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.
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Sugar-Free Apple Pie Chia Seed Jam + Parfait
Yield
2 parfaits
Soak time
1-2 hours or overnight
Prep time
Cook time
Total 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.
Ingredients
For the jam (makes 1-1.5 cups)
- 3 large apples, peeled and diced
- 3/4 cup 100% pure apple juice
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 3/4-1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
- pinch of fine grain sea salt (optional)
For the parfait:
- 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 + 1/4 cups homemade or store-bought almond milk
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- sweetener, to taste (optional)
- Apple Pie Jam (from above)
- Chopped toasted walnuts (optional)
Directions
- For the jam: Add all jam ingredients into a medium pot and stir to combine. Bring mixture to a low boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so. When the apples are fork tender, remove from heat and mash 50% of the mixture to thicken. Set aside to cool.
- For the vegan overnight oats: Combine the oats, chia seeds, almond milk, vanilla, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Place in the fridge overnight, or for at least 1-2 hours to thicken. Once the oats are softened and the liquid is mostly absorbed, it's ready. You can thin it out with more milk if needed or thicken it with more chia seeds.
- To make each parfait: Layer the vegan overnight oats with the apple pie jam, a few spoonfuls of each per layer. Add toasted chopped walnuts on top of each layer if desired.
- Store leftover jam in an air-tight container or jar in the fridge. Should last for at least 1-2 weeks.
Tip:
Note: For a homemade milk option, see my Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk Recipe.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
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!!