Easy Gluten-Free Mug Cake Recipe (Chocolate Chip)
This Gluten-Free Mug Cake is the perfect single-serving cake for when you’re craving something sweet! It comes together in just 5 minutes with minimal ingredients and a microwave! Top with a little bit of whipped cream, berries, or ice cream, and curb that cake craving.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Whoever came up with this cake-in-a-cup concept is a genius! This single-serving cake is the perfect solution for nights when you want a little homemade treat but don’t want to whip up an entire cake or batch of cookies. This flourless cake has everything you want in a dessert- it’s warm, ooey, gooey cake, and totally delicious! It has a slightly spongy texture and literally melts in your mouth!
The best part is it comes together quickly using simple ingredients you already have in your pantry and fridge. The almond flour and coconut flour work together to make the perfect texture without the use of any grains.
That’s right! A delicious gluten-free version using basic ingredients, less time than a full cake, and such an easy recipe to keep on hand in a pinch! Let’s make this Gluten-Free Mug Cake!
If you’re looking for more gluten-free mug cake recipes, try my Healthy Chocolate Protein Mug Cake! It’s a chocolate, protein-packed version!
Ingredient Notes
- Baking powder – Be sure to look for gluten free baking powder that is also aluminum free.
- Coconut oil – You can also use ghee if preferred. It is important to measure it melted, not solid!
- Chocolate chips – To make a paleo mug cake, look for brands like Hu Kitchen or Eating Evolved which are refined sugar free. Another delicious brand of gluten free chocolate chips is Enjoy Life Foods.
- Almond Flour & Coconut flour – This recipe really requires the use of both of these flours for the right texture. I have not tested it with just one or the other. If you do, let us know how it turns out in the comments below!
- Maple Syrup
- Egg
- Baking Powder
- Vanilla Extract
- Salt– just a pinch!
How To Make This Gluten-Free Mug Cake
- Add all of the wet ingredients to a Pyrex 2-cup measuring cup and mix. You can also add them directly into the mug to mix, but it works best to use a separate cup/bowl for mixing!
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the mixture into a microwave-safe mug (12 oz size works well)
- Microwave for 1-2 minutes. The timing will depend on your microwave. Mine was perfect around the 1-and-1/2-minute mark! Add more chocolate chips on top, if desired. They tend to sink to the bottom!
Expert Tips
- This gooey gluten-free chocolate mug cake will be HOT when it comes out of the microwave! Let it cool for a minute or two before digging in. You can mix all of the ingredients directly in the mug, but I find it easier to mix separately first and then pour it into the mug.
- Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired! You can also top with a spoonful of peanut butter, other nut butter, fresh berries, a dusting of cocoa powder or ground cinnamon, and more! Or Serve with a glass of your favorite dairy-free milk like almond milk or coconut milk.
- I have not tested this recipe with any other gluten-free flour alternatives. You could try using Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free all-purpose flour. Let me know if you do and how it turns out in the comment below.
- To make this vegan, you can swap the egg for applesauce. I haven’t tried it with a flax egg, but if you do, please let us know how it goes in the comments below! You can use 1.5 tbsp applesauce in place of the egg!
Oven Method
If you don’t have a microwave or don’t want to use it, follow these instructions for an oven-baked version.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine ingredients in an oven-safe ramekin or mug or another oven-safe dish.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes.
- Let cool for a few minutes, and top with your toppings of choice.
Recipe FAQs
Since this recipe includes an egg and coconut oil, it will be very moist! I suggest cooking for 45 seconds to 1 minute to obtain a moist mug cake with a fluffy texture.
Sure – fresh fruit like blueberries, strawberries, banana, nuts, or sprinkles would work well!
Each gluten-free mug cake has 547 calories.
Yes, it is dairy free as long as you use dairy free chocolate chips!
I haven’t tried it with a flax egg, but if you do, please let us know how it goes in the comments below! You can also use 1.5 tbsp applesauce in place of the egg!
YES! Simply swap the egg for 1.5 tbsp apple sauce!
More Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes
Easy Gluten-Free Mug Cake Recipe (Chocolate Chip)
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 1 tsp coconut flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp chocolate chips, + more for topping
- pinch of salt
Equipment
- 2 cup measuring cup
Instructions
- Add all of the wet ingredients to a 2 cup glass measuring cup (or small bowl) and mix well using a fork.
- Add in the dry ingredients and mix until the batter is smooth and there are no lumps. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the mixture into a medium-sized mug and smooth out the top. Add additional chocolate chips on top, if desired. Microwave for 1-2 minutes. Mine was perfect at the 1.5 minute mark!
- Let it cool for 1-2 minutes. Top with a scoop of dairy free icecream or whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Expert Tips
- This gooey gluten-free chocolate mug cake will be HOT when it comes out of the microwave! Let it cool for a minute or two before digging in. You can mix all of the ingredients directly in the mug, but I find it easier to mix separately first and then pour it into the mug.
- Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired! You can also top with a spoonful of peanut butter, other nut butter, fresh berries, a dusting of cocoa powder or ground cinnamon, and more! Or Serve with a glass of your favorite dairy-free milk like almond milk or coconut milk.Â
- I have not tested this recipe with any other gluten-free flour alternatives. You could try using Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free all-purpose flour. Let me know if you do and how it turns out in the comment below.Â
- To make this vegan, you can swap the egg for applesauce. I haven’t tried it with a flax egg, but if you do, please let us know how it goes in the comments below! You can use 1.5 tbsp applesauce in place of the egg!
Oven Method
If you don’t have a microwave or don’t want to use it, follow these instructions for an oven-baked version.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine ingredients in an oven-safe ramekin or mug or another oven-safe dish.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes.
- Let cool for a few minutes, and top with your toppings of choice.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on March 29, 2022 and updated with new copy on November 3, 2023.
41 Comments on “Easy Gluten-Free Mug Cake Recipe (Chocolate Chip)”
This recipe is delicious! Â I made a little lemon frosting to go with it and left the chocolate chips out and I can tell this is something I will enjoy more often!
That sounds amazing – thanks for sharing!
Mary – you are the best!! This was delicious!! XO
Woo hoo! Thank you!!
I made it with an almond flour blend and replaced the egg with apple sauce. I also used blueberries instead of chocolate chips. It had the perfect consistency of a cake. It was very sweet, but that may be because I don’t eat many sweets anymore. I will definitely be making this a lot in the future.
Absolutely love this recipe! Super easy to make and the taste and texture are spot on. My new go to for a sweet treat!
Delicious!  The best texture I’ve ever had with a mug cake, GF or not!  Thanks for the great treat recipe!
This exceeded my expectations!! It’s the perfect portion for a sweet craving and ACTUALLY turns out like cake, unlike other mug cake recipes. 🙂Â
Quick, easy, and delicious!Â
The perfect dessert as it offers portion control!
So yummy and so easy! Will be making this little treat again soon!
I made with 2T granular erythritol instead of maple syrup to make it keto. It was perfect and delicious!Â
As always Mary’s recipes don’t disappoint! This was. A perfect sweet treat at the end of the day!Â
Best mug cake ever! Easy and delicious!
This was so delicious my dessert hating husband even loved it! Thanks for a healthier option of this delicious dessert!Â
It was a quick little dessert. Made it right away for my son and he demolished it!Â
Thanks, Monica! Glad he enjoyed it!
It’s great! I have a an Almond/ Coconut flour mixture and used that for all the portions and it turned out just fine!
Awesome, thanks Meg!
Next level delicious and easy!! Â Do make sure your mug is big enough, mine came out the top and down the sides. Worth the mess! Â
Ahh, I need to specify a mug size, haha! Glad you still enjoyed it!
So yummy! A must make
Quick and easy dessert! Loved it. I used brown sugar and it worked great.Â
Awesome, thanks Christina!
Easy and tasty!!
This is super easy to make and really delicious!
Any recommendations for making this recipe in the air fryer? (Don’t have a microwave)
I would try 350 for 10-12 mins! 🙂