Homemade chia seed jam that’s easier than a trip to the grocery store
This chia seed jam is seriously so easy. I started making it when I was living in NYC and just started WW. Regular store bought jam has so much added sugar and I find that most sugar free jams just aren’t very good and have tons of weird additives. Jam is one of my favorites (the seedier the better) so I knew I needed to figure out a way to make it that fit with my new lifestyle.
With some searching I saw that some people were making their own homemade jam with chia seeds – genius! Chia seeds replace the corn starch or pectin and the monk fruit replaces the sugar. Since berries are naturally sweet, you don’t even need to add the monk fruit, especially if you like a tart jam. I like to add just a tablespoon, it’s the perfect amount to really enhance the berries.
Did I mention this recipe only takes 10 minutes? 5 of which is just waiting for the jam for thicken. It’s seriously the easiest recipe I have.
The 3 ingredients you need
All you need are 3 ingredients, which I always have in my pantry/freezer.
- Frozen (or fresh) berries (any type you like! I love mixed berries but also have done just raspberries or blueberries)
- Chia seeds
- Monk fruit
Fresh vs Frozen
Unless it’s berry season here in the PNW, I always buy frozen berries. Costco sells a great mixed berry bag that lasts me over a month and the price just can’t be beat. Did you know that frozen berries are berries at their peak ripeness? Why eat fresh out of season berries when you can buy them at their peak for cheaper?
The only exception to me using frozen berries is in the summer. We are so fortunate here in Portland and have the most incredible summer produce, especially berries. I live a just a short drive from some berry farms and love spending an hour or two out there picking all the fresh blueberries and raspberries. They are some of the best I’ve ever had and look forward to berry season every year.
How to make chia seed jam
- In a small saucepan, heat up a heaping cup of frozen berries. As they cook down, I like to mash up the berries a bit but still keep some more in tact.
- Once the berries have begun to cook down, add in 1 tablespoon of monk fruit. Taste to see if you want to add more in. I like my jam on the more tart side so 1 tablespoon is plenty.
- Add in two tablespoons of chia seeds. Mix well until all the seeds are incorporated in the berries.
- Turn off heat and let chia seeds thicken the jam, usually 5-10 minutes.
- Store in jar and refrigerate
- Enjoy!
I love to spread this jam on toast or top my pancakes with it. I recently made these mixed berry shortbread bars that were to die for. Chia seed jam can be used as a replacement for any recipe that you would use regular jam.
Sugar Free Chia Seed Jam
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Frozen (or fresh) berries any type you like! I love mixed berries but also have done just raspberries or blueberries
- 2 tbsp Chia seeds
- 1 tbsp Monk fruit
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat up a heaping cup of frozen berries. As they cook down, I like to mash up the berries a bit but still keep some more in tact.
- Once the berries have begun to cook down, add in 1 tablespoon of monk fruit. Taste to see if you want to add more in. I like my jam on the more tart side so 1 tablespoon is plenty.
- Add in two tablespoons of chia seeds. Mix well until all the seeds are incorporated in the berries.
- Turn off heat and let chia seeds thicken the jam, usually 5-10 minutes.
- Store in jar and refrigerate
- Enjoy!
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