• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Bites of Wellness
  • Recipes by Course
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Side Dish
    • Dessert
    • Snacks
    • Soup
    • Salad
  • Recipes by Diet
    • gluten free
    • dairy free
    • low carb
    • high protein
    • low fat
    • vegan
    • vegetarian
    • paleo
    • whole30
  • Kitchen Essentials
  • Free Resources
  • Work With Me
    • About
    • Contact
Home / Recipes / Healthy Chia Jam – 4 Ways

Healthy Chia Jam – 4 Ways

Published June 25, 2019. Last updated November 19, 2019 by Samantha Rowland

Chia Jam 4 Ways: Blueberry, Raspberry, Peach and Cherry
Gluten FreeDairy FreeVeganWhole30PaleoLow Carb

You are not going to believe how easy it is to make homemade chia jam! After trying these recipes, you will never need to buy store bought jam again! Deciding which flavor to make is going to become your biggest problem. Chia jam is so easy to make and you only need a few simple ingredients to have flavorful, healthy jam anytime!

4.34 from 3 votes
  • Facebook
Jump to Recipe

Chia Jam 4 Ways: Blueberry, Raspberry, Peach and Cherry

Why this recipe works?

  • Chia jam is made with fresh or frozen fruit, chia seeds, natural sweeteners and lemon juice! There are no preservatives or unnecessary added sugar!
  • This jam sets up in the fridge, so there is no need to learn how to do canning at home to have delicious, healthy jam anytime! This jam is ready in about 10 minutes from start to finish and thickens even more overnight!
  • The flavors and combinations are customizable! Choose your favorite fruit and sweeten your jam with maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia or even dates! These chia jam recipes are vegan, paleo, Whole30 friendly and even has low carb options! 
  • Add flavor to your favorite dishes! This chia jam is great on waffles, pancakes, oatmeal or bagels! Or if you are like me, you will be eating it straight out of the jar!

Why use chia seeds to make jam?

When chia seeds are added to liquid, they start to absorb the liquid and firm up into a jelly like substance. This makes them perfect for creating jam at home with little equipment.

Traditional jam is made by adding pectin (a natural thickener found in fruits) and sugar to a large batch of fruit. This mixture is then cooked and cooled, allowing the pectin to thicken the jam and the sugar help preserve the berries through canning. This process requires a lot of technique and precision. I just don’t have time for that!

So instead, you can use use chia seeds to help thicken homemade jam. The chia seeds create a similar jelly texture and because the jam is not going to be canned, there isn’t any need for added sugar! I like to add just a little optional maple syrup to naturally enhance the sweetness of the berries.

Jar of raspberry chia jam with a spoon in the jar

What equipment do you need to make chia jam at home?

You do not need any equipment to make homemade chia jam. However, I like to have an immersion blender or high speed blender on hand to make a very well blended base for the jam, but this is optional.

get my 10 greatest recipes ebook by signing up for my newsletter

GET 10 OF MY ALL TIME GREATEST RECIPES
IN THIS FREE EBOOK

How do you make chia jam at home?

  • Step 1: Add frozen fruit, chia seeds, lemon juice and maple syrup to a large pot on the stove.
  • Step 2: Cook over medium heat until the fruit starts to release its juices (about 6 minutes).
  • Step 3: Once the fruit is defrosted and the liquid begins to get thick from the chia seeds, turn off the stove.
    • Begin mashing the fruit with a wooden spoon OR
    • Carefully start to blend the fruit mixture with an immersion blender or spoon the fruit + liquid into a high speed blender. Start with half of the mixture.
  • Step 4: Check the consistency of the fruit once half is blended or mashed.
    • TIP: For things like peaches, you are going to want to blend almost the entire batch where the blueberries or raspberries you may want to leave full pieces of fruit in the jam.
  • Step 5: Once you are satisfied with the consistency, carefully pour the jam into a clean container with a well-fitting lid. I love mason jars or weck jars for this but you can also use old jam/jelly jars that you have saved and cleaned from previously buying jam!
  • Step 6: Store the chia jam in the refrigerator overnight. You will notice that the jam will continue to thicken as it sits overnight!
Steps on how to make homemade chia jam

What are the best fruits to make chia jam with?

