This healthy fig chia jam is a fresher version of traditional jam and tastes just like the inside of a fig newton. It’s quick and easy to make, with only 3 ingredients: fresh figs, chia seeds, and fresh lemons.
It’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free and contains no sugar or additives. We love this as is but if you prefer a sweeter jam you can some pure maple syrup or raw honey to sweeten it.
My in-laws have some amazing fig trees in their backyard and every summer when we visit they begin to ripen around the beginning of August, giving us with at least one full month to enjoy them!
My mother-in-law and I were discussing over lunch the other day what to do with all those figs and I immediately thought of making some fresh chia jam! The following morning I headed over to the trees with the kids (who have become experts in picking figs!) and gathered some fresh figs to make our jam.
Chia seeds might be tiny but they are a bonafide superfood, high in fiber, protein, antioxidants, and packed with heart-healthy omega 3’s. When soaked in liquid they can absorb approximately 10 times their size and weight, transforming before your very eyes into plump, tapioca-like pearls.
Their texture and consistency helps thicken many raw foods, such as raw puddings and smoothies, and in this case an easy-to-make, healthy jam!
Chia seed jam is unlike traditional jam in that it doesn’t need to be heated nor rely on pectin to gel. In fact, it’s so easy that it’s foolproof! I’ve made many varieties of chia jam in the past, including Blueberry Chia Jam and have used it in so many recipes; from spreading it on toast or pancakes, using it as a filling in crepes, or mixed with yogurt.
This fig chia jam is delicious served in the same way, plus I’ve served it as an appetizer for party guests, spread on crostini and topped with crumbled goat cheese.
If you try this recipe (and love it!) be sure to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram with #bitesforfoodies so I can see your creation!
do you have to first soak the chia seeds or does the liquid in the lemon and fig plump up the chia?
The lemon and fig is enough to plump it up!
Do you need to peel the figs?
I didn’t, since they were from my garden. You could if you’re concerned about any pesticides…but not necessary!
I am definitely going to have to try this, sounds absolutely amazing! I love figs so I’m partial but the recipe looks great! Thank you for sharing!
Your relatives have fig trees?! I’m so jealous! This looks absolutely delicious.
Yes, among other trees, such as apple, pear, orange, lemon, pomegranate…I’m a lucky gal!
This looks delicious! My husband loves figs, and I bet he’d love fig jam, too.
Oooo this jam sounds so yummy! I have never made a jam at home before. Sounds pretty easy. I should rally give it a try sometime 🙂
I’ve actually never made traditional jam before…it’s too complex, lol!
I used to love all things figs when I was younger but have never enjoyed fresh figs – what a simple and delicious looking recipe.
I also love dried figs…but fresh figs are so much better!
It’s my first time to see this kind of food. I wonder how it tastes like. But I guess this is worth trying for. Hopefully I could find some figs in the grocery.
Figs are very sweet yet they have a mild flavour..they are also very grainy!
I never heard this before , but it seem it was delicious and a healthy food can’t wait to try this. My mother would surely love this
I’ve never had fresh figs, or really tried anything with figs, that I can think of. This would be interesting to try!
Dried figs can be found in most grocery stores..it’s the fresh ones that are hard to find!
Yum! I bet it tastes delicious. I’ve never had a chia jam before or anything from figs I don’t thing. What a great way to use something that grows in your back yard. I bet you could give these jams out as gifts!
We normally just eat them whole however, there are SO many that I have to be inventive on what to do with them 😉
What a nice recipe. I like that it is not filled with sugar only natural from the figs. I bet this would go great on toast.
I used to eat sugary jams and it took a while to get used to the flavour of unsweetened ones, but now I love them…and I know they are so much healthier for me.
I’ve never seen or heard of anything like this before. It looks wonderful. I would love to give this a try I bet it’s just super tasty!
Yum! That looks so good! We love figs and have never tried making jam before. Thanks for sharing.
I never would have thought to make a jam out of figs but I bet thats amazing! My mama would probably love it! {off to score daughter points, lol!}
You can make this jam with pracrically any fruit you want…I’ve made it with strawberries, peaches, and blueberries!
