Learn how to make easy refined sugar free plum chia jam. 10-15 minutes cooking time and you've got a fantastic quick healthy fruit preserve.
Here’s the thing, I love jam and sweet sauce, but I’m not too fond of the sickly sweetness of most of the traditional jams and sauces.
So what’s better? A homemade refined sugar-free quick jam. It's thick enough to spread but isn’t as thick as a traditional or commercial jams. It's also a heck of a lot healthier.
I am sure you'll love this fruit preserve!
Ingredients Highlight
Here are notes on some of the ingredients, the complete list with measurements, can be found in the full recipe card below.
I prefer to use slightly soft plums of any color, though black plums with the skin on are my favorite, they give the jam a vibrant red color.
As the jam cools, it thickens due to the gel released from the chia seeds, creating a texture similar to raspberry or strawberry jams. I use light-colored chia seeds because they look prettier.
If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use ground chia seeds.
To boost the sweetness of the plums without the result being overly sweet or using refined sugar, I add 100% organic maple syrup and a bit of fresh lemon juice for tartness. The result is a healthier spread that I love on toast, vegan oat sorghum banana pancakes, or sourdough bagels.
Janelle's Tips
Chop the plums into small pieces to help them cook faster.
Keep watch and ensure the fruit doesn’t burn whilst cooking.
The texture can be made to suit just how you like it. You can leave it chunky or mash the plums up a little using a potato masher once they have softened through cooking.
FAQ
Once your chia seed jam has completely cooled down to room temperature, spoon it into an air-tight sterilized jar, and store it in the fridge between 5-10 days. It is important the jam jar be sterilized prior to use to avoid contaminants.
Did you make this? I'd love to know! Leave me a comment below with a ★★★★★ star rating or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.
Recipe
Plum Chia Jam
Ingredients
- 2 cups Plums chopped small
- ½ small Lemon juiced
- 2 tablespoon Whole chia seed
- 2 tablespoon Maple syrup
Instructions
- Over medium heat in a saucepan, add the chopped plums, fresh lemon juice and maple syrup, bring to the boil and turn the heat down slightly allowing plums to simmer, reduce and soften for approximately 10-15 minutes.2 cups Plums, ½ small Lemon, 2 tablespoon Maple syrup
- Add the chia seeds, stir through for a minute to combine and then turn the heat off. Allow the plum jam to thicken by cooling down at room temperature, take a spatula and draw a line down the middle of the saucepan, it should come together slowly when cool. Store in a sterilized airtight jar in the fridge and use as needed.2 tablespoon Whole chia seed
Video
Notes
Nutrition
N.B., nutrition info is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. This will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
If you enjoyed this recipe, consider supporting my work for the cost of a cup of coffee.
Frank Lee
This looks really good! But I do think it's funny that you make a point of saying it doesn't use "refined" sugar but then put maple syrup in. We all need to understand sugar is sugar is sugar. That maple syrup is seen and processed by our body precisely the same way as cane or beet sugar. Also, processing is pretty much equivalent.
So, kudos for a jam that is lower sugar (good thing), but let's be sure we all understand that using maple syrup instead of standard white sugar has precisely zero health impact.
Gc
Nice
Mary
Oh yum! This jam recipe makes me regret selling my house with two of the most delicious plum trees right out the back door. I will be checking the Saturday Farmer's market for fresh plums. I love to use plum jam in my Asian recipes and this will work perfectly. Thanks!
Lamia
love that there are no added sugar in this jam! it came out so good!
Tian
Chia seeds in a jam, what a perfect idea! Never knew. Healthy, tasty, and delicious jam, thanks! So sick of eating jams filled with too much white sugar
Rozzi
Great recipe! I used this as a guide to making guava jam and it worked a treat! Delicious! Subbed guava instead of plums, and instead of chia I opted to thicken with natural pectin by putting a few lemon seeds and an apple core in a muslin bag and cooking it with the jam. Not tried it before but worked surprisingly well!
Janelle Hama
This is intriguing Rozzi, I would like to try this method too to make a fruit jam.
Petar
quick one - yum!
Joanne
Hi Janelle
I was wondering if you can freeze the sugar less jam?
Regards Jo
Janelle Hama
Hi Joanne,
I've never frozen this jam (or any jam) before, hence I can't advise
Will have to try it out and report back soon.
J
Grace
Hi, just wondering whether the amount of fruit and chia seeds are related? Thanks.
Janelle Hama
Hi Grace, I have found that this amount of chia to plums works well, slight adjustments can be made (less chia = thinner consistency / more chia = thicker consistency) hope this helps
ella
used peaches and it was great! not as thick as regular jam, which i didn’t mind
Janelle
Peach jam is a great alternative to plum jam.
Glad you enjoyed this quick jam recipe