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This chocolate protein mug cake tastes like you are indulging in your favorite rich dessert – but, surprise! It’s good for you! Plus, it’s gluten-free too!
Easy Chocolate Mug Cake
Sometimes it seems like eating protein is relegated to either shakes or meat – and those two things can get kinda boring. Ok, maybe not the shakes. I seriously can’t get enough of this snickerdoodle protein shake. It tastes like a cookie!
Thankfully, I discovered the joy of mug cakes! You literally put all the ingredients in a mug, microwave it, and bam! You have a delicious dessert!
It’s even better than dessert. It has so much protein and fiber in it that you can enjoy a chocolate cake for breakfast. This gluten-free mug cake takes just a few minutes to make.
Plus, if you have made any other desserts from this blog, you probably already have all the ingredients that you need.
There are also a lot of different ways you can customize this little cake – so keep reading and I’ll share the entire recipe, my favorite tips, and answer some of your biggest questions.
Ingredients Needed
When you use gluten-free ingredients that are low in the glycemic index, your body will notice a difference. Here is what I used in this healthy mug cake.
- Oat Flour: This gluten-free flour is the base of the cake. You’ll use 3 tablespoons.
- Chocolate Protein Powder: Use your favorite kind of protein powder, only 2 tablespoons.
- Cocoa Powder: If you want it really rich, use dark chocolate powder, you only need 1 1/2 tablepsoons.
- Coconut Sugar (or Other Dry Sweetener): Make sure you use a granular sweetener, you’ll need 1 tablespoon.
- Baking Powder: This is what gives the mug cake some lift and lightness, you only need a small bit, 1/2 teaspoon.
- Almond Milk: Use unsweetened vanilla almond milk for the moisture, 1/4 cup.
- 2 Tbsp Chocolate Chips: For more chocolate, mix in 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips.
- Sea Salt Flakes: These are optional, but they enhance all the other flavors.
Kitchen Tools Required
You only need two simple tools to make this super-easy mug protein brownie!
- Spoon
- Coffee Cup
For measuring, you will need 1/4 cup, 1 tablespoon, 1/2 tablespoon, and 1/2 teaspoon.
How To Make Chocolate Mug Cake With Protein
The entire process could not be any easier! If you have ever made hot cocoa in the microwave, then you can make this mug cake.
In a mug or a ramekin, mix together all of the dry ingredients.
Add in the almond milk, then stir in half of the chocolate chips. Add the remaining chips on top.
Microwave the chocolate protein mug cake for 60-80 seconds or until the mug cake expands to the top of the mug/ramekin. Check it every 10 seconds after 30 seconds.
Sprinkle the mug cake with sea salt and serve!
Recipe Tips
Below are some common chocolate mug cake questions. Donโt see the answer youโre looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
What are some toppings I can add to the mug cake?
Have fun with the toppings! Add some real whipped cream on top and drizzle with your favorite caramel sauce. You could even sprinkle some chopped strawberries on top for a chocolate-dipped strawberry mug cake.
I like to add fruit because it has so much fiber and nutrients, but have fun adding anything you like. How about some homemade ice cream? Now you have mug cake a ‘la mode!
How do you make your own oat flour?
Making your own oat flour is so easy! Just place any kind of oatmeal that you have into a food processor. Then, process it until you have a fine flour.
Any type of oatmeal will work – steel-cut, old-fashioned, and even quick-cooking oats.
Can I make this in a ramekin?
Yes, I love to make mug cakes inside small ramekins. In fact, if you make 2-3 mug cakes inside ramekins, you could make a mini layered cake! Just add your favorite homemade buttercream frosting in between each layer.
I have a little tip if you are going to bake it in a ramekin!
Grease the ramekin with non-stick spray before you make the mug cake. This way, you can scoop out the mini cake without leaving much behind.
How do you make the mug cake taste less rubbery?
If your mug cake has a rubbery texture, then you either used a bit too much oil or cooked it for too long.
Add a splash more of almond milk and it should have a better texture.
Substitution Tip
Wondering if you can use a different type of flour? There are a few ways you can.
I prefer to use oat flour because it has the perfect balance of moisture and dryness and is really high in fiber. Alternatively, you can make this with almond flour with the same results. Remember to use almond flour, not almond meal!
You can also use coconut milk or oat milk instead of almond milk.
Instead of chocolate protein powder, use your favorite flavor. This mug cake will also taste delicious with vanilla protein powder.
You can also substitute butterscotch, caramel, or even white chocolate chips for the milk chocolate chips. Have fun and add your favorite chocolate to the cake!
Storing leftovers
Since this is an individual recipe that you can make and eat within a few minutes, I do not recommend trying to save the leftovers. It really tastes best when it is hot and fresh out of the microwave.
If you want to save leftovers, scoop it out of the mug or ramekin and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and keep it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about a day before the texture begins to deteriorate.
If you liked this recipe, youโll want to try these!
Here are some more of my favorite chocolate recipes. Enjoy!
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake With Peanut Butter Frosting
- Paleo Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Healthy Chocolate Fudge Recipe
- Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bites
- Healthy Chocolate Sheet Cake
Photos by Moriah Sawtelle and recipe by Erin Antoniak.
