This healthy Cherry Chia Jam recipe is super easy to make with only 4 ingredients. Fresh or frozen cherries, chia seeds, a little lemon juice and maple syrup. A homemade, healthy, and refined sugar free alternative to store bought jam.
As cherry season is coming to an end here in my part of the world I loaded up on them at the market and made a double batch of this amazing Cherry Chia Jam. I use it on pancakes, chia pudding, toast and any where you would use jam. But I promise you this is so much healthier and even tastier than store bought jam. For more chia jam recipes, check out this Forest Fruit Chia Jam or this Strawberry Chia Jam.
Chia jam is a heathy alternative to regular sugar filled jam. It is packed full of protein, fibre and antioxidants and it tastes great! Naturally sweetened with a little honey or maple syrup if vegan. This makes a small batch of jam, that will keep in the fridge for about a week. If you can’t get fresh cherries this recipe works great with frozen ones too.
Jump to:
Ingredients
All you need to make this healthy cherry chia jam is only 4 ingredients listed below. For the for the full written recipe with the ingredient measurements, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Cherries, fresh or frozen, washed and pips removed.
- Maple syrup, or other liquid sweetener like honey or agave.
- Chia seeds, to thicken the jam without using sugar.
- Lemon juice, just a little to balance the flavors.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
This cherry chia seed jam recipe is fast and easy to make. Follow along with the with the step-by-step photos below. For the full written instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom.
Add the cherries, maple syrup and lemon juice to a sauce pan with a splash of water. Bring to a boil while stirring and lower the heat to a simmer. Let the cherries simmer for 10-15 minutes, stir occasionally. Once the cherries are soft and juicy, take the pan off the heat.
Taste it and adjust with more maple syrup if desired, the amount needed depends on how sweet your cherries are. Mash the cherries using a fork to a chunky consistency. Stir in the chia seeds and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes. The jam will thicken while it cools.
Substitutions and Variations
- Cherries – instead of fresh cherries, frozen also works great! Just make sure they har de pitted.
- Sweetener – this chia jam is sweetened with a little maple syrup for a refined sugar free jam. Other options coconut sugar, brown sugar or caster sugar. Make sure to taste the finished jam and add more to taste for a sweeter jam.
- Berries – This jam can also be made using other berries or a mix of cherries and your favourite fruit. The cook time might be longer, or shorter depending on the size of fruit or berries. Also see this Forest Fruit Chia Jam.
- Vegan – This chia jam is naturally vegan by using maple syrup.
Storage
This recipe makes a small batch of chia jam, it can also be doubled for a large jar of jam. Store the jam in an airtight container in the fridge for about one week.
The chia jam can also be frozen in an airtight container for about 3 months.
How to serve chia jam
- Use as a topping on pancakes like these Greek Yoghurt Lemon Pancakes or these 3 Ingredient Chocolate Banana Pancakes.
- Add to your oatmeal or with these Cherry Overnight Oats.
- Serve with greek yoghurt and homemade granola like this Air Fryer Granola or this Maple Pecan Granola.
- Serve the jam with a slice of cake or as a topping to this Vegan almond cake instead of the strawberries, or this Vegan Olive Oil Cake.
Cherry recipes
Jam recipes
I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Let me know what you think by leaving a comment and rating down below the recipe card, and tagging me at @thedeliciousplate in your picture on Instagram. Your feedback is so helpful! Also, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter to be sure not to miss my latest recipes!
This healthy Cherry Chia Jam recipe is super easy to make with only 4 ingredients. Fresh or frozen cherries, chia seeds, a little lemon juice and maple syrup or honey, that’s it! A healthy, and refined sugar free alternative to store bought jam.
- 3 cups (500g) cherries, fresh or frozen, pits removed
- 2-3 tablespoon s maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon s chia seeds
-
Add the cherries, maple syrup and lemon juice to a sauce pan with a splash of water. Bring to a boil while stirring and then reduce to a simmer. Let the cherries simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stir occasionally. Once the cherries are soft and juicy, take the pan off the heat.
-
Taste it and adjust with more maple syrup if desired, the amount needed depends on how sweet your cherries are.
Mash the cherries using a fork to a chunky consistency. Stir in the chia seeds and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
The jam will thicken while it cools.
Store the chia jam in an airtight container in the fridge for about one week.
Leave a Reply