These gluten-free lava cakes make the most decadent dessert. Featuring an ooey gooey molten chocolate middle, this 20-minute mini chocolate cake recipe will be on repeat for every occasion. Made with a combination of coconut sugar, maple syrup, almond flour, and coconut flour for a refined-sugar-free and grain-free dessert that everyone will love. 

mini chocolate cake on a plate with mint leaves and raspberries and strawberries in the background

What Makes This Recipe Great

If you’re looking for an easy (under 30 minutes!), healthy(ish), and delicious treat to make for the holidays, date night, or special birthday treat, look no further! These Molten Chocolate Mini Lava Cakes are decadent and delicious and make the perfect special occasion treat.

These gluten free cakes are made with healthier ingredients, however, you would never know it once you take a bite. Dust with powdered sugar and top with some fresh berries or a scoop of ice cream for the ultimate chocolate treat. You will LOVE this mini chocolate cake recipe!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for mini chocolate cake recipe

If you’ve never made gluten free cakes with almond flour or coconut flour, you are in for such a treat! The mixture of coconut flour and almond flour makes a super moist, fluffy mini chocolate cake that tastes just like the real thing!

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Dark chocolate: Hu Chocolate & Eating Evolved are both great Paleo and refined sugar-free brands! I also use Enjoy Life Foods dark chocolate chips to make these mini chocolate cakes and they turn out great.

Coconut Oil: This is a healthier, gluten-free alternative to canola oil or vegetable oil. 

Ghee: You can also use vegan butter for these gluten-free lava cakes if you need to be 100% dairy free. Ghee is clarified butter so it does have a tiny bit of dairy.

Coconut Sugar & Pure Maple Syrup: These are staples in my pantry. They are natural alternatives to refined sugars like brown sugar and granulated sugar. You can also use date syrup instead of maple syrup if preferred.

Almond Flour & Coconut Flour: These two make the perfect gluten-free flour blend. Coconut flour needs a lot of moisture. Please use the flour ratios as written, otherwise, your mini chocolate cake can turn out dry. 

Cacao Powder: I use this instead of unsweetened cocoa powder as it has tons of antioxidants and a deep chocolate flavor. Use whichever one you prefer, just make sure it’s unsweetened. 

Powdered Sugar: This is optional for dusting. You can also use Swerve powdered sugar as a low-sugar alternative. 

*See the recipe card below for the full list of recipe ingredients.

Gluten-Free Lava Cake Equipment

Ramekins: These Anchor Hocking 6 oz ones can be filled about 2/3 of the way full with batter. You can also use 4 oz ceramic ramekins and fill them up closer to the top (as pictured).

Recipe Step by Step

eggs, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl with a whisk
chocolate and almond flour in a mixing bowl with a pink spatula
  1. Grease and Prep the Ramekins: Grease the ramekins with a tiny bit of ghee or vegan butter. Then, dust them with the cacao powder. Don’t skip this super important step!
  2. Prep the Molten Chocolate: Add the chocolate, coconut oil, and ghee to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second increments, stirring in between until melted. Set aside to cool a bit.
  3. Combine the Ingredients: Whisk the wet ingredients: eggs, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and sea salt in a medium bowl until combined. Add in the melted chocolate/ghee/oil mixture and stir to combine.
  4. Fill the Ramekins and Bake: Add in the almond flour and coconut flour. Gently fold it into the batter using a spatula until combined. Divide evenly between the 4 ramekins. Fill them about 2/3 of the way full if using 6 oz ramekins. Or, fill almost to the top if you use 4 oz ramekins. Bake at 400F for 11-13 minutes.
  5. Cool and Serve: Let them sit for 5-10 mins. To remove from the baking dishes, flip each one upside down on a plate and lightly tap on the bottom of the ramekin. They should plop right out. Top each mini chocolate cake with berries or ice cream of choice and ENJOY!
gluten-free lava cakes on a parchment-lined baking sheet with berries

Mary’s Tips & Tricks

Baking the Lava Cakes: These small chocolate cakes will bake for 11-13 minutes, but keep an eye on them! They are done when a toothpick is inserted 1/2 inch from the side of the ramekin and comes out clean. 

The middle will look a little melty…but it should be set. You want to make sure not to overcook them, otherwise, the “molten” part won’t be so molten anymore!

Removing from Ramekins: After baking, Let them sit for 5-10 mins. To remove from the baking dishes, flip each one upside down on a plate and lightly tap on the bottom of the ramekin. They should plop right out.

