How to Make CBD Gummies for Beginners

Many are considering CBD as a popular health option due to its variety of potential benefits and widespread availability across the US. There are multiple different consumption methods that can be considered when you’re starting to take CBD, but gummies are one of the most popular. 

Gummies are a convenient option that you can easily find at many CBD shops. One of the great things about them is that you can easily control your dose, which can’t be said for some of the other methods of consumption. Overall, CBD gummies are reported by many to be a great way to get pain relief, feel more relaxed, and get the other potential benefits that this compound can provide.¹

Another great aspect of gummies is that they don’t present the same lung health concerns that other methods of consumption, such as smoking, do. If you’re concerned about the risks that smoking CBD could present, then gummies could be the perfect solution for your health and wellness routine.²

If you’re someone who likes to do things themselves, then you may be wondering how to make CBD gummies at home. The good news is that, yes, you definitely can! In this article, we’re going to go over some of the things you should consider before cooking CBD gummies at home.

Making gummies yourself can be a great option, especially if you’re not new to CBD. In addition to getting your exact dose, you can experiment with flavors, and there are plenty more reasons why you should consider making your own CBD.

Why Make CBD Gummies?

We’ve already mentioned that it’s possible to make CBD gummies at home, but why exactly is this an option some choose?

There are a few different reasons why homemade gummies are a great pick. Let’s go over some of the top reasons and see if you identify with any of them.

Control: One of the biggest reasons why some choose to make their own gummies is that it can provide you with a high level of control. You can know the exact ingredients that the gummies contain, as well as the process by which they are made. This isn’t something that can be said for every gummy, so it’s an important benefit to consider. If you want total control over the gummies you consume, then making them might be the perfect option for you.

Dosage: CBD gummies come in a variety of different dosage options. If you’re uncomfortable with the dosage options available in your local stores, you could make your own gummies. Being able to control the amount of CBD that you put into your gummies can provide you with peace of mind. If you are going to be making your own gummies, it’s extremely important that you keep track of the dosage and label your gummies appropriately. This is important in ensuring that you’re staying safe and knowing how much CBD you’re taking per gummy.

Availability: It’s possible that you could live in a place where CBD edibles aren’t readily available, or you’re not able to get the dosage or flavors that you’re looking for. If you identify with this, then it may be right for you to make your own gummies. As we previously mentioned, this gives you a high level of control, and you can modify the gummies so that they fit the specific qualifications you’re looking for.

What You'll Need

If you’re considering making CBD gummies yourself, you'll need a few tools and ingredients at the ready.

Tools:

• Silicone molds
• Food processor (if you’re pureeing fruit yourself)
• Saucepan
• Thermometer
• Pipette
• Refrigerator
• Container to safely store your gummies

Ingredients:

• Pureed fruit or a flavoring of your choice
• Fruit juice (can potentially be replaced with water)
• Gelatin (can be replaced by agar-agar or pectin)
• Mold inhibitor (can potentially use lemon juice)
• CBD oil
• Lecithin

Tips and Tricks:

• It’s important to think about the size of your molds and how it will impact the overall dosage of your gummies. It may be tempting to pick a fun shape that’s larger, but take that into account when you’re calculating how much CBD each gummy has.
• Make sure that you’re using the right amount of mold inhibitor. If you use fruit juice instead of water, your gummies may mold faster.
• Be sure to follow safe practices when it comes to storing your gummies. Your gummies should be kept in an airtight container that’s stored away from pets and children. You should also carefully label how much CBD is in a specific batch of gummies so that you know how to dose accordingly in the future.

Simple At-Home CBD Gummies Recipe

We’ve gone over the tools and ingredients that you’ll need to make CBD gummies, so now is the perfect time to go over the steps you’ll need to follow. Keep in mind that the following steps can be changed slightly depending on the ingredients that you’re using and the tools that you have. Don’t be afraid to take this recipe and make it your own!

