Naturally Sweetened Mixed Berry Chia Jam Recipe
This Naturally Sweetened Mixed Berry Chia Jam is a healthy and delicious homemade spread made with frozen blueberries, strawberries, pure maple syrup, and chia seeds. It’s a perfect low-sugar alternative to store-bought jams, packed with antioxidants and fiber, and naturally thickened using chia seeds for a nutritious and flavorful treat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 1 ½ cups 1x
- Category: Jam
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Berries
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 3 cups frozen strawberries (16 ounce bag)
Sweeteners & Flavorings
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- zest of one lemon
Thickener
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
- Heat the berries: Add the frozen blueberries and strawberries to a small saucepan and set the heat to medium-high. This will begin to thaw and cook the berries to help them release their juices and break down.
- Add lemon zest: Zest one lemon and add the zest to the saucepan along with the berries to infuse a fresh citrus flavor into the jam.
- Add sweeteners and flavorings: Pour in 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the saucepan, then stir everything together to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Cook down the mixture: Let the berry mixture cook over medium to medium-high heat for 20 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally and mash the berries as they soften to help them break down and thicken the jam.
- Scrape saucepan sides: Frequently scrape down the sides of the saucepan with a spatula to prevent any sticking or burning as the jam thickens.
- Assess the texture: If the berry mixture is still watery after cooking, do not worry as it will be thickened in the next step with the chia seeds.
- Add chia seeds: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of chia seeds. These seeds absorb the liquid and gel the jam to the perfect consistency naturally.
Notes
- Use frozen berries to ensure year-round availability and to help control the jam’s consistency as it cooks down.
- If you prefer a sweeter jam, adjust the amount of maple syrup to taste.
- Stir the jam well after adding chia seeds and allow it to cool; it will continue to thicken as it sits.
- Store the jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- This jam is great as a topping for toast, yogurt, oatmeal, or as a filling for desserts.
Keywords: berry jam, chia jam, healthy jam, natural sweetener, mixed berries, homemade jam, maple syrup jam
