Insanely easy and delicious mixed berry chia jam is the healthy spread you want to have on hand for your breakfast, dessert and snacks. It’s much lower in sugar than regular jam and packed with fibre. As well as being so simple to make, this tasty recipe is gluten free, dairy free and vegan friendly.
Originally published February 2015 | Reviewed and updated May 2023
Why you will love this easy chia jam recipe
- This is an incredibly easy to make recipe with minimal ingredients. Once you have made this, you will make it again and again. And again. It is so easy to throw together – it’s one of those delightful recipes that give you so much value, making such a delicious and versatile jam for so little effort!
- Much lower in sugar than traditional jam. A traditional jam recipe uses a significant quantity of sugar. This recipe only calls for 4 tablespoons of liquid sweetener, either maple syrup or honey. You can actually decrease this even further if you’d prefer to just rely on the natural sweetness of the fruit, however I do think it tastes the best with some sweetener added.
- Packed with fibre and nutrients. There’s no gelling agent to be found in this healthy jam recipe. Instead, the thickness of the jam is created by using chia seeds, which swell up and absorb a large amount of liquid, creating a beautiful jammy texture. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fibre and also contain other essential nutrients including calcium, magnesium and zinc.
Ingredients needed for berry chia jam
Any berries are going to work in this recipe – I usually make this with a bag of frozen mixed berries available at my local supermarket.
- Frozen berries. I usually use mixed berries containing blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. However, any single berry or mix of berries will work. I always use frozen berries for chia jam because they are so much cheaper and I also find they are easier to break down into a nice jammy consistency. As they defrost they become soft quickly and release their juices.
- Chia seeds. Kind of goes without saying, right? You absolutely need to use chia seeds! Black seeds, white seeds or a mix, it doesn’t matter. I think the seeds end up looking like raspberry seeds, almost like you’d see in a traditional jam.
- Maple syrup. A sweetener is used to add a more intense sweet flavour to the chia jam. You could use a different liquid sweetener like honey or something like rice malt syrup or coconut syrup, too.
- Vanilla extract. This isn’t strictly an “essential” ingredient but adding vanilla to this jam gives it a beautiful aroma and that extra little something when it comes to flavour.
How to make jam with chia seeds
Step 1. Add frozen berries, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla and a quarter cup of water to a saucepan.
Step 2. Simmer the mixture over a moderate heat. As the berries start to defrost, stir the mixture firmly so the berries break down into a chunky jam. At the same time, the chia seeds will start to swell and absorb the liquid in the saucepan.
Step 3. Once the berries have dissolved to your liking, turn the stove off and let the mixture sit in the saucepan for 10-15 minutes while it cools. The jam will continue to thicken.
Step 4. Scoop the jam into a clean jar, seal and place in the fridge until it’s chilled. Then, it’s ready!
What can I do with chia seed jam?
Kept tucked away in your fridge, easy mixed berry chia jam is going to become your new favourite sweet spread!
Some of my favourite ways to eat berry chia jam are:
- Spread of top of toast with peanut butter or almond butter
- Stirred through thick greek yoghurt (add a sprinkle of walnuts too)
- Added to porridge or granola bowls
- Served on top of pancakes
- Served on top of french toast
- Used as a topping on desserts like ice cream, frozen yoghurt, muffins and mug cakes
How should I store chia seed jam?
This jam will last around 7 to 10 days in the fridge if it’s stored in a clean jar. Just make sure it’s always kept in the fridge, this jam does not have any added preservatives and it doesn’t have a high sugar content, so it can spoil easily if it is left out.
Can chia jam be frozen?
Yes, you could freeze this chia jam for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing in small jars/containers or even consider decanting to an ice cube tray before freezing, that way it will defrost easily and you’re less likely to waste it!
If you make this chia jam, don’t forget to take a snap and tag me on Instagram so you can show me what you do with it! 🙂
Recipes that go super well with chia seed jam:
Super Easy Berry Chia Jam (low sugar recipe)
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen berries – any variety or a mixture
- 4 tbsp chia seeds
- 3 tbsp honey or any liquid sweetener of choice e.g. maple syrup, coconut syrup, rice malt syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add frozen berries, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla and a quarter cup of water to a saucepan.
- Simmer the mixture over a moderate heat. As the berries start to defrost, stir the mixture firmly so the berries break down into smaller chunks and start to form more of a puree (that will become the jam!). At the same time, the chia seeds will start to swell and absorb the liquid in the saucepan.
- Once the berries have dissolved to your liking, turn the stove off and let the mixture sit in the saucepan for 10-15 minutes while it cools. The jam will continue to thicken. Stir once or twice to make sure the chia seeds are fully incorporated.
