Main image of Easy Berry Chia Seed Jam

Easy Berry Chia Seed Jam

35 min

Homemade staple

Spread

Breakfast

Make-ahead

One-bowl / one-pot

10 ingredients or less
This recipe has no added sugar, and it really doesn't need it. The sweetness comes naturally from the berries and the thickening comes naturally from the chia seeds that gel from the juices released by the berries when they thaw.

Servings

(1 Tbsp per serving)

Total

35 min

Prep

2 min

Cook

3 min

Rest

30 min

Free from

Soy symbol

soy

Peanut symbol

peanut

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Gluten symbol

gluten

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (150 g)
    frozen raspberries†
  • 1 cup (150 g)
    frozen blueberries
  • 2 Tbsp (21 g)
    whole chia seeds
  • 1 Tbsp (15 mL)
    apple juice

Directions

  1. Thaw the berries in a saucepan on medium heat*. When softened, mash with a fork or spatula allowing some chunks to remain.
  2. Then stir in the chia seeds and juice. Remove from the heat and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes for the chia seeds to gel, stirring once halfway.
  3. Transfer to your jar, and enjoy on toast, on oatmeal, in breakfast parfaits, and more!

Notes

  • †Using frozen berries are preferred to fresh because they release some juice when defrosted - this juice is then absorbed by the chia seeds to gel.
  • * Alternatively, place the berries in a bowl and microwave at 600W for about 3 minutes, stopping to stir every minute.

Storage

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Let us know what you think

Nutrition info

We believe that focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. If you require specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a dietitian or physician. The nutritional information provided is composed with the utmost care. However, we cannot guarantee the correctness of the displayed values, see also our disclaimer.

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Discussion & Rating

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Nicki - Jan. 14, 2023, 11:50 p.m.

Love this nutritious recipe for my toddler's breakfast.

Reply
Sonia - Sept. 30, 2022, 10:39 p.m.

Delicious! Just the right amount of sweetness and so nourishing!

PUL Team - Oct. 1, 2022, 8:28 a.m.

Woop woop! Thank you, Sonia 😃

Reply
Aleks - Sept. 25, 2022, 8:15 a.m.

Easy and very tasty. Thanks for the idea and receipt. ♥️👌🏼

PUL Team - Sept. 25, 2022, 5:18 p.m.

It means so much, Aleks, thank you!

Reply
ILoveIt - Aug. 23, 2022, midnight

I really love this jam! It tastes so sweet and is easy to make, without many ingredients. Most jams need gelatin and pectin but this one does not. Perfect to spread on bagels or bread during breakfast, and makes a nice topping for dessert. Love it!

PUL Team - Aug. 23, 2022, 8:23 p.m.

We're so happy the jam is being enjoyed 🤗

Reply
Mahima Kalla - Aug. 7, 2022, 1:45 p.m.

Hi ! I love this recipe.
I didn't have apple juice. So I used freshly squeezed orange juice instead. Just wondering if this means the jam might spoil more quickly? As I understand fresh juices spoil quickly... do you have any suggestions?

PUL Team - Aug. 7, 2022, 6 p.m.

Hey Mahima, we've made this one with freshly squeezed juice with success. Storing it in an airtight container and in the coldest part of the fridge will help it stay fresh. You could also experiment with storing it in the freezer if desired. Otherwise, it might spoil more quickly as fresh juice sometimes lasts up to three days. The jam smelling or looking off is a sign it's gone bad 🙂

Mahima Kalla - Aug. 8, 2022, 10:04 a.m.

Thank you! Appreciate the advice. Looks like three days won't be an issue because I have already finished more than half (guilt free lol). I might skip the juice altogether next time actually..... and may be add some more chia for the binding / thickening.

PUL Team - Aug. 8, 2022, 3:15 p.m.

Hey Mahima, thanks for the update! The juice helps give a bit of a tangy and fresh flavour to the jam, in addition to a touch of sweetness. The extra liquid also helps the chia seeds gel more easily. If omitting, we'd recommend giving the jam a taste test and adding sweetener, such as syrup, to taste 😃

Mahima Kalla - Aug. 8, 2022, 3:19 p.m.

Thanks! That's good to know. I might add one spoon of maple syrup...

Reply
Alexandra - July 5, 2022, 6:42 p.m.

A healthy jam that sweetened my breakfast so many times. Thank you so much!

PUL Team - July 6, 2022, 8:20 p.m.

