This Easy Chia Seed Jam is homemade jam without the hassle! There’s no refined sugar, it can be made with your favorite fresh or frozen fruit, and it’s ready in about 10 minutes!

Spoon digging into jar of strawberry chia jam

I make a lot of homemade jam because most store bought varieties include way too much sugar, preservatives and ingredients that I can’t pronounce.

My fig jam is incredibly easy because it’s small batch, meaning no canning is required.

I didn’t think things could get any easier than that recipe, but this Chia Jam recipe proved me wrong.

Chia seeds are little nutrient-dense powerhouses and magical thickeners that I’ve been using in my chia seed pudding and blueberry overnight oats for years.

As it turns out, the seeds help make jam thick and spreadable in mere minutes!

Spoonful of strawberry chia seed jam

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • Chia jam is the quick and easy way to make homemade jam with any type of fruit.
  • It takes just 4 ingredients and it’s ready in about 10 minutes.
  • There’s no refined sugar, it’s dairy and gluten-free, and is also paleo-friendly.
  • It keeps for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or freezes for up to 3 months.

Recipe ingredients

Chia jam recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

  • Fruit. I used fresh strawberries for this chia seed jam recipe, but almost any variety of fresh or frozen fruit may be used. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, cherries, figs, apricots and plums are all great options!
  • Chia seeds. Two tablespoons of chia seeds are all that’s needed for a thick, spreadable jam.
  • Maple syrup. Sub with your favorite sweetener. Add more to taste!
  • Lemon juice. A bit of fresh lemon juice helps heighten the flavors.

How to make chia jam

Most jam recipes take around 45 minutes or so to cook in order for the fruit to thicken to a spreadable consistency, but chia seed jam only takes 10 minutes of cooking time.

Pro tip:  If the texture of the chia seeds bothers you or if like a smoother jam, process the jam in a blender or food processor until it reaches the desired consistency.

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

How to make chia jam collage
  1. Place the fruit, maple syrup and lemon juice in a medium sauce pan.
  2. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until the fruit has broken down and the liquid has thickened.
  3. Add the chia seeds and cook 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  4. Remove from heat and cool completely. The jam will thicken as it cools.
Chia seed jam in a jar

FAQs

Can I use fresh or frozen fruit for chia seed jam?

You can use either fresh or frozen fruit for this chia seed jam recipe.  If you’re using frozen fruit, you can pop it right into the sauce pan frozen with the sweetener and lemon juice, but it will take a few minutes longer to cook.
You can also thaw the fruit slightly before cooking, which results in about the same cooking time as listed in the recipe.

Which fruits are best for chia seed jam?

There aren’t many fruits that don’t work for chia seed jam!  Any of your favorite fruits will work –> all types of berries, cherries, peaches, apricots, figs and even rhubarb.
I’ve made (4) variations of chia seed jam for this post and they all worked out great with this base recipe.
The photos above from left to right are blueberry chia seed jam and mixed berry chia seed jam (a combination of strawberry and blackberry).
Any combination of favorite berries will do!

How long does chia seed jam last?

Chia seed jam will last for about 2 weeks stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
It may also be frozen for up to 3 months.  Simply thaw in the refrigerator and use within 2 weeks.

Serving suggestions

There are so many delicious ways to use chia jam!

  • Slather it over toast or bagels.
  • Stir it into oatmeal or overnight oats.
  • Layer it with yogurt and granola for a healthy breakfast or snack.

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip:  If the texture of the chia seeds bothers you or if like a smoother jam, process the jam in a blender or food processor until it reaches the desired consistency.
  • Cooking time will vary ever based on the type of fruit that you use and whether it’s fresh or frozen.
  • Store chia jam in the refrigerator for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.  
  • Customize your jam by adding vanilla or other extracts, your favorite citrus, spices such as cinnamon or cardamom, herbs such as thyme or lavender, or freshly grated ginger.
strawberry chia jam slathered on an English muffin

More chia seed recipes you’ll love!

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Spoon digging into jar of strawberry chia jam

Easy Chia Jam

Servings: 16 servings
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Additional Time: 0 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
This Easy Chia Jam is homemade jam without the hassle! There's no refined sugar, it can be made with your favorite fresh or frozen fruit, and it's ready in about 10 minutes!
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Ingredients

For the chia jam:

  • 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen fruit strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, apricot, peaches and plums, etc.
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Place the fruit, maple syrup and lemon juice in a medium sauce pan and cook over medium heat, stirring often.  Cook until the fruit has broken down and the liquid has thickened, about 5 minutes (this will take 1-2 minutes longer if your fruit is frozen).
  • Stir in the chia seeds and cook an addition 2-3 minutes or until thickened.  Taste and add more sweetener if desired and pour into jars.  Allow to cool at room temperature, then cover with a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

  • Pro tip:  If the texture of the chia seeds bothers you or if like a smoother jam, process the jam in a blender or food processor until it reaches the desired consistency
  • Cooking time will vary ever based on the type of fruit that you use and whether it’s fresh or frozen.
  • Store chia jam in the refrigerator for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.  
  • Customize your jam by adding vanilla or other extracts, your favorite citrus, spices such as cinnamon or cardamom, herbs such as thyme or lavender, or freshly grated ginger.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon, Calories: 35kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Sodium: 2mg, Potassium: 46mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 113IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Spreads
Cuisine: American
Author: Marcie
Keyword: chia jam, chia seed jam, strawberry chia jam
All recipes and images © Flavor the Moments.
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

**This recipe was originally published in May 2018. The photos have been updated to include step by step photos and the text has been modified to include more recipe information.

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