Learn how to make jam without pectin. You can make chia seed jam with strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, or nearly any fruit. This is a quick recipe that's very easy to make, and it's made without pectin or any additional sweetener. Even if you are a new to making jams or jellies, you can make this simple fruit or strawberry chia jam.

Chia Seed Jam Recipe With Any Fruit

Name: Chia Seed Jam Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups fresh or frozen fruit; 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1-2 tablespoons honey, sugar, agave (if desired); 2 tablespoons chia seeds

I have two teen boys, so we go through a lot of jelly to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. My 15-year-old is tall and lanky, and he can put away four sandwiches in one sitting. I seriously don't know where he puts it.

I've been making jams and jellies for years now. When the kids were little, store bought jams and jellies had high fructose corn syrup and sometimes even food dyes in them. We don't do HFCS or dyes, so I started making my own.

Homemade jams and jellies just taste better. They taste fresher, and I can make them with less sugar once I learned how to make jam without pectin.

I was making them with a low sugar pectin, but now I also make chia seed jam. Learn how to make a low sugar jam recipe that's easy enough for beginners.

I really like chia seed jam recipe because it's easy to make a small batch. You can make it from fresh or frozen fruit, so I can freeze fresh fruit and berries for later.

I make a strawberry chia jam recipe the most, but I also use blackberries and raspberries that we grow on the farm. I haven't tried it with other fruits, but it should work.

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Is Chia Seed Jam Like Pectin Jam?

Chia seed jam is more like a sauce and a bit runnier than cooked jam. It will thicken as it sits, but it will never get quite as thick as jam made with pectin. When you learn how to make jam without pectin, it will have a fresh flavor, but it won't be as thick.

Your chia seed jam recipe won't be as sweet as pectin jam. This is a low sugar jam recipe or a no sugar jam recipe, so it isn't as sweet. However, you can add sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave to sweeten your jam.

What Are Chia Seeds?

Chia seeds are small black seeds from the chia plant. They are native to Guatemala and Mexico.

Chia seeds are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. They also have protein, antioxidants, and several types of minerals.

Chia seeds both thicken this strawberry chia seed jam and offer more nutrition. Any time I can add more nutrition for my family, I take advantage of it.

Smooth Chia Seed Jam

This chia seed jam recipe will have visible chia seeds in it. If you use a berry with seeds, such as blackberries, you'll barely notice them. However, you will see them in fruit jams like peach jam.

If you don't want to see seeds, or you think your kids will put their noses up, you can puree the jam in a food processor or blender. An immersion blend will also work well.

Do Chia Seeds Have Pectin?

No, chia seeds do not have pectin. However, chia seeds do turn gelatinous when you soak them in water. They are often used to thicken things like this mixed berry chia seed pudding. I also used chia seeds to thicken these strawberry chia seed popsicles.

Some fruits have natural pectin. Strawberries, for example, are higher in natural pectin. Lemon juice also has natural pectin.

You do not need pectin to make a chia seed jam recipe because the chia seeds will gel and thicken the jam.

How Can I Thicken Jam Without Pectin?

There are a few ways to thicken jam without pectin. These include:

Using chia seeds that naturally gel to thicken jam.
Cooking jam to reduce water content.
Add cornstarch or arrowroot powder to thicken jam.

Let's learn how to make jam without pectin.

How Can I Thicken Jam Without Sugar?

Pectin is a carbohydrate that naturally occurs in the core or skin of some fruits. It helps hold the cell walls together, and it forms a mesh of sorts that traps liquid. As it cools, pectin surrounds pieces of fruit in jams and jellies.

Pectin needs acid and sugar to gel. Acid helps extract the pectin from the fruit, which is why you add lemon juice to most jams. Simmering the fruit also helps the pectin gel properly.

For regular pectin, sugar boosts the gel by attracting the water and pulling it away from the pectin. Without enough water, pectin is more likely to stick together, which creates a gel.

If you use regular pectin, you have to use sugar to make jam. However, there are low sugar pectin products. For these, calcium is used instead of sugar to create a gel.

To create a gel without using sugar or calcium for a low sugar jam recipe or a no sugar jam recipe, we are going to use chia seeds to create a gel to make a chia seed jam recipe. Learn how to make jam without pectin for a delicious low sugar jam.

Does Lemon Juice Thicken Jam?

To some degree, yes, lemon juice can thicken jam. Lemon juice is an acid. I add it to my low sugar strawberry jam to help boost the natural pectin in the strawberries.

How Long Does it Take for Jam to Set Without Pectin?

Chia seeds will need at least 20 minutes to gel. However, I like to let mine sit overnight for best results. Have patience when you learn how to make jam without pectin because it does take longer to set up.

Will My Jam Thicken as it Cools?

Yes, your strawberry chia seed jam will thicken as it cools. It should start to thicken in about 20 minutes and then continue to get thicker over the next 24 hours.

Is it Safe to Can Chia Seed Jam?

No, it is not safe to can chia seed jam. Jams and jellies need to have a certain amount of acid to be canned safely.

This chia seed jam recipe is not safe for canning. It makes a small batch, so you wouldn't want to can it anyway.

How Long Does Chia Seed Jam Last?

Your strawberry chia jam recipe or other fruit jam will last about two weeks in the fridge.

Can You Freeze Chia Seed Jam?

Yes, you can freeze this chia seed jam recipe. You can freeze it for up to three months in a freezer container.

How to Use Chia Seed Jam

This makes a small batch of fruit or strawberry chia seed jam, so you shouldn't have a problem eating it in two weeks.

You can use it just like regular jam on toast or bread. It's also delicious in this cold start yogurt recipe. You can also add it to recipes like cookies or other desserts like this air fryer pop tarts recipe.

Can I Use Frozen or Canned Fruit to Make Chia Seed Jam?

You can absolutely use frozen fruit to make chia seed jam. I freeze fruit when it's in season to make this later.

I haven't tried it with canned fruits. Personally, I would only use my home canned fruits, but it might work since you cook the fruit anyway.

Chia Seed Jam Recipe Ingredients

To make a fruit or strawberry chia seed jam, you will need:

Fresh fruit or frozen fruit
Fresh squeezed lemon juice
Honey, maple syrup, agave, stevia, or sugar
Chia seeds

Chia Seed Jam Directions

Step #1

Prepare your fruit by washing, removing stems, seeds, and pits as necessary. Chop large pieces of fruit.

Step #2

Heat fruit in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until the fruit breaks down and turns into a syrup. Use a potato masher to mash large pieces of fruit. You can leave lumps or make it smooth.

Step #3

Remove from heat. Add lemon juice and sweetener if desired.

Step #4

Add chia seeds and stir. Let sit for 10 to 20 minutes. If you want it thicker, add more chia seeds 1 teaspoon at a time. Remember it will thicken as it cools.

Step #5

Let it cool. Pour into a container. If you want a smoother chia seed jam, you can use an immersion blender to blend until smooth.

Now you know how to make jam without pectin. I hope you like this chia seed jam recipe!

This chia seed jam recipe was originally posted at Koti Beth Designs.

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