How To Make Healthy Homemade Chia Jam
Learn how to make delicious, healthy, and fiber-rich chia jam, three ways. Featuring apricot, raspberry, and blueberry chia jams.

Whoever discovered chia jam is an absolute genius. It’s incredibly easy to make and such a delicious, healthy alternative to many store-bought jams.
Commercially-available jams are often full of added sugars (including high fructose corn syrup) and other additives.
Homemade chia jam, on the other hand, is made with minimal ingredients and is full of fiber-rich fruit, micronutrients, and healthy fats like omega-3s!
Cooking fruits brings out so much of their natural sweetness, so only a tiny bit of added sweetener is needed (if at all). You can always customize the amount of sweetener to suit your personal preferences.
Want more inspiration for what to do with chia seeds? Check out my roundup of healthy recipes using chia seeds for more ideas!
Chia Jam Flavours
I’ve loved making chia seed jams using raspberries and blueberries for years, but this time I wanted to experiment with something new and seasonal: apricots!
In today’s post I’ll be sharing how to make chia jam, three ways.
Keep reading to learn how to make delicious homemade apricot, raspberry, and blueberry chia jams. You will love adding these jams to your morning breakfasts!
Chia Seeds Nutrition Facts
First, let’s quickly talk a little bit about chia seeds. These little guys are a STAPLE in my kitchen because they pack in so much nutrition and are so versatile to use!
For just 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, you’re getting:
- almost 2 grams of omega-3s
- 4 grams of fibre
- 1.5 grams of protein
For the same 1 tablespoon serving, you’ll also help to meet your daily micronutrient needs for:
- calcium (6% of your daily needs)
- iron (6%)
- magnesium (14%)
- phosphorus (9%)
- thiamin (10%)
- manganese (11%)
How Do Chia Seeds Create Jam?
One of the coolest things about chia seeds is how they swell to about 10 times their weight when mixed with liquid. That’s what helps them create the jelly texture of chia seed jams!
Chia Jam Ingredients
Making chia jam only requires a few simple ingredients. You can use virtually any berry or stone fruit to make chia jam, fresh or frozen.
Personally, I often use frozen blueberries or raspberries to make my chia jams as they’re a bit more affordable and easy to have on hand! Frozen berries are just as nutritious as fresh, making them an excellent option (especially during the winter).
To make chia jam, all you need is:
- 2 cups of fruit
- 2 tablespoon of chia seeds
- 1/4 cup of water
That said, you can increase the ingredients to make a larger serving of jam, just be sure to keep the same proportions.
To add a little extra flavour, feel free to experiment with:
- a touch of spices (like cinnamon or ground ginger)
- vanilla extract
- maple syrup
- a squeeze of lemon juice
How To Make Chia Jam
Chia jam is incredibly easy and fast to make.
To start, simply add your fruit of choice with water to a small saucepan. If using larger fruits, make sure to chop them into smaller pieces.
Heat the fruit and water over medium, and begin to stir and mash the fruit around.
At about 5 minutes in, add the chia seeds and any other flavourings. Continue to cook and mash around for another 5 or so minutes.
Once the fruit has broken down and the chia mixture starts to become syrupy, remove from heat and let stand for about 10 minutes to allow the jam to thicken.
Spoon the finished jam into glass jars and store in the fridge. The jam will become even thicker as it cools and sits.
Chia jam can keep for about 2 weeks in the fridge, but it can even be frozen if desired!
How To Use Chia Jam
You can use your homemade chia seed jams in the same way you use regular jam.
Try it:
- spread on toast with butter, cheese, or nut butter
- stirred into your morning yogurt and granola (I LOVE the apricot chia jam for this)
- added to a simple oatmeal
- on top of pancakes
- on top of french toast
- to make thumbprint cookies
- with these “PB&J” Oatmeal Cookies
I’d love to know what you use it for!
More Ways To Use Chia Seeds
- Ginger Pear Chia Jam
- Key Lime Pie Chia Pudding
- Blended Chocolate Ginger Chia Pudding
- Banana Chai Smoothie With Vanilla
- Blueberry Lemon Overnight Oats With Chia
Did you give these Chia Jam Recipes a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!
Get the Recipe: How To Make Healthy Homemade Chia Jam
Ingredients
Blueberry Chia Jam:
- 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- Optional: 1 Tbsp maple syrup, dash cinnamon
Raspberry Chia Jam:
- 2 cups raspberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- Optional: 1 Tbsp maple syrup, dash cinnamon
Apricot Chia Jam:
- 2 cups ripe apricots, chopped into small pieces (about 4 large apricots or 5 small)
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds (white ones work best to maintain orange colour)
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, mix fruits and water over medium heat. Using a fork, mash and stir fruits until they start to break down, about 5 minutes.
- Add chia seeds and other ingredients, if using. Continue to mash and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let chia seed mixture sit for about 10 minutes. The mixture will thicken into a jam-like texture.
