CBD infused drinks and foods are popping up in all sorts of places. From cocktails to pizza, CBD has quickly become one of the most sought after holistic ingredients. Because of its popularity, places tend to sell their CBD-infused food and beverages at steep prices. Luckily, cooking with CBD at home is easier than you might think. Since we can’t make it for you, we’re going to guide you through making your own CBD pizza. So, let’s get started!
Tips for Cooking With CBD
You can add CBD oil in countless recipes, like baked goods and smoothies. There are other CBD products you can cook with, like CBD butter, but to keep this simple let’s focus on full-spectrum CBD oil. To some, CBD oil can have a slight taste to it. Although most recipes should disguise the flavor of CBD oil, sweet and savory dishes may help hide the slight herbal taste even more.
Pizza is an excellent first CBD recipe since there are so many different flavors at play. Before you get too hungry, here are some crucial factors to consider when cooking with CBD.
Temperature
Of course, getting the temperature right in any recipe is important. However, it’s especially critical when you cook with CBD oil. Exposing a CBD product to a lot of heat can damage its active components, like terpenes, which will decrease the overall effect of CBD.
With that said, storing your CBD products in cold, dry, and dark places like your refrigerator can help preserve their shelf life. Temperatures higher than 356 °F can destroy many of the cannabinoids in a CBD product. Placing or exposing your CBD oil on direct heat will cause even more damage.
Carrier Oil
CBD has to be infused in an oil-based or fat ingredient before you can cook with it. The good thing is that CBD tinctures are already combined with a “carrier oil” such as olive oil, hemp oil, or coconut oil. This makes CBD tinctures a convenient choice to cook with.
Although each type of oil might add a slight aftertaste and some come with added flavors, like cherry or mint that may clash with certain recipes. We recommend using an unflavored CBD oil to cook with. Depending on what you’re making, a specific carrier oil might complement your recipe better. Although CBD oil tends not to be overpowering in food, it might be incredibly distinct to you. So, just keep that in mind.
Dosage
If it’s your first time cooking with CBD, it’s probably a good idea to start with a smaller dose (or the recommended dosage). Be mindful of how much CBD oil you add to your recipe. Adding too much may not only affect how you’ll feel but also the taste of what you make. When starting, just think less is more.
Stir, Stir, Stir
Stirring might be an obvious cooking tip, but it’s important nonetheless. When you add CBD oil to any of your masterpieces, remember to stir well––more thank you think. This will help evenly distribute the CBD oil throughout your creation so that each bite or sip gives off an equal potency and benefits. As close to equal as possible, anyway.
CBD Pizza [What Is It?]
CBD pizza is simply any pizza that is infused with CBD. It won’t get you high since cannabidiol is non-psychoactive and non-toxic. However, it might just please your taste buds and leave your stomach satisfied. It may also leave you feeling more relaxed and at ease, thanks to the CBD.
Aside from how it might make you feel, it’s may also be a great way to experience one of the many benefits of CBD. In case you weren’t aware, CBD oil may offer several wellness benefits like influencing sleep, promoting calmness, enhancing sexual wellness, heightening acuity, digestion, and reducing discomfort, among many other things.
Not sure what type of CBD oil to buy? Read this next: How to Choose CBD Oil Products
How to Make CBD Pizza
So, you want to make your own CBD pizza and don’t know how to start? Well, you’ve come to the right place. There are many ways to add CBD oil into your pizza: in the dough, in the sauce, in the oil, or drizzled on top. This recipe calls for CBD oil in the sauce.
Let’s start with an easy and delicious vegan pesto pizza. Keep in mind your pizza doesn’t have to be vegan, but since we are a cruelty-free CBD company, we went with this option. You can switch out any ingredients or modify the entire thing to match your tastebuds. The same goes for how much CBD oil you use.
This recipe makes 3-4 servings, so, we suggest using 3-4 portions of your personal CBD dose. Think of this recipe as a guide for your first CBD pizza experiment.
Pesto Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup vegan parmesan cheese (grated)
- 3-4 doses of full-spectrum CBD oil (unflavored)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
CBD Pizza Ingredients:
- Red pepper flakes
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced mushrooms
- Red peppers (diced)
- Vegan mozzarella (shredded)
- Vegan goat cheese (crumbled)
- Store-bought vegan pesto sauce
- Vegan pizza dough (ready-made or rolled)
- Add the basil and pine nuts into a food processor and pulse a few times. Next, add the vegan parmesan, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic and pulse a few more times to combine.
- Run your food processor on low as you pour in the olive oil and CBD oil. Make sure to do this slowly for a steady stream. Process until everything is smooth and nothing is stuck on the sides.
- Spread your pesto sauce on the pizza dough first and then top with both kinds of vegan cheese. Add red peppers, tomatoes, and mushrooms.
- In the oven, cook your pizza until browned on medium to low heat. Remember, the temperature should not exceed 356 °F to avoid decreasing the CBD oil’s effectiveness.
TIP: Make some extra pesto sauce and drizzle it on top of your pizza after it’s cooked. Doing this means you may benefit even more from the CBD oil, since it wasn’t exposed to any heat.
There you go! Your very own pesto pizza. Don’t be afraid to change the sauce or play around with the ingredients, either. Pizza is a great food to experiment with since the possibilities are endless.
What Other Foods Can You Add CBD To?
Why stop at CBD pizza? You can infuse most of your favorite desserts, dishes, smoothies, and cocktails with CBD. Here’s a list of some ideas to get you started:
- Cookies
- Brownies
- Cold Brew
- Smoothies
- Kombucha
- Margaritas
- Protein Bars
- Salad Dressing
- Moscow Mules
- Americanos, lattes, frappuccinos, etc.
Read this next: What Happens When You Mix CBD and Caffeine? [Coffee Fans Must Read]
And the list goes on! So, you know how to make CBD pizza for lunch or dinner, but what about breakfast? Since you made it this far, here’s another tasty CBD recipe that’s quick, easy, and perfect for breakfast.
CBD Overnight Oats Recipe
Overnight oats are an almost effortless-to-make breakfast that can be nutritious and delicious. This meal is also great to infuse CBD with since it doesn’t require heat.
All you have to do is mix some oats, fresh fruit, and nut milk (or liquid of your choice) in a jar and leave it in the fridge overnight.
In the morning, all the oats should have absorbed the moisture giving you a delicious on-the-go breakfast. Here’s our favorite overnight oats recipe:
- 5-7 ml of CBD oil
- ½ cup of rolled oats
- ½ cup dairy-free milk
- ½ cup of sliced bananas
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon of almond butter
- 1 teaspoon of agave or honey
In a jar or container of your choice, mix all of the ingredients, except for the oats, until combined. The almond butter might be a little chunky even after a lot of stirring, but that’s fine.
Once combined, add the oats and stir again. Cover the container and place it in the fridge overnight and enjoy it the next day. Again, feel free to experiment with the ingredients. Have fun with it!
Final Thoughts – How to Make CBD Pizza [Recipe Inside]
When you decide to make any CBD infused food, there are a few key things to remember. Cooking with high temperatures can decrease the effectiveness of CBD. So, low or no heat is always best. Although CBD oil doesn’t usually affect the taste of food, you may want to pick a CBD tincture made from a carrier oil you like. It’s also a good idea to start with a low dose to see how it makes you feel.
Aside from that, the rest is really up to you. Have fun with your CBD edible pizza and add any ingredients you want. If you’re feeling adventurous, try experimenting with other foods and drinks. If you do, let us know what you come up with, so we can also try it!