1. Make sure that all your ingredients and tools are prepped. This includes preparing any fruit that you’ll use, as well as making sure that your molds are cleaned and ready to be used. You should also prep your storage container at this point so that it’s ready for your finished gummies!
2. Add your choice of water or juice to a saucepan with the heat turned off. It’s essential that there’s no heat on this mixture yet.
3. Carefully sprinkle your gelatin (or agar-agar) over your liquid mixture. Allow the mixture to sit for at least two minutes so that it can bloom properly. You’ll know that this mixture is ready when it becomes thick.
4. Place the saucepan on your stove and turn it up to medium heat. Remember that this is the first time your mixture should be touching heat!
5. Stir the mixture and allow it to hit 165°F. Once it reaches this temperature, the heat should be turned off.
6. Pour your fruit mixture or flavoring of choice into the saucepan mixture. Stir the two mixtures until they’re fully combined.
7. Now it’s time to add the rest of the ingredients! Add the lemon juice, lecithin, CBD oil, and any additional flavorings you’d like.
8. Grab your pipette and slowly fill your chosen molds with the CBD gummy mixture. Once this is done, your gummies can be put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Once this step is complete, you’ve officially made your CBD gummies!
9. If you choose to air dry your gummies, they can be left out for 12-24 hours. Otherwise, you can pop your gummies in the refrigerator or freezer (if you want them to last longer).
10. Now comes one of the most important steps: Proper storage! We’ll dive into this more later, but your gummies should be kept in a cool, dry spot where children and pets can’t reach them.

Tips for Making Homemade Gummies

Making homemade gummies can be overwhelming at first. If you want the process to go as smoothly as possible, follow these tips:

• Prep ahead of time. Making sure that all your ingredients are prepared and measured ahead of time can make this process go by much more smoothly. It’s important that you get the right timing and temperatures when making gummies, and needing to prepare ingredients while cooking could get in the way of this. Do yourself a favor and prep everything you can before you actually start cooking.
• Store the gummies properly. We’ve mentioned this before, and we’ll mention it again: storing your CBD gummies properly is essential. Skip to the next section to learn about storage practices to adopt.
• Keep track of dosage. Making sure that you get the dosage right is essential when it comes to making CBD gummies. It’s important that you not only do the math properly when making your gummies but that you also keep track of each batch and how much CBD it contains. This is especially important if you’re making multiple batches with different dosages.
• Use quality CBD oil. Your CBD gummies will only be as good as the quality of the CBD oil you put in them. We always recommend purchasing quality CBD products so that you can feel good about using them and not worry about what you’re putting in your body. When it comes to buying quality CBD oil, make sure that you’re shopping at a reputable store and that you understand just how much CBD oil you’re purchasing.
• Be careful with flavorings. Adding lots of flavorings to your gummies may be tempting, but this can easily make your new gummies too overwhelming to consume. It’s always best to be conservative when it comes to gummies and then adjust future batches if necessary.

How to Store Your Homemade Gummies

We hope that, at this point, you understand how important it is to store your gummies properly. Not only can proper storage make your gummies last longer, but it can also make it safe to keep your gummies in a home with pets and children.

If you have pets and children in your home (or even if you don’t), your gummies should be kept in a secure location. This means a place where your gummies won’t be accessible for your little ones or furry friends in your house. Consider buying a lock box where you can keep your gummies and be sure that they won’t accidentally be consumed by someone else.

Your gummies should always be kept in a cool, dry location. If your gummies are heated up (even by something as small as being in the sun), then the gummies may be ruined and become inedible. If your gummies have melted into one, that can also impact dosage, so it may be best to throw them away.

Refrigerating your gummies is never a bad idea. This can be a great way to preserve them for longer and make sure that they’re kept at a consistent, safe temperature.

References

1. Moltke J, Hindocha C. Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self-perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems. Journal of Cannabis Research. 2021;3(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-021-00061-5 ↩︎
2. Spindle TR, Bonn-Miller MO, Vandrey R. Changing landscape of cannabis: novel products, formulations, and methods of administration. Curr Opin Psychol. 2019;30:98-102. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.04.002 ↩︎

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.