Easy Berry Chia Seed Jam (Printable)
A quick, naturally sweetened berry spread made with chia seeds. Ready in 15 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Fruit Base
01 - 2 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries)
→ Sweetener
02 - 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey, adjusted to taste
→ Thickener
03 - 2 tablespoons chia seeds
→ Flavor Enhancers
04 - ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
05 - ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
# Directions:
01 - Combine berries in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fruit breaks down and releases natural juices.
02 - Use fork or potato masher to crush berries to desired texture, whether chunky or completely smooth.
03 - Stir in maple syrup, chia seeds, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
04 - Remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, stirring occasionally as chia seeds absorb liquid and jam reaches spreadable consistency.
05 - Taste jam and add additional sweetener if needed for preferred sweetness level.
06 - Transfer to clean jar. Cool completely before sealing. Refrigerate up to 1 week.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It comes together in fifteen minutes flat, no pectin or canning equipment required
- You control exactly how sweet it goes, and the chia version somehow tastes fresher than anything from a store
02 -
- Chia jam isnt shelf-stable like traditional canned jam, so keep it refrigerated and use within a week
- The jam continues thickening in the refrigerator, so dont panic if it seems slightly loose when you first jar it
03 -
- Mash the berries while theyre still hot since the fruit breaks down much more easily than once cooled
- Make a double batch during berry season and freeze the extra in small jars, though youll likely eat it faster than you expect