Blueberry vanilla chia seed jam
Sugar-free and jam-packed with fibers and healthy omega-3 fatty acids, this blueberry vanilla chia seed jam will quickly become a family favorite.
Whether you are on a mission to reduce weight, conquer a health issue, prevent disease, become a vegan, or looking for ways to become a healthier version of yourself, store-bought jams will no longer be on the menu. But that doesn’t mean you have to go without.
How to Make Jam Healthy & Easy?
Though a peanut butter and jelly toast seems harmless in the morning, traditionally made jams and jellies contain an insane amount of refined sugar. Plus, many of them contain gelatin which is made from collagen taken from animal body parts. Yikes!
Not exactly the thing you want to start your morning with, right?
Though I never liked peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I do like to start some of my mornings with a granola, cashew yogurt breakfast bowl topped with chia seed jam.
Unlike traditional jam where you need a massive amount of sugar to thicken the jam, chia seeds will do their magic here. To be fair, jam doesn’t need any sweetener, the fruits are usually sweet enough on its own. However, if you are a sweet tooth you can always add a little maple syrup or dates to sweeten things up.
Chia seed jam pros: you can use any type of fruit (fresh or frozen), no canning needed, it is easy and fast to make (5 minutes), and fits every dietary need.
Chia seed jam cons: they don’t last as long as traditional jam. Chia seed jam will last about one to two weeks in the fridge if stored in a sealed container. But then they are so easy to make that you will want to make small batches and switch up the fruit regularly.
Servings
1 small jar (about ½ cup)
Ready In:
1hrs 00min
Calories:
22 (per 1 tbsp)
Good For:
Breakfast, Snack
Introduction
About this Recipe
By: Amy Goodrich
New to chia seed jams? If yes, then be amazed by their simplicity and taste. They are so much better than regular jam. Believe me!
Chia seeds are a rich plant source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids that cannot be made by the human body.
Though they need an hour or so to set in the fridge, chia seed jams can be made in less than 5 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 tbsp maple/agave syrup or coconut nectar (optional)
- 1 tbsp lukewarm water
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- ½-1 tsp vanilla extract
Adding pitted dates also works to sweeten things up without using sugar.
Instead of vanilla extract, you can also experiment with different flavorings such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, etc.
Nutrition
Blueberry vanilla chia seed jam makes a nutrient-dense, flavorful addition to parfaits, oatmeal, toast, pancakes, etc.
The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Below you find the nutritional values per tablespoon of jam.
The nutrition information below is based on eating 2,000 calories a day. You may eat fewer or more calories a day depending on your age, gender, activity level, current weight, and whether you’re trying to lose or maintain your weight.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Combine all blueberry chia seed ingredients in a small food processor or blender. Process/blend until homogeneous.
Step 2
Pour the blueberry-chia mixture into a clean glass jar with an airtight lid.
Step 3
Cover and place the blueberry vanilla chia seed jam in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This is the time the chia seeds need to do their magic and turn the water in the fruit mix into a nice jam.
FYI: Chia seeds can absorb about 10 times their weight in water while forming a gel-like substance.
Recipe notes
Ready to experiment with the flavor you love? Chia seed jams can be made with any fruit or flavor boosters – such as cinnamon, cacao powder, ginger, etc. – you like. That’s why we make small jars at a time and switch the fruits every time. Other flavor combos I like are raspberry-vanilla, kiwifruit-strawberry, and apple-cinnamon.
Chia jam is delicious on toast, vegan yogurt bowls, vegan pancakes, etc.
Easy, Printable Recipe Card
Blueberry Vanilla Chia Seed Jam
Made in less than 5 minutes, this blueberry vanilla chia seed jam will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 tbsp maple/agave syrup or coconut nectar (optional)
- 1 tbsp lukewarm water
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- ½-1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine all blueberry chia seed ingredients in a small food processor or blender. Process/blend until homogeneous.
- Pour the blueberry-chia mixture into a clean glass jar with an airtight lid.
- Cover and place the blueberry vanilla chia seed jam in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This is the time the chia seeds need to do their magic and turn the water in the fruit mix into a nice jam.
Notes
FYI: Chia seeds can absorb about 10 times their weight in water while forming a gel-like substance.
