Learn how to make refined sugar free plum jam with chia seeds. This homemade plum jam is naturally sweetened and is super easy, ready in around 10-15 minutes.
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Here’s the thing, I love jam, but I’m not too fond of the sickly sweetness of most of the traditional jams.
So what’s better? A homemade refined sugar-free jam.
This recipe is a quick jam and is thick enough too spread but isn’t as thick as a traditional or commercial jam.
😋Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s a healthy jam - refined sugar-free - traditional jam uses a ratio of 1xsugar: 1xfruit, this recipe is naturally sweetened
- Perfect for the super busy schedules - cooked in 10-15 minutes
- The intense flavoring is tantalizing; it’s got the right amount of sweetness and tartness taste that is not present in commercial jams
- It’s a small batch jam - meaning you can whip up a jar on the fly
🥄Ingredients
Notes on some of the ingredients, the full list of ingredients and their measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Plums - I like to use plums that are slightly soft which are chopped small.
You can use any colored plum, I used black plums with the skin on, which resulted in vibrant red color.
You could even blend different color plums.
If using other Fresh fruit - use only good quality fruit. Ensure there is no bruising.
Chia seeds - Use the light grey variety for better aesthetics.
The chia seeds within this recipe are kept whole. The texture resembles raspberry or strawberry jams.
If you prefer a smoother texture, use ground chia seeds.
Maple Syrup - is used rather than refined sugar.
Derived from a maple tree with a small amount of processing, it hosts a range of minerals and vitamins.
Always buy 100% organic maple syrup (affiliate link) and not a maple syrup imitation.
Maple syrup is also a healthy beverage sweetener, try my moringa latte, fresh herbal tea or dalgona coffee I opt for maple syrup.
🔪Step by Step Guide
Here’s how to make sugar free plum jam
Step 1 - Over medium heat in a saucepan, add plums, lemon and maple syrup, bring to the boil and turn the heat down slightly allowing plums to simmer, reduce and soften for approx. 10-15 minutes.
Step 2 - Add chia seeds, stir through for a minute and then turn the heat off. Allow the refined sugar free plum jam to thicken by cooling down at room temperature. Store in an airtight jar in the fridge and use as needed.
💡What to serve with?
This plum jam is perfect on scones, bread, pancakes (oatmeal pancakes), biscuits, cookies, part of a grazing board, in your muesli/granola and more.
I sometimes like to mix it up with my healthy Lebanese rice pudding.
Try it on these vegan crepes.
⭐Pro 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 (affiliate link) once they have softened through cooking.
As this sugarless jam cools down, it will thicken considerably. The chia seeds are what thickens and sets this jam as it releases its gel.
Take your spatula and draw a line down the middle of the saucepan, it should come together slowly when cool.
Once completely cool, store this homemade vegan jam in a sterilized air-tight jar (I like recycling glass jars) for approx. a couple of weeks in a refrigerator
🥄Variations
The basic ingredients of this refined sugar-free jam are; fruit, lemon, and maple syrup. You can use any fruit or berry that you desire.
Think peaches, strawberries, mulberries, quince, or whatever your favorite fruit is.
Maple syrup (affiliate link) - the amount used can be adjusted to suit how you like it.
However, as maple syrup is runny, the more used, the runner the texture. You will need to simmer a little longer.
❓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.
🍮Related Recipes
Try this raspberry compote by Marcellina in Cucina.
Did you enjoy making this sugar free plum jam? I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below and give me a rating. This will help me sustain Plant-Based Folk.
Alternatively, did you happen to take a photo? Tag me @plantbasedfolk on Instagram to be featured via stories.
📖 Recipe
Refined Sugar-Free Plum Jam (No Pectin)
Ingredients
- 2 cups Plum chopped
- ½ small Lemon juiced
- 2 tablespoon Chia seed
- 2 tablespoon Maple syrup
Instructions
- Over medium heat in a saucepan, add plums, lemon and maple syrup, bring to the boil and turn the heat down slightly allowing plums to simmer, reduce and soften for approx. 10-15 minutes.2 cups Plum, ½ small Lemon, 2 tablespoon Maple syrup
- Add chia seeds, stir through for a minute and then turn the heat off. Allow the plum jam to thicken by cooling down at room temperature. Store in an airtight jar in the fridge and use as needed.2 tablespoon Chia seed
Video
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
N.B., nutrition info is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. This will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
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