Health News

Strawberry Chia Seed Jam | The Picky Eater


This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.

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.

A plate with strawberries and chia seed jam spread onto a piece of toast.

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!

Chia seed jam isn’t identical to your classic jam, it’s better! Chia seeds have so many health benefits: they are a great source for fiber, protein, iron, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants (source), which is why they are a favorite ingredient of mine. In addition to their nutritional benefits, they act as a natural thickener, which helps to create some pretty scrumptious homemade jam!

Unlike other jams that require more preparation and special knowledge on the subject, my version is the ultimate hack for beginners! This recipe is ready in just 8 minutes, following a few simple steps. Plus, the jam is easy to store with no canning involved.

It also happens to be super healthy. Most store bought jams contain about 30-50 calories and 8-12 grams of sugar for just one tablespoon, and my recipe has about 40 calories and only 3 grams of sugar a two tablespoon serving!

While I am in love with this strawberry chia jam recipe, the base is also super customizable! You can use it to create all sorts of jam flavors with other berries and stone fruits. I love switching things up each week so that my family never gets bored!

With its vibrant color and sweet yet subtly tangy taste, my jam is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Make it smooth, chunky, or somewhere in between – it is totally up to you!

Overall, this jam recipe is healthy, beginner-friendly, kid-approved, and easy to interchange with other fruits for new flavors. Keep reading to learn exactly how to make this recipe and all my top tips.

🥘 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:

Colored bowls with ingredients to make strawberry chia seed jam on a red checkered towel.

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).

Overhead shot of chia seed jam in a pot with red checkered towel underneath.

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.

Overhead shot of chia seed jam in a pot.

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!

Overhead shot of strawberry chia seed jam in a glass jar with spoon, with pot of jam on the side.

My #1 Secret Tip for this recipe is to let it sit overnight in the fridge before using.

This chia strawberry jam thickens more as it cools, and will be even thicker the next day! While you can use it sooner, I really like to make it ahead of time and let it thicken overnight.

This gives the chia seeds enough time to properly work. They will absorb excess liquid and form a gel-like texture. This not only makes the overall consistency of the jam better, but also makes it easier and more enjoyable to eat the seeds as they will be softer.

Other Tips To Keep In Mind:

  • Sweetness Level: The sweetener is optional, only use it if your fruit isn’t sweet enough.
  • For Fresh Fruit: If you use fresh fruit instead of frozen, you may need to add more water since frozen fruit contains more liquid.
  • Customize Consistency: Mash until you get it to the consistency you like. I prefer it to be pretty smooth with a few small chunks.
  • Monitor Closely: I always keep an eye as the berries cook. If the strawberry mix starts to reduce too much or burn, I add 2-4 tablespoons of water. You do not want this to burn as that will impact the flavor and create a more difficult clean up process. 
  • Do Not Can: Chia seed jam is not recommended for canning. The pH level is different from traditional jam and can be unsafe.
  • For Babies: If you intend to make this chia jam for babies and toddlers, ensure that the fruit is mashed really well and omit the sweetener.

📖 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.

Front view of three jars filled with blueberry, raspberry and strawberry seed jam on a grey plate.

🍽 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.

Top view of a plate with three jars on it filled with different flavors of jam.

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Picky Eater.

Love this vegan recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating 🌟 in the recipe below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page!

You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family-friendly food, and if you have any questions, I’m here to help!

📋 Recipe Card

Strawberry Chia Seed Jam

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. 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.

Prep Time3 minutes

Cook Time5 minutes

Total Time8 minutes

Course: 30 Minutes or Less, Condiment, Topping

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: 8

Calories: 38kcal

Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

  • If you use fresh fruit, you may need to add more water since frozen fruit can be more liquidy. Watch it as it cooks and if it starts to reduce too much or burn, add 2-4 tablespoons of water. Keep adding as the fruit cooks, you want it soft and cooked through.
  • Using fruit like berries or stone fruit works best since it gives that soft jam like consistency using this method. Other fruit like citrus work better with more traditional methods.
  • If your fruit isn’t sweet enough you may want to add some sweetener.
  • The salt brings out the flavor of the fruit, you can omit if you prefer.
  • Nutrition facts will change depending on what fruit and sweetener you use.
  • This makes about 1 cup, serving size is 2 tablespoons.

Serving: 2tbsp | Calories: 38kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g



Read More

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button