Easy sugar free raspberry jam! You will be astonished how quickly this chia seed jam comes together. It’s delicious and healthy, and perfect for spreading on your favorite keto baked goods. Instructional video included.
This sugar free chia seed jam recipe was first published in September of 2013. I haven’t changed the recipe at all, but I’ve updated the photos and added a new video!
If you follow foodie trends, chances are high you’ve heard of chia seeds. If you follow health trends, chances are high you’ve heard of chia seeds. And if you follow running trends, chances are high you’ve heard of chia seeds.
You would essentially have to pay no attention to trends, eat only junk food and never get off your couch to not have heard of chia by now. And even if that were the case, you probably have still heard of chia, because it was made famous by the commercials for ch-ch-chia pets. Remember those? Ah yes. Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s discuss those funny little black seeds and why they are so trendy in food, health and fitness.
What is Chia Seed?
Chia seeds are tiny little black seeds from the Salvia hispanics plant native to Mexico and Guatemala.
It’s been on the radar of many a healthy foodie for a while now, but I daresay that it gained some serious fame with the book Born To Run. I am quite certain that the sale of chia seeds saw a significant spike after it was published, as runners of all abilities stocked up, hoping for a competitive advantage from the unassuming black seed.
In the book, chia is described as having nearly magical properties, giving seemingly inhuman strength and energy to the ultra-runners of the Tarahumara. Although it seems new to many of us, Mesoamerican peoples have been consuming it for thousands of years, both as food and as medicine. And according to many sources, Aztec warriors fueled themselves exclusively on chia and water before battle.
Who doesn’t want a little of that in their lives?
How to Cook with Chia Seed
But besides all of the purported health benefits of chia, it’s fascinating to see how chia behaves in cooking and baking.
Take a tablespoon of chia seeds and add some water and you will see what I mean. Within a few short minutes, it becomes a gelatinous mass, like jelly or pudding. It’s slightly hilarious how quickly it gums up. The chia seed shell begins to dissolve and the high soluble fiber content absorbs huge amounts of liquid.
It’s rather like a weird fun science experiment.
This particular quality makes chia very useful in a number of recipes that require a jelly-like consistency, such as pudding. It also makes a great replacement for eggs in egg-free or vegan recipes.
Perfect for Easy Sugar Free Jam
But when I started to see chia seed jam on the foodie blogosphere, I stopped dead in my tracks.
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
Traditional jam takes hours to make, cooking the berries and adding the gelatin, along with copious amounts of sugar. And you can’t just replace the sugar with keto sweeteners, because sugar helps inhibit mold and helps the jam gel properly. Seems counterintuitive but it’s true. So when you make sugar free jam, you have to add more acid in exact quantities and you have to use special pectins.
But chia seed jam gels virtually instantly and those little chia seeds don’t really care what kind of sweetener you use. Of course, it won’t preserve like traditional jam that’s been cooked and canned, but it’s so easy to whip up, you can do small batches to keep in the fridge.
I had to give it a try, sugar-free of course, and I mixed mine with raspberries. I figured raspberries have so many seeds anyway, the addition of a few tablespoons of chia seed would go practically unnoticed. It was delicious and I’ve used it in so many recipes since. A great way to enjoy a little keto friendly jam!
Keto Chia Seed Recipes
Keto Rosemary Parmesan Crackers
Keto Blueberry Coconut Smoothies
Chia Seed Wraps
Matcha Chia Pudding
Raspberry Chia Seed Jam - Sugar-Free
Ingredients
- 8 oz frozen raspberries
- 2 tablespoon Swerve Sweetener
- 2 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the berries, sweetener, and water. Bring to a boil and cook until berries are soft enough to mash with a fork. Mash to desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and stir in chia seeds. Let cool. Transfer to a glass jar and refrigerate 2 to 3 hours to set.
- Keep refrigerated. The jam will last up to a week.
Sue in CA says
I put chia seeds and flaxseed in my whey protein shake every morning, whir it up in the Vitamix with ice cubes and get a thick frosty shake, almost like a soft serve ice-cream.
I also add them to practically everything that I bake, they add a bit of extra crunch to cookies and muffins, waffles etc.
LOVE chia seeds.
Heather says
I use black chia seeds in my green smoothies as boost of healthy fats and protein!
Eric says
I wonder whether you could press the chia through a fine strainer and keep the gel but remove the seeds…? I make what I refer to as Crunchy Chocolate Pudding with chia seeds, and it is wonderful. Can’t wait to try the jam, as my peach tree is groaning under its fruit and is just becoming ripe. Yum!
Carolyn says
I was wondering about that too, whether there was a way to get the gel without the seeds.
Eric says
FYI, I tried pushing my jam through a strainer, thinking it would let the gel through and keep the seeds behind… NO dice! After a long time pressing the jam, barely anything had come through the strainer. I then tried the fine plate on my food mill, which succeeded in removing Some of the seeds, but not nearly all. Oh well, the nutrition is probably in the seeds anyway.
linda says
I bet the seeds that you’re complaining about are from the raspberries!!!
gina sutton says
Been wanting to try chia seeds and eat healthy…the jam looks soo good!
Becky says
I have been wanting to try chia seeds but haven’t yet. I will be making raspberry jam in the next week or so and this would be a great way to start!
Ali the Skinny GF Chef says
That looks scrumptious!! I can’t wait to try it. Raspberry jam is my all time favorite. Thanks for the giveaway! xx
Lucy says
ooooooo, Raspberry Chia jam would be amazing! Now all I wanna do is go pick some raspberries!
Shawn Kretzschmar says
I use them in smoothies and have used them in gluten free bread. But it has been a while since I baked with them. Need to get back to that.
Lisa Thomas says
I’ve never tried Chia seeds, but have been very curious about them.
Heather says
We use the seeds in smoothies or puddings.
Heather says
Love chai seeds! 🙂
Judy@lifeonthefoodchain.com says
Tried this with some nectarines (half pureed and cooked, and half just chopped and added last at the end of cooking), and it was delicious. Great idea using frozen fruit! Especially since the summer fruit season is winding down…this raspberry jam looks awesome. Carolyn, have you, or has anyone else has tried grinding the seeds to make a smoother consistency? Yum. Want some to top flax pancakes.
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
I’ve never cooked with chia seeds, but gosh this jam looks so marvelous! Bet it would be great with some bread (maybe baked with chia seeds in it :-))
Cheryl says
Looks delicious!
Miranda says
I like to make hot cereal and pudding with chia.
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
Love this raspberry and chia combo! Will have to try this! 🙂
Tammy says
I love Chia Seeds in my Protein Shakes and plan to make pudding
Deborah says
I’ve made a jello-like dessert with fruit juice and chia seeds. Cooking with them is almost like a science experiment that can’t go wrong.
Midge says
Do you grind the chia seeds first??
Carolyn says
No, you don’t have to grind them. They are digestible in their whole form.
Kathy says
I’ve made chocolate pudding with chia