Recipe

GERD-Friendly Strawberry Tart

Published on Friday, February 06, 2026
by Taylor Janulewicz

Health & Wellness

Servings: 6 Prep: 5 mins Cook: 20 mins Total: 25 mins

GERD-Friendly Strawberry Tarts (No Added Sugar)

When love is in the air, or it’s Galentine’s Day, these sweet little treats are a total showstopper for your next date night or girls’ night in. These crispy yet naturally sweet tarts are not only GERD-friendly but also perfect for anyone who needs to watch added sugar in their desserts. The secret trick in this recipe is using the natural sweetness of fruit to create a jammy filling instead of store-bought jam. Many packaged jams are high in added sugar and may not be the best option for everyone at the party. This homemade version keeps things simple, wholesome, and delicious.

Why These Tarts Are GERD-Friendly

No refined sugar, which helps reduce reflux triggers
Low-acid strawberry preparation
Bright lemon flavor without using lemon juice
Chia seeds for added fiber and digestive support
The only fat comes from the puff pastry, keeping the filling light

Easy Strawberry Chia Jam

Ingredients:

1 lb fresh strawberries, washed and sliced (fresh or frozen, both work)
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon lemon rind (zest only)
Optional sweetener:
- Very ripe strawberries do most of the work
- A small amount of blended dates, apple purée, or 1 tablespoon allulose

Why Chia Seeds Shine:

Act as a natural thickener (no pectin needed)
Add fiber, omega-3s, and help with satiety

How to Make It:

This jam is incredibly easy to make. Simply wash and chop the strawberries, then add them to a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the strawberries soften, stirring occasionally. I recommend using a potato masher to break them down into a jam-like consistency. Once the mixture looks thick and jammy, turn off the heat and stir in the chia seeds and lemon rind. The chia seeds will naturally thicken the strawberry jam, no pectin required!

How to Enjoy Lemon Flavor Without Acidic Flare

Skip the lemon juice entirely
Use lemon zest only, which provides flavor from aromatic oils without the acid
Optional swaps if needed:
- Alcohol-free lemon extract
- A very small amount of dried lemon peel powder
Pairing lemon with vanilla helps soften sharp citrus notes
Always add lemon flavor after cooking to keep it light and non-irritating

GERD-Friendly Strawberry Tart

These GERD-friendly strawberry tarts feature a naturally sweet strawberry chia jam with no added sugar and a light, crisp pastry base. Made with low-acid ingredients and lemon zest instead of juice, they’re an easy, elegant dessert that won’t trigger reflux.

Servings: 6 servings Prep: 5 mins Cook: 20 mins Total: 25 mins Difficulty: Easy

Dessert Appetizer GERD-friendly GERD-friendly dessert

Ingredients

Main Recipe Ingredients

6 Homemade Strawberry Jam (recipe below)

6 Puff Pastry

Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe

1 lb fresh strawberries, washed and sliced (fresh or frozen, both work)

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 tablespoon lemon rind (zest only)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F, or according to your puff pastry package instructions.

2. Place 1 tablespoon of the homemade jam in the center of each puff pastry square. Fold the corners into the middle to enclose the jam, then transfer to the baking sheet.

3. If you prefer a darker, golden crust, prepare an egg wash by whisking together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water, then brush it over the puff pastry.

4. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake according to your puff pastry package instructions, about 12–14 minutes. Watch closely, as the pastry can burn easily.

5. Allow to cool and enjoy!