This Easy Strawberry Chia Jam is a sweet and healthy treat to top your toast. The jam only has 4 ingredients and takes less than 20 minutes to make!
I used to love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when I was a kid. I had one for lunch every day in grammar school – yes, EVERY day.
To make it easier to prepare lunch, we even got that stuff that had the peanut butter and jelly in one jar (I think it was called Goober or something – let me know if you know what I’m talking about).
After grade school I got sick of pb & j so I moved on to more sophisticated lunches such as french fries – no I was not the healthiest of eaters back then.
I actually can’t remember having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich between 8th grade and this year… but then I made my easy strawberry chia jam and I’ve been loving pb & j sandwiches again!
The idea of chia jam has been around for a while but I just started testing some of my own recipes lately. Basically, you just heat up some fruit, add a little sweetener and throw in some chia seeds – how easy is that?
Easy Strawberry Chia Jam
Traditional jam contains loads of sugar so I wanted to make a healthier version. I used a little maple syrup to sweeten the jam, but the fruit is so sweet, it didn’t need much.
My easy strawberry chia jam comes packed with other nutritional benefits too! Chia seeds are high in omega-3s which help calm inflammation. They also contain fiber, protein, phosphorus, and calcium.
Using Chia Jam
Besides sandwiches, I use this easy strawberry chia jam to top my vegan yogurt and smoothie bowls. I also use this jam to make my Strawberries & Cream Overnight Oats.
This could also be a great option for kids because of the low sugar. If you have peanut allergies in the school, almond butter is another good choice – actually, that’s what I use most of the time so I should be saying “a & j sandwiches” but doesn’t have the same ring to it.
If you’re a blueberry lover, like me, check out my Blueberry Chia Jam version too!
If you make this Easy Strawberry Chia Jam recipe, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.
Easy Strawberry Chia Jam
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries , destemmed and chopped
- 1.5 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
Instructions
- Heat strawberries in a pan for about 5-10 mins. Mash them with a fork while they are cooking to break them up.
- Take the strawberries off the heat and stir in maple syrup, lemon juice, and chia seeds.
- Let stand until cooled and transfer to jar for storage in the refrigerator. Jam will last about 2 weeks in fridge.
Notes
Please Note: The nutritional information is a computer generated estimate so these numbers should be used only as a guide.
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Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel confident in creating sustainable habits that align with their values and health goals. She shares easy gluten-free plant-powered food to nourish your body + satisfy your tastebuds. Mary Ellen’s recipes and nutrition info have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.
Michelle says
Have you ever tried using aproicots? in place of the strawberries or blueberries?
You had me on Chia!!
Mary Ellen says
Hi Michelle! I actually haven’t tried apricots before but it sounds delicious! If you give it a try let me know what you think!
Tracy says
Can it be frozen?
Mary Ellen says
Hi Tracy! I have not tried to freeze it yet but I don’t see why it couldn’t be frozen for up to 2-3 months. I’ll have to try that soon.
Paula Rudd says
I make chia seed jam all the time, but I never cook my fruit. Everything in a little blender, pop in the fridge and in the morning, jam. I’ve noticed all recipes call for cooking the fruit why?
Mary Ellen says
I cook the fruit because I usually use frozen fruit but feel free to make the jam anyway that works for you.
Debi says
I absolutely love the Vegan Lemon Pie overnight oats….I can stop eating them! Looking forward to trying more of your recipes 😊
Mary Ellen says
I’m so glad you like them! Thank you so much for letting me know Debi! I really appreciate it! 🙂
annemarie kirk says
This jam is my jam!! It is absolutely delicious and perfect for a healthier PB&J. My kids love it. I make a batch and I love adding it to my oatmeal in the morning. Its unbelievable that something that comes together so easy could be this delicious. It is an impressive addition to your brunch spread.
Rachel says
Wow. I had no idea making jam was this easy. I’m definitely going to make this, thank you. My kids eat loads of pbj!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Rachel! Yes, it’s so easy! I love it on pb&js!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
Ooh that is easy and looks delicious! Thanks for linking up today
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Deborah!
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe says
This jam looks really lovely – I made strawberry chia jam a year or two ago and now that strawberries are so cheap my daughter is requesting it – it really is a lovely way to eat strawberries
Mary Ellen says
Yes, it’s such a great little treat. I’ve have the jam with raspberries too and it’s so delicious!
frieddandelions says
We eat a lot of (peanut free) peanut butter and jelly (my son is allergic to nuts and peanuts!)! I love a good chia jam—so yummy!
Mary Ellen says
It’s really yummy! 🙂
Courtney's Cookbook says
Strawberry jam was always my favorite, so I am digging this healthier version! 🙂
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Courtney!
Vicki says
I used to eat PB&J everyday in school (all the way through high school). I still crave a PB&J now, but don’t like the prepared jelly/jams because of all the added sugar, so I’ll just mash up some berries on top of my nut butter. This looks so good and easy, I’ll have to give it a go!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Vicki! I’m loving the pb&j again after starting to make this. Let me know if you try it!
fitfoodiemama says
I love chia seeds but I haven’t really tried making jam with them yet. I definitely want to- so easy and so much healthier!
Mary Ellen says
Let me know if you try it Annmarie!
Gluten Free A-Z says
Looks really easy, healthy, and delicious! I have to remember to make my own instead of buying jams! My husband is such a jam eater and always has a few jars. How long will this type of jam last?
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much! I keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks but it’s so tasty it doesn’t usually last that long! 🙂
Jenn says
I love chia jam. This is so pretty!!!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Jenn!
Julie Wunder says
This is right up my alley! Sooooo good. I totally remember that one jar stuff- yuck!!!!
Mary Ellen says
I’m so glad someone else remembers that! It thought it was so cool when I was 7 but looking back, it was gross!
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
This looks wonderful, great color and I love the addition of chia seeds. Thanks!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Christine! 🙂
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
This looks delicious! I love chia seeds, but I have never made jam before.
Mary Ellen says
Amy, I love chia seeds too and they really “gel” up the jam. 🙂
Kimmythevegan says
This is the prettiest jam I have ever seen!!! It’s so pink and gorgeous. So simple too! I love that it’s only 4 ingredients. I was never into pb & j to be honest, but I love the sound of this jam!
Mary Ellen says
Aw, thanks so much Kimmy, you always leave the nicest comments.
I’ve been using the jam on my smoothie bowls too and have been loving it so maybe you could try it that way without having the pb & j sandwich. 🙂