Easy Homemade Strawberry Jam

Reasons To Love This Homemade Strawberry Jam

It’s Baby-Friendly and Mama-Approved

One of the best things about this baby-friendly strawberry jam is that it’s made with just three simple, natural ingredients—strawberries, dates, and a splash of lemon juice. No added sugar, no preservatives, and nothing you can’t pronounce. That makes it a safe and nourishing option for babies starting solids, and gives parents total peace of mind.

Naturally Sweet Without the Sugar Rush

Thanks to the dates, this refined sugar-free strawberry jam has just the right touch of sweetness, without spiking blood sugar levels like traditional jam. It’s a fantastic way to introduce fruity flavors to toddlers without setting them up for a sugar habit. You get the flavor kids love, with the ingredients parents trust.

Versatile for Every Mealtime

This isn’t just a spread—it’s a multitasking kitchen hero. Use your healthy strawberry jam for toddlers in yogurt, oatmeal, sandwiches, pancakes, or even as a dip for fruit and crackers. Whether it’s breakfast, snack time, or a quick lunch, it’s one of those things that just works everywhere. Bonus: Toddlers love it, and so do grown-ups.

Perfect Texture—Just How You Like It

One of the joys of homemade is that you’re in control. Want it silky smooth for a spoon-fed baby? Done. Prefer a chunky fruit blend for older toddlers or toast toppings? Just a few pulses will do. This toddler-friendly fruit spread can be adjusted to suit every stage of eating, from purées to finger foods.

Easy to Make, Easier to Love

You don’t need fancy tools or hours in the kitchen. This easy homemade strawberry jam comes together in just about 15 minutes, with ingredients you probably already have. It’s a small batch, low-stress recipe that fits into real life—even if you're cooking one-handed with a baby on your hip.

How To Make Our Homemade Strawberry Jam

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 3 soft Medjool dates, pitted (for natural sweetness)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (helps preserve and brighten the flavor)

Instructions:

1. Prep the fruit: Start by giving your strawberries a quick rinse and removing the green tops. Cut them in halves or quarters, depending on their size. If your dates feel a little firm, you can soak them in warm water for 5–10 minutes to soften—this helps them blend more easily later.

2. Cook it all together: Place the strawberries, dates, and lemon juice into a medium saucepan. Turn the heat to medium and let everything cook gently for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The strawberries will break down and get nice and juicy, and the dates will soften and begin to melt into the mix.

3. Blend until smooth (or leave a bit chunky!): Once cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat. For a smooth jam, use an immersion blender right in the pot and blend until silky and lump-free. Don’t have one? No problem—transfer the mixture carefully to a blender or food processor and blend for 1–2 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.

If your family prefers a little texture (especially older toddlers or adults), just pulse a few times to keep some fruit chunks in there.

4. Cool and store: Let the jam cool slightly, then transfer it to a clean jar or an airtight container.

Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze in small portions for longer storage.

Tips For Success

1. Use ripe, sweet strawberries: The better your berries, the better your jam. Ripe strawberries are naturally sweeter and more flavorful—plus, they blend beautifully without extra sugar. If your berries are a little tart, the dates will help balance things out.

2. Don’t rush the simmer: Let the fruit gently bubble on medium heat. It’s tempting to crank up the heat to save time, but slow and steady gives you a richer, more developed flavor (and less chance of burning!). Stir every now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom.

3. Soften those dates: If your dates are firm or dry, soak them in warm water for 5–10 minutes before cooking. This makes them blend smoother and helps your jam turn out silky instead of grainy.

4. Adjust the texture to suit your family: Babies usually do best with a smooth puree, but older toddlers might enjoy a chunkier texture. If you're making this for everyone, you can always split the batch—blend half smooth for the baby, and leave the rest with a bit of texture for the grown-ups.

5. Let it cool before tasting: Hot jam straight off the stove can be misleading—it thickens a bit as it cools. So give it a few minutes before you judge the consistency or flavor. Plus, we don’t want anyone (especially tiny taste-testers) burning their tongues!

6. Store it smartly: Pop the jam into a clean, airtight jar or container and store it in the fridge. It’ll keep for about a week. You can also freeze it in small portions (like an ice cube tray) for quick, grab-and-go servings later.

7. Keep it fun and low-pressure: Real talk—if your jam ends up a little runnier or thicker than expected, that’s totally okay. It’ll still taste amazing on toast or stirred into yogurt. Homemade doesn’t have to be perfect to be perfectly lovely.

