Chocolate Gluten-Free Mug Cake

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This gluten-free mug cake is rich, moist, and full of chocolatey flavor. Made with oat flour and a few other plant-based ingredients, it’s incredibly quick and easy to whip up when a dessert craving strikes!

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

• Simple ingredients: Made with just 10 ingredients, the items needed for this gluten-free mug cake are common pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
• Easy to make: All you have to do is whisk the ingredients together in a mug, pop them in the microwave, and dessert is served!
• Customizable: The basic recipe is simple, but you can easily spruce it up with toppings and mix-ins.
• Allergy-friendly: Already gluten-free, this chocolate mug cake is also dairy-free, and can easily be made nut-free!

If you like mug cake, you need to try our chocolate chip mug cake, peach cobbler with cake mix, blueberry donuts, or vegan brownies.

🍰 What is a gluten-free mug cake?

If you’ve never made a gluten-free mug cake, you’ll be pleased to know that they’re every bit as indulgent as regular mug cakes.

Containing many of the same ingredients as traditional cakes, gluten-free mug cakes are combined in a single mug or ramekin and “baked” in the microwave.

As a result, they’re warm, moist, and perfect to serve when you’re short on time!

🤔 The best gluten-free flour to use

For simple recipes like this mug cake, any gluten-free flour alternative will do.

We use oat flour for this recipe since it’s easy to prepare, inexpensive, and lends a sweet flavor. However, we also like the convenience and consistency of King Arthur Baking 1:1 gluten-free flour.

If you are using other gluten-free blends, make sure to check the ratios needed to replace 1 cup of flour.

For example, coconut flour requires more liquid that a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour. It may take a little trial and error to achieve the perfect texture, but your mug cake will still taste delicious!

📜 History

Although they’ve gained immense popularity over the last few years, mug cakes have been traced back thousands of years.

Even though the original recipes weren’t cooked in the oven or microwave, the concept of creating single-serving desserts using quick cooking methods was the same.

The dessert most similar to mug cakes of today is a traditional cupcake. Dating back to 1796, cupcakes were initially intended to be baked in coffee or tea cups.

Over time, the recipe evolved into what we now know as “mug cake.” Somewhere along the way, traditional flour was replaced with gluten-free alternatives. Thus, gluten-free mug cakes were born!

🌱 Are gluten-free mug cakes vegan?

Typically, gluten-free mug cakes are made with butter, eggs, and other dairy-based ingredients. However, they can all easily be swapped out with plant-based alternatives!

In this version, you’ll find plant-based milk, mashed banana in place of eggs, and peanut butter to create a similar light, tender, cake-like texture.

🛒 Ingredients & substitutions

• Banana: To add a sweet flavor and replace the need for eggs. Plus, they’re a great source of potassium and vitamin C! If needed, applesauce can be used to create the same effect.
• Peanut butter: We prefer to make our own, or we recommend using natural peanut butter that isn’t too runny like 365, Santa Cruz, or Adams. If you don’t like peanut butter, swap it out for almond butter, cashew butter, or sun butter.
• Plant-based milk: Any vegan milk including soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, or cashew milk will work.
• Vanilla extract: Used to enhance the flavor of the rest of the ingredients. Opt for high-quality vanilla whenever possible.
• Oat flour: We use oat flour as a gluten-free alternative. You can use store-bought, or make your own by grinding rolled oats into a powder-like consistency in a high-speed blender.
• Cacao powder: To impart a rich, chocolatey flavor to this mug cake. If you don’t have cacao powder, regular cocoa powder works in its place.
• Sugar: We use organic brown sugar for this recipe, but you could also use coconut sugar if you prefer.
• Baking soda: To leaven this mug cake.
• Salt: Used to enhance the cake flavor. Salt is often underutilized in baking, so don’t skip this one!
• Vegan chocolate chips: Feel free to use any flavor or brand you like best. Many dark chocolate chips are naturally gluten-free, but semi-sweet and white chocolate chips from brands like Enjoy Life Foods or Hu are a great choice.

For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.

📝 Instructions

Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients

Mash the banana, and combine it with the peanut butter, plant milk, and vanilla extract. You can mix this right in the mug, or use a bowl.

Step 2: Stir in the dry ingredients

Once the wet ingredients are combined, add the oat flour, cacao powder, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Give the mixture a good stir.

Step 3: Fold in the chocolate

Continue stirring until the batter is smooth, then gently fold in the chocolate chips. You don’t need to worry about the batter becoming tough since there are no gluten bonds!

Step 4: Transfer the batter

Pour the gluten-free mug cake batter into a heat-safe mug, and sprinkle extra vegan chocolate chips on top if you’d like.

Step 5: Cook the cake

Microwave your mug cake for about 2-3 minutes, or until the center is just set.

Step 6: Bake instead

Alternatively, bake your cake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy

Once baked, add extra chocolate chips, peanut butter, or protein powder ice cream on top, and dig in. Happy eating!

If you have questions about this gluten-free mug cake recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!

☕ What to serve with mug cakes

Although a gluten-free mug cake is delicious on its own, we always pair ours with a drink like one of these:

• Dirty chai latte: A sweet and spiced coffee drink.
• Tejuino: A refreshing fermented corn drink that’s sweet, salty, and tangy.
• Champurrado: A warming Mexican chocolate beverage.
• Horchata: Creamy and refreshing rice-based drink.

🥄 How to eat a mug cake

There’s no fancy preparation needed to enjoy a mug cake. Simply take it out of the microwave or oven, and eat it with a spoon.

For a little something extra, try topping it with some of our favorite garnishes like these:

• Vegan whipped cream
• Vegan ice cream
• Cajeta
• Peanut butter
• Strawberry compote

🌡️ Storage & reheating

This recipe is best eaten immediately while it’s still warm. However, if you have leftovers or want to save some for later, take a look at these storage options:

• Fridge: Let your mug cake cool completely, cover it with cling wrap, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days.
• Freezer: Once cooled, cover it completely or transfer it to an airtight container, and keep it in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
• Reheating: When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, pop it in the microwave for 15-30 seconds or until it has heated through.

♻️ Variations

• Sprinkles: Add a dash of vegan sprinkles to the batter for an extra pop of color.
• Caramel: Drizzle vegan caramel sauce into the batter, and swirl it around with a fork to create rich flavor throughout your cake.
• Coffee: Intensify the chocolate taste and give your cake a boost of caffeine with a pinch of espresso powder.
• Nutty: Sprinkle chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans into your mug cake for a dose of healthy fats and an extra crunch.

🧑‍🍳 Top tips

• Cut down the cleanup: We think it’s easier to combine all of the ingredients before adding them to the mug, but you can feel free to combine everything in a single cup for quicker cleanup.
• Adjust the cooking time: Every microwave and oven cooks differently. Be sure to check on your mug cake as it bakes, and adjust the time as needed.
• Expect it to sink: As mug cakes cook, they expand and rise in the microwave like a souffle. Once they begin to cool, they tend to deflate and sink a bit in the center, but this doesn’t affect the flavor at all!
• Use an appropriately sized mug: For the best results, fill your mug 3/4 of the way up. If you have extra batter, use another mug or ramekin to prevent overflows.

💬 FAQ

🍴 More gluten-free desserts

If you enjoyed this gluten-free mug cake, be sure to check out some more gluten-free desserts like these:

• Edible brownie batter: No-bake brownies made with oat flour.
• Palenqueta: A sweet and crunchy treat made with peanuts and piloncillo.
• Homemade Snickers bars: A vegan version of classic chocolate bars.
• 2-ingredient peanut butter cookies: Made with just peanut butter and powdered sugar.