Homemade Chia Seed Jam with Any Fruit
How to Make Chia Seed Jam with Any Fruit is the ultimate guide to making homemade chia jam with any type of fresh or frozen fruit in minutes!
It’s so interesting to me the way fads come and go, and normally I sit back and cautiously watch and wait before I act on them. For example, when capri pants came back in style several years ago I waited a full 2 years before I finally bought a pair because I didn’t think the style would stick around long.
I couldn’t have been more wrong because I have several pairs today and capri pants show no signs of going out of style.
I also waited forever to get a smartphone, GPS in my car and an Instant Pot. The funny thing is that I can’t imagine life without any of them now!
I’m always late getting on the bandwagon when it comes to food trends as well, and when I saw that chia seeds were all the rage, all I could think about were the chia pets that we used to have in our house when I was growing up along with the jingle ch-ch-ch-chia! 🙂
All that aside, I finally got around to trying chia seeds years ago and they’ve been a staple in my kitchen ever since. I love that they’re little nutrient-dense powerhouses and magical thickeners for pudding, overnight oats and even jam.
Which finally brings me to the topic at hand –> How to Make Chia Seed Jam with Any Fruit!
How to Make Chia Seed Jam with Any Fruit
Chia seed jam is nothing short of a revelation and I’d love to shake the person’s hand that invented it. Most jam recipes take around 45 minutes or so to cook in order for the fruit to reduce to a spreadable consistency, but chia jam only takes 10 minutes of cooking time.
Yes — 10 minutes!
Cook the fruit with the sweetener and lemon juice in a sauce pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the fruit has broken down.
Next, add the chia seeds and cook another 2-3 minutes or until the mixture has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and place in a bowl or jar to cool.
As the jam cools, the chia seeds absorb the excess liquid which results in a nice thick, spreadable jam. The jam will become even thicker after being refrigerated.
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!
The photos above from left to right are rhubarb chia seed jam and raspberry chia seed jam.
I know the rhubarb jam isn’t much to look at but if you love rhubarb this jam is for you! Rhubarb isn’t super juicy so the jam is thicker, but I loved it.
How long does chia seed jam last?
Chia seed jam will last for 2-3 weeks stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
It may also be stored in the freezer in an air tight container for up to 3 months. Simply thaw in the refrigerator and use within 1 week.
At this point, I’ve never tried canning chia seed jam.
Customize your chia seed jam
All fruits aren’t created equally so the cooking time will vary based on the type of fruit that you use, whether it’s fresh or frozen as I mentioned or how much water it contains.
Your jam may need some added sweetener depending on how sweet your fruit is. You can add extra sweetener during the cooking time or even stir it in during the cooling time!
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.
You may also flavor your chia seed jam any number of ways by adding vanilla or other extracts, citrus zest or juice, spices like cinnamon or cardamom, fresh ginger and even alcohol.
More chia seed recipes you’ll love!
Strawberry Rhubarb Baked Oatmeal
Homemade Chia Seed Jam
Ingredients
For the chia jam:
- 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen fruit such as berries, rhubarb, cherries, apricot, peaches, plums, etc. (any combination will do!)
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Optional flavor enhancers:
- cinnamon cardamom or my [homemade chai spice mix]
- freshly grated ginger
- pure vanilla or other extracts
- fresh herbs such as thyme lavender or rosemary
- zest and juice from your favorite citrus blood orange, clementine, grapefruit, lime
- alcohol such as bourbon, sherry, or tequila
- good quality balsamic vinegar
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
- Cooking time will vary ever based on the type of fruit that you use and whether it's fresh, frozen or how much water it contains.
- Your jam may need some added sweetener depending on how sweet your fruit is. You can add extra sweetener during the cooking time or even stir it in during the cooling time!
- 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
16 Comments on “Homemade Chia Seed Jam with Any Fruit”
I’m always late to food trends too, as I like to see how they pan out. It took me forever to try quinoa and to get an instant pot, too! I just made my first chia seed jam last year and now I’m hooked. Loving this easy tutorial, Marcie! I love that you used maple syrup instead of sugar. Jam is perfect any time of the year, but especially come summer with all of that fresh fruit, I just want to put it on everything!
I didn’t try quinoa for a long time either but at least we got around to it! 🙂 Thanks Gayle!
LOL!!! I’m always late to the trendy party too, Marcie!! Literally, I’ve had an instant pot for almost 2 years and I have yet to use it. Oops?! But chia seeds I am totally down with!!! I am loving this super versatile jam and how you can use any fruit!!! Perfect for all those fresh berries coming in season! Pinning! Cheers!
I’m glad to hear I’m not alone but seriously — you always seem to be on the cutting edge of things in my opinion! 🙂 Thanks Chey!
I’m so glad chia seeds are a trend that’s sticking around because I love them! I’ve made chia jam a few times too and it’s delicious. You did such a great job showcasing all of the possibilities and breaking them down. Now I want to make some!
I love them too and I couldn’t get by without them. Thanks Sarah! 🙂
I love how healthy this is!! Jam from the store has so much sugar. If I can use chia then this is a definite win win!!
It really does and this so fun and easy to make! Thanks Katherine!
I’m a slow adopter as well! I usually sit back and watch the madness unfold until I can wrap my head around any trend..
I definitely don’t think chia seeds are going away, especially not chia seed jam, given how incredibly easy it is to make and how deliciously it turns out! Love the four varieties here! I’ve been meaning to try peaches and plums…will keep you updated if I do! Thanks for the inspiration!
Peach and plum chia jam would be amazing! 🙂
This jam looks delicious! I’ve never made chia seed jam before, but now I’m definitely going to sometime soon 🙂
Thanks Nicole — you’ve got to try it!
we believe chia seeds are the best remedy for summer.I will pass this recipe to my mom as these jams are the goodness 🙂
I love chia seed jams! These ones look delicious!
haha okay so I make a sort of lazy man chia jam all the time by defrosting berries, mashing and mixing with a bit of maple syrup and chia seeds. But I really should try making the “real” thing! I love the idea of making this with something other than berries (although let’s be real – berries have my heart!!) lol
I’ve been wanting to try making raw chia jam — sometimes I just don’t want to cook anything! haha Thanks Ashley and berries really are the most wonderful. 🙂