Nutritious Blueberry & Orange Chia Seed Jam

06/13/24

Thi small-batch blueberry chia jam is a wholesome, lower-sugar alternative to conventional jam. Featuring antioxidant-rich blueberries and bright, citrusy orange, it's packed with real fruit. With each mouthful, you get bursts of whole blueberries—divine! Make with frozen blueberries and enjoy year-round.

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This homemade blueberry chia jam is bursting with fruity flavours.

I’m unashamedly a chia jam fangirl (as a Registered Nutritionist, what a cliche). This fruit-heavy, lower sugar alternative to regular jam is a wonderful way to boost the nutrition of your morning toast. It’s also nifty to make—add chia seeds to a liquid, and they’ll swell up, thickening it naturally. #foodscience.

While my OG healthy raspberry chia jam is a perfect entry into the world of chia jam, this variation is just as good and a fun flavour twist to try. The natural sweetness of the blueberries pair perfectly with the bright, zesty orange.

There are so many delicious ways to enjoy chia jam. Beyond toast, try it swirled into yoghurt, blended into smoothies, dolloped over pancakes or waffles, stirred into oatmeal, layered in desserts (it’s gorgeous in parfaits or trifles), as a filling for thumbprint cookies, or paired with cheese and crackers for sweet-savoury vibes.

Gather Ingredients

This jam is made with frozen blueberries; an orange (or two—the equivalent of ¼ cup freshly squeezed juice, it’ll depend on how juicy your orange is); chia seeds (white or black, it doesn’t matter which); a touch of maple syrup and vanilla; and a pinch of salt to oomph the flavours. That’s all!

Can I swap in fresh blueberries?🫐 Yes, you can! The only caveat is that frozen blueberries release more liquid than fresh. If you’re making this recipe with fresh berries, you may need to add a splash of water or use fewer chia seeds to reach the right consistency.

Step-by-Step: Chia Jam with Blueberries

Add blueberries, orange juice, maple syrup, vanilla and salt to a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.

Using a masher or fork, mash most of the berries, leaving about a quarter whole. Simmer for a few more minutes.

Turn off the heat. Mix in chia seeds and orange zest. Leave to stand for 15 minutes, occasionally stirring.

After 15 minutes the chia seeds will have swelled up to a jammy consistency. Let cool before storing.

Kitchen Tips

Avoid the orange pith (blegh!). The pith is the white, spongy layer underneath the outer orange peel (zest). While the zest is bright and citrusy, the pit is bitter and overpowering. Steer clear by using a microplane or fine grater, and lightly gratinhg only the outermost layer of the peel. Stop once you see the white pith.
Mash most of the berries (but do leave a few). The plump blueberries contain juices that help the chia seeds swell up. But, be sure to leave a quarter of the berries whole—one of the best parts of this jam is the bursts of juicy blueberries in every bite!
Allow time to thicken. Chia seeds need a little time to do their thing. After stirring in the seeds, let sit for at least 15 minutes. Then, if the jam is too thin for your liking, add more chia seeds and let it sit for an additional 10 minutes. If it’s too thick, add a splash of water. You can’t go wrong.

Storage

One tradeoff of chia jam is its shorter shelf life. Since high amounts of sugar act as a preservative in traditional jam, chia jam will only be fresh in the fridge for up to a week—it is not suitable for canning. This just means you have a great reason to enjoy it sooner!

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy this healthy breakfast recipe🫐 .