Nut-Allergy: Unfortunately, I have not tested this mini chocolate cake without almond flour. If you try a substitute, be sure to let us know how it works out in the comments below!

Storage: Store your leftover mini chocolate cake in an airtight container in the fridge. Separate layers with parchment paper. Reheat them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Serving: Serve these gluten free cakes warm and dust with organic powdered sugar and Top with berries or the dairy-free ice cream of choice.

mini chocolate cake on 4 different plates with raspberries and strawberries and vanilla ice cream

Recipe FAQs

Is this gluten-free lava cake healthy? 

Healthy-ish! These gluten free cakes are dairy-free, Paleo, grain-free, and refined sugar-free. They are more allergy-friendly than standard recipes, and include some healthier swaps!

Is it ok to eat the molten center when it’s not completely cooked? 

Yes! The center is cooked just enough to where the batter is safe to eat. Also, I always use high-quality, organic eggs. It’s no different than eating sunny side up or over easy eggs with a runny yolk!

Do I have to use both almond flour AND coconut flour for this cake recipe? 

Yes. Coconut flour cake recipes require a ton of moisture for the flour, so I do not recommend substituting the flour. I’ve tested and re-tested it to make sure it’s absolutely perfect for you! I have not tested this recipe with gluten-free all-purpose flour. 

Do I need baking powder or baking soda for this recipe?

No! They are not needed for these gluten free cakes. 

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section. Or, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram today!

Gluten-Free Molten Chocolate Mini Lava Cakes

These gluten-free lava cakes make the most decadent dessert. Featuring an ooey gooey molten chocolate middle, these 20-minute mini chocolate cakes will be on repeat for every occasion. Made with a combination of coconut sugar, maple syrup, almond flour, and coconut flour for a refined-sugar-free and grain-free dessert that everyone will love. 
4.97 from 29 votes
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Ingredients

  • 4 oz dark chocolate , Eating Evolved or Hu are both great Paleo brands. Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips work, too!
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp ghee, plus more for greasing the ramekins, (can sub vegan butter for dairy allergies)
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup coconut sugar
  • Dash sea salt
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp almond flour
  • ½ tbsp coconut flour
  • 1 tbsp cacao powder, for dusting ramekins

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400. Grease 4 (4 oz or 6 oz) ramekins with a tiny bit of ghee, then dust with the cacao powder.
  • Add the chocolate, coconut oil, and ghee to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until melted. Set aside to cool a bit.
  • Whisk the eggs, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and sea salt in a medium-sized bowl until combined. Add in the melted chocolate/ghee/oil mixture and stir to combine.
  • Add in the almond flour and coconut flour and gently fold it into the batter using a spatula until combined. Divide evenly between the 4 ramekins, filling them about 2/3 of the way full if using 6 oz ramekins, or almost to the top if you use 4 oz ramekins.
  • Bake for 11-13 mins (keep an eye on them!) until a toothpick inserted 1/2 inch from the side of the ramekin comes out clean. The middle will look a little melty…but it should be set. You want to make sure not to overcook them, otherwise the “molten” part won’t be so molten anymore!
  • Let them sit for 5-10 mins. To remove from the baking dishes, flip each one upside down on a plate and lightly tap on the bottom of the ramekin. They should plop right out. Top each mini chocolate cake with berries or ice cream of choice and ENJOY!

Video

Notes

Baking the Lava Cakes: These small chocolate cakes will bake for 11-13 minutes, but keep an eye on them! They are done when a toothpick is inserted 1/2 inch from the side of the ramekin comes out clean. 
The middle will look a little melty…but it should be set. You want to make sure not to overcook them, otherwise, the “molten” part won’t be so molten anymore!
Removing from Ramekins: After baking, Let them sit for 5-10 mins. To remove from the baking dishes, flip each one upside down on a plate and lightly tap on the bottom of the ramekin. They should plop right out.
Nut-Allergy: Unfortunately, I have not tested this mini chocolate cake without almond flour. If you try a substitute, be sure to let us know how it works out in the comments below!
Storage: Store leftover mini chocolate cake in an airtight container in the fridge. Separate layers with parchment paper. Reheat them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
Serving: Serve this gluten free cakes warm and dust with organic powdered sugar and Top with berries or the dairy-free ice cream of choice.

Nutrition

Calories: 432kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 31g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Cholesterol: 102mg, Sodium: 79mg, Potassium: 263mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 23g, Vitamin A: 119IU, Calcium: 46mg, Iron: 4mg

Photos by: Casey from The Mindful Hapa