Oatmeal Mug Cake

When you’re craving something sweet but need a quick and easy recipe, this Oatmeal Mug Cake is what you need. The healthy treat is ready in just a few minutes with simple ingredients, and the result is absolutely delicious. It’s a delightful twist on classic oatmeal, and the best part is that you’ll only have one mug to clean afterward. For a more elegant presentation, you can do as I do: turn the small cake upside down and decorate it with shredded coconut. I assure you, your guests will find it hard to believe you made it in the microwave!

I love baking cakes, but having the whole cake to myself is a double-edged sword: I can’t stop myself from eating it, and at the same time, if I don’t hurry, the dessert loses its flavor. For this reason, I love this Oatmeal Mug Cake because it’s a single-serving dessert, ideal for satisfying a craving. Additionally, when I don’t have time to spend in the kitchen but the desire for a sweet treat shows up, I prepare this little cake with the ingredients that I have in my pantry.

Mug cakes originated in the U.S in the late 2000s, simultaneously with the search for a fast and easy dessert that doesn’t require an oven. It became popular very quickly, spreading across the internet with thousands of variations, becoming a solution even for those who aren’t skilled in the kitchen. Nowadays, you can find ready-made mug cake mixes in the stores, making it even easier with less effort required.

There are plenty of variations to customize this Oatmeal Mug Cake to your taste, such as pumpkin spice or gingerbread. You can’t go wrong with the simple steps, but it’s important not to overfill the mug and leave some space for the mixture to rise. Additionally, you want your mixture to be as moist as possible, so it’s crucial to add yogurt, mashed bananas, or peanut butter to enhance the moisture.

Ingredients for vegan mug cake

• Rolled oats: they provide a pleasant, chewy texture to the Oatmeal Mug Cake, making it more filling. Oats absorb the liquids, preventing the dessert from becoming too dry. Additionally, rolled oats add a nutty flavor that complements the other sweet ingredients. Nutritionally, they are rich in fiber and a great source of protein, making the mug cake more nutritious and healthier.

• Bananas: mashed bananas provide moisture to the cake, creating a soft texture and adding natural sweetness without the need for refined sugar. This fruit contributes a rich flavor and acts as a binding agent, helping hold the ingredients together, particularly when the recipe doesn’t include eggs. Finally, bananas are rich in potassium, vitamins, and fiber, providing natural energy for the rest of the day.

• Agave syrup: this is the main sweetener, which also helps balance the dry ingredients by adding moisture and contributing to the tender texture. Agave syrup has a low glycemic index and is a great alternative to other refined sugars, making it suitable for people following a plant-based diet.

• Almond milk: this dairy-free milk has a nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients without overwhelming them. Almond milk is a plant-based alternative to regular cow’s milk, yet still provides a creamy texture. I use unsweetened almond milk, which is fortified with vitamins and minerals such as calcium and vitamin D and E.

• Coconut oil: the fat content ensures the Oatmeal Mug Cake remains soft and provides a coconut flavor that complements the sweetness of bananas and agave syrup. Coconut oil is healthier than other processed fats and is a common plant-based alternative to butter, offering similar richness and moisture.

• Chocolate chips: when cooked, this ingredient melts and provides a pleasant, creamy texture, which also serves as an attractive visual element for the Oatmeal Mug Cake. I use dark chocolate chips, which are lower in sugar, but other varieties work well too.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to prepare healthy treat

Mash the half banana and add to the mug, previously buttered and floured,  whisking  with milk, agave syrup and coconut oil.

Incorporate the dry ingredients: rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and chocolate chips.

Cook in the microwave on full power for 3 minutes. Sprinkle some shredded coconut on top and enjoy.

My tips for a wholesome sweet treat

• You can prepare the batter in a bowl before pouring  it into the mug.

• Substitutes for agave syrup are honey and maple syrup.

• Use a microwave-safe mug, such as ceramic mugs.

• Start with 1 minute and check the cake’s doneness. If it’s not done, continue cooking in 15-30 second intervals until it’s fully cooked through.

Did you try this recipe? Don’t forget to share it with me tagging @nutritiouslysofia on Instagram!

Oatmeal Mug Cake

Course: Dessert, Snacks, BreakfastCuisine: vegan, dairy-free

Servings

1

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

3

minutes

Ingredients

• Banana 1/2 (ripe)

• Agave syrup 1/2 tbsp 

• Almond Milk 3tbsp

• Coconut oil 1tbsp

• Rolled oats 1/2 cup

• Chocolate chips 1tbsp 

• Baking powder 1/4 tsp

• Cinnamon 1/2tsp

• Salt 1/8 tsp

Directions

• Mash the half banana and add to the mug, previously buttered and floured,  whisking  with milk, agave syrup and coconut oil.
• Incorporate the dry ingredients: rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and chocolate chips.
• Cook in the microwave on full power for 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle some shredded coconut on top and enjoy.

Notes

• You can prepare the batter in a bowl before pouring  it into the mug.
• Substitutes for agave syrup are honey and maple syrup.
• Use a microwave-safe mug, such as ceramic mugs.
• Start with 1 minute and check the cake’s doneness. If it’s not done, continue cooking in 15-30 second intervals until it’s fully cooked through.