A delicious healthy chia jam made with mixed berries, lemon juice, maple syrup and chia seeds. Much lower in sugar than traditional jam, easy to make and suitable for vegans.
Homemade chia jam is the best way I've found to enjoy jam without a lot of added sugar.
My kids absolutely love jam on toast but I do try to limit the amount of sugar that they eat.
Making my own healthier version using berries and chia seeds means that I can control exactly how much sugar is going in.
Here's why you should make this berry chia jam today:
- tastes great
- you're in control of the sugar content
- perfect on toast, stirred into porridge or on pancakes
- chia seeds are packed full of nutrients
Traditional jam vs chia jam
Traditional jam is made by heating fruit and sugar together until it thickens and sets.
Most jam recipes use similar quantities of fruit to sugar. For example a jam recipe that uses 500g of berries will use 500g sugar - or similar.
Read more about how to make traditional jam.
Chia jam on the other hand uses chia seeds to thicken the jam, leaving you free to add as much or as little sugar as you want.
What are chia seeds?
Chia seeds are small grey seeds that are packed full of protein and other nutrients.
It's well worth adding a handful of chia seeds to your smoothie in the morning, or grinding them and adding to your porridge or cereal in the morning.
However, there's a lot more you can do with them.
Vegans, or those who can't eat eggs, can grind them and mix with water to make chia "eggs" - great for binding together cakes etc. How to make chia eggs.
When added to liquid they swell up and can be used to make a pudding - try this coconut and raspberry chia pudding from my seasonal vegan blog, Cook Veggielicious.
Fresh or frozen berries can be used
Chia jam can be made using either fresh or frozen fruit.
If you're making it in winter then frozen berries are the way to go.
In summer it's a great use for fresh berries particularly if you've got a glut of berries from your garden or perhaps after an over-enthusiastic trip to a pick your own farm!
It's also a great use for over-ripe squishy berries.
Any berries can be used
For this recipe I used a bag of mixed frozen berries from the supermarket.
However, you can substitute whichever berries you prefer - raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and red currants all work well.
Ingredients
For full recipe, ingredients and quantities go to the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
To make this recipe you will need:
- 400g mixed berries, fresh or frozen
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or agave syrup), or to taste
More chia jam recipes
The first time I made chia jam I made it with raspberries.
The recipe is on this healthy homemade raspberry jam tarts post if you'd like to have a look.
I've since played around with it and made a healthy rhubarb jam which I used to make these healthy vegan rhubarb bars.
How long does it take to make chia jam?
It doesn't take long to make your own healthy jam but you will need to leave enough time for it to cool and set in the fridge.
If you want to eat it straight away it's more like a berry sauce than a jam. The cooling and chilling process helps it thicken up and become more spreadable.
More recipes you might like
If you like this you might also like:
How to make mixed berry chia jam
For full recipe, ingredients and quantities go to the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
1. Place 400g mixed berries (fresh or frozen) into a saucepan with a tablespoon of lemon juice.
2. Cook, stirring often, until the fruit has defrosted (if using frozen) and is starting to break down into a sauce-like consistency.
3. Remove from the heat and add 4 tablespoons chia seeds and a tablespoon maple syrup (if using - adjust quantity to taste).
4. Stir well then leave to cool. The mixture will thicken as it cools. Once cool transfer to a tupperware box and store in the fridge for 3-5 days.
If you've made this recipe please a star rating and comment below. Thank you!
Please do not reproduce this recipe without permission.
Mixed berry chia jam
Ingredients
- 400 g mixed berries* fresh or frozen
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave syrup, adjust quantity to taste
Instructions
- Place 400g berries and a tablespoon of lemon juice in a small saucepan and heat through gently, stirring often, until the berries start to break down and become sauce like*
- Remove from the heat and stir in 4 tablespoons of chia seeds and a tablespoon maple syrup.
- Allow to cool slightly, then taste and add more maple syrup if desired.
- Leave to cool completely then place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 2-3 hours to allow it to set.
- Keeps for around three days in the fridge.
Notes
- *Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and redcurrants are all good.
- If you've used strawberries they tend to hold their shape more - you can mash them to help them break down into a sauce.
- Nutritional information is approximate and is intended as a guide only.
Nutrition
Looking for breakfast ideas? Check out these 25 vegan breakfast recipes.
Pin mixed berry chia jam for later
HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?
If you loved this recipe why not let me know by leaving a comment below? Alternatively you can let me know on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Subscribe to get recipes and news straight to your inbox. Read more about Sneaky Veg
This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosure for more information.
Raych
I made this with frozen mixed berries and was surprised at how little agave nectar was needed to sweeten it.. It was a hit with the jam eaters in our family ? thanks so much for sharing with us ?
Mandy Mazliah
So pleased that you liked it Raych!
Tag
This sounds lovely! Love that it’s a mix of berries.. would fresh berries work?
Mandy Mazliah
Hi Tag - yes you could use fresh berries instead - let me know how it goes
Jo
Made this today and it is really good! In a strange way it's better than normal jam because you can taste the fruit more if that makes sense! I made half a batch to try it out but I can definitely see me making the whole batch in the future. I might put some of it in the freezer for use in cakes or desserts. Is there any other sweetener you've tried this with other than maple syrup?
Mandy Mazliah
I think I agree with you Jo! You can use any kind of sweetener. I think I've used honey and agave syrup.
Kate - gluten free alchemist
Always on the hunt for different and lower sugar jam recipes. I would not have considered adding chia. I will have to give it a go x
Mandy Mazliah
It's really good - great for baking as well. Hope you enjoy it x