- Spoon chia jam into glass jars for storage in the refrigerator.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
33 Comments on “How To Make Healthy Homemade Chia Jam”
Worked really well and kept for some time in the fridge.
So glad you enjoyed them, Dan!
Can you make ChiA jaM using sweer potato
Hi Diana,
I haven’t tried that myself, so I’m not sure how it would work or taste! Typically I recommend sticking with fruits to make this recipe :). If you do try it with sweet potato, let me know!
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husband likes strawberry jam. Can I use that?
Hi Helen,
This is actually meant to be a replacement for store-bought strawberry jam, using fresh/frozen strawberries and chia seeds to create your own jam at home! So no, it’s not designed to use strawberry jam in the recipe. I hope that answers your question! 🙂
Excellent..!
I really didn’t know what to do with the chia, I already have a choice …
Hi Marco! Making chia jam is one of my favourite ways to use chia seeds! If you’re looking for more ideas, you can search “chia” in my recipe index – all recipes containing chia seeds will come up :). Let me know if you have any questions!
Wow!
Such a good way To use chia seeds!
Made the raspberry Flavour yesterday, and definitely going to try Out different flavours. Thank you for this delicious recipe! ☺️
Hi Sophie,
Thank you so much for sharing!! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe – I’d love to know if you make the other flavours too. Enjoy your chia jam! <3
This jam is amazing! I never buy jam from the store because it has so much sugar and additives, but i love cooking down fruit to top my oats, yogurt and pancakes. I used frozen mixed berries and it turned out great. Super simple, quick and healthy. Definitely try this recipe! I’ve tried a few of carrie’s recipes and they are all delicious!!
Thank you so much for sharing, Gurjeet! So happy to hear you enjoy this one and love how you’re using it to top so many yummy breakfast dishes! Highly recommend trying the apricot jam once they’re in season 😉
Lovely recipe, thank you! Hoping to give jars as gifts but unsure of shelf life unopened, any idea?
Thank you so much Sam! So happy to hear you enjoyed it 🙂
Ooh I’m not sure that you can extend the shelf life of homemade chia jams. I’m no canning expert, but apparently it doesn’t work so well with chia jams! In general, these will keep for about 2-3 weeks in the fridge, even when opened. So perhaps they’ll just have to go straight into the fridge if you’re giving them as a gift!! I love that idea though <3
I tried the raspberry chia jam and it is now a staple in my kitchen!!
So happy to hear that, Sarah!! I love adding it to everything 🙂
Do you let the ham cook completely before putting in the fridge?
Hi Jackie! Not sure if you meant to say cook or cool, but yes you would do both before putting the jam in the fridge! The chia jam will continue to thicken as it cools 🙂
Omg amazing, I made apricot with white chia and becasue they are in season we will be making more. My hubbie is in love with this recipie. Thank you
Hi Magda! I am so so happy to hear that you and your husband enjoy the apricot one! It’s my personal favourite and so great to do when they are in season. Thanks so much for sharing your experience 🙂
This chia jam is so good!! I used to use Epicure’s Chia Jam but they discontinued it. This is a perfect replacement.
Thank you so much Nicole!! I’m so happy to hear you found a replacement for the one you were purchasing. So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I made the raspberry chia jam for the first time yesterday and WOW! I will never be purchasing store bought jam again. It was so easy to make! I used frozen raspberries and added in natural maple syrup + cinnamon as suggested. The maple syrup cut the tanginess of the raspberries perfectly. I’ve already recommended the recipe to my friends 🙂
Hi Dani! Yay I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this one!! Frozen berries are perfect and also a great way to enjoy them at this time of the year! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with your friends, too – I really appreciate that 🙂
We also tried the blueberry and raspberry compotes on our pancakes tonight and absolutely loved them!Any recipe that is quick and easy to make joins our go-to weekly cooking list. We will double the recipe for these compotes and put them in quart- size mason jars because we are hungry hippos and these yummy compotes will not last long in our home! Healthy, quick and easy to make, and absolutely delish! What more could we ask for?!!! 🤗
Jordanna
Thank you so much, Jordanna!! So happy to hear that everyone is loving these chia jams! They’re just so perfect to keep in the fridge all week long and add to just about everything :). Feel free to experiment with all different kinds of fruits, too!!!
Hi Carrie!
I was wondering if it would also be possible to grind the chia seeds for a smoother jam?
Hi Christine! Thanks so much for your question. While I have not personally tried doing this, I think it should work just fine :). Let me know if you give it a try!
I am prone to diverticulitis, so should avoid “seeds”. Wondering if I can substitute ground chia for the seeds in the jam? Would it have the same texture? Would I use the same amount (2 Tbps)? Will it jell the same?
Hi Sandy! Thanks so much for this great question. Yes! You can use ground chia seeds for chia jam – they will also gel the same way. I think the same amount would work 🙂
Great! Thanks so much Carrie!!