Making your own chia seed jam is easy and delicious! I love this simple recipe using only 5 ingredients. It's versatile for any flavor!
I love making homemade condiments, especially when it is so quick and easy. Being able to control what ingredients you use makes it so great to appease all preferences!
Chia seed jam isn't identical to your classic jam, it's better! Chia seeds are a great source for fiber, protein, iron, and magnesium, making them a healthy addition to your life. They act as a thickener, which helps to create some pretty easy and tasty homemade jam.
Ingredients
Only a handful of simple ingredients are required to make chia jam. Here's what you need:
- Fruit
- Orange Juice
- Sweetener
- Chia Seeds
- Water
- Sea salt
How to Make Chia Seed Jam
If making jam intimidates you, never fear! It's actually super easy! Here are the steps to take:
- Cook the fruit, water and salt until it is softens then mash it.
- Add the orange juice, sweetener and chia seeds and mix well, let cool.
- Transfer to an airtight container.
- Enjoy!
Flavor suggestions
This chia seed jam recipe works best with certain fruits over others. Avoid using citrus, you'll want a more traditional method for those. Try any of the following flavors:
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Peaches
- Plums
- Apricots
- Cherries
- Mangoes
- Lychees
Serving suggestions
Use this jam any way you like! Some of our favorite ways include:
- Spread on toast with coconut butter
- On bagels along with cream cheese
- As a dip for French Toast Sticks
- A topper for Pancakes
- Mixed into Yogurt
- Served with Apple Cinnamon Scones
Tips and tricks
Here are a few suggestions to help you make the best homemade jam:
- The sweetener is optional, only use it if your fruit isn’t sweet enough.
- Salt really helps to bring out the flavor of the fruit, you can omit if you prefer.
- If you use fresh fruit instead of frozen, you may need to add more water since frozen fruit contains more liquid.
- Keep and eye as it cooks, and if it starts to reduce too much or burn, add 2-4 tablespoons of water.
- Mash until you get it to the consistency you like, we prefer it smooth with a few small chunks.
- Keep in mind, this will thicken more as it cools, and will be even thicker the next day.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- You may also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Common Questions
Chia seed jam is not recommended for canning. The pH level is different than traditional jam and can be unsafe.
Anything! Toast, bagels, yogurt, scones, pancakes, waffles, etc.
Homemade jam is healthiest because you can control exactly what ingredients go into it. If you buy store bought, look for ones with a low sugar content.
You sure can! As chia seeds are exposed to moisture they expand, causing them to thicken any liquid they are added to.
More Vegan Condiment Recipes
Sauces and spreads add so much flavor to your food, don't skip out! Try these plant based versions of your favorites:
Vegan Chia Seed Jam Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen fruit like berries or stone fruit , you can also use fresh (see note)
- ¼ cup water
- Pinch sea salt
- 1 tablespoons fresh orange juice , can also use lemon
- 1-2 tablespoons sweetener of choice , I used maple syrup (optional for added sweetness)
- 2-3 tablespoons chia seeds , depending on how thick you want it
Instructions
- Add the fruit, water and salt to a pot and cook over medium heat until it is softens. About 5 minutes. Once soft, mash it to get the consistency you want. I like it smooth with a few small chunks.2 cups frozen fruit like berries or stone fruit, ¼ cup water, Pinch sea salt
- Add the orange juice, sweetener and chia seeds if using and mix well. Remove from heat and allow to cool. It thickens more as it cools and will be even thicker the next day.1 tablespoons fresh orange juice, 1-2 tablespoons sweetener of choice, 2-3 tablespoons chia seeds
- Store in the fridge in an air tight container and serve!
Notes
- If you use fresh fruit, you may need to add more water since frozen fruit can be more liquidy. Watch it as it cooks and if it starts to reduce too much or burn, add 2-4 tablespoons of water. Keep adding as the fruit cooks, you want it soft and cooked through.
- Using fruit like berries or stone fruit works best since it gives that soft jam like consistency using this method. Other fruit like citrus work better with more traditional methods.
- If your fruit isn’t sweet enough you may want to add some sweetener.
- The salt brings out the flavor of the fruit, you can omit if you prefer.
- Nutrition facts will change depending on what fruit and sweetener you use.
- This makes about 1 cup, serving size is 2 tablespoons.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Sarah
Such a great addition to my morning toast! I can't wait to try more flavors.