One chia jam recipe, three flavors; raspberry, blackberry, and strawberry. No pectin needed! Just simple ingredients and jam in minutes!
Chia Jam Ingredients
- frozen fruit (strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries)
- chia seeds
- cane sugar
- alternative brown sugar
- fresh lemon or lime
- vanilla extract (opt)
How to Make Chia Jam
- In a saucepan over medium heat, cook frozen fruit until softened and juicy.
- Stir in lemon (or lime) juice, cane sugar, and alternative brown sugar until fully dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Mash with a fork, potato masher, or immersion blender for desired texture.
- Stir in chia seeds and optional vanilla.
- Let sit for 10–15 minutes to thicken, stirring once or twice.
- Cool, then store in a jar.
Serving Suggestions
- Steel Cut Oats
- Oatmeal Bars
- Classic PB&J Sandwich or Toast
- Topping for dairy free ice cream
- Topping for dairy free yogurt
- Topping for vegan cheesecake
- Thumbprint cookies
- French Toast
- Pancakes
Storage Tips
- Store in airtight containers or jars in the fridge for up to 1 week
- Freeze in small portions (like ice cube trays) for up to 1 month
Frequently Asked Questions
Chia Jam FAQ
Chia seeds have both soluble fiber and its outer shell is hydrophilic so it attracts and absorbs a lot of water. This is where their thickening properties come from. Description
Yes! Fresh fruit works just as well as frozen. Just be sure it's ripe and juicy to break down easily during cooking. You may need to reduce the cook time slightly since fresh fruit softens faster.
Definitely. You can swap cane sugar for maple syrup, agave, coconut sugar, or even sugar alternatives like stevia or monk fruit. Just keep in mind that liquid sweeteners may slightly thin the jam, so reduce the lemon juice or add a bit more chia if needed.
If you or your kids don’t like the texture of chia seed jam, there are a few easy ways to make it smoother. One option is to blend the jam after it thickens to create a more traditional, uniform consistency. You can also try using white chia seeds, which are less noticeable and blend more easily into lighter-colored fruits. Another approach is to grind the chia seeds before adding them to the jam. Ground chia will still thicken the mixture but gives it a finer, pudding-like texture that is less seedy. To grind the seeds, use a coffee grinder, high-speed blender, or spice mill. Just make sure to measure the amount after grinding to keep the proportions accurate.
Yes! This recipe is very flexible. Blueberries, cherries, peaches, pineapple, mango, and even plums all work well. Just keep in mind that some fruits (like peaches or pineapple) may need slightly longer cooking or mashing to reach a jam-like texture.
If your jam is too runny after cooling, stir in ½ to 1 more teaspoon of chia seeds and let it sit for another 10–15 minutes. If it’s too thick, stir in a small splash of water, lemon juice, or fruit juice to loosen it up.
Yes, you can! If your fruit is naturally sweet enough, feel free to leave out the added sugar. Just taste as you go—some fruits (like raspberries or blackberries) can be tart, so you might still want a touch of sweetness.
Absolutely. Try warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, or nutmeg depending on the fruit. A tiny pinch of salt can also enhance flavor, and a splash of vanilla or almond extract adds depth.
More Easy Jam Recipes
Easy 3-Flavor Chia Jam Recipe
One chia jam recipe, three flavors; raspberry, blackberry, and strawberry. No pectin, no fuss, just simple ingredients and jam in minutes!
Print
Pin
Rate
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 25kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen fruit (strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries) note 1
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ tablespoon cane sugar
- 1 tablespoon alternative brown sugar
- 1½ tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice (about ½ lemon or lime)
- splash of vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, cook frozen fruit for 2–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and juicy.
- Stir in lemon (or lime) juice, cane sugar, and alternative brown sugar until fully dissolved.
- Mash with a fork, potato masher, or immersion blender for desired texture.
- Remove from heat. Stir in chia seeds and optional vanilla.
- Let sit for 10–15 minutes to thicken, stirring once or twice. Cool, then store in a jar in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Notes
- Frozen Fruit: For raspberries I increased the sugar to 1 tablespoon (14 g) to help balance the tartness of the berries. For blackberries I swapped lemon juice lime juice
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Easy 3-Flavor Chia Jam Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 tablespoons)
Calories 25
Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Sodium 1mg0%
Potassium 47mg1%
Carbohydrates 5g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 4IU0%
Vitamin C 10mg12%
Calcium 16mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Be sure to PIN IT on Pinterest, leave a comment below, rate it, and mention @_VeganWithCurves using #veganwithcurves hashtag on Instagram so I can see it!
Revision History
- May 19, 2025
→ Republished with updated recipe from one flavor (strawberry chia jam) to 3 flavors (strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry) along with new photos, step by step instructions, FAQ, and a video - April 2, 2020
→ Republished with new photos, step by step instructions, tips, and a video - April 22, 2019
→ Original post published.
amy
Think I'm going to use some frozen berries for this!
Gina Marie
Frozen berries work perfectly! Let me know how it turns out for you!