There’s something magical about jam. It’s that one jar in the fridge you forget about… until you remember it exists and suddenly you’re Gordon Ramsay in your kitchen. Sweet, tangy, sticky jam is basically a little jar of happiness that can turn the simplest snack into a “Wow, you made this?” moment.
The best part is that it can be used for both sweet and savoury dishes. Yes, Jam’s a multitasker. Here’s how to turn that jar into your secret weapon for breakfast, lunch, dinner… and those midnight snacks you definitely don’t tell anyone about.
1. Jam-Glazed Chicken
It may sound fancy, but it only requires ten minutes to prepare. All you need is chicken breasts or thighs, a spoonful (or three) of apricot or peach jam, and a dash of soy sauce or balsamic vinegar. Bake or pan-fry, and voilà—you’ve got sweet-and-sticky perfection that tastes like a restaurant special without the bill.
| Jam-Glazed Chicken | |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 10 minutes |
| Cook time | 25–30 minutes |
| Serves | 4 |
| Ingredients | – 4 chicken breasts or thighs – 3 tbsp apricot or peach jam – 1 tbsp soy sauce or balsamic vinegar – 1 tbsp olive oil – Salt & pepper to taste |
| Instructions | 1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan). 2. In a small bowl, mix jam, soy sauce (or balsamic), and olive oil. 3. Season chicken with salt and pepper. 4. Place chicken in a baking dish and brush generously with jam glaze. 5. Bake for 25–30 minutes, brushing with more glaze halfway through. 6. Serve with roasted veggies or a side salad. |
| Tips | – Swap chicken for pork chops or tofu. – Add a pinch of chilli flakes for a spicy kick. – Use leftover glaze as a dipping sauce. |
Tip: Works just as well with pork chops or tofu.
2. Brie & Jam Puff Pastry Bites
If you’ve got puff pastry, brie, and jam, you’re basically halfway to becoming the star of your next brunch. Cut pastry into squares, plop on a cube of brie, top with a dollop of raspberry or cranberry jam, fold the corners, and bake. They’re gooey, flaky, and guaranteed to disappear first at any party.
| Step | Ingredient / Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preheat oven | 200°C (fan 180°C) / 400°F / Gas Mark 6 |
| 2 | Puff pastry sheet | 1 ready-rolled sheet (about 320g), cut into 5 cm squares |
| 3 | Brie | Cut into small cubes (approx. 2–3 cm). |
| 4 | Jam | Any flavour (fig, raspberry, or cranberry work well) |
| 5 | Assemble | Place a Brie cube in the centre of each pastry square |
| 6 | Add jam | Top Brie with ½–1 tsp of jam |
| 7 | Fold pastry | Bring corners towards the centre or leave open for a tart-style look |
| 8 | Egg wash | Brush pastry with beaten egg for golden finish |
| 9 | Bake | 12–15 minutes until pastry is puffed and golden |
| 10 | Serve | Best served warm, optionally sprinkled with fresh thyme or rosemary |
3. Jam Swirl Cheesecake
The lazy baker’s dream. Whip up a basic cheesecake batter (or even a no-bake one), drop spoonfuls of strawberry jam on top, and swirl it around with a skewer for that “I totally spent hours on this” look. Bonus: it tastes even better chilled overnight.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puff pastry sheet | 1 sheet | Thawed if frozen |
| Brie cheese | 120 g | Cut into small cubes |
| Jam (apricot, raspberry, or fig) | 4 tbsp | Choose your favourite flavour |
| Egg | 1 | Beaten, for egg wash |
| Fresh thyme (optional) | 1 tsp | For garnish and extra flavour |
| Honey (optional) | 1 tsp | Drizzle over the top before serving |
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. |
| 2 | Cut puff pastry into 5 cm squares and place on the baking tray. |
| 3 | Place a cube of Brie in the centre of each square. |
| 4 | Add a small dollop of jam on top of the Brie. |
| 5 | Fold the pastry edges slightly towards the centre, leaving the middle open. |
| 6 | Brush edges with beaten egg for a golden finish. |
| 7 | Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden. |
| 8 | Garnish with thyme and a drizzle of honey if desired. Serve warm. |
4. Jam & Chilli Sauce for Dipping
Sweet meets heat in this perfect Netflix-snack sauce. Mix equal parts strawberry or plum jam with a splash of hot sauce or chilli flakes. It’s ridiculously good with spring rolls, chicken tenders, or even poured over cream cheese and crackers for an instant appetiser.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jam (apricot or raspberry) | 4 tbsp | Smooth works best for a silky sauce |
| Sweet chilli sauce | 3 tbsp | Adjust to taste for more or less heat |
| Fresh lime juice | 1 tsp | Adds a tangy kick |
