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This 4-ingredient banana mug cake recipe takes everything you love about banana bread and turns it into a single-serve treat. My family swears it rivals banana bread!
Craving more mug cake recipes? Try my vanilla mug cake, lemon mug cake, or coffee mug cake next.
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this banana mug cake
If you’ve been following me long, you know I have a not-so-mild obsession with mug cakes and banana bread. I know, shocking…
Now, on the (rare) occasion someone in the house is craving banana bread but the rest of us aren’t, I’ll make them this single-serving version. Using a few pantry staple ingredients, we can recreate that same light, fluffy texture of legit banana bread–just in a neat little mug-shaped package. Here are some other reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
- Made with 4 ingredients. Because let’s face it… minimal effort makes everything better.
- Healthy. One serving has a generous amount of fiber, healthy fats, and potassium…but you’d never tell.
- Oven option. I usually make one mug cake in the microwave, but once my family catches on to what I’m making, I’ll end up baking 4 or 5 in the oven…
- Instant gratification. When I’m craving banana bread for an afternoon snack or late-night dessert, this mug cake option is the only way to go.
Key ingredients
- Mashed banana. As always, use the brownest, softest bananas you have, as they’re going to be the sweetest.
- Almond butter. I prefer the naturally sweet flavor of almond butter, but you can use any seed or nut butter you want. Just make sure it’s smooth and drippy so it yields a fluffy cake.
- Coconut flour. Holds the batter together and gives the mug cake a fluffy and cake-like texture. I tested a few different kinds of flour, and coconut flour yielded the best texture, so I don’t recommend substituting it for something else.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk, but soy milk or any kind of milk will do.
- Chocolate chips. Optional, but I’m partial to the combo (hello, chocolate chip banana bread!).
How to make a banana mug cake
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. In a small bowl, mash the banana with a fork, then add flour and nut butter and mix until smooth. Add milk until a cake-like batter is achieved. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Step 2- Microwave. Pour the cake batter into a greased microwave-safe mug and microwave until fully cooked.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Adjust the amount of liquid. I’ve noticed some brands of coconut flour are more absorbent than others, so take the amount of liquid I listed as merely a suggestion. You may need more or less milk in your cake batter.
- Add ½ tsp of baking powder. While optional, this will help the mug cake rise ever so slightly.
- If the cake isn’t done after 1 minute, let it rest for 1 minute. If it still feels quite soft in the center, microwave it for 15-20 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
Your mug cakes may be dry if they were overbaked or if not enough liquid was added. The cake batter consistency should be thick but pourable, and it should only be microwaved for 1-1 ½ minutes at most.
Mug cakes are made to be enjoyed fresh out of the microwave, as they tend to cool and become hard and chewy quickly.
More single-serving desserts
Banana Mug Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 1/2 medium banana mashed
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon almond butter or any nut or seed butter
- 2-3 tablespoons milk * See notes
Instructions
- Grease a microwave safe bowl or mug.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the mashed banana and coconut flour and mix very well. Add the almond butter until combined. Using a tablespoon at a time, add the milk until a smooth batter remains. Fold through the chocolate chips.
- Microwave for 1 minute, or until cooked through. Let the mug cake sit for a minute before enjoying.
Notes
- Enhance the flavor. Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of salt to elevate the other flavors.
- Swap the mix-ins. Swap the chocolate for crushed walnuts, candy buttons, or coconut flakes.
- Make it sweeter. This recipe relies on ripe bananas for sweetness, but you may prefer your mug cake to be sweeter. Give the batter a taste, and add maple syrup or honey if needed.
- Top the mug cake with a scoop of ice cream, a drizzle of peanut butter, or a dollop of frosting for an extra special treat.
- To store: Mug cakes are meant to be enjoyed immediately, but you can also store leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 day. Keep it covered with plastic wrap and reheat it in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds before eating.
Nutrition
Originally published September 2020, updated and republished December 2024
Coconut milk would also go here aswelll? As I really like combination of banana and coconut.
I need to buy bananas for this amazing sweet. I rarely buy bananas.
Easy and delish!
Thanks, Ally!
Hi Arman,
I hope you are doing fine …
Arman, have you used mandioca flour (or casava or Yuca) in any of your recipies?
I hope you never stop doing what you’re doing. This was amazingly delicious
I used to follow for your keto recipes and now I’m calorie counting. I know I can rely on you for delicious quick recipes! Thank you