How To Make Chia Seed Jam (With Any Fruit)

Name: How To Make Chia Seed Jam (With Any Fruit)
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 12 min
Ingredients: 2 cups fruit ((frozen or fresh)); 2 tablespoons chia seeds; 1 tablespoon lemon juice (plus more to taste (about one-half lemon)); 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or agave (optional but recommended)); 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional); 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional); 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional); Pinch of ground cloves (optional)

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Vanilla extract, spices, maple syrup, lemon, chia seeds, frozen blueberries, and fresh strawberries.

Chia seeds (white or black)
Fruit (fresh or frozen)
Lemon juice
Maple syrup (optional)
Vanilla extract (optional)
Optional spices (ground ginger, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg)

See the recipe card for quantities.

🫐 Substitutions

Berries - Blueberries are the healthiest fruit! Which is why I typically choose them. However, any berries are suitable. I use frozen wild blueberries to save money, but fresh berries also work.

Chopped fruit - For larger fruit (strawberries, mango, peaches, apricots, kiwi, or pineapple), use 2 cups chopped.

Maple syrup - use a sweetener of your choice or omit it entirely

Spices - Ground ginger has similar benefits as fresh, and cloves have the most antioxidants of all spices and herbs! Cinnamon and ginger may help control blood glucose levels.

For more healthy chia seed recipes, visit my Vegan Breakfast Recipes page.

📖 How To Make Chia Seed Jam With Any Fruit

For the full recipe with quantities, scroll down to the bottom of the post. This is an overview.

For fresh fruit:

Step 1. For ground chia seed jam, grind the chia seeds in a coffee or spice grinder.

Chopped strawberries in a white saucepan.

Step 2. Chop fresh fruit, and transfer it to a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat.

Mashed strawberries cooking in a white saucepan.

Step 3. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened and softened, frequently mashing with a potato masher or spatula.

Cooked strawberries, ground chia seeds, vanilla, spices, lemon juice, and maple syrup in a glass bowl.

Step 4. Transfer the cooked fruit to a heat-proof bowl. Add ground or whole chia seeds. Add the lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla, and spices (if using). Mix well and adjust the sweetener and lemon juice to taste.

Once cool, transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate before using.

For frozen fruit:

Step 1. Transfer it to a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat.

Cooked blueberries with ground chia seeds and a lemon and yellow juicer.

Step 2. Transfer the cooked fruit to a heat-proof bowl. Add ground or whole chia seeds. Add the lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla, and spices (if using). Mix well and adjust the sweetener and lemon juice to taste.

Once cool, transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate before using.

✔️ Expert tips

Spice or coffee grinder: This is my preferred grinder as it has a removable cup for easy cleaning.
Fruit: For small berries (blueberries, raspberries, lingonberry, blackberries, gooseberries, or, cherries), use 2 cups of whole fruit. For larger fruit (strawberries, mango, peaches, apricots, kiwi, or pineapple), use 2 cups of roughly chopped fruit.
You can use fresh or frozen fruit. Use leftover fresh fruit in the summertime when it is in season, and more budget-friendly frozen fruit during the wintertime.
Add the chia seeds once the cooked fruit has cooled to preserve the omega 3s.
Storage: Refrigerate Chia Seed Jam in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Or freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

How to thicken jam without pectin?

Chia seeds are the thickening agent. Both ground or whole chia seeds work. However, grinding them increases the bioavailability of omega-3s and may promote weight loss. Cornstarch and arrowroot are also used to thicken jams.

Does heating blueberries destroy the antioxidants?

The antioxidants in wild blueberries appear to be heat stable since cooked berries retained significant HAA. Therefore, cooked wild blueberries are a good source of dietary antioxidants.

What does chia jam go well with?

Toast: Spread chia jam on toast for a classic and delicious breakfast or snack.
Yogurt: Swirl chia jam into yogurt for added sweetness and flavor.
Oatmeal: Mix chia jam into oatmeal for a fruity and nutritious boost.
Pancakes or Waffles: Use chia jam as a topping for pancakes or waffles instead of traditional syrup.
Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, or Tahini: Make a sandwich, wrap, or English muffin using nut butter and chia jam for a tasty and satisfying treat.
Cheese: Serve chia jam alongside cheese on a charcuterie board for a sweet and savory combination.
Ice Cream: Drizzle chia jam over ice cream for a fruity and refreshing dessert.

📖 Recipe