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Making your own healthy strawberry chia seed jam is easy and delicious! My simple recipe uses only 5 ingredients for a refreshing, nutrient-packed fruit spread. Ideal for anyone looking for an easy, healthy homemade jam - it makes the perfect addition to toast, waffles, pancakes, parfaits, cheese boards, and more! Naturally sweet and versatile, this kid-friendly jam is going to be a staple in your household.
I love making my own condiments from scratch, especially when it is so quick and convenient. Store bought jams often have a lot of sugar and unnecessary ingredients, so I prefer being able to control what I use. My homemade chia jam with strawberries is sweet, flavorful, and loaded with all the good stuff!
As soon as I made this jam for the first time, I knew it would become a regular thing! My kids actually prefer this chia seed jam over traditional options. Luckily it only takes me a few minutes to prepare so I can always have some on hand for my family.
We love using it in classic ways like for peanut butter jelly sandwiches, but have also found it to be a fun and tasty topping and spread in more unique ways. Lately I've been swirling some into my strawberries and cream oatmeal! I share more of my favorite serving ideas later on in this post!
🥘 Ingredients
Only a handful of simple ingredients are required to make my strawberry jam with chia seeds. Here's what I use in this recipe:
Strawberries: I use two cups of frozen strawberries for this delicious strawberry chia seed jelly!
Orange Juice: This adds a boost of sweetness and acidity to the jam. I have also used lemon juice here and it works well. The citrus has natural preservative properties and helps to extend the shelf life of this jam. The acid also helps activate the pectin in the fruit, which helps the jam set better.
Sweetener: I use maple syrup to add a little boost of sweetness, but you can also make this 5-ingredient strawberry chia jam with no sugar at all! The strawberries and orange juice are naturally sweet. Other options include using agave or honey (but then this recipe won't be vegan-friendly).
Chia Seeds: The chia seeds are the secret trick to thickening this jam! They absorb all the liquid and become jelly-like in texture.
Water: I use about ¼ cup of water to heat my strawberries and help break them down into the base for this jam.
Sea Salt: I find that the salt really helps to bring out the flavor of the fruit but you can omit it if you prefer.
🔪 How To Make Strawberry Chia Seed Jam
If making jam intimidates you, never fear! My strawberry chia seed jam recipe is actually super easy! Here are the steps for how to make chia seed jam at home:
Soften Berries: First, I add the frozen strawberries, water, and salt to a medium sized saucepan and cook over medium heat until it softens (about 5 minutes).
Mash: Once soft, I use a potato masher to mash the mixture to get the consistency I want. I like it smooth with a few small chunks.
Mix In Remaining Ingredients: Now, I add the orange juice, sweetener, and chia seeds and stir well.
Let Cool & Enjoy: I remove from heat and allow it to cool. It thickens more as it cools and can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge in between uses. Enjoy!
📖 Variations
This easy chia seed jam 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:
Raspberry Chia Jam: Aside from strawberries, this is my other favorite option! Swap out the frozen strawberries for frozen raspberries. Plus, they break down really easily so you barely have to mash them.
Blackberry Chia Seed Jam: I love using blackberries to change things up! It tastes great on toast, and the rich, sweet flavor pairs nicely with peanut butter or sunflower seed butter. If you like a little crunch from the blackberry seeds, this one's for you!
Peach Chia Seed Jam: Replace the strawberries with some frozen peaches, mashing well to get to the consistency you prefer. I love peach jam for the summer time!
Other Flavor Options: This jam method would also work well with blueberries, plums, apricots, cherries, mango, and lychee.
Herbal Infusion: Simmer some fresh basil or mint into the water for a refreshing, bold taste! You can either finely chop the leaves or just remove the whole leaves before mashing.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Use my vegan strawberry chia seed jam any way you like as part of your breakfast, lunch, or snack! Some of my favorite ways include:
🫙 Storage Instructions
Fridge: I store my chia seed strawberry jam in an airtight container or mason jar and keep in the refrigerator. It should last for up to 2 weeks, if you don't gobble it up before then!
Freezer: Yep, my chia berry jam is freezer-friendly! I store it in a covered ice cube tray or airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge when you are ready to use it.
❓Recipe FAQs
Why is my jam so watery?
Your chia seed jam might seem too runny and thin for a couple reasons. First, it could be that you have added too much water. Be sure to follow my measurements exactly as labeled in this post. Additionally, you may just need to give the jam more time to thicken. The chia seeds will become more gelatinous as they absorb liquid, helping to thicken up the jam. Lastly, you can mash your berries more if they are still on the chunkier side.
How do I prevent my jam from tasting too sweet?
I recommend tasting the jam mixture before adding any additional sweetener. Everyone's preferences are different so this is a personal choice! Plus, strawberries will vary in sweetness levels so during strawberry season I find I really do not need any maple syrup added.
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