It means so much, Alexandra, thank you!

Reply
Rosângela - June 27, 2022, 5:46 p.m.

Super yummy recipe and with no sugar!

Reply
Inna - June 20, 2022, 7:11 p.m.

Such a cool alternative to jam!! I made this a couple times already! I love how easy it is, and the texture's really nice!

PUL Team - June 22, 2022, 3:55 p.m.

So glad it's being enjoyed, Inna, thank you!

Reply
Erica - June 9, 2022, 6:10 p.m.

This jam recipe is a game changer! It brings a texture and freshness that elevates any PB&J ;)

PUL Team - June 10, 2022, 11:08 p.m.

Woop woop! Thanks a bunch, Erica 🙌

Reply
Bin - June 9, 2022, 5:59 p.m.

I never had frozen berries but got a bag of frozen strawberries to make this, it's worth it. I actually used apple sauce instead of apple juice and it turned out alright. It was a bit liquid-ish so might need to try a few more times to find the best balance for me.

PUL Team - June 10, 2022, 8:04 p.m.

Thank you for taking the time to share, Bin! Adding more chia seeds and allowing the jam to sit can help get rid of some excess liquid if using apple sauce in case you're interested 🙂

Reply
Riz - May 22, 2022, 1:04 p.m.

I had leftover frozen strawberries & blueberries so I made this. Not a fan of jams but this TOTALLY changed my mind. I did add some sugar to taste to offset the tartness (pls dont skip the juice! I used lemon for mine and it elevated the taste of the jam). This jam is so versatile. I tried it with peanut butter on toast & experimented with cheese on toast as well. Worth making!

PUL Team - May 23, 2022, 8:19 p.m.

Hey there, Riz, we're so thrilled the jam was enjoyed! A lovely idea to add sugar 🙂

Reply
Angell - April 19, 2022, 10:45 p.m.

I made this with strawberries and blueberries. I didn’t have apple juice, but I did have grape juice so I gave that a shot. Oh my goodness! I am truly done with regular jelly. And to know that *I* made it myself is a wonderful feeling. I could eat this right out the jar. Speaking of jars, I am now on the hunt for a pretty jar to be devoted to this. That’s how much I love it. I had it as an almond butter and jelly sandwich. I also had it as a snack (sliced bananas with a spoonful of vanilla yogurt and this jam)

PUL Team - April 20, 2022, 6:21 p.m.

Hey Angell, aw we're so glad the chia jam was enjoyed! The hexagon jar I used was just an up-cycled jar that had something else in it previously. But I did a quick search and it looks like you can buy it at local stores or online too. Here's a sample search in case it helps: https://amzn.to/3k2FLRJ

Angell - April 24, 2022, 6:22 p.m.

Thank you! I ended up ordering some wide mouth mason jars that have normal lids (instead of the separate flat piece and band).

I also treated myself to a small blender (magic bullet) to make some of the smoothies and sauces I see you make 😊

Thanks for all your inspiration

Reply
Lynne - March 14, 2022, 5:09 p.m.

I found this to be entirely too tart. Maybe due to the raspberries. Can honey be added? If so, whats a good amount? Is it better to change raspberries for a sweet fruit?

PUL Team - March 14, 2022, 11:44 p.m.

Hey Lynne 😊 Raspberries may indeed be the culprit. We've made this one with sour raspberries by accident before and it came out quite tart! You could opt for more mild-flavoured fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, or peaches instead. Alternatively, a liquid sweetener such as maple syrup to taste can be used to balance it out. Starting with a tablespoon and adding more to taste is one idea. We hope this helps for now, Lynne, and do let us know if you give the recipe another try!

Reply
Isobelle - March 14, 2022, 12:29 p.m.

Hi! Just out of curiosity, what is the purpose of the apple juice in this recipe? Would it matter if it was omitted? (side note: I've made this before and it was delicious!)

PUL Team - March 14, 2022, 11:31 p.m.

Hey Isobelle! The apple juice helps give a bit of a tangy and fresh flavour to the jam, in addition to a touch of sweetness. The extra liquid also helps the chia seeds gel more easily. You can substitute the apple juice for an alternative juice, like orange juice, if desired. If omitting, we'd recommend giving the jam a taste test in this case though and adding sweetener, such as syrup, to taste 🙂

Reply
MM - March 12, 2022, 7:01 p.m.

Cool recipe

Reply
Faz - Jan. 21, 2022, 12:42 p.m.