| Chilli flakes (optional) | ¼ tsp | For extra spice |
| Fresh coriander (optional) | 1 tsp chopped | For garnish |
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | In a small saucepan, combine the jam and the sweet chilli sauce over low heat. |
| 2 | Stir until the jam melts and blends with the chilli sauce. |
| 3 | Add lime juice and chiliflakes (if using) and stir well. |
| 4 | Remove from heat, pour into a serving bowl, and sprinkle with coriander if using. |
| 5 | Serve warm or at room temperature as a dip for Brie & Jam Puff Pastry Bites. |
5. Jam Breakfast Parfait
This is your “I woke up like this” breakfast. Layer yoghurt, granola, and a swirl of your favourite jam in a glass. It’s healthy-ish, pretty enough for Instagram, and takes less than five minutes, meaning you can hit snooze twice and still have time to make it.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Greek yoghurt | 200 g | Plain or vanilla, depending on your sweetness preference |
| Jam (strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry) | 3 tbsp | Choose a flavour that pairs well with your fruit |
| Fresh fruit | 100 g | Berries, sliced banana, or diced mango work well |
| Granola | 50 g | Adds crunch — pick your favourite blend |
| Honey (optional) | 1 tsp | For extra sweetness |
| Mint leaves (optional) | A few sprigs | For garnish |
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | In a glass or jar, add a spoonful of Greek yoghurt as the base. |
| 2 | Add a teaspoon of jam and swirl gently into the yoghurt. |
| 3 | Sprinkle a layer of granola over the jam. |
| 4 | Add a layer of fresh fruit. |
| 5 | Repeat the layers until the glass is full, finishing with fruit and granola on top. |
| 6 | Drizzle with honey and garnish with mint leaves if desired. |
| 7 | Serve immediately for crunch, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before eating. |
6. Jam-Glazed Veggies
Got carrots or roasted Brussels sprouts? Toss them in a glaze of orange or apricot jam mixed with olive oil and a pinch of salt before roasting. They come out caramelised, glossy, and dangerously snackable.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed vegetables (carrots, parsnips, sweet potato) | 500 g | Cut into bite-sized pieces |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp | For roasting |
| Jam (apricot or redcurrant) | 3 tbsp | Gives a sweet glaze |
| Balsamic vinegar | 1 tbsp | Balances the sweetness |
| Fresh thyme (optional) | 1 tsp | Adds an aromatic note |
| Salt & pepper | To taste | For seasoning |
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. |
| 2 | Toss chopped vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on the tray. |
| 3 | Roast for 20 minutes, turning halfway. |
| 4 | In a small saucepan, warm jam and balsamic vinegar until smooth. |
| 5 | Drizzle the glaze over the roasted veggies, toss to coat, and return to the oven for 5–10 minutes. |
| 6 | Garnish with fresh thyme and serve warm. |
7. PB&J… With a Twist
Hear me out: add a sprinkle of sea salt and a few slices of fresh strawberries to your classic peanut butter and jam sandwich. Or try swapping peanut butter for cream cheese. It’s comfort food with a glow-up.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bread (white, sourdough, or brioche) | 2 slices | Toasted or untoasted, depending on preference |
| Peanut butter | 2 tbsp | Smooth or crunchy |
| Jam (strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry) | 2 tbsp | Your favourite flavour |
| Banana (optional) | ½ | Sliced, for extra sweetness |
| Dark chocolate chips (optional) | 1 tbsp | Adds richness |
| Sea salt flakes (optional) | Pinch | Balances the sweetness |
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Spread peanut butter evenly on one slice of bread. |
| 2 | Spread jam on the other slice. |
| 3 | If desired, add sliced banana on top of the peanut butter. |
| 4 | Sprinkle dark chocolate chips over the banana or peanut butter layer. |
| 5 | Lightly press the two slices together. |
| 6 | For a warm, gooey twist, grill the sandwich in a pan for 2–3 minutes per side. |
| 7 | Sprinkle lightly with sea salt flakes before serving. |
My take: why jam is the MVP of your fridge
Jam isn’t just for toast; it’s the friend that shows up in every situation and somehow improves it. Stuck with plain chicken? Jam it. Dessert emergency? Jam it. Do you need to impress your date with minimal effort? Jam it.
And honestly, there’s something nostalgic about opening a jar and smelling that fruity sweetness. It’s a tiny reminder of summer picnics, childhood snacks, and those “just one more spoonful” moments.