- Scoop the jam into a clean jar, seal and place in the fridge until it’s chilled. Then, it’s ready!
Nutrition
Can this be done exactly the same with fresh berries?
Yes, you can use fresh berries as well! They will cook more quickly as obviously you don’t need to factor in the defrosting time!
พิ่ม Impression (การมองเห็น) จาก User มากขึ้น บางคนอาจคิดว่าแค่มีโปรโฟล์ มีเพจใน Facebook แล้วลูกค้าจะเข้ามาสนใจสินค้าเองก็มีโอกาสเป็นไปได้อยู่บ้าง ปั้มไลค์เฟสแต่คงจะดีกว่าหากคุณมีใช้บริการ ปั้มไลค์เฟส นอกจากจะช่วย ปั้มไลค์ ให้คุณมียอดไลค์ล้นหลามแล้ว ยังเพิ่มการมองเห็นทำให้ลูกค้าเกิดความสนใจเข้ามาซื้อสินค้ามากกว่าเดิม ทำให้มี Reliable (มีความน่าเชื่อถือ) ในการนำเสนอสินค้า หากคุณเพิ่งมีหน้าร้านออนไลน์อย่าง
So easy and so tasty, thank you!
Thank you so much Shona! I love this jam so much 🙂
This jam is absolutely amazing, I made it with raspberries & blackcurrant and today with strawberries. Delicious 🙂
Hi Izabela, thank you so much for this positive feedback, really appreciate you taking the time to write it 🙂 Oh yum it would be so good with blackcurrant!
Can this be doubled and canned?
Hi Kathy, I haven’t tried to do this myself so I’m not 100% sure. I think it would be safer to freeze it – I worry that the high water content of this product might not keep well even if canned.
I was looking for a recipe like this, I love that it’s not too complicated as well. I’ll have to try this out 🙂
Julia // The Sunday Mode
Thanks very much Julia! Hope you try this out soon, it’s one of my favourite condiments for brekky time 🙂
I love a quick jam like this – it looks so delicious! I love all the seeds in it – reminds me of a seedy raspberry jam. This is a great cooking project to try with the kiddos!
Thanks so much Leslie-Anne 🙂 It reminds me a lot of raspberry jam too, which is why I think it makes such a good substitute for regular jam, it’s actually got the same texture and look exactly!
My kids love this recipe; 5 stars! 🙂 I love that it’s GAPS Diet-friendly! Such a great condiment! Thank you!
Aww Megan I was so happy to read this. I love, love this condiment myself and makes me feel so truly good knowing others are loving it too 🙂
I am a huge fan of chia seeds, but I have never thought of making a jam with it. What a wonderful idea!
It’s so easy and such a great condiment to keep in the fridge 🙂 Yet another magical way to use chia!
I must make this! I rarely keep jam in the house because of all the sugar. Now we could have our jam and eat it too!
Exactly Cathy! This is one of my favourite easy meal prep items as it’s so handy to have this in the fridge 🙂
I love the addition of chia seeds in this jam, a great way to get a sweet fix! So easy too! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Carrie 🙂 The chia seeds are such an easy way to make thick jam and I love that it gives it a health boost too.
Homemade chia jam is the best!! I always try to have it on hand.
Isn’t it awesome! Can’t get over how easy it is to make, one of those meal prep items that actually takes no time!
Oh my goodness, I need to try this! I have such a hard time finding jam that I can eat on a refined-sugar free diet. Thank you!
Yay! I hope you do try this and enjoy it Raia! It’s one of my fave fridge staples for when I want a sweet breakfast or snack.
That color!! Gorgeous! I’d love this slathered on a biscuit or on pancakes! <3
Thanks so much Christina! I LOVE this on pancakes, one of my favourite toppings!
Chia jams are so good! And those berries, I just can’t have enough. Your photos are too beautiful, Monique! In the past I have also tried freezing the chia jam in the freezer to extend the shelf life of it – seems to work for me.
Hi Yang, thank you so much for that tip on freezing the jam! Sometimes I get a bit ambitious and make far too much of it… it’s nice to have but I don’t need to eat it every day haha. I am going to try freezing half with my next batch!
My husband is all about the jam! He would love this.
Haha I am a bit of a jam fan myself 🙂 I would never usually buy the commercial stuff but this healthier substitute is just so easy to make!
I have been wanting to try a chia jam…I totally love them but don’t know if I kids would go for the texture. Worth a shot!!
You should definitely give it a go Tessa! I find that the chia seeds get really soft and it kind of feels like raspberry jam to me. 🙂
Love chia jam! Yours looks so pretty and vibrant.
Thanks so much Jean! I love making it with mixed berries so it gets such a deep colour 🙂