Best Cannabis Recipes to Cook on 4/20

by | Apr 19, 2022 | Cannabis

Cannabis Recipes

April 20th is one of the most anticipated days for the cannabis community to celebrate all things cannabis. People worldwide attend cannabis-themed events and parties or just hang out with their friends watching 4/20 movie classics and passing joints around. But what about those who don’t explicitly smoke pot? 

Contrary to popular belief, there are many more ways to celebrate 4/20 than rolling up a joint. For example, did you know you can make your own cannabis-infused treats? So whether you want to satisfy a sweet tooth or create a savoury dish to share, cooking with cannabis can be a fun and inexpensive way to enjoy cannabis.

This article will share some of the best cannabis recipes to cook up on April 20th, cover the essential basics of decarbing, and take a look at the best infusers. 

 

The Basics of Making Cannabis-Infused Treats 


Making your own edibles is a great way to enjoy all the benefits of cannabis without breaking the bank. Cannabis-infused treats often produce a long-lasting, more potent high than smoking, making them a fan favourite for 4/20 celebrations. 

But before you grab your apron, it’s essential to understand the basics of decarbing cannabis. 

Decarbing, also known as decarboxylating, is a critical step in making edibles, tinctures, and other cannabis-infused products. However, unlike smoking or vaporizing, which provides the immediate effects of THC and CBD, eating raw cannabis in its natural form will not produce a high. 

Decarbing chemically restructures the compounds found in marijuana by removing a carbon atom from the carbon chain, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide (CO2). This process converts THC-A and CBD-A into their active forms, THC and CBD. 

The decarbing process occurs when cannabis is heated, whether in an oven, on a stovetop, or even in a crockpot.

How to Decarb at Home

While there are several methods for decarboxylating cannabis at home, the oven method is the most popular. Decarbing only requires a few basic supplies, and the entire process takes anywhere from 25-30 minutes. Here’s how to decarb your bud in 5 simple steps:

  1. Preheat your oven to 230 – 250°F (110 – 120°C). 
  2. Meanwhile, evenly spread your preferred pre-ground dried cannabis flower (usually a half-ounce to an ounce) onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
  3. Place the sheet in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Every 10 minutes or so, mix your cannabis to ensure that it bakes evenly and doesn’t burn. 
  4. Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container like a mason jar.
  5. To maintain the potency, store in a cool, dark place. 

How to Make Cannabis-Infused Oil

Did you know you can switch out regular cooking oil for cannabis-infused oil in many sweet and savoury recipes? 

After you decarb your cannabis flower, you can create a cannabis-infused oil for cooking and baking. Some commonly used oil bases include:

  • Canola
  • Vegetable
  • Coconut
  • Olive
  • Avocado
  • Sesame
  • Peanut

When selecting a base cooking oil, it’s essential to consider how you’ll use it and which foods you’ll cook with it. Your choice will depend on your personal preferences.

 

Here’s how you can make your cannabis-infused oil at home: 

  • Heat your selected oil and the decarbed cannabis in a double-boiler, slow cooker, or saucepan on low heat for 2-3 hours.
  • Make sure the oil temperature stays between 160°F (71°C) and 200°F (93°C).
  • Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth placed over a container you will be keeping your cannabis oil in. Remove the residue and throw it away.

Infused oil has a two-month shelf life, which you can extend by refrigerating it. But don’t put that oil away just yet! Here are some great sweet and savoury recipes for you to try.

Sweet Treats Perfect for 4/20 

When most people think of cannabis recipes, pot brownies probably come to mind. But there are plenty of other cannabis-themed desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth this 4/20. 

Many sweet-based recipes call for cannabis-infused oil or butter, so be sure to keep some on hand for all your 4/20 treats.

You can start April 20th off right with these cannabis-infused blueberry pancakes that are gluten-free and only 125 calories per pancake. Or, if you are looking for something quick and easy to make, try these no-bake cannabis energy bites. These yummy rounds are easy to customize to any taste and make a great treat to share with friends.  