The best fruits are berries and stone fruits since they have some natural pectin in them! These include:

  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • Cherries
  • Peaches
  • Apricots

What is the texture of chia jam?

The chia seeds thicken as they absorb the water from the fruit. The fruit also release their own pectin which helps thicken the jam. However, since there is not any added pectin, chia jam may not be as thick as the traditional jams you buy at the store.

How to use chia jam:

Chia jam is just like any other jam! It’s perfect on toast, bagels, waffles, pancakes, yogurt bowls, parfaits, oatmeal or even cookies!

Jar of blueberry chia jam with a spoon in the jar

How long does chia jam last in the fridge?

Chia jam lasts about 14 days in the fridge in a well-sealed container. If you need to make a big batch last longer, you can also freeze chia jam for up to 3 weeks.

Before freezing chia jam, make sure that you allow it to cool completely (overnight if possible). Once chilled, you can either freeze the jam in individual servings using an ice cube tray (my favorite way) or you can freeze it in a freezer safe container (these silicone bags are great and can be stacked in the freezer).

Is chia jelly shelf stable?

No, since the jam did not go through a canning process, the jam must be refrigerated at all times. This recipe also should not be used when trying to can fruit. Find a recipe specific to canning jam.

Do you need to grind the chia seeds first?

Chia seeds have a tendency to get stuck in your teeth when they are whole. This is one of the reasons why I like to blend the jam with an immersion blender after the fruit defrosts. It also helps the chia seeds get evenly distributed.

If you do not want to blend the fruit with the chia seeds, you could also grind the chia seeds first, or buy milled chia seeds. The measurements would be the same for this method.

Jar of peach chia jam with a spoon in the jar

What sweeteners can you use?

I love the flavor of maple syrup in chia jam, however there are a number of sweeteners that you can choose from including:

  • Honey (not vegan), use the same measurements as maple syrup.
  • Coconut sugar, use the same measurements as maple syrup
  • Stevia (for a lower carb option), use 1-2 packets
  • Dates (for a Whole30 version), use 1-2 depending on how sweet you like your jam.

Do you have to use lemon juice to make chia jam?

The lemon juice is added to help bring out the natural sweetness of the fruit and help give the jam a more well-rounded flavor. If you don’t have lemon juice you could also add:

  • Lime juice
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Pomegranate vinegar
  • Coconut vinegar

Can you add other flavors to chia jam?

Yes! You can add in flavor to chia jam using fresh herbs, spices or even extracts. Some of my favorites include:

  • Fresh mint or basil, chopped
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Ground ginger (fresh or dried)
  • Vanilla extract
Jar of cherry chia jam with a spoon in the jar

Can you use fresh fruit?

Yes, you can also use fresh fruit but I prefer frozen fruit because it’s often less expensive and normally it’s already washed and peeled and chopped or de-stemmed. If you are using fresh fruit:

  • Wash the fruit and peel and thick skin (like peaches).
  • Remove leaves, stems, and pits.
  • Chop the fruit so it can easily start to release it’s juices when cooking
  • You  may need to add 2-4 tablespoons of water in the beginning so the fruit doesn’t burn. 

What are 4 Vegan Chia Jam Variations to try?

