If you're trying to cut sugar but long for some jam on toast, you need a solution that satisfies. This sugar free jam made with fresh strawberries and chia seeds is the perfect answer.
There's no canning or cooking involved, just the magic of chia seeds to thicken your berries into a spoonable purée. In minutes, and with just a blender, you will capture the delicious taste of fresh, in-season strawberries and pour it in a jar.
Why You Will Love this Jam
This easy jam is bursting with fresh berry taste! When strawberries are in season, nothing can beat their flavor.
This easy jam captures that flavor and thickens it into a deliciously spreadable form. It has no preservatives or unpronounceable ingredients, and it is sweetened with stevia so it won't mess with your blood sugar. Delicious!
Ingredients Needed
How to Make this Strawberry Chia Jam
Start by adding a little Truvia to water, and stir to dissolve. Sugar substitutes always seem to take a little more time than sugar to dissolve, so stir until the water clears.
Now add the chia seeds to the sweetened water. Stir to wet the seeds and then set aside for 10 minutes.
Wash the strawberries, then cut off the hulls and slice the berries, enough to make one cup of slices.
When the 10 minutes are up, the chia seeds will have absorbed the water and formed a gel-like texture. Place the strawberries and chia mixture in a blender.
Now just pulse the blender a few times to break up the strawberries and combine with the chia seeds.
You can make the jam fairly smooth or a little more chunky, as you prefer. Either way, the wonderful fresh berry taste will shine through!
Pour the jam into a small jar and refrigerate. In about 20 minutes it will thicken a little more, but I confess that sometimes I can't wait that long. LOL
Serving Suggestions
A little bit of this jam on some low-carb bread makes my breakfast just a little bit brighter. But it can be so much more!
Try it layered with Greek yogurt to sweeten without sugar. Or use it to top pancakes or waffles, for a delicious syrup alternative.
Storage
Keep this jam in the fridge in a covered jar. It will be good for about a week (remember, it has no preservatives). If you want to keep it longer, you could try freezing it. I haven't done this yet, since this recipe makes a small jar (about 8 ounces) I haven't felt the need. If you do, be sure to leave some room at the top of your jar to allow for expansion as the jam freezes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chia seeds are high in fiber, which contributes to a heart-healthy diet, and their ability to thicken the jam naturally eliminates the need for pectin. Think of chia seeds as your clean eating champion!
Yes, feel free to try other sugar substitutes. Just be aware that the proportions will vary. I stayed away from pure erythritol because it has a tendency to crystallize in the fridge. Crunchy jam = me no likey.
If you compare sugar conversion ratios, you can estimate how much sweetener you will need. Truvia's conversion chart states that 2 teaspoons of sugar equals ¾ teaspoon of Truvia, as a reference point.
Strawberry Chia Seed Jam (Sugar Free)
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Truvia sweetener
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 8 ounces strawberries
Instructions
- Add the sweetener to the water and stir to dissolve.1 teaspoon Truvia sweetener, 2 tablespoons water
- Add the chia seeds and set aside for 10 minutes to soak.1 tablespoon chia seeds
- Slice the strawberries, enough to make one cup.8 ounces strawberries
- Add the sliced strawberries and the jelled chia seeds to a blender. Pulse to combine.
- Pour the jam into a clean jar with a lid and refrigerate for about 20 minutes to fully set.
Sage Scott
I love using chia seeds to thicken jam. This strawberry jam was the perfect way to use up our last fresh berries.
Sula
Strawberry season is my favorite!
Lou
I had extra strawberries and a bag of chia seeds that I was not sure what to do with it. After making your strawberry chia seed jam recipe, I used it in a cookie recipe and they turned out AMAZING!!
Sula
Oh I'll bet those were some delicious cookies!!!!