Berry Chia Seed Jam with Maple Syrup

Make the best chia seed jam with fresh or frozen berries, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, lemon juice, and vanilla. It thickens naturally, no pectin needed! Perfect for toast, yogurt, or topping pancakes. This quick recipe comes together in no time, providing a versatile, easy-to-make treat.

mason jar of the best healthy chia seed jam with strawberries and blueberries

This Chia Seed Jam recipe is a simple, flavorful way to enjoy fresh or frozen berries with just a handful of pantry ingredients. Using chia seeds, this recipe thickens naturally, eliminating the need for pectin or complicated steps. With berries, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, and a splash of lemon juice, this jam comes together easily. Whether you spread it on toast, mix it into yogurt, or top your favorite pancakes, this is the jam recipe you’ll want to make again and again. As someone who loves creating recipes that are quick and versatile, this is one I make often for my family—it’s easy to adjust and packed with natural flavor.

YouTube video

Why You’ll Love This Chia Seed Jam Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make: In just a few steps, you’ll have a fresh batch of chia seed jam, perfect for topping toast or adding to yogurt.
  • Versatile ingredients: You can use frozen or fresh berries, whichever you have on hand, making this recipe super adaptable.
  • Naturally sweetened: With maple syrup or honey, you control the sweetness without any refined sugars.
  • Thickens naturally: The chia seeds do all the work for a jam-like texture, no need for pectin or other thickening agents.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make the best chia seed jam recipe:

Berries: Use any mix of frozen or fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries.

Chia Seeds: Black or white chia seeds both work well.

Maple Syrup: You can swap it for honey or agave syrup if you prefer a different natural sweetener.

Lemon Juice: Feel free to use lime juice or leave it out if you’re out of citrus.

Vanilla Extract: Almond extract can add a nice twist to the flavor.

Apple Cider Vinegar: You can substitute white vinegar or omit it entirely for a slightly less tangy jam.

Salt: Just a pinch enhances the flavor, but you can skip it if preferred.

How to Make My Chia Seed Jam

Step 1: Soften The Berries

Pour two cups of your favorite berries, fresh or frozen, into a small sauce pan over medium heat. Stir the berries about every 30 seconds for up to five minutes until they are soft enough to smash with your spatula. Using a fork or potato masher, smash the berries until there are no longer any large clumps of berries.

Simmering the strawberries in a saucepan.
Mashing the simmered strawberries with a potato masher.

Step2: Add Remaining Ingredients

Turn off the heat and add the remaining ingredients, including lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and chia seeds. The mixture will seem pretty wet. But don’t worry; the chia seeds will quickly start incorporating the liquid and form a gel-like consistency. Gently stir the jam and then place the pan on a cool surface.

Adding wet ingredients to muffin batter.
Adding wet ingredients to muffin batter.

Step 3. Enjoy!

Scoop your jam into an air-tight container and keep it refrigerated. The jam will continue to thicken as it cools. It’s that easy!!

Jar of strawberry chia seed jam with maple syrup.

Smuckers Jam vs Chia Seed Jam Sugar Comparison

I’m sorry if you can’t unsee this comparison. But knowledge is power, right? One tablespoon of Smuckers Strawberry Jam has 12 grams of sugar. One tablespoon of my chia seed jam has 4 grams of sugar. And my jam has additional supercharged superfoods providing bonus nutrition. I love that I can indulge my sweet tooth and nourish my body in the same bite! 🙂

A graphic comparing the grams of sugar and traditional and she is sea jam.

Expert Recipe Tips

Mashing the fruit: If you like your jam chunkier, don’t mash the berries too much.

Chia seeds absorb: The jam will be runny at first, but the chia seeds will thicken it as it cools.

Adjust sweetness: Taste the jam before it cools to adjust sweetness. Add more maple syrup or honey if desired.

Delicious Serving Suggestions

  • Spread on toast: A classic way to enjoy your chia seed jam on any kind of bread or gluten-free toast.
  • Top yogurt: Stir it into plain or vanilla yogurt for a quick breakfast or snack.
  • Add to oatmeal: Spoon over your favorite warm oats for an extra fruity kick.
  • Layer in parfaits: Layer the jam with granola and yogurt for a homemade parfait.
  • Pancake topping: Drizzle this over pancakes or waffles instead of traditional syrup.
  • Blend into smoothies: Add a spoonful to your morning smoothie for extra flavor and texture.

Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Freezing: You can freeze the jam in small portions and thaw it as needed. It will last up to 3 months in the freezer.

Avoid contamination: Use a clean spoon each time you serve to keep the jam fresh longer.

How long does chia seed jam last in the fridge?
It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to one week in an airtight container.

Can I use other fruits besides berries?
Yes! You can try this recipe with fruits like peaches, plums, or even mango.

How do I thicken the jam more?
If you prefer a thicker texture, just add an extra tablespoon of chia seeds and let the mixture sit a bit longer.

Can I make this jam sugar-free?
Absolutely! You can skip the maple syrup or honey altogether or use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit.

mason jar of the best healthy chia seed jam with strawberries and blueberries

Berry Chia Seed Jam with Maple Syrup

Gluten-Free diet-friendly recipe
Make the best chia seed jam with fresh or frozen berries, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, lemon juice, and vanilla. It thickens naturally, no pectin needed! Perfect for toast, yogurt, or topping pancakes. This quick recipe comes together in no time, providing a versatile, easy-to-make treat.
5 from 1 vote
Servings 8
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups frozen or fresh berries
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • pinch salt

Instructions
 

  • Add two cups of berries to a small saucepan on medium heat. Stir occasionally until the fruit is soft enough to mash with your spatula.
  • Turn off the heat and mash with a potato masher or fork to desired consistency.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and stir until blended. The mix will be runny but will thicken as it cools and the chia seeds begin absorbing the moisture.
  • Once cooled, spoon into an air-tight container and store in the fridge.

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition

Calories: 45kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 6IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 0.4mg
Keyword chia seed jam
Did you make this recipe and love it?Please let me know in the comments below how it turned out 🙂

2 Comments

  1. Hi! Really loving your channel and recipes! How long will this last in the frige? Can’t wait to make it! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipes!

    1. Hi Valerie, thank you so much! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my channel 🙂 In my experience, it lasts about 10 days in the fridge and several months in the freezer.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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