Chocolate Protein Mug Cake
This chocolate protein mug cake tastes like you are indulging in your favorite rich dessert – but, surprise! It’s good for you! Plus, it’s gluten-free too!
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp oat flour
- 2 tbsp chocolate protein powder
- 1.5 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar (or other dry sweetener)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 2 tbsp chocolate chips
- optional: sea salt flakes
Instructions
- In a mug or a ramekin, mix together all dry ingredients.
- Add in almond milk, then stir in half the chocolate chips. Add remaining chips on top.
- Microwave 60-80 seconds or until mug cake expands to top of mud/ramekin. Check every 10 seconds after 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and serve!
There may be affiliate links in this post!ย By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat ๐
Joanna says
This was awesome. I wanted a sweet treat but didnโt want to go to the store. I did use all purpose flour and dairy milk because thatโs what I had in hand. Now I am thinking of other flavor combos with different protein powders.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Joanna, so happy you liked it and made it your own!!
Caroline says
I’m in LOVE! I was craving something sweet and chocolatey but not too high in calories and let me tell you that this recipe immediately jumped into my notes! I didn’t have oats so I used wheat flour and oat milk to make up for it. Oat and chocolate is such a great flavour combo. I also used vanilla protein powder with more cacao powder.
Here’s my recipe in grams for those who need it : 30g flour, 15g granulated sweetener, 15g cacao powder, 15g protein powder, 2g baking powder, pinch of salt and 50mL sugar free oat milk. Adds up to 230kcal with an insane 17g of protein!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Caroline, so happy you loved the mug cake and made it your own! Thanks for sharing!!
Amanda says
Bookmarking this! I made this with the more common versions of things (wheat flour, cane sugar, dairy milk) and it came out great. I didn’t have chocolate chips so added about 1 Tbsp of oil to make up for it, and add extra moisture. Cake came out fluffy and moist.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Amanda, so happy you loved it and made it your own!!
Sj says
Dryer than Mojave desert. I think it needs some fat in it like coconut oil or butter. Itโs so dry.
★★
Erin says
Hi Sj, I’m sorry that you did not like the recipe! I’ve heard tons of good things about this one, bummed it didn’t work out for you.
Linda says
Not bad! I used chocolate chunks as I didn’t have any chocolate chips.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Linda, so glad you loved it and made it your own!
Beth says
Holy flerkin’ schnit, Erin! I had a feeling this was the one recipe to kill them all, so I went ahead and doubled it right off the bat! I used oat milk instead of almond milk and half the coconut sugar and I used an extra large mug and greased it with coconut oil. Amazing amazing amazing!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Beth, so happy you loved it so much and made it your own! ๐
Chloe says
I used almond flour and soya milk that has more protein added to it instead and o my goodnessโฆ. Amazing. This is actually a mug cake that will turn out nice. I also didnโt add the sweetner but only because I didnโt have anyโฆ
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Chloe, so happy you loved it and made it your own! ๐
Nicol says
BEST MUG CAKE! My fiancรฉ and I are obsessed. Itโs the perfect level of sweetness to curb those chocolate and dessert cravings.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Nicol, so glad you both loved it! ๐
MERIEM Djanet says
trรจs bonne recette, je recommande.
★★★★★
Erin says
Salut, ravie que รงa te plaise! // Hi, glad you liked it!
Stephanie Grace Pepper says
Hi. How would you make these in an oven or even air fryer. In our house healthy and microwave are a contradiction in terms.
Thank you,
Stephanie
Stephanie Grace Pepper says
Hi. How would you make these in an oven or even air fryer. In our house healthy and microwave are a contradiction in terms.
Made your chocolate zucchini muffins and loved them!
Thank you,
Stephanie
Jazmine says
Delicious! I used chocolate collagen powder and subbed allulose for the sweetener. It was so good!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jazmine, so glad you loved it and made it your own!
Emy says
This is my go to recipe as an afternoon snack when I get out of school! I just pop it in the air fryer at 180ยฐC for about 15 minuter or until the center is set! Thank you so much for this amazing recipe๐
Erin says
Hi Emy, so happy you love it so much!! ๐
Erin M says
Super good. Used almond flour and came out almost like a brownie!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you loved it and made it your own! ๐
Kaitlin J says
Delicious! So much better than other “healthy” mug cakes that I’ve tried in the past. And very filling with the protein powder!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kaitlin, so happy you loved it!!
Allison says
This is so good and really satisfies my sweet tooth!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Allison, so happy you liked it! ๐
Jessica S says
My husband and I have made this so many times since we first tried it, we love it! Such a great evening treat that is quick and doesnโt create a bunch of extra dishes!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jessica, so happy you loved it!!
Jenn says
Made this twice today! Love it!! Used vanilla protein powder (all I had) and it was so good!! Maldon salt on top makes it perfect!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jenn, so happy you loved it so much! ๐
Maddy says
AMAZING!! I replaced the protein powder with peanut powder, used swerve for the sweetener, and topped it with a little halo top – SO GOOD!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Maddy, so happy you loved it and made it your own!!
Ashley says
So good!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ashley, so happy you loved it!!