Hello!! What other fruits can i use to make this jam?

PUL Team - Jan. 21, 2022, 4:34 p.m.

Hey Faz! There are many possibilities. The key is to pick a fruit that's ripe and naturally a bit juicy. For example, other berries, peaches, apricots, pineapple, and kiwi. You can also add some sugar or syrup to taste if desired. We hope you enjoy the jam if you're able to give it a try 😊

Reply
Mahima Kalla - Jan. 13, 2022, 3:15 p.m.

Hello , can I substitute the apple juice with something else?

PUL Team - Jan. 13, 2022, 10:36 p.m.

Hi there, Mahima! An alternative juice, such as orange lemon, or lime juice would work best if possible 😊

Reply
Alma - Sept. 16, 2021, 11:18 a.m.

This is so simple and easy, not to mention delicious and nutritious! Thank you! I have made it a couple of times now, and it only lasts me around two to three days - I use it on fresh bread, overnight oats, cooked oats and it is just so yummy!

PUL Team - Sept. 16, 2021, 5:04 p.m.

Mmm love all of these ideas! Thank you for sharing the lovely review, Alma 😊

Reply
Taiwanese Papaya - Aug. 20, 2021, 6:50 a.m.

I made this one with the only berries I had (cranberries) and it was so delicious! It was the perfect addition to my oatmeal and really helped me eat less sugar. I was having really bad sugar "withdrawal" cravings and this jam recipe hit the spot. Excited to try it with the intended berries (raspberries and blueberries).

PUL Team - Aug. 23, 2021, 9:15 p.m.

Thank you for sharing your experience with this one! Cranberries sound delicious 🥰

Angell - April 19, 2022, 10:49 p.m.

Cranberries? I’ll have to give that a shot too! Sounds like something special can be done with it for the holidays. Pancake/waffle topping? Or just a special jam for that time of year. Thanks for the idea!!!

Reply
Andrea - Aug. 6, 2021, 8:35 a.m.

I used to avoid jams and don't remember why I tried out this recipe. But it's so delicious! I'm afraid it'll become an all-time-favourite and I'll eat crispbread and peanutbutter just for the sake of topping it with this jam.

PUL Team - Aug. 7, 2021, 1:53 a.m.

We're so happy you tried it out and are enjoying the jam, Andrea! 😃

Reply
Lindsay - July 16, 2021, 3:41 a.m.

I love making this jam. It is such an easy recipe to make and the result is delicious. I love mine on oatmeal and toast!

Reply
Linda - July 9, 2021, 11:45 p.m.

I love this recipe! It’s so simple to make, sugar free and delicious. I have it with my morning oatmeal every day😘

PUL Team - July 15, 2021, 5:07 a.m.

So lovely to hear, Linda, we're thrilled the jam is being enjoyed 🤗

Reply
Katherine Broberg - July 9, 2021, 8:30 p.m.

I made this yesterday with fresh picked strawberries from our neighbor’s garden. Most delicious “jam” you’ll ever make!

Reply
Victoria - July 8, 2021, 9:55 p.m.

I love the simplicity of this recipe! I made it even lazier by using a triple berry frozen mix (1 cup) that I microwave for 1 minute, then add in 1 tablespoon of chia seeds. I love that there's no sugar added and there's a bit of fiber from the chia. I literally make this every 1-2 weeks.

PUL Team - July 12, 2021, 7:54 a.m.

Thanks a bunch for sharing this, Victoria! So happy to hear you're enjoying the jam ✨

Reply
Latoya - July 8, 2021, 7:09 p.m.

Very simple and not complicated. My daughter's favorite jam!! I don't use anything else. Full of flavor, no additives, and zero guilt. 10 out of 10!!

Reply
Puneetha - July 6, 2021, 9:59 a.m.

Love this jam! So healthy and easy to make. And an amazing substitute for store brought jam. And more so, as my toddler approves, she just finished the whole batch I whipped together this morning!
I used freshly squeezed lime juice instead of apple juice and that worked out well.

I have tried a lot of your recipes, thanks for such wholesome meal ideas. :)

PUL Team - July 8, 2021, 5:27 a.m.

Thank you for taking the time to share your review, Puneetha! So glad you and your little one are enjoying the jam 😃

Reply
Zee - June 10, 2021, 8:04 p.m.

What can be used in lieu of Apple juice? Can I use plain water If I don't have any kind of juice handy?

