Joy Bauer's Antioxidant-Packed Blueberry Chia Jam Is Ready in Just 60 Seconds

Find out the secrets to making this simple, nutritious two-ingredient jam.

Reviewed by Dietitian Annie Nguyen, M.A., RD

Does making homemade jam in 60 seconds sound impossible? If you thought yes, Joy Bauer is here to make you think again. The registered dietitian, cookbook author and expert on the Today Show recently shared her Blueberry Chia Jam recipe on Instagram and proved just how easy it is to make a delicious, nutritious jam. Her big secrets? A microwave and a couple of teaspoons of chia seeds—find out how Bauer puts the pieces together.

Bauer is smart. She knows that we don't have extra time to stand at the stove and make homemade jam, or do all of the dishes after making it. We may also lack confidence in the kitchen, which can make cooking seem like a big task. She eliminates both of those hindrances by employing a microwave to efficiently cook the half-cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen both work) she uses in the recipe, in less than a minute.

Related: Joy Bauer's Simple Hummus Dressing Hack Is a Brilliant Way to Eat More Fiber

How can the jam become "jammy" without a long cook time or the addition of pectin? Bauer has you covered there too. A couple of teaspoons of chia seeds provide the simple solution. She stirs those into the warm, smashed blueberries and lets the mixture sit for 15 minutes. Chia seeds readily absorb water, which quickly turns them into a gel-like substance. Any liquid that escaped from the blueberries as they cooked is absorbed by the chia seeds, creating a thick, spreadable consistency similar to if you'd used pectin.

Not only is the method fast (only 60 seconds of hands-on time!), but the recipe is inherently nutritious. Store-bought jams can contain as much as 10 grams of added sugar per 1-tablespoon serving. That's a rather heavy dose of sugar, especially if you have prediabetes or diabetes. Bauer's recipe only contains naturally occurring fruit sugar, no added sugars. Luckily, blueberries are nutritious too. Packed with antioxidants, these little blue wonders have been found to help with inflammation, improve memory and promote healthy aging.

Let's not forget the chia seeds either! Those 2 teaspoons pack a serious nutrition punch. Chia seeds provide fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help protect against heart disease. They may also decrease inflammation and help control blood sugar.

Bottom line, if you're in the mood for jam and don't have store-bought on hand, give Bauer's method a try. You'll be doing your taste buds and your body good!