Easy Cranberry & Pear Chia Seed Jam (low sugar)
It’s the season for cranberries and I’m obsessed with this Cranberry-Pear Chia Seed Jam!
This cranberry chia jam recipe is filled with seasonal flavours like cranberries, orange zest and the sweet flavor of pears and honey.
Whether you need something to serve with a holiday dinner, breakfast or an easy hostess gift, this homemade jam is simple to make.
I love cranberry recipes in the Fall and Winter like these No-Bake Mini Cranberry Cheesecakes and this Easy Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie because the colour of the vibrant deep red berries evokes the holiday spirit! If you’ve never made your own jam, this is a great recipe to start with.
Why you’ll love this easy recipe
- Quick & Easy: Make this in under 30 minutes with just 7 simple ingredients you can find at your local grocery store.
- Healthy: This easy jam comes together with the addition of chia seeds and is a healthier alternative to sugary jams and store-bought cranberry sauce. Plus cranberries are high in vitamin c!
- Make-Ahead: This jam is so versatile and it freezes well too. So, you can make this chia jam ahead of time and just take it out of the fridge or freezer when you need it.
Ingredients needed to make this simple jam recipe
Cranberries: I like to use fresh cranberries because a bag of cranberries is so readily available in the Fall and Winter; but in a pinch use frozen instead
Pears: Pears provide some natural sweetness to this recipe; you can use green or red Anjou, Bartlett or even Bosc pears in this cranberry chia jam recipe
Honey: Honey adds a nice touch of sweetness to balance out the tart cranberries; you can substitute with pure maple syrup if desired.
Seasonings: A touch of cinnamon and a pinch nutmeg round out the flavours.
Orange zest: Zest from an orange goes so well with cranberries!
Chia seeds: When warmed, chia seeds act as thickener to this jam so don’t skip it.
How to make this delicious recipe
- Mix together the water, cranberries, chopped pears, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange zest in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once the mixture is bubbling and cranberries are starting to pop, turn to low-medium heat and stir in the chia seeds.
- Cook stirring frequently until desired texture is reached – you want the pears to be very soft and cranberries to start breaking down / bursting, about 15-20 minutes. If you prefer a more ‘smooth’ mixture, use a potato masher to crush the ingredients in the pan and then let the mixture cool fully.
- Once cool, store the jam in your fridge for 1-1.5 weeks in a glass jar or freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Defrost frozen jam in the fridge before enjoying.
How to enjoy this homemade chia jam
- With turkey: I like to use this cranberry chia jam as an updated version of homemade cranberry sauce on the Thanksgiving table with turkey dinner!
- Baked brie: Use this cranberry pear chia jam as a topping for baked brie cheese. Preheat the oven to 375F; place the brie cheese in a parchment paper lined baking dish; top the brie with about 1/3 cup of the jam; and then bake it for about 15-20 minutes until the brie is just starting to bubble.
- Cheeseboard: Use this cranberry jam as a wonderful addition topper for cheese on a holiday cheeseboard.
- Granola: Pair this cranberry pear jam it with my Coconut & Almond Granola and yogurt for a delicious breakfast.
- Breakfast: Use as a topping for french toast, pancakes or simply spread on your morning toast or english muffin with almond butter or peanut butter – yum!
Expert tips
- You can use green or red Anjou, Bartlett or even Bosc pears in this cranberry chia jam recipe.
- This Cranberry-Pear Chia Seed Jam makes a lovely gift! You can fill 4 small mason jars with the jam and then add little holiday gift tags. Just make sure to store the jam in the fridge until you’re ready to gift.
- I use black chia seeds in this recipe but you can use white chia seeds if desired.
- You’ll find the familiar bags of fresh cranberries in the grocery store or local market during the Fall and Winter season.
- Have leftover cranberries in the fridge? This cranberry-pear chia seed jam is a good way to use them up and enjoy them!
- There isn’t too much sugar at all in this recipe so it’s a great low sugar option.
Common questions
You do not need to peel the pears before making this jam as the skin on the pears does soften and cook down as the jam simmers at a gentle boil.
I have not tested this recipe with juice instead of water. However, you could try using 1/2 cup orange juice and 1/2 cup water to enhance the orange flavor. You might end up with more of a cranberry orange chia jam versus cranberry pear jam.
How to store
Once the jam is fully cooled, store in an airtight glass jar or container in the fridge for 1-1.5 weeks. Alternatively, freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Defrost frozen jam in the fridge before enjoying.
More cranberry recipes to make from the blog
- Easy Cranberry Oat Crumble Bars (for the holidays)
- No-Bake Mini Cranberry Cheesecakes
- Winter Cranberry Aperol Spritz
Easy Cranberry & Pear Chia Seed Jam (low sugar)
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups fresh cranberries (frozen works also if needed)
- 3 green or red Anjou, Bartlett or Bosc pears, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces (leave the skin on the pears)
- 1/4 cup honey (substitute with maple syrup if desired)
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- zest from half a large navel orange
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
- Mix together the water, cranberries, chopped pears, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange zest in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once the mixture is bubbling and cranberries are starting to pop, turn to medium-low heat and stir in the chia seeds.
- Cook, keeping at a simmer and stirring frequently until the pears are very soft and cranberries have burst, about 15-20 minutes. Let the mixture fully cool.
- Once cool, store the jam in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-1.5 weeks or freeze for future use.
Notes
- This Cranberry-Pear Chia Seed Jam makes a lovely gift! You can fill 4 small mason jars with the jam and then add little holiday gift tags. Just make sure to store the jam in the fridge until you’re ready to gift.
- Have leftover cranberries in the fridge? This cranberry-pear chia seed jam is a good way to use them up and enjoy them!
- You do not need to peel the pears before making this jam as the skin on the pears does soften and cook down as the jam simmers at a gentle boil.
Photography by: Kaeleigh Pugliese