PUL Team - June 11, 2021, 1:36 a.m.

Hey Zee, great question. Yes, you could try with water, or perhaps some freshly squeezed juice from fruit such as an orange or lemon to help enhance the flavour☺️

Zee - June 12, 2021, 6 a.m.

Thank you for your response. I made it today and it’s come out extremely tart. I added lemon instead of any juice and that made it worse and consistency is a bit watery and not thick like the video. Any ideas on how I can fix both consistency and taste? I really need my kids to eat this but in current state they won’t 😕

PUL Team - June 12, 2021, 11:49 p.m.

Hi Zee, oh no, how frustrating! Just to double-check, was no liquid added? I have some thoughts on why it may be overly watery: perhaps it hasn't sat for long enough to thicken, too much liquid (maybe from the berries) was added, or not enough pectin. Two ideas to help are you could let the jam continue to naturally thicken in the fridge or add ​more chia seeds to absorb some of the excess liquid.

For the tartness, adding a sweetener of your choice, such as liquid syrup or sugar, should help! You could add a touch of vanilla or cinnamon as well if desired after giving it a taste. Do let us know if this helps! Fingers crossed the wait will be worth it 😃

Reply
Cris S - June 5, 2021, 5:21 p.m.

Wow, jam without sugar? Just wow, I'm sincerely impressed! 😁 Too bad it doesn't last longer, I'd make stocks of it!

PUL Team - June 5, 2021, 11:52 p.m.

Hehe so glad to hear you enjoyed this jam, Cris 🤗 You might be able to get away with storing it a bit longer in the fridge although it may lose some freshness ✨

Reply
Maylene - May 26, 2021, 4:10 a.m.

I am so glad I found your youtube channel. Plants are what got me there first. I scrolled some more and found this. I never knew this existed until you. Added bonus is your soothing voice. I love a good nut and jelly sandwich but the sugars in jelly makes me so guilty. My son loves nutella and this is perfect. No added sugar and wholesome. Thank you so much!

PUL Team - May 26, 2021, 5:16 a.m.

We're so glad to have you in our PUL family, Maylene, thank you! So glad your little one enjoyed it too ✨😃

Reply
Oksana - April 17, 2021, 7:57 p.m.

Chia seeds need to be ground up so you can absorb the nutrients in them better. Also, cooking those berries destroys much of the vitamins in them. Not sure how much healthier this is compared to store bought jams 🙁

PUL Team - April 19, 2021, 11:16 a.m.

Hey Oksana! Indeed, if you're looking to absorb most of the nutrients from chia seeds, it's best to enjoy them ground, but luckily chia seeds are also great for us for the fiber they provide 😊 Because of the way chia seeds gel up, they really great for our gut health. Compared to store-bought jams, this recipe has much less sugar. Most store-bought jams use plenty of added sugar to sweeten the jam, whereas this recipe is sweetened naturally with fruits. In any case, you can always use any jam you enjoy - consider this just an option 😉

Reply
Kat Reynolds - April 16, 2021, 10:39 p.m.

I cannot believe how easy, how fresh and how wonderful this recipe is! I continually use it for my own jellies and super gifts (quick)! I often substitute other berries/fruits and use lemon or lime juice, a dollop of honey or even a sweeter vinegar for the juice. Exceptional!

PUL Team - April 19, 2021, 2:28 a.m.

Aww we appreciate this so much, Kat, and are so glad you're enjoying the recipe!

Reply
Louise Magnusson🇸🇪 - March 29, 2021, 10:11 a.m.

I’ve always avoided jam and marmalade, as they normally contain too much sugar and/or other strange preservatives (due to my type 1 diabetes). It hasn’t really bothered me, as I enjoy fruits and berries au naturel. However, I’m so glad that I found this recipe! It gives variety to my porridge toppings without any high sugar content. I use honey instead of apple juice, as I don’t consume the latter regularly. I still have to grow accustomed to the chia seeds😬
Question to PUL: would it work to freeze fresh, diced fruits/berries in order to use them according to the recipe? Sometimes I don’t find pre-frozen stuff that I would like...

PUL Team - April 2, 2021, 11:15 p.m.

Thank you for the review, Louise! Freezing your own berries or fruit of choice should work just fine. Indeed it would be best to peel/chop them before freezing if needed :)

Reply
Swarnali Banerjee - March 22, 2021, 8:41 a.m.

Awesome job Sadia!

Reply