The search is over for a delicious, low added sugar spread to add to your morning toast! This Homemade Fig Jam with Chia Seeds is an omega-packed way to start your day!
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Why you Need to Makes this Homemade Jam Recipe with Figs
Are you a fig fan?
That’s a big yay over here! Figs are a naturally sweet powerhouse, meaning they’re the perfect fruit to use to make a deliciously sweet jam!
Plus, this fresh fig jam is perfect on its own, but also a lovely addition to a spiced up gourmet cheese board!
Is this jam healthy?
Yes, absolutely!
Not only is this recipe low in added sugar (or added sugar free), but it’s also packed with two superfoods: figs and chia seeds!
Chia seeds have fiber too (yes, this is a fiber packed jam!) in addition to heart-healthy omega fats.
What you need to make this Fresh Fig Recipe
Ingredient Tips
- Figs: Fresh figs ripen quickly (and are in season during June and August; more info on how to select figs here), so it’s best to buy them and use them in a day or two. But then again, if you have a plethora of figs, you can always whip up this delicious jam and freeze the extras to enjoy in fall!
- Apple Juice: Be sure to use 100% apple juice that is free of added sugars!
- Chia Seeds: Black or white chia seeds work for this recipe!
- Cane sugar: Adding sugar is totally optional and depends on your preference for a more or less sweet jam.
Ingredient Swaps
- Vegan: To make this recipe vegan friendly, if you do add cane sugar, buying organic ensures it is a vegan product. You can also use coconut sugar or agave.
- Apple Juice: If you like to get apple cider from your fresh fruit stand in season, go ahead and sub it in. However, ask your vendor if their cider is pasteurized. If not, before adding the 1/2 cup of cider to the boiled figs, bring to 160 degrees F (and maintain for one minute) in the microwave or on the stovetop to minimize pathogen potential!
How to make Fig Jam with Fresh Fig:
Start with the basics for this Homemade Fig Jam!
Slice figs in half, then assemble the other 3 ingredients! Yes, it’s that simple!
Add figs, apple juice, and sugar to your Instant Pot or pot of boiling water.
After cooking, process in a blender or use an immersion blender to create a smooth consistency. Add in chia seeds. Then prepare the mason jars for canning!
Recipe Notes + Expert Tips
- The key to making fig jam is allowing yourself the patience to wait until it sets to enjoy it! Okay, and lots of love and a few simple kitchen tools (i.e., a medium stove-top pot, a blender or immersion blender, a whisk, or just an Instant Pot and a blender!)
- If you’re wondering what an immersion blender is, it’s a simple handheld blender you can use inside the pot to prevent burning yourself from transferring a hot item to the actual blender. (But, you don’t need one to make this recipe! Your blender will work just fine!)
- You will also want glass jars and metal lids so you can store the jam for safe keeping (and eating!) later!
- The key to making a figgy jam that spreads and holds like a pectin based preserve or jam is to use those chia seeds.
- Chia seeds when placed in liquid form a gel like consistency, helping the fig spread like a traditional store-bought jam or jelly.
- Just look at the way the fig spread so perfectly on this toast!
- Wondering what to serve this healthy jam on that’s not plain toast? Here are some ideas:
This recipe is simple, delicious and pure, just what you want in a homemade goody.
FAQs for this Fig Jam Recipe
Figs are nutrient dense, containing a wide variety of nutrients such as fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, manganese, pantothenic acid and copper. They’re a super food to indulge in, especially when they’re in season.
When fresh, they’re very low in calories at only 30 calories per small fig. So if you’ve never had them before, give them a taste!
Truthfully, I have not tried it! However, if it’s not fresh fig season and you’re adamant about making this homemade jam, I’d use 8 ounces of dried figs and follow the procedure as described. Avoid adding any additional sweetener as the sugars get concentrated when dried.
Also, for dried figs, I’d be careful to make sure there are no added sugars. Oftentimes, Black Mission figs get treated with a sugar coating after drying so check those labels and other varieties like Turkish figs!
Other Spread and Dip Recipes You May Enjoy
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Homemade Fig Jam with Chia Seeds
Ingredients
- 8 medium figs 12 ounces, halved
- 1 cup + 1/2 cup 100% pure apple juice divided
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tbsp cane sugar optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup apple juice to a boil and add in fresh figs.
- Boil for 15 minutes, covered.
- Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes.
- Using your immersion blender (or carefully with a regular blender), puree figs, using caution not to splatter the hot liquid onto your skin.
- Pour pureed figs into a medium bowl or large mason jar with a lid. Add in the 1/2 cup apple juice, chia seeds, and sugar. Stir together with a spatula or shake mason jar vigorously with a lid. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours.
- Store jam in the refrigerator and use within 10 days for best quality.
- Freeze extra jam for up to one month. Use defrosted jam within 7 days for best quality.
Notes
- To Prepare In the Instant Pot: Add figs and apple juice to the metal inner pot of the Instant Pot. Select pressure cook, set timer to 3 minutes, and secure lid and sealing valve. Let naturally release for 5 minutes, then use quick release. Continue with steps above to blend the figs and adding the remaining ingredients.
- To Can: Follow proper canning procedures, including sterilizing glass jars and sealing the jars. Use within 3 months of canning, and within 14 days of opening.
- Figs: Fresh figs ripen quickly (and are in season during June and August; more info on how to select figs here), so it’s best to buy them and use them in a day or two. But then again, if you have a plethora of figs, you can always whip up this delicious jam and freeze the extras to enjoy in fall!
- Apple Juice: Be sure to use 100% apple juice that is free of added sugars!
- Chia Seeds: Black or white chia seeds work for this recipe!
- Cane sugar: Adding sugar is totally optional and depends on your preference for a more or less sweet jam.
Nutrition Per Serving
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Hi there! Can I use the water canning method to seal the jars and store for long periods of time? Does the jam need to be refrigerated if it’s canned this way?
I have never tried this but I’m thinking maybe not since this jam doesn’t have pectin that helps with more of the long term shelf life too.
Can I use Green Figs for this recipe ?
I’ve never tried it with green figs, but you should be able to!
Is there anything I can sub if I dont have apple juice?
If you are OK with a little added sugar, you can use a simple sugar solution that is boiled water with cane sugar!
Yum! Such an easy way to use up extra figs.
I just had a fig jam for the first time in forever at a party last week so now I have been craving it like crazy. This is exactly what I needed!
It’s so good right?!
Have you tried to double recipe? will it jell?
I have not, however if you notice it’s not quite as thick as you’d like it to be, you can always add a 1/2 teaspoon of chia seeds at a time. It will get thicker with more chia as they will absorb the liquid.
I have never had fresh figs before so this is a perfect recipe for me! I will be able to add this to my toast in the morning to change up my breakfast this week!
WOOHOO! LMK if you make them!
Honestly I have never had a real fresh fig before, only dried! Now I need to go get some to make this, it looks amazing!
You totally have to!
Just saw this recipe on Pinterest and it looks perfect! I need to stock up on chia seeds and get some figs asap!
Awe thanks Linds!!! I seriously love a good chia jam!
So beautiful! I wish I had some!!!!
THanks Sara!!
This is such a good idea and a really good way to make figs last longer than just summer.
Thanks!! I love the fresh figs, toO!