  • Blueberry Chia Jam

    • Start by adding frozen blueberries to a large pot with 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and ½ lemon, juiced.
    • Cook the berries over medium heat (covered). Let the blueberries defrost and start to break down, stirring occasionally.
    • After 6-7 minutes, the berries should have released a lot of liquid, and they should be completely defrosted. Remove the lid.
    • Blend ¾ of the blueberry mixture with an immersion blender or high speed blender or mash with a heavy wooden spoon or with the back of a fork.
    • Mix the blended blueberry jam with the whole berries left over, stirring well.
    • Carefully add the blueberry chia jam to a clean container with a well-fitting lid! Store in the fridge!
Blueberry Chia Jam with a spoon holding a scoop of jam
  • Cherry Chia Jam

    • Start by adding frozen cherries to a large pot with 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, 1.5 tablespoons of maple syrup and ½ lemon, juiced.
    • Cook the cherries over medium heat (covered). Let the cherries defrost and start to break down, stirring occasionally.
    • After 6-7 minutes, the cherries should have released a lot of liquid, and they should be completely defrosted. Remove the lid.
    • Blend ¾ of the cherry mixture with an immersion blender or high speed blender or mash with a heavy wooden spoon or with the back of a fork.
    • Mash the remaining of the cherries with the back of a fork for a thicker texture. Mix everything together, making sure you enjoy the texture.
    • Carefully add the cherry chia jam to a clean container with a well-fitting lid! Store in the fridge!
Cherry Chia Jam with a spoon holding a scoop of jam
  • Cinnamon Peach Chia Jam

    • Start by adding frozen peaches to a large pot with 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, 1.5 tablespoons of maple syrup, ½ lemon, juiced, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
    • Cook the peaches over medium heat (covered). Let the peaches defrost and start to break down, stirring occasionally.
    • After 6-7 minutes, the peaches should have released a lot of liquid, and they should be completely defrosted. Remove the lid.
    • Blend the peach mixture with an immersion blender or high speed blender or with a heavy wooden spoon.
    • After blending, add up to 1 tsp of cinnamon to the peach chia jam. You may want to start with ½ teaspoon if you are not a huge cinnamon fan and increase it from there.
    • Carefully add the cinnamon peach chia jam to a clean container with a well-fitting lid! Store in the fridge!
Cinnamon Peach Chia Jam with a spoon holding a scoop of jam
  • Raspberry Chia Jam

    • Start by adding frozen raspberries to a large pot with 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup, and ½ lemon, juiced.
    • Cook the raspberries over medium heat (covered). Let the raspberries defrost and start to break down, stirring occasionally.
    • After 4-5 minutes, the raspberries should have released a lot of liquid, and they should be completely defrosted. Remove the lid.
    • Stir the mixture well, and the raspberries will naturally fall apart, no need to blend this with an immersion blender unless you want to break down the chia seeds.
    • Carefully add the raspberry chia jam to a clean container with a well-fitting lid! Store in the fridge!
Raspberry Chia Jam with a spoon holding a scoop of jam

If you love these chia jam recipes, you should try:

  • Strawberry balsamic chia jam
  • Mint Chocolate Chia Pudding
  • Pina Colada Chia Pudding
  • High Protein Oatmeal 4 Ways
★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Chia Jam 4 Ways: Blueberry, Raspberry, Peach and Cherry

Healthy Chia Jam 4 Ways

Homemade Chia Jam Recipe 4 Ways: Blueberry, Raspberry, Cherry and Peach! Made with frozen fruit, this chia jam recipe is so easy to make and super flavorful! Vegan, paleo, Whole30 and low carb options available!
4.34 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chia jam, chia jelly, vegan jelly
Prep Time: 1 min
Cook Time: 7 mins
Servings: 32 servings
Author: Samantha Rowland

Ingredients

Blueberry Chia Jam

  • 1 bag frozen blueberries
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup – see notes for alternatives
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced – see notes for alternatives

Cherry Chia Jam

  • 1 bag frozen dark sweet cherries
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1.5 tbsp maple syrup – see notes for alternatives
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced – see notes for alternatives

Cinnamon Peach Chia Jam

  • 1 bag frozen sliced peaches
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1.5 tbsp maple syrup – see notes for alternatives
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced – see notes for alternatives
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Raspberry Chia Jam

