Cranberry Chia Jam (vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar free)
Oct 08, 2018 • Updated Oct 02, 2023
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This Cranberry Chia Jam is a healthy, refined sugar-free, and omega-3-packed recipe that’s delicious on toast or for the holidays!
This chia jam recipe is a great way to use holiday leftovers if you have extra cranberries. It’s gelatin-free, refined sugar-free, packed with omega-3s and plant-based protein too.
If you like your jam tart, you’ll love this recipe. And even if you prefer a sweeter jam, you can adjust by adding additional sweetener or tossing in a few blueberries to mellow it out.
How to Make Chia Seed Jam
Most jams get their jellied texture from pectin, which is full of sugar. Sometimes, they call on gelatin, which is animal-based. But when you use chia seeds, they expand to absorb liquid so you don’t need additives.
When you skip the pectin, you can totally control the sweetness. This cranberry jam recipe is not too sweet since cranberries are naturally tart.
You can make this with any berry you like. In fact, even some fruits like grapes will work too. It comes together in about 10 minutes total and then you let it sit and watch the chia seeds do their magic.
How to Use Chia Seed Jam
This jam is great for epic pb&j sandwiches, of course. It’s also tasty with classic Thanksgiving dishes like vegan tofu ham roast, but it does have a little bit of a chunkier texture compared to a more classic cranberry sauce.
Health Benefits of Cranberries
Cranberries are very tart, and extremely antioxidant-rich. They are full of vitamins A, C, and K, and can support a healthy immune system.
More Holiday Recipes
- Cranberry Orange Cashew Butter Cookies (vegan, gluten free, grain free, oil free)
- No-Bake Pumpkin Spice Flan (vegan, gluten free)
- Sparkling Citrus Punch Spritz (non-alcoholic, mocktail)
If you make this cranberry chia seed pudding, be sure to let me know what you think with a comment below!
Cranberry Chia Jam
A healthy, vegan cranberry jam perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday recipes. Refined sugar-free and incredibly easy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 tbsp chia seeds I like to use white chia seeds for look, but you can use any colour!
- 1/4 cup water or I used hibiscus tea and you can also use a fruit juice of choice
- 1/4 cup maple syrup more to taste
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, cook cranberries along with all other ingredients (except chia seeds) until the cranberries begin to burst (roughly 6-8 min).
- Using the back of a spoon or a potato masher, break the rest of the cranberries and remove from heat. Let cool.
- If you'd prefer your jam completely smooth, transfer cooled mixture to a food processor or blender and blend for about a minute until smooth. Otherwise, skip this step for some added texture. I personally like to leave a few cranberry chunks in mine.
- Taste the mixture and make sure you're happy with the sweetness. Adjust as needed.
- Transfer mixture to a large mason jar and stir in your chia seeds. Set aside to thicken for a few hours or leave overnight to thicken in the fridge.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this recipe?Tag @veggiekins on Instagram and hashtag it with #veggiekins
Love and omega-3s,
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