Going sugar free and jam don’t usually go together but this super tasty refined sugar free chia seed spiced plum jam ticks all the boxes of taste and being healthy too, result!
Hope you all enjoyed a happy Halloween at the weekend. Have you had enough of pumpkins for a few weeks till Thanksgiving rolls around, if so then you might enjoy toying with another seasonal goodie that the supermarkets are full of just now – plums.
This is a quick and easy recipe for a refined sugar-free Chia Plum Jam.
What is chia jam?
So what the hell is chia jam and how is it different from ‘normal’ jam? Well it’s all in those magical little chia seeds. Chia seeds are packed with protein and other goodies and when they hit liquid they expand and become all jelly like.
You can make puddings with them (I have) and they do have just a wee tendency to look a little like frog spawn which can be a tad off-putting, but when they pull a jam together chia seeds are a marvel.
I call this a sugar free jam because I use a little honey as my sweetening agent, okay so it is a sweetener but it is just slightly better for you than good old refined white sugar.
Ingredients for this spiced plum chia jam
- plums
- chia seeds
- star anise
- cinnamon
- vanilla
- maple syrup (optional)
How to make chia jam
Oh making chia seed jam is just SO easy. There is none of the boiling to reach a magical setting point. The chia seeds are the setting agent so they do all that for you. As the jam rests the seeds expand and turn into a gel that makes the perfect chia jam!
Simply chop up the plums and cook them along with the spices for approximately 10-15 minutes till the plums are tender.
Then remove the spices and blitz the plums with hand blender. Add the chia seeds to the pan (add maple syrup if you are using it) and cook for 5 minutes then remove from heat and allow to cool and set up for 30 minutes.
Then carefully spoon into a small sterilised jar.
How long will this chia plum jam keep?
Chia seed jams will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. That’s why I just make small quantities of chia jam at a time. Actually it’s a great way to use up half a punnet of berries or a few pieces of fruit lurking in the fruit bowl.
Is chia seed jam healthy?
Yes, yes, yes! Chia seeds are packed with protein. Plus you have the goodness of the fruit you are mixing in with the chia seeds. You are using natural sweeteners so avoiding refined sugar. Chia jams are a win, win situation on the healthy eating front.
How to serve chia jam
Spread this chia jam on your toast, use it as a filling in a cake. You can swirl chia jam into your yogurt or use it on your over night oats or stir into your porridge for that all-important healthy breakfast.
Want to try some other chia seed jam recipes? Then check these out before you go;
Sugar Free Super Easy Blueberry Chia Jam
Sugar Free Apricot & Almond Chia Jam
Finally, if you do try this recipe don’t forget to leave a comment/star rating below as I just love to hear from readers. Want more Larder Love? Then follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter and sign up for my newsletter too of course.
Refined sugar free spiced plum chia seed jam
Ingredients
- 200 g plums about 4 plums
- 1 cinnamon small stick
- 1 star anise
- 1/2 vanilla pod
- 2 tsp maple syrup (optional)
- 4 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
- Chop the plums and cook with the spices and water in a small pan until tender – about 15 minutes
- Remove the spices and blitz the plums with a hand blender
- Add the maple syrup to the pan and cook for a further 5 minutes
- Remove from heat and stir in the chia seeds and set aside for 30 minutes
- Ladle jam into jar and pop on a lid
I love simple and yet healthy recipes like this. So many healthy things seem to list endless unheard of and hard to source ingredients. I’m all for keeping it simple …… and tasty 🙂
Thanks Sue,
Simple and easy is always the best way to go!
K x
Do you peel the plums at the start?
Hi Chris
No I didn’t peel the plums at all.
K