  • 1 bag frozen raspberries
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup – see notes for alternatives
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced – see notes for alternatives

Instructions

Blueberry Chia Jam

  • Start by adding frozen blueberries to a large pot with 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and ½ lemon, juiced.
  • Cook the berries over medium heat (covered). Let the blueberries defrost and start to break down, stirring occasionally
  • After 6-7 minutes, the berries should have released a lot of liquid, and they should be completely defrosted. Remove the lid
  • Blend ¾ of the blueberry mixture with an immersion blender or high speed blender or mash with the back of a fork.
  • Mix the blended blueberry jam with the whole berries left over, stirring well. Carefully add the blueberry chia jam to a clean container with a well-fitting lid! Store in the fridge!

Cherry Chia Jam

  • Start by adding frozen cherries to a large pot with 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, 1.5 tablespoons of maple syrup and ½ lemon, juiced.
  • Cook the cherries over medium heat (covered). Let the cherries defrost and start to break down, stirring occasionally
  • After 6-7 minutes, the cherries should have released a lot of liquid, and they should be completely defrosted. Remove the lid
  • Blend ¾ of the cherry mixture with an immersion blender or high speed blender or mash with the back of a fork.
  • Mash the remaining of the cherries with the back of a fork for a thicker texture. Mix everything together, making sure you enjoy the texture. Carefully add the cherry chia jam to a clean container with a well-fitting lid! Store in the fridge!

Cinnamon Peach Chia Jam

  • Start by adding frozen peaches to a large pot with 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, 1.5 tablespoons of maple syrup, ½ lemon, juiced, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  • Cook the peaches over medium heat (covered). Let the peaches defrost and start to break down, stirring occasionally.
  • After 6-7 minutes, the peaches should have released a lot of liquid, and they should be completely defrosted. Remove the lid.
  • Blend the peach mixture with an immersion blender or high speed blender or mash with the back of a fork.
  • After blending, add up to 1 tsp of cinnamon to the peach chia jam. You may want to start with ½ teaspoon if you are not a huge cinnamon fan and increase it from there.
  • Carefully add the cinnamon peach chia jam to a clean container with a well-fitting lid! Store in the fridge!

Raspberry Chia Pudding

  • Start by adding frozen raspberries to a large pot with 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup, and ½ lemon, juiced.
  • Cook the raspberries over medium heat (covered). Let the raspberries defrost and start to break down, stirring occasionally.
  • After 4-5 minutes, the raspberries should have released a lot of liquid, and they should be completely defrosted. Remove the lid.
  • Stir the mixture well, and the raspberries will naturally fall apart, no need to blend this with an immersion blender unless you want to break down the chia seeds. Carefully add the raspberry chia jam to a clean container with a well-fitting lid! Store in the fridge!

You’ll Also Love These Amazing Recipes

  • coconut paleo granola spilling out of a mason jar
  • pina colada chia pudding with pineapple chunks and coconut flakes
  • Mint chocolate chia pudding is an amazing healthy dessert
  • Gingerbread grain free granola in a bowl and poured from a mason jar

Notes

*Serving size indicates 8 servings per jam
Maple syrup substitutes include:
  • Honey (same measurements as maple syrup)
  • Coconut sugar (same measurements as maple syrup)
  • Stevia (1-2 packets)
  • Pitted medjool dates (1-2 depending on size)
Substitutes for lemon juice:
  • Lime juice
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Pomegranate vinegar
  • Coconut vinegar
Tips for using fresh fruit:
  • Wash the fruit and peel and thick skin (like peaches).
  • Remove leaves, stems, and pits.
  • Chop the fruit so it can easily start to release it’s juices when cooking
  • You  may need to add 2-4 tablespoons of water in the beginning so the fruit doesn’t burn. 

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
47
Fat
 
1
g
Carbohydrates
 
10
g
Fiber
 
3
g
Sugar
 
6
g
Protein
 
1
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Share a pic on Instagram @bites_of_wellness or tag #bitesofwellness

SHOP MY FAVORITE FAST MEAL MUST-HAVES

Use the buttons below to buy my must-have fast meal basics and don’t forget to visit my Amazon Shop!