Why not try our favourite cannabis-infused chocolate pretzel cookies if you’re craving chocolate, the perfect balance between salty and sweet. This cookie-pretzel combo relies on cannabis-infused olive oil instead of butter:

 

Cannabis-Infused Chocolate Pretzel Cookies

 

Cannabis-Infused Pretzel

Ingredients: 

 

  • 2 cups (8 1/2 ounces) of all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (2 3/4 ounces) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup cannabis-infused olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (3 1/2 ounces) powdered sugar
  • 30 mini chocolate-covered pretzels (about 2 1/2 ounces)
  • Cooking spray

Directions:

Step 1

  1. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. Set this bowl aside. 
  2. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix sugar, cocoa powder and both types of oil until the mixture resembles wet sand. 
  3. Add eggs to the mixture, one at a time. Be sure to mix them in well after each addition. 
  4. Stir in vanilla bean paste. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients with the mixer on low speed. Mix until well combined, which should take about 30 to 45 seconds. 
  5. Cover the dough and let it chill for at least 2 hours.

Step 2 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° F (176°C). Meanwhile, place parchment paper on 3 baking sheets. 
  2. Put powdered sugar in a small bowl. Spray a cookie scoop with cooking oil and form 1 3/4-inch dough balls. Drop the dough ball into the powdered sugar and roll it around until generously coated. 
  3. Place the dough ball on a baking sheet. Press a pretzel into the center of the dough ball, gently flattening it to form a 2-inch disc. 
  4. Repeat with remaining dough, powdered sugar and pretzels, spraying the scoop with cooking spray as needed and spacing dough discs at least 1 ½ inches apart. 
  5. Freeze dough discs, uncovered, on baking sheets for at least 10 minutes (or up to 1 hour).

Step 3 

  1. Bake cookies for about 12 minutes for soft and fudgy cookies or 14 minutes for a firmer, cake-like texture. 
  2. Allow 30 minutes for cookies to cool completely. Cookies can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
  3. Enjoy!

Savoury Recipes Perfect for 4/20 

Although there are many sweet-themed cannabis recipes, cannabis-infused oils also work great in savoury dishes. 

Try this cannabis quinoa salad for a protein-packed meal, rich with vitamins and antioxidants sourced from fresh ingredients such as red bell pepper and lemon juice. Or impress your guests with this infused creamy garlic chicken piccata that pairs well with these delicious pot potato latkes. 

If you are looking for a quick and easy cannabis-based dish, this cannabis quesadilla only requires a few ingredients. Customize the cheese and meat with your favourites to take your taste buds to the next level. 

Cannabis Quesadilla 

 

Cannabis Quesadilla


Ingredients:

  • 8 flour or spelt 6-inch tortillas 
  • 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 3 tbsp. cannabis oil 
  • 8 slices sandwich-cut dill pickle 
  • 4 oz. ham
  • 4 oz. thinly sliced roast pork 
  • 4 oz. Swiss cheese

Directions: 

  1. Prepare an outdoor grill for medium-high direct grilling. You can also use an indoor quesadilla press.
  2. Brush one side of four tortillas with mustard and the other with cannabis oil.
  3. Evenly layer the ham, pickles, pork, and cheese on all four tortillas. Then, place the remaining tortillas on top and press down firmly. 
  4. Place quesadillas on a hot grill grate (or in the indoor press) and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, carefully turning. You’ll know they are ready when tortillas are browned on both sides, and the Swiss cheese melts.
  5. Place the quesadillas onto a big cutting board, and cool for one 1 minute. To serve, cut each quesadilla into four wedges.

 

Get Cooking!

Whether you’re a seasoned cannabis chef or just starting, we hope you enjoy whipping up these recipes on 4/20. Happy cooking! 

 

If you’re still looking for that perfect product to celebrate your 4/20 with, check out Your Local Cannabis products from Ontario farms, just one click away.