How To Serve Strawberry Jam

Spread it on Baby-Friendly Toast

One of the simplest and most loved ways to serve this baby-friendly strawberry jam is on lightly toasted bread or soft whole grain baby toast strips. For babies just starting solids (around 6+ months), you can smear a thin layer on a slice of soft, age-appropriate toast cut into finger-sized strips for safe self-feeding. It’s a great way to introduce natural sweetness without added sugar, and it pairs beautifully with nut or seed butters as your baby grows.

Swirl into Yogurt or Porridge

Add a spoonful of your refined sugar-free strawberry jam into plain full-fat yogurt (strawberry yogurt)or warm oatmeal for a naturally sweet, nutritious twist. This combo is perfect for breakfast or snack time—especially for toddlers who love creamy textures and fruity flavors. Swirling the jam in makes it feel like a treat, while still keeping things wholesome and balanced.

Top Off Pancakes or Waffles

Ditch the syrup and use your healthy strawberry jam for toddlers as a topping for pancakes, mini waffles, or crepes. It adds a fruity burst of flavor without the sugar rush, and it’s a great way to encourage fruit-loving habits from an early age. Add a dollop, spread it out, or let little ones dip—whatever makes breakfast feel special.

Make Fruity Sandwiches or Roll-Ups

Turn this no sugar strawberry jam into a quick and fun lunch idea by spreading it on soft whole grain bread or tortillas, then rolling it up into little pinwheels. You can even add cream cheese or a thin layer of nut butter to make it more filling. These little roll-ups are toddler-approved, easy to hold, and mess-friendly (ish!).

Mix into Cottage Cheese or Ricotta

This one’s a bit unexpected, but delicious: add a spoonful of naturally sweetened strawberry jam to a small bowl of full-fat cottage cheese or creamy ricotta for a protein-rich snack or lunch side. It’s smooth, mildly sweet, and perfect for little ones learning to enjoy different textures and flavors.

Use as a Dessert Topper

Homemade jam doesn’t have to be reserved just for breakfast. Use it as a topping for plain banana “nice cream,” rice pudding, or even chia seed pudding for a naturally sweet treat that still keeps things nutritious. Your strawberry jam is sweet enough to feel like dessert but gentle enough to be enjoyed guilt-free.

How To Store Our Homemade Strawberry Jam

Short-Term Fridge Storage for Busy Weeks

Once your refined sugar-free strawberry jam has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to a clean, airtight container or a small glass jar with a lid. Pop it into the fridge, where it will stay fresh for about 5 to 7 days. Since this jam doesn’t have added sugar or preservatives, it’s best enjoyed within a week.

Tip: If you’re using it as a baby-friendly fruit spread, consider dividing it into small jars or containers so you’re not constantly dipping into the same one. It helps keep things fresh and makes grab-and-go snacks a breeze.

Freezer-Friendly for Longer Storage

If you’ve made a bigger batch or just want to have some on hand for later, this healthy strawberry jam for toddlers freezes beautifully. Spoon it into small freezer-safe containers, silicone baby food trays, or even an ice cube tray for easy single-serve portions.

Once frozen, pop the cubes out and store them in a labeled freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. To use, just thaw a portion overnight in the fridge or gently warm it on the stovetop for a few minutes.

Having no sugar strawberry jam ready in the freezer is a total game changer on busy mornings—you can quickly add it to oatmeal, toast, or yogurt without making a fresh batch every time.

Keep it Clean and Baby-Safe

Always use a clean spoon when scooping out jam, especially if you’re serving it to babies or toddlers. Double dipping or letting food crumbs get in the jar can shorten its shelf life. A little extra care goes a long way when you’re working with homemade, preservative-free strawberry jam.

If your baby’s exploring self-feeding, consider spooning a bit into a separate dish before offering it to them, so the rest stays fresh for the whole family.

Label and Date Your Jam

This might sound a bit over the top, but it’s so helpful: label your jars or containers with the date you made the jam and a quick note if it’s in the fridge or freezer especially when you’re juggling baby meals, toddler snacks, and everything in between, those little notes save brain space.

Equipment

• Immersion blender 
• Saucepan 
• Airtight containers 

Nutrition

Suitable for 6 months +

Per serving (approx. 2 tablespoons):

• Calories: 35–45 (from strawberries and dates)

• Protein: <1g (from strawberries and dates)

• Healthy Fats: 0g

• Carbohydrates: 9–11g (natural sugars from fruit and dates)

• Fiber: 1–2g (from strawberries and dates)

• Vitamin C: from strawberries and lemon juice

• Calcium: trace amounts from strawberries

• Iron: from dates

• Potassium: from strawberries and dates

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredient ripeness, date size, and portion sizes.