Have summer fruit that’s about to go bad? Learn how to make chia jam! It’s low-sugar, easy to make and the perfect way to extend the life of your favorite fruits.
Hi Friends!
As promised I’m back with another super easy recipe for you today. This is actually more of a tutorial than a recipe. I’ve written about my love for chia jam before, but never actually posted a recipe for it.
Here’s the thing. Summer is the perfect time to jump on the chia jam train. Fresh fruit is everywhere and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably guilty of occasionally buy more than you can eat. Chia jam is the perfect solution! It’s super simple to make, can be made with a variety of fruit, requires just two ingredients (fruit & chia seeds) and extra ripe fruit is perfect for it because you’re going to mash it all up anyways and ripe fruit = extra natural sweetness!
Here are your directions:
1) Put 2 cups of fruit in a small saucepan. I used nectarines (peeled and chopped) and raspberries.
2) Heat the pan on the stove. As the fruit starts to heat up, use a fork or spatula to mash it up until no chunks remain.
3) Add 1.5 Tablespoons of chia seeds and stir to combine. Taste for sweetness (if you really think it’s necessary you can add a little maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness but if you’re using ripe fruit it will probably be sweet enough all on its own)
4) Transfer to a glass container (makes about a cup), let cool and store in the fridge for about a week. The chia seeds will help it thicken up as it cools.
Use your imagination to enjoy your chia jam! Put it on toast (pictured here with some Maple Cinnamon Sunflower Seed Butter). Use it as a pancake or waffle topping. Swirl some into your yogurt or ice cream. You get the idea!
[Tweet “Learn how to turn your fav summer fruits into Chia Jam via @leangrnbeanblog!”]
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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It really is so simple! Last summer I made cherry chia jam when I went a little too crazy with fresh cherries. They just taste so good! And every better as jam!
i bet! sounds amazing!
my mother in law just asked me a few easy ways to use chia…i’m going to share this with her asap as they have many berry plants and fruit bushes!
yay! hope she loves!
I have seen everyone making chia jam but never thought about making it…thanks for this 🙂
Looks delicious, and can’t wait to try this especially with some of my wild raspberries! They can be a little blah on their own sometimes. But bet they will be fabulous in this easy jam! Thanks!
love making chia jam! though i usually just use the microwave haha i need to make a fresh batch!
looks so simple — I have an idea to make right now!
What a great idea! I’m looking forward to trying this during the summer!
So simple! Love chia jam!
Wow, a brilliant way to make a quick jam – without all the added sugar needed to thicken it!
yes! that’s the best part!!
I love making chia jam! Its so easy to make and so tasty 🙂 Pinned
Haha, omg! I JUST made my first ever RAW chia jam this weekend! I’m obsessed! It is so good!
I love how simple you make this sound. I bet it would be amaaaazing with strawberries and/or blueberries!
yes! i wanna try with blueberries!
I was going to ask if I could use strawberries, and/or blueberries, lol, great minds think alike!!
I can’t believe this is so simple! Love it.
I just pinned this – I’ve wanted to try making chia jam for ages now… have to pick up some rhubarb this weekend and really give it a try!
yes! hope you love it!
that nectarine/raspberries combo sounds amazing!
it’s a must-try for sure!
This is amazing! I seriously need to try making it. I love fresh fruit, chia, and jam! Dumb question, do you store it for a week before you can start using it or do you only have a week to use it? Thanks!
you can use it right away…it should be ok to use for a week or so if you store it in the fridge!
I’m embarrassed to admit I have never heard of chia jam. Can’t wait to make some! Just lovely.
Definitely want to try making chia jam this summer!
Looks so easy! How long do you think this would keep in the fridge?
Chia jam really is so simple and tastes even more delicious than the jam you buy at the grocery store! I love swirling it into oatmeal or yogurt in the morning, too. Delish!
Perfectly simple. We get fruit for the girls to make smoothies, but inevitably, there are leftover portions. I’d venture that my girls would want to experiment with jam as much as they do with smoothies after they’ve tried it!
hope they love it!
Cannot wait to make this…I love combining two types of fruit…DELISH!
enjoy, girl!
I love this way to add a little extra fiber into breakfast- that combo of raspberries and nectarines looks delicious!
it was a winner in my book!
This sounds wonderful! I usually buy flats of huge blackberries from mid-June through July, and freeze the extra berries to use in our hot cereal (or overnight oatmeal) during the winter. Can he jam be frozen? It would take much less room on my freezer, but still not have any extra sugar. If not, do you have an idea how much sugar would be necessary to be able to freeze it?
Thank you!
hmmm i’m not sure. i do know the sugar acts as a preservative if you’re canning jam but i’m not sure about freezing. it might be ok? i’m not sure what it would be like when you thawed it out though.
Do the chia seeds dissolve while they sit or do they remain “seed-y” when you use it?
They don’t dissolve. They help thicken it!