Easy Blueberry Chia Jam

This simple homemade chia jam is bursting with real fruit and requires just a handful of ingredients. Blueberries cook down into a naturally sweet, juicy base while chia seeds create a beautiful jam-like consistency, without needing loads of added sugar.

Use fresh or frozen blueberries and adjust the sweetness to suit your fruit.

Makes: approximately 2 cups Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10–12 minutes

Ingredients

• 500 g fresh or frozen blueberries

• 2 tbsp chia seeds

• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, or to taste

• 1–2 tbsp pure maple syrup, optional and to taste

For a thicker jam: Add an additional ½–1 tbsp chia seeds after cooking.

Instructions

1. Add the blueberries to a saucepan over medium heat.

2. Cook for approximately 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries soften, burst, and release their juices. Frozen berries may need an extra few minutes.

3. Gently mash the blueberries with the back of a spoon or potato masher. Leave some berries intact if you like a chunkier jam.

4. Remove from the heat.

5. Stir in 2 tbsp chia seeds, lemon juice, and maple syrup, if using.

6. Let the jam sit for 10–15 minutes. It will continue to thicken as the chia absorbs the berry juices.

7. Check the consistency. If you'd like a thicker jam, stir in another ½–1 tbsp chia seeds and allow it to sit for another 10 minutes.

8. Once cooled, transfer to a glass jar and refrigerate.

Make It Your Own

Blueberries are my go-to, but you can also use 500 g of mixed berries. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, wild blueberries, and dark sweet cherries all work beautifully.

Because different fruits vary in sweetness and acidity, taste before adding the maple syrup. You may find you don't need it at all.

How to Use

• Spoon over sourdough or toast

• Pair with almond or peanut butter

• Swirl into Greek yogurt or cottage cheese

• Spoon over chia pudding or overnight oats

• Add to protein pancakes

• Use as a naturally sweet topping for breakfast bowls

Approximate Nutrition

Per tablespoon, without maple syrup

• Calories: ~15

• Protein: ~0.4 g

• Carbohydrates: ~3 g

• Fibre: ~0.8 g

• Sugar: ~2 g

• Fat: ~0.4 g

Nutrition will vary depending on the fruit used and whether maple syrup is added.

Storage

Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 5–7 days.

Why I Love This

This is such a simple way to add more fruit and fibre to everyday meals.

Rather than a traditional jam where sugar is doing much of the heavy lifting, the berries remain the star. Chia seeds give us texture along with additional fibre, and just a touch of lemon brings the fruit to life.

And I particularly like that the maple syrup is optional: taste your berries first. Sometimes they're sweet enough all on their own! Your partner in health and longevity,

Stacie Mylonas, RHN