This homemade vegan Strawberry Chia Jam is a no-cook, five-minute prep spread that brightens toast, yogurt, oatmeal and more. Lightly sweetened with maple syrup and made with real fruit pieces, it’s a family-friendly favorite.
If you think making jam at home is hard, think again.
With chia seeds, strawberries, maple syrup and five minutes of hands-on time, you can make a simple, delicious vegan strawberry chia jam.
Blueberry-lemon and this strawberry version are both staples in my kitchen. Try it once and you’ll understand why.
Why you will love this chia jam:
- Fast and easy. The active prep takes about five minutes: pulse or mash the strawberries, stir in the remaining ingredients, then chill until set.
- Only four ingredients. Strawberries, chia seeds, a sweetener and a splash of lemon juice.
- Extremely versatile. Use it on toast, swirl it into oatmeal or yogurt, spread it on a PB&J, top ice cream or use it in baking.
Why chia seeds?
Chia seeds thicken the jam naturally without cooking. They absorb liquid and swell, creating a gel-like texture that turns mashed fruit into a spreadable jam. Chia seeds can absorb many times their weight in liquid, making them a perfect no-cook thickener.
Ingredients and swaps
- Strawberries: Fresh or frozen work. If using frozen, thaw first. You can substitute or combine other berries—blueberries, raspberries or blackberries all make excellent chia jams.
- Maple syrup: Adds sweetness and flavor. Use your preferred sweetener—regular sugar, honey (if not strictly vegan) or another liquid sweetener will work.
- Chia seeds: Any variety of chia seeds is fine; black or white chia will both thicken the jam.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best to brighten the flavor and balance the sweetness.
How to make the best strawberry chia jam
Process the strawberries in a food processor until they reach your preferred texture—pulse for a chunkier jam or blend longer for a smoother spread. Transfer the fruit to a mixing bowl, then stir in lemon juice, maple syrup and chia seeds. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed.
Place the mixture in an airtight container and chill for about 2–4 hours until thickened. The jam will continue to set as it cools.
Expert tips
- If the jam is too thin after chilling, stir in an extra 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of chia seeds and refrigerate another hour.
- Adjust sweetness gradually. Start with less maple syrup and add more to taste after the jam has chilled, since chilling can mute sweetness slightly.
- Swap in any berries you prefer or combine several for a mixed-berry jam.
Related recipes:
- Banana Chia Pudding
- Strawberry Coconut Chia Pudding
- Blueberry Chia Crumble Bars
- Almond Joy Pudding
- Creamy Coconut Chip Chia Pudding
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Strawberry Chia Jam Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz. fresh strawberries, stems removed
- juice of 1/2 of a lemon
- 3 T chia seeds
- 2-3 T maple syrup, or your favorite sweetener
Instructions
- Pulse strawberries in a food processor to your desired texture. For chunkier jam, pulse briefly; for smoother jam, process longer.
- Pour the pureed strawberries into a small bowl and stir in lemon juice, maple syrup and chia seeds. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Transfer the mixture to a glass container with an airtight lid.
- Cover and refrigerate for about 2–4 hours or until thickened to the consistency you prefer.
- Enjoy on toast, in yogurt, stirred into oatmeal, or straight from the jar.
Notes
- If the jam is too thin after chilling, add a bit more chia seeds and chill another hour to thicken.
- Adjust sweetness gradually—start with less and add more after chilling if needed.
- Any berry or berry mix can be used in place of strawberries.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 6 g,
Protein: 1 g,
Fat: 1 g,
Fiber: 2 g,
Sugar: 4 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question?
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