Super Easy Berry Chia Jam (low sugar recipe)

Name: Super Easy Berry Chia Jam (low sugar recipe)
Cook time: 15 min
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

May 9, 2023 by Monique 32 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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

Image of dark berry chia jam in small curved jar, copper spoon in the jar, berries in background

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.

Image of chia jam jar from top down showing berry jam in glass jar with a few berries at base of jar.

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.

Image of berry chia jam in a small glass jar, shot from a side angle, with a bowl of mixed berries in background.

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!

Close up image of a mixed berry chia jam in glass jar with small copper spoon sticking out the top.

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!

Top down view image of a mixed berry chia jam in jar with a spoon on the side, fresh berries scattered around.

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:

Healthy Almond Chocolate Mug Cake

Easy Omega 3 Porridge (vegan friendly)

Berry, Lemon and Yoghurt Loaf

Green Smoothie Pancakes

Protein Packed Banana Porridge

Creamy Quinoa Porridge with Flaxseed