It’s easy to make jam from fresh, sweet cherries! This cherry chia jam is simple to make, delicious, and it’s refined sugar free!
A few weeks ago, sweet cherries were on sale in our local grocery store. We stocked up, and after a could of days, we realized, uh-oh, there’s no way that we can eat all of these!
I considered making vegan cherry hand pies, but that sounded like a lot of work at the time. I realized that making some chia jam might be the easiest way to use up the excess cherries.
Chia jam is wonderful – it takes very little time to make, and you don’t need any pectin. The chia seeds naturally thicken the jam and hold it together.
This is perfect for spreading on toast or a bagel, or you can top your oatmeal with it. This is a refrigerator jam, so it’s super easy! No canning required.
Ingredient Notes
- Chia Seeds – Chia seeds are a really unique ingredient. When they get wet, they form a gel, which is great for things like making jam, or using them as an egg replacer. You can find chia seeds that are processed in an allergen free facility at Gerbs Allergy Friendly Foods.
- Cherries – Fresh cherries are best in this recipe, but you could use frozen cherries if you wish.
- Sweetener – I like maple syrup to sweeten this jam, but you could use honey or sugar if you prefer.
Step by Step Instructions
- Rinse and sort fresh, sweet cherries.
- Remove the stems and pit the cherries.
- Place the cherries in a pot and cook over medium heat for a few minutes until they soften, then mash them.
- Add the chia seeds and maple syrup.
- Stir well.
- Pour the jam into glass jars. Allow to cool before placing in the refrigerator.
Storage/Freezing
Store chia jam in the refrigerator and consume within 7 days.
You can store this cherry chia jam in the freezer for up to 3 months. Put it in freezer bags or freezer safe containers before freezing.
FAQs
I don’t believe that this jam could be canned. This is a quick jam that is meant to be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a week.
Chia seeds are the only seed that I know of that becomes a gel when they are added to liquid. They are a necessary ingredient to make this recipe.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Recipe
3 Ingredient Cherry Chia Jam.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sweet cherries
- 2 ½ Tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Rinse and pick over the sweet cherries. Pit the cherries, using a cherry pitter or a knife.
- Place the pitted cherries in a pot and cook over medium heat for about 5-6 minutes, until they soften.
- Use a potato masher to mash the cooked cherries.
- Stir in the maple syrup and chia seeds. Pour the jam into glass jars. This recipe filled one pint jar and one half pint jar.
- Allow the jam to cool before placing in the refrigerator.
Jazmyne
This was so good and easy! I love it on toast with peanut butter :)
Kelly Marble
Do you think this would work with tart cherries?
Kelly Roenicke
You would probably need to increase the sweetener to your taste.
Shawna
I need recipes that have no dairy, no wheat, no egg and no soy
Hazel
Can this be made with frozen cherries?
Terri
Can you process in hot bath for shelf storage?
Katie
Delicious recipe!