This 4-Ingredient Easy Blueberry Jam is thickened with chia seeds, lightly sweetened, and seriously delicious! It’s kid-approved and Paleo friendly.
Easy Blueberry Jam Recipe
This month we’re celebrating Summer fun, and what better than to celebrate with a healthy kid-friendly chia seed jam that can be topped or spread on everything! Ice cream, crepes, oatmeal, muffins, yogurt, pancakes, waffles, toast, or even have a spoonful plain! Blueberries are a superfood that I simply cannot get enough of. When they are back in season I stock up weekly and when they’re just about to go out of season, I freeze a bunch for smoothies and muffins!
Say goodbye to store-bought jam loaded with preservatives and sugars. This jam is free of refined sugars and such a fabulous healthy alternative to traditional jam. You are going to be amazed at just how quickly it comes together and how thick it gets! I give the credit to the chia seeds, a super healthy seed used as the thickener!
Ingredients Needed For Blueberry Chia Jam:
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Are Chia Seeds Healthy?
Yes! Chia seeds are a Paleo-friendly and nutrient-dense. They’re easy to digest and can even aid in digestion by helping this move along! They are also contain omega-3’s which means they’re not only good for your body but also good for your brain!
Can you make jam without pectin?
Absolutely! The chia seeds thicken this jam wonderfully by absorbing a lot of the liquid of the strawberries without having to cook the mixture for hours. As the directions state, we recommend cooking it a bit to get the correct desired consistency, and then after cooking the chia seeds will continue to absorb liquid to thicken up the jam.
How long will this Blueberry Jam last?
Store in a mason jar for up to 10 days in the refrigerator!
If you like this healthy jam recipe, check out these similar recipes:
- Strawberry Chia Seed Jam (Paleo & Vegan)
- 2-Ingredient Strawberry Fruit Leather
- Homemade Nutella (Paleo)
- How to Make Coconut Whipped Cream
Easy Blueberry Jam
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Directions
- In a pot add blueberries, sweetener and lemon juice.
- Turn on heat to medium and let the mixture come to a simmer, gently mash down the berries. Add the chia seeds and stir to combine.
- Let simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring often to avoid sticking.
- Once thick, remove from heat, let cool and store in air-tight containers for up to one week.
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79 comments on “Easy Blueberry Jam with Chia Seeds”
I LOVE this!!! Thanks for including me. So I used to HATE jam but then I went to the most amazing farmer’s market in Martha’s Vineyard and they had like a million different jams to try and I fell in love. There was a blueberry ginger jam that was UNREAL. C and I are hoping to make it back to Martha’s Vineyard to visit my cousin at some point and you better bet we’ll be stopping by your new place!
I made my first batch of jam last year with strawberries and it wasn’t that great, so I’m determined to succeed! Blueberry jam sounds better…and I love the idea of using chia seeds!
Those pictures are amazing!! This sounds and looks so incredibly good.
Yum! Love making my own jams! I will have to try this recipe!
I used to make blackberry jam with my grandma from the blackberries we would pick on her property. I may need to find some fresh blackberries and try this recipe using those (or blueberries since I love them too). This looks amazing!
so purdy!
I am so glad I ran into this post, your recipe sounds amazing! easy enough and natural ingredients… love it! the pictures are awesome too 🙂
i love blueberries. this looks great!
Can you sbu other types of berries too? Or does it only work w blueberries?
Yes, you can sub other berries!
Can you use maple syrup instead of honey?
I haven’t tried it, but I think it’d work just fine!
Can you freeze this jam?
I haven’t froze any, but I don’t see why not!
Do you think I can water bath can this recipe?
Can you leave out the lemon? or add less of it?
You can omit!
Your pictures are lovely and I’m hoping to make this tomorrow! Wondering – how sweet is this jam? Would adding extra honey alter the final product’s consistency?
Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Is it possible, or a good idea, to can process this jam? Thanks
Is there a substitute for chia seeds?
Hi, how long will this jam keep? also can it be canned? thank you.
Can you use frozen blueberries.
The recipe sounds wonderful, and the photos are beautiful! I can’t wait to try it! Where can I get those adorable jars? 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Also wondering if this can be canned in a water bath like my other blueberry jam with sugar and pectin. I’m thinking it should work since the honey is replacing the sugar and the chia seed with lemon help thicken like the pectin does.
for safe canning practice it is the acidity that is important. There shouldn’t be a problem with the blueberries but you need to check if chia seeds can be included for canning. Sorry I don’t know the answer!
http://foodpreservation.about.com/od/Canning/fl/Can-I-Can-Jams-Made-with-Chia.htm
I canned some peach jam last year using this method of thickening with chia seeds. Didn’t have a problem!
Can the honey be added after the blueberries cool a little? Heating honey will partially destroys honey’s beneficial enzymes.
could you use hemp hearts instead of chia seeds. and can the jam be frozen
Can I omit the Chia seeds?
Amanda: the chia is what thickens it!
