This blueberry chia seed jam recipe is the quickest way to make homemade blueberry jam. It's naturally sweetened, has minimal ingredients, and takes only ten minutes. This recipe is dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and vegan.
Many store-bought jams include added refined sugars like high fructose corn syrup as well as pectin.
In the same way that chia seeds are perfect for chia pudding, they plump up and help "set" the blueberries to give them that jam-like texture without the need for pectin.
This healthy jam recipe is made with a small amount of natural sugar, requires no canning, and is a great way to easily make homemade jam. Plus, it's so versatile. You can really use any type of fruit you have on hand.
Ingredients
You'll only need a few simple pantry staples to make this healthy blueberry chia jam.
- Frozen blueberries. You can also use fresh blueberries, but frozen is great, especially if they aren't in season when you make this jam.
- Fresh lemon juice. This adds brightness and some tartness to counter the sweetness.
- Maple syrup or honey - to lightly sweeten the jam.
- Chia seeds. These little seeds absorb liquid really well and are what help the jam to plump up and give the jam its perfect consistency. Plus, they're a great source of healthy fats. I used black chia seeds for this recipe, but white chia seeds work equally as well. Use whatever you have on hand.
How To Make Blueberry Chia Seed Jam
Step 1. Add the blueberries, lemon juice, and maple syrup to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit starts to break down and release some of its juices, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 2. Mash the fruit with a fork or potato masher. Leave a few chunky pieces in for texture (optional).
Step 3. Stir in the two tablespoons of chia seeds until well distributed and remove from the heat.
Step 4. Transfer the jam mixture to an airtight container or mason jar and allow it to come to room temperature before you put the lid on. Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations
Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.
How can you make this blueberry chia jam using what you already have? Here are some ideas...
- No blueberries? - berries work really well because of their high water content so strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or a combination (I love making a blue raspberry jam using half raspberries and half blueberries).
- Add-ins - vanilla extract, vanilla bean, or lemon zest for more of a lemon flavor.
- Variations - use stone fruit such as cherries, apricots, or nectarines, but you'll likely need to add some water to get enough liquid since these don't contain as much water as berries.
Helpful Tips
Let chill for the best texture. You can use the jam after it’s cooled for 10-15 minutes, but it will have the best texture when given time to cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Prefer a smoother jam? Blend the jam in a food processor or blender after you've removed it from the heat.
Prefer a sweeter jam? Increase the amount of sweetener.
How to Use Chia Jam
There are many ways to enjoy this easy blueberry chia jam. Here are just a few ideas:
- Spread on a slice of toast or oat flour waffles.
- Add a dollop to oat milk chia pudding, overnight oats, or ice cream.
- Enjoy it on baked goods such as banana blueberry oatmeal muffins, dairy free banana bread, or blackberry lemon bread.
- For snacks, you can swirl it into frozen yogurt granola bars or spread eat on top of ricotta toast (use it in place of the roasted grapes).
- In the summertime, you can add it to s'mores for a fun spin on the classic camping dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but you'll need to add a tablespoon or two of water (regardless of how ripe your fruit is) to get things going until it releases the fruit's natural juices. This will also allow the chia seeds to have enough moisture to absorb.
Yes, allow it to cool completely first, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container, leaving some room at the top for expansion. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Yes, the sweetener is there to enhance the flavors of the fruit, but if your fruit is already sweet enough, you can just omit it, along with the lemon juice so it’s not too tart.
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Blueberry Chia Jam
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Instructions
- Add the blueberries, lemon juice, and maple syrup to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit starts to break down and release some of its juices, about 5-7 minutes.
- Mash the fruit with a fork or potato masher. Leave a few chunky pieces in for texture (optional).
- Stir in the two tablespoons of chia seeds until well distributed and remove from the heat.
- Transfer the jam mixture to an airtight container or mason jar and allow it to come to room temperature before you put the lid on. Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
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