate – loved it!
I bought a large bag of chia seeds and this jam will be the next thing I make!
I love chia seeds and such an easy recipe.
I am so excited to try this, I’ve never used chia as a thickener before.
So quick and easy and delicious on bread!
This is such a great idea! Next time I bake sandwich cookies, I will try your chia jam.
What a great idea! Have to try this out soon! Thanks for sharing!
Simple, easy and delicious recipe!
What a great idea. Sounds healthy and delicious. I will definitely make strawberry chia jam following your instructions. Thanks.
So tasty and love the addition of chia to thicken and extra good health!
I love chia seeds! Your idea to use chia in a jam is fab! Not only healthy but a great way to thicken the jam rapidly without pectin. I will remember the next time I make jam for immediate consumption!
before lately i always thought you need massive amounts of sugar to make jam..boy was i wrong.i did frozen blueberries chia seed jam following this recipe and served it with your vegan rock cakes…very delicious:)