I do something similar with frozen berries. I like to use mixed berries, but any frozen fruit will work. Same process with the sweetener and the chia. Last time I used a few drops of stevia since I’m trying not to have sugar of any kind. Family loves it! I love the idea of using fresh blueberries – that’s next on my list!
I couldn’t find chai seeds? What can I substitute for them?
How much does this recipe make and do the chia seeds affect the taste. Could you use tapioca in place of the chia seeds? It has basically the same properties.
Could this jam be frozen or would that mess with the texture? Anyone tried freezing it>
I haven’t tried freezing it– did you scroll through the comments to see if anyone else has? Good luck! -Lexi
I was wondering if it’s supposed to be sweet cause mine wasn’t as sweet as I would have liked. And could it be because I used agave instead of honey?
This is such a tasty recipe. I included it in my favourite recipes and linked to this page…I want everyone to try this. So simple! I love it on yoghurt!
xx
https://pumdiets.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/pums-favourite-recipes-blueberry-chia-jam/
Made this last night. Soooo good. Not overly sweet which is perfect for me!
So happy you liked it!
If I wanted to use peaches instead of blueberries would the process be exactly the same?
Why can it only be stored for two weeks in the fridge, does it go bad or something bad happen to it?
If you properly can it you are good to go! It’ll last a while, that’s just a suggestion. Keep in mind there are no preservatives 🙂
What is the shelf life on this? Do I have to freeze it?
I’m so excited to give this recipe a try – been looking for an alternative to the super sweet and sugar-loaded jams in stores! Do you know roughly how much this makes? Want to make sure it’s enough for brunch!
About a cup or a bit more! Should be plenty. Enjoy!
I heard that heating honey makes it lose it’s medicinal properties. Anyone know about it?
This looks like an amazingly easy recipe! I didn’t know one could ‘can’ without all the equipment. I realize this will not keep in a pantry but it’s almost as good! And no extra added costs! I even had chia seeds I bought but happens found a use for yet! The jam is cooling and thickening as I type! Thanks for testing this recipe out for us!!!
Not happens….* hadn’t found a use for the chia seeds yet….
I just made this yesterday and it is amazing! I’m so happy that I stumbled upon your blog!
I am so happy you found me Amy! 🙂
Can these be put in the freezer for later use?
The jam in jars?
Is it worth using raw honey, or is the good bits just heated off?
Can I use frozen(but thawed) blueberries?
Yes!
Do you use the chia seeds whole or do you chop them ?
Whole!
Wow! I’m gonna try this recipe immediately. So easy and so beautiful. Plus, I’m gonna make it with cherries and strawberries.
I was wondering if you water bathed the jars will the shelve life be loner or is your recipe not set up for longer life outside the fridge
I’m not a canning expert but this article says it is not safe to water bath/can anything with chis seeds?
https://www.thespruce.com/chia-james-not-safe-for-canning-1327440
Hi Lexi,
Thanks for the recipe, it was very helpful even though I changed it a bit. I was going more for a syrup than jam so I didn’t add chia seeds or lemon. Honey as the sweetener is perfect. I already shared with my Sister and I will definitely be coming back to this recipe. I’ve read in other placed that you can use lemon seeds as a pectin/thickener as well. Thanks again.
Heidy
So glad!!!
I made this yesterday with (frozen)blueberries we picked about a month ago. It was delicious.
I can’t wait to try this! Are there chunks of blueberry skin in the jam? I want to make this jam for my little, but he hates the blueberry skin.
Thanks!
Lexi, thank you so much for this recipe. I call it “blueberry jauce” because it can be used as jam or sauce. It can be used n toast, crackers, ice cream, mixed with smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, topping for cheesecake – the list is endless! I ‘ve been quadrupling the recipe ( 8 cups blueberries, 1/2 C honey, 1/2 C lemon juice and 1/2 C chia seeds to make 6 half pints at a time which I hot water bath for 12 minutes. Every jar so far has sealed perfectly!
How long is this good for after Its made? It looks delicious 😋
Thank you! It is good for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Ive never even seen chia seeds in my small town. Where are they located in the market and what’s a good substitute
Looks amazing
I’d ask in your specific market – or order online! They are inexpensive, nutritious, and lovely as a thickener!
Can you use a water bath this jam with chia seeds? I tried doing so with strawberries, and it didn’t work. It was a waste of so much time and money. 😔
I have to be very careful with my carb count. Can I use the imitation honey or sugar free maple syrup? The chia seeds will thicken it, but I wondering if my way will be sweet enough. Also, do you have a breakdown of the carbs for this?
My husband has diviticlutis He can’t have any seeds. Can you use anything else?
I just made this using stevia and frozen berries. Very nice. Thickened beautifully. Thanks for a simple good recipe. I’m going to try freezing some and see what happens. I can always use it as a yogurt topping. Thanks for your post. Karen
So, how many half pint jam jars will this recipe fill????? I wanna use the little diamond pattern Ball canning jars. Yep, I’m gonna really water bath can it, lol
Do you cook it… then add the chia seeds later? Cant see where you add them?
After it comes to a simmer!