A fast meal recommendation for an Immersion Blender (Amazon Affiliate Link)
A fast meal recommendation for an Instant Pot (Amazon Affiliate Link)
A fast meal recommendation for a silicone baking mat (Amazon Affiliate Link)
A fast meal recommendation for a Ninja Blender (Amazon Affiliate Link)
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. Please note I only recommend products that I personally use and trust. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.
  • Facebook

SHARE THIS POST!

If you liked this post, share it with your friends and family!

  • Facebook
Previous Post: « Healthy Strawberry Popsicles
Next Post: 6 Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes To Make at Home »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Megan

    August 19, 2020 at 7:03 pm

    How many cups are in a ‘bag’ of peaches?

    Reply
    • Samantha Rowland

      August 26, 2020 at 10:10 am

      Great question! About 4 cups sliced!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Browse By Course

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Dessert Sides Snacks Soup Salad All Recipes

Browse By Diet

    Gluten FreeDairy FreeVeganWhole30PaleoKetoHigh ProteinLow CarbQuickVegetarian

Sam at Bites of Wellness

Hi, I’m Samantha. A personal trainer and nutrition coach. I’m here to help you get a healthy meal on the table in under 30 minutes. Learn More About Me →

Whole30 Favorites

Cast iron skillet filled with sun dried tomato shrimp.

Sun Dried Tomato Shrimp (Whole30 + Keto)

Wooden scoop in a bowl of whole30 taco seasoning

Whole30 Taco Seasoning (low FODMAP)

Air fryer basket full of delicata squash fries.

Air Fryer Delicata Squash

Spaghetti squash halves on a white plate after cooking.

Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash

Vegan roasted red pepper sauce in a glass jar.

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce (Vegan + Whole30)

Bowl filled with air fryer butternut squash.

Air Fryer Butternut Squash

Most Popular Recipes

Overhead shot of bowl of best ever mushroom soup with a wooden handled spoon in the bowl on the left side of the bowl. Fresh mushrooms and thyme leaves surround the bowl and there is a grey striped napkin to the left of the bowl

Best Ever Mushroom Soup

Spoon full of broccoli cheese soup over a bowl.

Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup

White Bean Mushroom Soup in a green and orange bowl with creamy mushrooms on the top, a red and orange napkin and a golden spoon next to the bowl

Best Ever White Bean Mushroom Soup

Bowl of protein puppy chow with a silver spoon scooping some out of the bowl.

Protein Puppy Chow (Gluten Free, Vegan)

Bowl of baked balsamic tofu with a spoon of Italian seasoning below.

Balsamic Tofu

Protein hot chocolate topped with whipped cream in a white mug.

Simple Healthy Protein Hot Chocolate (Dairy-Free)

Footer

Featured On

Bites of Wellness has been featured on countryliving.Bites of Wellness has been featured on buzzfeed.Bites of Wellness has been featured on women's health.Bites of Wellness has been featured on Boston Magazine.Bites of Wellness has been featured on Well and Good.Bites of Wellness has been featured on SHAPE.Bites of Wellness has been featured on PureWow.Bites of Wellness has been featured on PARADE.Bites of Wellness has been featured on Huffington Post.Bites of Wellness has been featured on Greatist.Bites of Wellness has been featured on Eat This Not That.

Recipes by Diet

  • Gluten Free
  • Dairy Free
  • Vegan
  • Paleo
  • Whole30
  • Low Carb
  • High Protein
  • Low Fat
  • Keto

Recipes by Course

  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • Side Dish
  • Dessert
  • Snacks
  • Salad
  • Quick

Free Resources

  • Free Resources
  • Kitchen Essentials

Contact & Privacy

  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Me On Social!

© Copyright 2021 Bites of Wellness