Strawberry jam without sugar and gelatin, ready in a few minutes
Strawberry season is the perfect time to make homemade sweet treats, and strawberry jam is definitely one of the most popular. But classic recipes often contain a lot of sugar and require long cooking times. If you want something simpler, faster, and a little lighter, strawberry chia jam is a great alternative.
This is a quick jam that only requires fresh strawberries and chia seeds as a base. If desired, you can add a little honey, agave or maple syrup, lemon juice, or spices like vanilla and cinnamon to add even more flavor to the jam.
This jam is great for breakfast, desserts, or as an addition to yogurt and oatmeal, and it only takes a few minutes to prepare.
Why is chia jam similar to classic jam?
Many people are surprised to learn that chia jam has a very similar texture to classic homemade jam, even though it doesn't contain gelatin or gelling sugar. The main reason for this is the chia seeds.
When chia seeds come into contact with liquid, they begin to absorb moisture and create a thick, gel-like structure around themselves. This is what makes the jam pleasantly thick and spreadable, similar to classic jam.
Additionally, chia seeds don't affect the taste too much, so the natural sweetness and aroma of the berries still prevails.
Nutritional benefits of chia jam
This type of jam is also popular because it contains less sugar than classic versions. If you use sufficiently sweet and ripe berries, additional sweetening is often not necessary.
Chia seeds are high in fiber, which helps you feel fuller for longer, and they are also a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Strawberries contain vitamin C and many antioxidants, so this jam is a great choice for a light and fresh summer breakfast or snack.
Because the jam is not cooked for long, the berries also retain more of their fresh flavor.
Ingredients:
- 300 g fresh strawberries
- 2 to 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon honey, agave or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- a pinch of vanilla or cinnamon (optional)
Procedure:
Wash the strawberries, remove the stems and cut them into small pieces. Then quickly cook them in a saucepan - about 5 minutes, until they soften slightly. If desired, you can partially mash them with a fork or a potato masher.
Add chia seeds, lemon juice, and optional sweetener or spices. Mix well and let stand for about 10 to 15 minutes until the chia seeds absorb the liquid and the jam thickens.
Once the jam has cooled, store it in the refrigerator and use within a few days.
How long does chia jam last and how to store it?
Because strawberry chia jam does not contain large amounts of sugar or gelling agents, its shelf life is not as long as classic homemade jam. That is why it is best to prepare it in smaller quantities that can be used within a few days.
Store the jam in a tightly sealed glass jar in the refrigerator, where it will usually last for about 4 to 7 days, depending on the freshness of the ingredients and the amount of sweetener added.
You can also freeze it if you want. It will easily last for several weeks in the freezer, but just transfer it to the refrigerator to slowly thaw before using.
It is also important to always take the jam from the jar with a clean spoon, as this will prolong its freshness and prevent it from spoiling faster.
How can we use it?
Strawberry chia jam is very versatile and can be used in a variety of ways:
- as a spread for bread, toast or pancakes, - as an addition to yogurt or oatmeal, - in chia puddings and smoothies, - as a filling for rolls, cakes and pastries, - as a topping for cheesecake, ice cream or other desserts.
If you need a specific recipe, we offer you three great ideas using raspberry chia jam in the links below, which you can easily replace with strawberry chia jam, prepared according to the recipe above:
