Simple Chia Seed Jam Recipe
There’s nothing quite like waking up to a piece of warm toast slathered with homemade jam, especially when you know it’s made with wholesome ingredients in under fifteen minutes! This Simple Chia Seed Jam is about to become your go-to for breakfasts, snacks, and desserts. It’s bursting with fresh berry flavor, only lightly sweetened, and thickened naturally (no pectin packets here!) thanks to those magical chia seeds. Whether you’re trying to eat cleaner or just want something easy and delicious, this Simple Chia Seed Jam delivers on all fronts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
Berries:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)
Sweetener:
- 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
Chia Seeds:
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Lemon Juice:
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
How to Make Simple Chia Seed Jam
Step 1: Cook the Berries
Place your fresh or frozen berries in a small saucepan set over medium heat. As the berries warm up, they’ll start to break down and release all those gorgeous juices. Stir occasionally, and after about 5 to 7 minutes, you’ll notice the fruit softening and transforming into a vibrant, chunky sauce.
Step 2: Mash to Your Liking
Grab a fork or potato masher and gently mash the softened berries. How much you mash depends on you—keep it chunky for bursts of fruit, or mash it smooth for a more classic jam texture. If you want an ultra-smooth jam, you can even blend the berries before you start cooking.
Step 3: Sweeten and Brighten
Once you’re happy with the texture, stir in your maple syrup or honey and that tablespoon of lemon juice. Take a taste! If you want it sweeter, add a touch more syrup or honey—remember, the flavors will mellow as the jam cools.
Step 4: Stir in the Chia Seeds
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chia seeds. You’ll notice the mixture start to thicken almost immediately. This is the magic that turns your berry sauce into Simple Chia Seed Jam without any fancy equipment or ingredients.
Step 5: Let the Jam Thicken
Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice as it rests. The jam will go from runny to perfectly spreadable, thanks to those hard-working chia seeds. Once it’s thickened to your liking, spoon it into a clean glass jar. The Simple Chia Seed Jam will actually continue to thicken as it chills in the fridge!
How to Serve Simple Chia Seed Jam
Garnishes
Dress up your Simple Chia Seed Jam with a scattering of fresh berries, a dusting of lemon zest, or even a sprig of mint for a pop of color and aroma. These garnishes make it extra special for weekend brunches or when serving guests.
Side Dishes
This jam shines on warm toast, oatmeal, pancakes, or waffles. It’s also a game-changer swirled into plain yogurt or layered in a parfait. Think about using it as a sweet-tart topping for rice pudding or cottage cheese for an effortlessly impressive breakfast.
Creative Ways to Present
For something unexpected, try spooning Simple Chia Seed Jam onto crostini with a smear of soft cheese, or use it as a filling for thumbprint cookies. Jars of this jam also make thoughtful homemade gifts—just tie with a ribbon and add a handwritten label!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cool, transfer your Simple Chia Seed Jam to a clean, airtight jar and pop it in the fridge. It will keep for up to two weeks, staying fresh and delicious for whenever you need a touch of brightness on your plate.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch or save some for berry-scarce months, Simple Chia Seed Jam freezes wonderfully. Portion it into small jars or containers, leaving a little room for expansion, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before using.
Reheating
If your jam thickens more than you’d like after chilling or freezing, gently stir in a splash of water or lemon juice and let it come to room temperature. There’s usually no need to heat, but you can warm it slightly if you’re spreading on pancakes or waffles.
FAQs
Can I use other fruits for this Simple Chia Seed Jam?
Absolutely! While berries are classic, you can experiment with chopped peaches, apricots, cherries, or even a blend of fruits. Just be sure to chop larger fruits finely and keep the measurements the same.
Is Simple Chia Seed Jam suitable for kids?
Yes, Simple Chia Seed Jam is a great choice for families. It’s naturally sweetened, free of artificial additives, and loaded with fiber. Kids often love the fruity flavor and fun texture.
How do I make the jam smoother?
For a super-smooth texture, simply puree the berries in a blender before cooking, or blitz the cooked jam before adding chia seeds. You can also strain out seeds from berries like raspberries if you want an ultra-silky finish.
Can I double or triple the recipe?
Certainly! Feel free to scale up the recipe to suit your needs. Cooking times might be a little longer for larger batches, and be sure to use a larger saucepan to avoid bubbling over.
What if my Simple Chia Seed Jam doesn’t thicken?
If your jam is a bit runny after cooling, add another teaspoon of chia seeds, stir well, and let it sit for another 10 minutes. The chia seeds should work their thickening magic in no time.
Final Thoughts
Making your own Simple Chia Seed Jam isn’t just easy—it’s genuinely fun and rewarding. With just a handful of ingredients, you end up with a beautiful jam that’s bursting with flavor and nutrition. Give it a try, and you may never look at store-bought jams the same way again!
Print
Simple Chia Seed Jam Recipe
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make a quick and healthy chia seed jam using fresh or frozen berries. This simple recipe is gluten-free, vegan, and bursting with fruity flavors.
Ingredients
Berries:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)
Sweetener:
- 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
Chia Seeds:
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Lemon Juice:
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook Berries: In a small saucepan, heat the berries until they break down and release juices. Mash to desired consistency.
- Add Sweetener: Stir in maple syrup or honey and lemon juice.
- Incorporate Chia Seeds: Remove from heat and mix in chia seeds. Let sit for 10 minutes to thicken.
- Store: Transfer jam to a jar, let cool, and refrigerate.
Notes
- For a smoother jam, blend the berries before cooking.
- Adjust sweetness to your preference.
- Experiment with different berry combinations or add vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 6 grams
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 1.5 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 9 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
