Berries are in season right now and so is this 3-Ingredient Chia Seed Berry Jam (at least in my house)! I've made this once before with frozen berries and forgot how much I really enjoyed it. This time, I used fresh berries and it was just as delicious.
So anyone who knows me personally also knows that I LOVE peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. It's my soulmate snack. Like I love it so much that I have half a slice as a snack almost every night. Yes, EVERY NIGHT (almost). PBJs were packed in my school lunches growing up and I'm still not sick of them. As I've gotten older, I know that the store-bought jelly option in my house has to change at some point due to the high sugar content. Especially if I'm having this daily. So I tested out this Chia Seed Berry Jam recipe with my soulmate snack and it tasted delicious!
Why Chia Seeds?
- High in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Rich in fiber.
- Is a complete protein (have all 9 of the essential amino acids).
- Have significant amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and zinc.
- Have a jelly-like texture when soaked with a liquid which makes it perfect for this jam!
The jam goes great with peanut butter sandwiches (obviously!), granola cereal, topped on greek yogurt, pancakes, bagels, waffles, or even topped on a smoothie bowl.
So here's how to make this Chia Seed Berry Jam:
- Simmer the berries in a pot. I used fresh blueberries and strawberries. You can use fresh or frozen. Mash the berries to the consistency you prefer.
- Add the chia seeds and orange juice and mix it well. As the mixture cools, you will see the jam thicken.
- Optional:
- Grind the chia seeds in a coffee grinder for a finer texture. I did this because my son tends to be afraid of different/new textures (working on it!) but it turned out great.
- If you don't like the berry chunks, grind the berries before adding the chia seeds for a smoother jam.
- Add maple syrup for some sweetness.
- Other flavor options: vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg.
I'd say keep this refrigerated for about a week. This jam is great if you're looking for a healthier alternative to jelly, a way to increase your berries intake, or if you just like to experiment with chia seeds! If you love chia seeds, don't forget to try my Blueberry Chia Pudding as well!
I hope you love it! Your feedback is important to me so don't forget to let me know in the comments if you tried this!
3-Ingredient Chia Seed Berry Jam
Ingredients
- 2 cups berries of choice (I used blueberries and strawberries); fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
Optional:
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup; depending on the sweetness of your berries
Instructions
- In a small pan, heat the berries on medium-high heat until they start to bubble.
- Mash the berries to your desired consistency.
- Add the chia seeds and orange juice and stir. If you prefer the maple syrup, add it in at this time.
- Let the mixture cool on the stove (about 5-10 minutes). You can use it immediately or store it in the fridge to eat it cold.
- Top it on some toast, granola, greek yogurt, pancakes, bagels, waffles, or even on a smoothie bowl!
Notes
- If you want a finer texture for the jam, grind the chia seeds in a coffee grinder.
- If you don't like the berry chunks, grind the berries before adding the chia seeds.
- Other flavor options: vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg.
Healthy easy colorful
Thank you!
I love chia seeds and berries too.
Then it's definitely worth trying this recipe! Hope you love it!