This is the sort of recipe that takes away all the end of summer blues, at least temporarily.
I recently discovered that I can make chia seed jam without the need for any sweetener at all. A natural, no added sugar jam recipe? Yes, it’s totally possible!
My little secret? Apples. They are perfectly sweet enough. Unlike berries which can be tart, apples really don’t need anything extra.
If you’ve had my other chia seed jam recipes (see my Magical Blueberry Vanilla Chia Seed Jam and Strawberry Chia Seed Jam), you may know by now that this isn’t your grandma’s jam. Not even by a long shot. It’s always worth repeating this because I always get a comment about it not being an authentic or traditional jam recipe. You would be correct. Sometimes we just have to break the rules!
[Note: I used white chia seeds in this jam recipe because I had a bag to use up, but rest assured you can use white or black chia seeds.]
Apple peel is the new party streamer.
Much like my other chia seed jam recipes, you cook down the fruit along with chia seeds and any desired spices. Instead of using maple syrup to sweeten, I took a note from my Homemade Pumpkin Butter recipe and used 100% apple juice. It worked like a charm. I made a fairly small batch just to see how it would turn out, but next time I would probably double the recipe because it disappeared quickly! And by disappeared quickly I mean that I ate the whole batch in less than 12 hours. Can you blame me?
After about 15-20 minutes of cooking down the apples, they will be nice and soft and the mixture will have thickened up thanks to the chia seeds. I took a potato masher and mashed about 50% of the apple mixture to get a nice, thick consistency. You can mash all of it if you want, but I liked leaving lots of apple chunks for texture.
Next came the building blocks of breakfast – or more specifically, Vegan Overnight Oats.
Then, this parfait happened. It was quite possibly the greatest breakfast moment in a very long time.
This nontraditional jam is thickened with omega-3 fatty acid rich chia seeds and is free from added sugar. Enjoy it on toast, layered in parfaits, or on top of oatmeal. Note: For a homemade milk option, see my Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk Recipe.
Sugar-Free Apple Pie Chia Seed Jam + Parfait
Yield
2 parfaitsSoak time
1-2 hours or overnightPrep time
Cook time
Total time
Ingredients
For the jam (makes 1-1.5 cups)
For the parfait:
Directions
Tip:
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
This looks so awesome!
Oh, my goodness! You are just awesome! I started making this as soon as I saw the post (which was about three hours ago). I can easily imagine eating it all in one go. =P It was so good! I added an extra apple and threw in some ginger because cinnamon and ginger is my current taste combo love affair, but I had to improvise with the juice as I did not have any on hand. Thankfully, I had soaked dates for a different recipe and just used that. I loved it! I will definitely be making this again. I can already hear the two jars of it calling my name from the fridge…
So glad you enjoyed it Becca!
This jam is genius! And I love the combination of flavors in the parfait. I’m going to have to make this for breakfast tomorrow, or at least for lunch! This is definitely a recipe to ring in the new season!
Any chance you could post nutritional info? Sorry if someone asked this already! Very excited to make this as I just bought a nut milk bag a week ago. :)
I made this for breakfast this morning, and it is sooo good! I feel like I’m eating a dessert, I can’t believe there is no added sugar. Thanks for the recipe!
I have some apple juice in the fridge… maybe I’ll give this a whirl! I bet my daughter would really like this.
Having Friday off has its benefits especially now that I’ve got a goal: apple-y jam deliciousness parfait!! I’m so finding your cookbook, and trying overnight steel cut oats…
Thanks for sharing and I hope MOFO is as fun for you as it is for us readers!!!
Angela,
loving all your recipes…you are rocking the vegan mofo!
Thanks,
Kelly
Drooling and definitely making this tonight so a delicious VOO parfait can be devoured in the morning!
I am so excited to try this recipe! I used one of your photos and linked to you for my MoFo round-up day, I hope you don’t mind.
thanks for the love!
Chia seeds are the best! I am always amazed to see the new ways that bloggers are using them. Overnight oats are a go-to breakfast for me, so I love this recipe as a new way to spice up the classic dish.
have you tried it leaving the peel/fiber on the apple? Lower glycemic?
Hi Laura,
No, I haven’t tried it with the peel left on yet.
Do you think this will still work if I kept left the apple skin on?
I placed an order for chia seeds and can’t wait to begin using these recipes. AWESOME breakfast choice!!
This is sooooo delicious!!!! It s my 2 year old favorite breakfast now!! Thanks
I don’t have apple juice! Do you have any suggestions for substitutes?
What brand of Chia Seeds do you like the most?
Thanks – I am hooked on your blog!!
mia
I usually just buy in bulk :) Thanks for your kind words!
I really need to get on the chia seed jam bandwagon!! This looks amazing! And it would be great to make the night before for a quick and easy breakfast!
I put this jam on my pancakes this morning and they were delicious! Great recipe! :)
Angela. Besides your recipes which are always delicious . I just love love your delightful happy personality and your generous heart. Sure wish you were my grandaughter!
‘Mucho” Thanks Susan
Well you are just so sweet Susan – you can be my blog grandmother if you’d like! hah.
Hi Anglea! Did you serve the parfait warm or cold?
QUESTION: Would this work with pears? I have an ABUNDANCE– would you make any changes to accommodate the difference?
