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A healthy, protein-packed meal doesn't have to be eggs and meat; this chocolate mug cake is here to prove it! A single-serve, healthy protein mug cake recipe made right in your favorite coffee cup. It makes the perfect dessert, snack, or even breakfast- you can't go wrong!
Full of protein, healthy fats, and no refined sugar, and depending on the protein powder you use, it's also dairy-free and gluten-free!
What Makes This Recipe Great
Who wouldn't want cake for breakfast?! Especially when that cake is full of nutritious, healthy ingredients without the added frosting, sugar, and butter. Whether you’re craving a sweet morning treat or looking for an easy dessert recipe, this recipe has it all.
I love this healthy mug cake recipe because it’s made with simple, dairy-free, and gluten-free ingredients, has nearly 40 grams of protein, and is so filling. It tastes really similar to a protein brownie with that rich chocolate flavor and cakey texture.
My favorite part is that all you have to do is dump all your ingredients into a mug, microwave it for 2 minutes, and you have a delicious protein-packed dessert, breakfast, or post-workout snack. You'll probably spend more time picking out your toppings!
If you want more protein-packed ideas, try my Overnight Oats with Protein Powder, or these Protein Pancakes.
Ingredient Notes
- Egg: I have not tried this recipe egg-free, but a flax egg should work well!
- Maple Syrup: Use pure maple syrup. I love this natural sweetener because it adds sweetness but isn't refined sugar like white sugar.
- Coconut Oil: You can also use ghee or vegan butter.
- Vanilla Extract
- Flour: This recipe uses a blend of almond flour and coconut flour. If preferred, you can swap for ¼ cup oat flour or another gluten-free flour blend, but it will have less protein (almond flour has lots of protein!).
- Cacao Powder: Cacao powder is rich in antioxidants and adds a deep chocolate flavor to this protein mug cake. You can swap for unsweetened cocoa powder if that's what you have on hand.
- Protein Powder: Use your favorite chocolate protein powder or vanilla protein powder. Many brands make dairy-free, gluten-free versions, so check for those if you have sensitivities.
- Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips: I like the brand Enjoy Life. They make dairy-free dark chocolate chips that are also nut-free and gluten-free. You can find them online or in your local grocery store. You can use whichever brand of dairy-free or vegan chocolate chips you prefer.
- Baking Powder
- Sea Salt
Recipe Step by Step
- Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe mug and stir well using a fork. Add some more chocolate chips on top of the batter.
- Microwave for 1 and ½ minutes or until the top of the cake is set. Let it cool for 30 seconds.
- Enjoy with your favorite toppings and a glass of unsweetened almond milk, another non-dairy milk, or coffee!
Mary's Tips & Tricks
Oven Method
If you don’t have a microwave or don’t want to use it, follow these instructions for an oven-baked protein mug cake.
- 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.
Toppings
If you want to jazz up your mug cake, here are some ideas for fun toppings:
- Extra Chocolate Chips
- Peanut Butter
- Dairy-Free Whipped Cream
- Sliced Banana, Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, and/or Blackberries
- Gluten-Free Rainbow Sprinkles
Variations & Substitutions
- If you want your protein mug cake to be sugar-free, try a keto-friendly maple syrup alternative.
- You can use any flavor of protein powder you want. Switching it up with strawberry protein powder or a seasonal flavor would be really yummy!
- Make sure you use the proper-sized mug. If your mug is too small, it could spill over.
- You can also use a ramekin instead of a mug in you prefer.
- This doubles as a gluten-free mug cake recipe. If you aren't gluten-free, you can swap a regular all-purpose flour. Just keep in mind the nutrition facts will change.
- Make one mug cake and split it in half for the kids. This will give them a tasty, protein-packed breakfast. I promise they will gobble it up!
- Need a healthy birthday cake idea? Top with sprinkles and a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream!
Storage Tips
- This easy protein mug cake recipe is intended for eating right away. I don't recommend storing it for later. They're single-serve, but if you feel like it's too much, you can split the finished mug cake into two and share it with a family member.
Recipe FAQs
You’ll Love These Healthy Recipes…
Healthy Chocolate Protein Mug Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp maple syrup, less for less sweet
- 1 tbsp coconut oil , or ghee, melted
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 1 tsp coconut flour
- 1.5 tbsp cacao powder
- 2 tbsp protein powder, chocolate or vanilla flavored, if you have it!
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp dairy free chocolate chips , + more for topping
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a 12 oz mug and stir well using a fork. Add some more chocolate chips on top.
- Microwave for 1 and ½ minutes or until the top of the cake is set. Let it cool for 30 seconds. Enjoy!
Notes
Oven Method
If you don’t have a microwave, or don’t want to use it, follow these instructions for an oven-baked protein mug cake.- 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.
Toppings
If you want to jazz up your mug cake, here are some ideas for fun toppings:- Extra Chocolate Chips
- Peanut Butter
- Dairy-Free Whipped Cream
- Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, and/or Blackberries
- Gluten-Free Rainbow Sprinkles
Variations & Substitutions
- If you want your protein mug cake to be sugar-free, try a keto-friendly maple syrup alternative.
- You can use any flavor of protein powder you want. Switching it up with strawberry protein powder or a seasonal flavor would be really yummy!
- Make sure you use the proper-sized mug. If your mug is too small it could spill over.
- You can also use a ramekin instead of a mug in you prefer.
- This doubles as a gluten-free mug cake recipe. If you aren't gluten-free, you can swap a regular all-purpose flour. Just keep in mind the nutrition facts will change.
- Make one mug cake and split it in half for the kids. This will give them a tasty, protein-packed breakfast. I promise they will gobble it up!
- Need a healthy birthday cake idea? Top with sprinkles and a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream!
Storage Tips
- This protein mug cake recipe is intended for eating right away. I don't recommend storing it for later. They're single-serve, but if you feel like it's too much, you can split the finished mug cake into two and share it with a family member.
Nutrition
All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.
Delicious! I’ve been making protein mug cakes for a while but today was the first time trying your recipe!
I used tigernut flour bc I was out of almond and substituted applesauce for the egg cause I’m kinda sensitive there but it was still delicious! Topped it with some raspberries, choc chips and coco whip! Will make again!
Thanks Rebecca!
The perfect protein packed treat! My husband and I have split one the past couple of nights when we’ve had a sweet tooth and definitely will be saving this one! Thanks Mary!
Yay! Thanks Kayla!
You did it again Mary!!!
Another delicious recipe, we were craving something chocolatey after dinner, found this recipe after a quick search. Super easy to make, added protein is a nice touch to feel more satiated without sacrificing any flavour.
After trying many mug cakes- this will be my go to recipe!
I am so happy to hear this, thanks Kim!
Great recipe that even my picky daughter enjoyed. Also love the added protein. Currently making this for the second night in a row! 🙂
Yay! So glad you love it 🙂
So yummy! The whole family love it!
Thank you!!