I haven’t try this before. But it looks great and it was a healthy recipe can’t wait to try this for my family I am so glad that sharing your recipe i really like it
I’ve been reading a lot about chia seeds lately and I’ve been wanting to try it. This is the first time that I’ve seen a chia seed jam recipe though. Gotta try that!
I love them…they are part of my weekly grocery list!
I am glad you posted these recipes, because I had stop using chia seeds. Now I am going to go and purchase some and make those delicious looking dishes.
Why did you have to stop using chia seeds?
I’d love to spread it on crostini and sprinkle with goat cheese. It sounds amazing.
It’s so delicious…the sweet figs are a perfect match with the salty cheese!
This does sound easy to make. I don’t eat figs all that often but do know a supermarket where I can buy them fresh–chia seeds is another story–will have ti search for them.
Lucky for you you can actually find fresh ones! There are few supermarkets who carry them! As for the chia seeds, they aren’t as hard to find as you may think…they’re usually in the organic section in the supermarket!
I love, love, love fresh figs. They are amazing. I am going to have to make this really soon. Thanks for the recipe.
Me too!! I can’t even count how many I eat during the summer!
I haven’t tried fresh figs. I am interested in trying chi seeds. I asked someone what they tasted like. I’m wasn’t sure I would like the taste.
Chia seeds actually don’t have any flavour, which is great because they don’t alter the flavour of the recipes you put them in…
You know i had some real fig yesterday for the first time and I love the flavor! I am curious on a Fig Chia Jam…this is innovative!
Thank you! Unfortunately, I’ve yet to see fig jam at the supermarket…I always have to opt for the other flavours! Lucky you!
I would like to try this jam, especially since there are no added sugars. It is hard to fin fresh figs here in Pennsylvania though.
I think it’s hard in most places to find fresh figs…unless you have a fig tree in your backyard, lol!
I love figs and have not had them in forever!!! I feel like I could make this jam! thanks for sharing.
You can definitely make this, in the sense that is it foolproof! 😉
I’ve been trying to find new ways to add Chai Seeds to my diet and this looks like such a great idea! I can’t wait to try it!
I use to just sprinkle chia seeds on my toast, salads, etc. As of late I’ve been using them to make raw puddings and jams!
Thank you for putting together this healthy recipe! It would be great on bread and served together with our afternoon tea.
Yes, it would!
This is a great idea… I bought some figs, but they go bad really quickly. Great recipe.. i can’t wait to try
How do you store them? Depending on how hot it is outside (i.e., room temperature) it’s best to store them in the fridge…I just take them out 5-10 minutes before eating them so they warm up slightly.
That looks fantastic! I love the addition of chia seeds. That definitely adds some extra health benefits.
I am not a fig fan, but I love chia seeds. I have them in my cereal every morning. They are yummy!
I have another recipe for blueberry chia jam (the link is in the Blog post) that you might want to try…or you can make it with whichever fruit you prefer.
I bet this is amazing! I absolutely love figs. They are such a delicious little treat even if they look kind of funky. I would love to try a fig jam plus Chia is really good for you too!
A lot of people tend to get turned off of them because of the inner seedy texture…I instead, love it!
When I was growing up, our neighbor had a huge fig tree and always invited my family to come over and help ourselves. I remember eating them right off the tree. I haven’t had a fresh fig in ages and I would love to make your fig chia jam. It would be amazing on a slice of toast.
Lucky you! My dad also had a fig tree when I was a child…unfortunately I didn’t appreciate figs back then ;-(
I think that looks really good. I have never had a fig before – in fact, I don’t even know if they are sold around here. I will have to look.
Fresh or dried? Dried figs are usually much easier to find!
I love making jams, though I haven’t tried using figs and Chia seeds. This one looks really good and I would love to try it. I have a bag of Chia seeds that I haven’t used, yet. Now, I’m off to find figs.
This could be a great alternative for you since it requires no cooking time at all!
What a great combination for jam! I love figs and what a great healthy, homemade recipe that I am bookmarking today!
Thanks so much for bookmarking…I hope you try it!