Pre heat oven to 180°C/160°C for fan forced oven.
In an electric mixer beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add maple syrup and egg, beat until well combined.
Sift flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger, and cinnamon into the butter mixture, then add chia seeds.
Using a wooden spoon mix all ingredients until just combined and a dough is formed. Use more maple syrup if needed to bring the dough together.
Wrap in cling wrap and place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until firm.
Line a baking tray with baking paper and set aside.
Flour your work surface again and roll out dough to about 5mm thick. Using a gingerbread man cutter, cut as many as you can and then repeat the step again until you have little or no dough left.
Place the gingerbread men 2cm apart on your baking tray.
Bake in oven for 10–15 minutes. This is dependent on whether you want firm or soft gingerbread men.
Take out of oven once done and allow to cool on rack.