Easy Berry Chia Jam
Easy, simple & deliciously healthy - with no refined sugar.
So easy, so healthy - SO deliciously sticky! - you’ll never buy supermarket jam again…
I genuinely haven’t bought jam in years because this simple chia jam is SO easy to make. You only need a handful of ingredients, there’s no complicated jam-making involved and it's a brilliant way to make the most of seasonal fruit.
Blackberries (above!) were perfect for the nutritious spread at our recent September Reset Retreat, but this is really more of a formula than a recipe.
I make it all year round using whatever fruit I have to hand. Frozen berries are my everyday staple, but seasonal fruit like figs, raspberries or blackberries can make it feel a little more special.
Easy Blackberry Chia Jam
Ingredients
200–250g berries, fresh or frozen
Generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice
½ tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1½–2 tbsp chia seeds
1–2 tbsp water, if needed (usually when using fresh over frozen fruit)
Optional drizzle of maple syrup/honey if you like it a bit sweeter
Method
Add the berries & lemon juice to a small saucepan & cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit has softened, released its juices & become lovely and jammy.
Mash the fruit to your preferred consistency (I like it a little chunky!), then stir through the vanilla & a small pinch of salt.
If you're using fresh fruit that isn't releasing much liquid, simply add 1–2 tbsp water as it cooks.
Add 1½ tbsp chia seeds, stir well to combine, then leave the mixture to sit & thicken. If you'd like it thicker, add the remaining ½ tbsp.
Leave to cool, then transfer to a clean jar & refrigerate.
Make it your own
The best bit? Once you know the basic formula, you can switch up the fruit depending on what you have:
200–250g fruit + lemon + vanilla + chia =
homemade jam, without the faff.
Try it spooned onto yoghurt, porridge or overnight oats, spread onto toast, or as we served it at the retreat, with a warm slice of banana bread.
