The Best Plum Chia Jam

Why you will love this recipe:

• The flavour! This plum chia seed jam has the perfect sweet fruit flavour and the best jam-like texture.
• It's so quick and easy to make and only requires a few minutes of hands on time.
• It's made with only 4 ingredients and is made without pectin.
• This chia seed jam recipe is healthy and lower in sugar compared to most jam recipes or store bought jams and is sweetened with maple syrup to keep it refined sugar free.
• This jam is vegan, plant based, refined sugar free, paleo, gluten free and dairy free. Just like my no sugar added applesauce recipe.
• You can use this jam in so many ways including for topping toast, my grain free waffles, almond flour banana pancakes and English muffins.

Ingredients and substitutions:

• Plums - fresh plums are the base of this fruit jam. You can use any type of plum that you like and you will love that you don't need to peel the plums.
• Chia seeds - chia seeds are what are used to thicken this jam without having to use any pectin. You can use either white or black chia seeds to make this chia seed jam. 
• Coconut milk - coconut milk combines beautifully with the plums to give this jam a naturally sweet taste and flavour. I recommend using full fat coconut milk rather than low fat coconut milk as low fat is too runny and won't yield that thick jam texture that you're looking for.
• Maple syrup - just a little is added to help increase the sweetness of this jam recipe while keeping it refined sugar free.
• Vanilla extract - this helps enhance all the delicious flavours of this fruit jam.

How to make plum chia jam:

1. Step 1: Place all the ingredients, except for the chia seeds, into a medium size saucepan on the stovetop on medium heat.

2. Step 2: Allow the ingredients to come to a boil and then turn down the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the fruit is softened and breaking apart.

3. Step 3: Remove the pot from the heat and using your immersion blender blend the ingredients until you have the texture you desire (I like to have a few chunks left).

4. Step 4: Stir in the chia seeds and allow the fruit mixture to sit for at least 60 minutes (to thicken the jam).

Top tips:

• I recommend using full fat coconut milk to make this jam recipe - low fat coconut milk is more runny and won't yield the same thick texture.
• Be sure to stir the plum mixture every so often while it is simmering so that the plums don't stick to the bottom of the pot.
• Instead of using an immersion blender you can transfer the jam to a blender and blend it there instead. 
• You do not need to peel the plums for this jam recipe (although you can if you want to, but that's just more work).
• If you like a sweeter jam add an extra tablespoon of maple syrup.

How to serve plum chia jam:

You can use this healthy jam in so many ways! Use it to top toast, English muffins, gluten free dairy free bagels, gluten free blueberry pancakes, grain free lemon blueberry muffins or even ice cream! You can also add it to oatmeal or protein powder overnight oats. This jam could also be used to make jam filled cookies or other desserts.

How to store:

Store this jam in an airtight jar or airtight container for up to 7 days in the fridge.

You can also freeze this jam to use at a later date. It stores well in the freezer for up to 6 months.