I just tried it today actually! Worked quite well. I think Im partial to the apple version, but it was very good too :) I did peel the pears as well.
Dear Angela, I just finished to eat this breakfast and I have to tell you that is delicious! Girl, you are amazing, I don’t know how you do it, you are my cooking guru!
So glad you enjoyed it! :) Doesn’t it get you into the fall mood? I made a batch today using pear. It was pretty tasty too :)
Wow, that looks incredible. I love doing layered breakfasts and that chia seed jam looks delicious. I know what’s going in my next breakfast!
I shared this with my twin toddlers–well, I put the apple jam on their waffles and they just kept licking it off, so I simply put it in a cup and handed them spoons! Big hit!
This recipe is amazing! I went out to the store today, bought all the ingredients and have got the apples and chia seeds in the pot cooking right now! I can’t wait to make the parfait tomorrow morning. {I think I will try topping off some plain unsweetened Greek Yogurt with the apple/chia jam,as well.:)}
I cannot wait to make this for breakfast soon! What a lovely fall breakfast! I’ve never made homemade jam before and this looks like such a great recipe :)
This is dangerous stuff. I had a taste, and ended up nearly finishing an entire 8-ounce jar. And then I consoled myself by telling myself that chia seeds are a good source of fiber, and that the sugar found in this “jam” is all natural. Great recipe, I think this is the turning point of turning me into a vegan.
hah so glad you enjoyed it! I eat it by the spoonful…glad I’m not alone :)
Would it make it bad if I processed the skins in the processor and added it to the apple mix before cooking?
I made this jam with the last of my summer peaches instead of apples. It turned out great! I plan on enjoying it with one of your almond butter recipes on some homemade oatmeal bread tomorrow for breakfast. Yum!!
Chia seeds are my new favorite!
Angela, Your apple pie chia seed jam and breakfast parfait sounds absolutely divine! I adore chia seeds and I’m always looking for ways to use them in recipes. I will be making your recipe next week after a visit to the farmer’s market for some local, organic apples. YUM!
I made this and ate it for lunch for a few days- AWESOME. Thank you so much. I so enjoy your blog and all the nutritious and delicious inspiration.
I made this to prep for breakfast tomorrow for me and my pregnant wife (she is trying to eat healthy so I’ve been sharing your recipes) and I gave my first attempt at canning the excess jam since I made a double patch. It looks good so far! I’m thinking this will make a wonderful winter treat Christmas gift this year! For fellow readers that can: do you think I can can the oats layered with the jam???
Pregnant boss*** oops! Typo!
Would this recipe work without the apple juice?
I am not too sure – I think you could sub with applesauce though? or maybe even water + a bit of sweetener?
I’ve been enjoying overnight oats all summer so I was super excited to see this “fall” version. I made it earlier this week and to say I enjoyed it would be an understatement – so yummy! I felt like I was having apple pie for breakfast. On day two I just ate the leftovers out of the jar with a spoon – it was like deluxe apple sauce. Thank-you and LOVE your blog!
This recipe looks wonderful! Would this work to just “pulse” in a blender or does it have to be cooked in order for the flavors to blend?
Do you think that you could use apple cider instead of the juice?
Looks so yummy! I love all your recipes :) Just wondering, where do you buy your gluten free oats? I can only ever find wheat free and I’m always nervous that they’ll still be contaminated with gluten…
Hey Jessica, I buy Bob’s red mill – I believe they are certified Gluten-free. Also, I think there is a labeling law in Canada that prohibits companies from putting GF on oats – so they can only put wheat free even if it’s GF sometimes. I’m not sure if that rule still exists though, but it’s worth contacting the company to find out!
awesome – i never knew that! thanks :)
This does look delish! Do you eat it cold? Or warm it up?
Ok.. I want to make these in smaller, individual servings (like the mini jars) for a gathering.. will these keep overnight or should I make the apple part and the oats and then assemble right before leave for the event?
I’ve been drooling over this recipe since you posted it, and I’m literally make it as I type this comment! I’m nearing the end of a three-day juice cleanse, and am breaking my juicing fast with this amazing parfait at the crack of dawn tomorrow! Your recipes are always so inspirational and delicious. Thank you!
I just made this apple jam tonight, but I used my microwave (college life–no oven). It still turned out well, though!
I loved this!!!!! I made the overnight oats last night and the apple jam this morning. It was delicous. Thank you so much for creating this wonderful recipe. I recently became vegan and I really missed having greek yogurt parfaits for breakfast, but this is soooooo much better! I love all of you recipes and I can’t wait to make something from your website for dinner. :)
I just quadrupled the apple part of the recipe so as to use up some apples. It is a very yummy, chunky apple sauce. We are having to freeze some so I hope that works out!.
This looks awesome. Have you tried cooking the peel with it as well? (and removing it) Just wondering if it made a difference, cos that’s where the pectin is in apples. (disclaimer: i do’t know enough about making jams to know whether cooking for 15 mins is enough to get the pectin benefit!)
Yummy!!
Delicious! Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed his for breakfast and as a snack.
I love your recipes and your blog so much! Just finished prepping my ingredients for breakfast! All your recipes are amazing,tasty,and creative! Keep being amazing Angela!
Just tried this today and have now recommended it on my webpage as well as sharing on a Hannaford nutrition chat!