Strawberry Chia Jam is a quick, easy and 4-ingredient recipe that’s ready in less than 20 minutes! With zero refined sugar, it’s a naturally sweet, tart and jammy treat to spread on toast, waffles, pancakes, or whatever you please.
If you’re looking for the perfect way to use this recipe, check out these PB & J Breakfast Parfaits!
This post is sponsored by California Giant Berry Farms. I am so excited to continue our partnership together and share more berry-focused recipes with you! Thank you for supporting the brands that help Fit Mitten Kitchen bring you new and exciting recipes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with real, nutritious ingredients you can feel great about.
- No refined sugar, only natural sweetness from the strawberries and a touch of maple syrup!
- A great way to use fresh strawberries, especially during peak season!
- Jammy, sweet and beautifully bright – need I say more??
How to Pick Strawberries
Peak strawberry season in the United States is between May-June, depending on where you live. Thankfully California Giant has amazing growers all over to provide us with the best berries year round. They also share some great information on strawberries in regards to selecting, storing, washing, freezing and more.
When shopping for strawberries at the grocery store, look for berries that have:
- Bright red coloring and fresh, vibrant green leaves (known as the calyx)
- Natural glossy sheen with a smooth surface
- No signs of mold, bruising, mushy berries or excess moisture
Chia Seed Jam Ingredients
Chia seed jam is nothing more than fresh fruit and crunchy chia seeds. Here’s a list of what we need:
- strawberries – you will need 1-pound of fresh strawberries.
- lemon juice – a squeeze of fresh lemon juice goes a long way and balances the sweetness in the fruit.
- maple syrup – for just a touch of added sweetness. Feel free to swap it out for honey, brown sugar or coconut sugar. That being said, if your strawberries are super sweet, you may not even need the sugar.
- chia seeds – this binds the strawberry juice and creates a jam like consistency. Plus, you get all those healthy omega-3’s and fiber! You can use black or white chia seeds.
How to Make Chia Jam
Strawberry jam with chia seeds is ready before you have your bread hot and toasted for slathering. Here’s how to do it:
Prep Strawberries
Wash strawberries and hull green tops.
Cook & Mash Strawberries
In a small saucepan or skillet, add fresh strawberries, lemon juice and maple syrup. Cook over medium-high heat for about 5-8 minutes, allowing the juices to release. The berries should immediately warm up and break down. Begin mashing berries after a few minutes to the desired consistency. You can leave as many chunks as you’d like, or mash them down completely.
Stir in Chia Seeds
Turn off the heat and add the chia seeds. Stir until just combined. Allow the strawberries to sit for 10 minutes, until the chia seeds have absorbed the excess liquid and a jammy consistency has formed.
Storing Instructions
Make sure to allow the jam to cool completely before storing.
You can use the jam right away or store for future use. This strawberry chia jam recipe will keep in an airtight container, mason jar or jam jar for up to 1 week in the fridge.
Ways to Use
Strawberry jam is one of those classic kitchen staples that goes with just about anything. You could try:
- Breakfast Spread: Make it a breakfast staple and slather it on toast, greek yogurt waffles, whole wheat pancakes, lemon blueberry muffins or vegan matcha scones. Or add a spoonful to your morning blueberry oatmeal or green strawberry banana smoothie.
- Crostini: Make a sweet and savory appetizer with toasted baguette, strawberry jam and brie cheese – divine!
- Grilled Cheese: Add a spoonful to your next grilled cheese!
- Dip: Serve it in a bowl with a cheese and cracker board. That sweet and salty combo is to die for!
- Baking: Swirl a few spoonfuls into almond flour banana bread or almond matcha muffins batter. Or whip up a batch of thumbprint cookies!
- Spoonful: Nothing beats a spoonful of strawberry jam and peanut butter — or any of your favorite nut or seed butter spread.
And be sure to check out this blog post from California Giant on even more ideas and ways to reduce berry waste
Make It Your Own
Feel free to have fun with it and add any additional flavorings / spices to create your personalized strawberry jam recipe. Stir in any of these ingredients at the very end:
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of one lemon
- A pinch of cinnamon or ginger
Recipe Tips:
- Monitor the sugar. I found that if the strawberries are super fresh and sweet, you may not even need the maple syrup. Taste one berry and sweeten as you see fit.
- Mash it with a spoon or potato masher. Whatever tool that’s easier for you.
- Leave big chunks or small. You can mash as much or as little as you want depending on your desired consistency.
- Allow the chia seeds to sit in the strawberry juice for at least 10 minutes. This ensures they gel-up and thicken.
- That being said, the strawberry chia jelly will also thicken as it cools. Don’t worry if the strawberry jam seems a little loose at first.
More Strawberry Recipes You’ll Love:
If you make this Strawberry Chia Jam recipe, be sure to leave a comment and review on the blog! I love hearing from you, and it helps others learn more about the recipe too! Xx Ashley
How to Make…
Strawberry Chia Jam
Strawberry Chia Jam is a quick, easy and 4-ingredient recipe that’s ready in less than 15 minutes! With zero refined sugar, it’s a naturally sweet, tart and jammy treat to spread on toast, waffles, pancakes, or whatever you please.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Diet: Vegan
- Yield: About 1 Cup 1x
- Scale:
Ingredients
- 1 pound strawberries, hulled (about 2 cups)
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup (or sugar of choice)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Instructions
- Wash strawberries and hull green tops.
- In a small saucepan, add strawberries, lemon juice and maple syrup. Cook over medium-high heat for about 5-8 minutes, allowing the juices to release. Begin mashing berries to the desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and add in chia seeds. Stir until combined. Allow the strawberries to sit for 10 minutes, until the chia seeds have absorbed the excess liquid and a jammy consistency has formed.
- Allow to cool completely before storing.
Recipes Notes:
STORAGE – Jam will keep in an airtight container or mason jar for up to 1 week in the fridge.
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