Mixed berry chia jam is a healthy, easy way to improve the nutrient density of traditional jam. It has a similar sweet yet slightly tart taste, texture, and thicker consistency as store-bought jams but with more nutrients!
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If you've never made homemade jam before, this is an easy jam recipe to start off with! Four simple ingredients (mixed berries, chia seeds, orange juice, and honey) come together in just a few steps, making this healthy chia jam a great addition to any meal or snack. I even use it to top some homemade cheesecake bites!
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Equipment
- Strainer - a large strainer is perfect for rinsing off the berries if you're using fresh; these can be quite dirty so it's important to clean them before using!
- Small saucepan - I recommend using at least a 1-quart saucepan so that there's room to mash the fruit once it's cooked down!
- Potato masher - this gives the mixed berry chia jam a smoother texture versus having bigger chunks of fruit. If you don't have a potato masher, a fork or the back of a spoon will work!
- Rubber spatula - as the jam cooks down, it'll start to thicken and get a little stickier. A rubber spatula is perfect to stir and scrape down the sides of the saucepan.
Ingredients
Full ingredients, measurements, and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Frozen berries - frozen berries are the easiest to use (I literally dump them straight from the bag into the saucepan!) but fresh will work as well. Berries are packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
- Chia seeds - just two tablespoons of these little seeds give this mixed berry jam a jelly-like consistency. The seeds absorb liquid as the jam cooks and cools. They also contribute more fiber and unsaturated fats!
- Orange juice - since the chia seeds absorb so much liquid, adding a little bit of juice prevents this triple berry chia seed jam from becoming too gelatinous and thick. I'm a fan of using fresh OJ if available but store-bought is fine; I just look at the label to make sure it's 100% juice!
- Honey - mixed berries can be a little bit tart so adding a little bit of sweetness helps to balance that out! You can omit this altogether if you prefer a tarter jam or add more if you prefer a sweeter one. Maple syrup could be used as an alternative to honey.
Instructions
Step 1: Add fresh or frozen mixed berries to a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until berries soften.
Step 2: Mash the berries with a potato masher or the back of a spoon or fork. The more you mash, the smoother the jam will be. The less you mash, the chunkier the jam will be! Add honey, OJ, and chia seeds.
Step 3: Stir all ingredients together and remove from heat. Let cool for 10-15 minutes; the chia seeds will absorb some liquid as the mixed berry jam cools!
Variations & Substitutions
- You can sub apple, lime, pomegranate, cherry, grapefruit, mango, pineapple, or lemon juice for orange juice. I'd pick one that would go with the fruit you use!
- I love using different types of berries in this chia seed jam recipe but any fruit could be used: peaches, all strawberries, cherries, all raspberries, fresh apricots, fresh plums, all blueberries, etc.!
- If you prefer a sweeter jam, you can add more honey or maple syrup. I would start by adding an additional tablespoon at a time and tasting to determine if you want to continue adding more!
What to Eat Healthy Chia Seed Jam With
There are many ways to enjoy this delicious jam:
- As part of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
- A topping for oatmeal or overnight oats
- Swirled in Greek yogurt with almond butter for a healthy breakfast or snack (and then sprinkle some pecan granola on top)
- As a topping on frozen yogurt or ice cream
- Added to a smoothie for some fruity flavor, vitamin C, and fiber
Storage
The best way to store this berry chia jam is in an airtight container like a mason jar or similar resealable container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months!
Recipe FAQ
Absolutely. Simply replace the mixed berries with whatever fruit you want! Some good alternative flavors would be all strawberry, blackberry, apricot, or cherry!
This chia jam is fairly healthy because it's made with fewer ingredients that are fresher (aka will have more nutrients), has less added sugar, and has the added bonus of fiber, protein, and omega 3 fats from the chia seeds.
Whatever you have. Depending on the season, we will use either. If a fruit is in season, we use fresh but if it's not in season, we use frozen!
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PrintMixed Berry Chia Jam
Mixed berry chia jam is a healthy, easy way to improve the nutrient density of traditional jam. It has a similar sweet yet slightly tart taste, texture, and thicker consistency as store-bought jams but with more nutrients!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 ½ cups 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Sides
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen mixed berries
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 2 Tablespoons 100% orange juice
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook fruit until it breaks down and becomes mushy (~8-10 minutes).
- Using the back of a spatula or potato masher, mash fruit until it reaches desired consistency.
- Stir in chia seeds, honey, and juice.
- Remove from heat and cool for 10-15 minutes.
- Serve or transfer to an air-tight container.
Notes
- You can sub apple, lime, pomegranate, cherry, grapefruit, mango, pineapple, or lemon juice for orange juice. I'd pick one that would go with the fruit you use!
- I love using different types of berries in this chia seed jam recipe but any fruit could be used: peaches, all strawberries, cherries, all raspberries, fresh apricots, fresh plums, all blueberries, etc.!
- If you prefer a sweeter jam, you can add more honey or maple syrup. I would start by adding an additional tablespoon at a time and tasting to determine if you want to continue adding more!
- If not eating soon, portion the jam in ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, store in an air-tight container in the freezer for up to 2 months!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 Tbsp
- Calories: 35
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 3
- Fat: 1
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 1
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0
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