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Paleo Banana Bread Mug Cake (Two Ways!)

Paleo Banana Bread Mug Cake is a single-serve grain-free, refined sugar-free dessert (or breakfast) in a mug! This recipe post includes an option using almond flour and an option using coconut flour.

I originally posted this recipe on April 16, 2015 and it has been made thousands of times since! I still make it when I’m craving something comforting and banana bread-like but don’t want to bake a full loaf of banana bread.

Paleo Banana Bread Mug Cake (Two Ways!) A grain-free mug cake recipe made with either almond flour or coconut flour. Grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free and amazing!

Cake for one?! With zero guilt or regrets? What more could we need in life??

I mean, the thing literally takes 5 minutes to make! And there’s no cleanup involved. No leftovers to tempt you at 2am.

Plus, this Paleo Banana Bread Mug Cake is legitimately healthy!

Grain-free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free, and you’d never even know it! This banana mug cake is ultra fluffy, moist and sweet!

So what it boils down to, is you’ve got yourself a crazy convenient breakfast or dessert that is 200% nutritious and simply sensational.

I have included two versions in this post – an almond flour version and a coconut flour version. It seems as though most people have a preference of one over the other, so I figured I would share both methods.

Grain-Free Paleo Banana Bread Mug Cake made with either coconut flour or almond flour - moist, fluffy, healthy and delicious!

THIS JUST IN: Mug cake is the lowest maintenance thing you will ever do in your entire life. Other than eating an apple. Or sleeping. Or…just trust me on this one.

What if I told you I ate this for breakfast and dessert every day for two solid weeks? I had to exercise my will power and remind myself that diets rich in mug cake, while delicious, are not well-balanced.

Take it from me, once you go mug cake, you never go back.

Healthy Banana Mug Cake Ingredient:

This easy single-serve breakfast recipe involves six simple ingredients. Five, if you don’t like cinnamon.

Ripe banana, coconut flour or almond flour, egg, pure maple syrup or honey, ground cinnamon, sea salt, and baking powder. Simple!

How to Make Banana Mug Cake:

Because haven’t you heard? This thing’s a cinch.

Choose a microwave-safe mug that is fairly large, as the batter will rise substantially. 

Start by mashing the banana in the mug until it’s nice and creamy. Add the rest of the ingredients (egg, almond flour or coconut flour, cinnamon, pure maple syrup or honey, sea salt and baking powder) and stir everything together until the batter is thick and well combined.

Paleo Banana Bread Mug Cake | TheRoastedRoot.net This grain-free, refined suagr-free cake for one requires only 5 minutes of time and it's super healthy and delicious!

Or you can be rebellious and stir everything together in no particular order.

 Paleo Banana Bread Mug Cake | TheRoastedRoot.net This grain-free, refined suagr-free cake for one requires only 5 minutes of time and it's super healthy and delicious!

Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes until the cake is set up in the center.

I often perform this step in a measuring cup and then I transfer the batter to a mug because it turns out looking cleaner for photos. If you aren’t concerned about the way it looks, simply stir it all up in a mug!

Because I took it upon myself to test this recipe 17,000 times with my face, I can give you a little insight as to how to make it two delicious ways with either coconut flour or almond flour.

The recipe is pretty much the same, you just use slightly different quantities of flour.

The Coconut Flour Version:

Banana bread mug cake made with coconut flour turns out light and fluffy, with a texture very similar to regular cake.

Plus: delicious. And: full of fiber. Ladies? You want.

In order to make the recipe using coconut flour, follow the recipe card below, using 2 tablespoons coconut flour (instead of 1/4 cup almond flour).

Simply stir everything vigorously in a mug and microwave on high for 3 to 3.5 minutes, or until the cake has risen quite a bit, is fluffy, and cooked through.

The Almond Flour Version:

Almond flour mug cake comes out light and spongy, and almost custard-y. The texture isn’t an exact replica of regular cake, but it’s still super delish, full of protein, and is rich in banana flavor.

In order to make the mug cake with almond flour, you’ll follow the recipe in the recipe card below and use 1/4 cup of almond flour. I’ve found the almond flour version doesn’t need the coconut milk or almond milk, so omit it unless the batter seems too thick or dry.

Simply mix it all up thoroughly in a mug, microwave for 2 to 3 minutes (this will depend entirely on your microwave), until the cake has risen substantially and has set up in the center.

I will report, the almond flour version is my personal favorite. Let me know which one you like best!

How to Make Mug Cake in the Oven:

I know, I know, I’m not a fan of microwaving things either…you can also bake the mug cake in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes (or until the cake tests clean).

My take on that is you may as well bake a full cake if you’re going to go through the trouble of pre-heating and such. We trade microwaves for convenience in this life of compromise.

Recipe Adaptations:

  • Substitute almond milk for coconut milk.
  • Use pure honey instead of pure maple syrup, or omit the sweetener altogether (the mug cake will be plenty sweet without it!).
  • Add more cinnamon or no cinnamon at all.
  • Eliminate the pecans.
  • You can pretty much do anything you dang-well please. How about we add chocolate chips? Okay, twist my arm.

Paleo Banana Mug Cake made with almond flour or coconut flour. A healthy dessert or breakfast!

Of course, if you have a hankering for a full loaf of banana bread, you can always make my Paleo Banana Bread using almond flour, or my Coconut Flour Banana Bread.

More Desserts in Mugs:

My cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is now available! CLICK HERE to check it out. Thank you for your all your support!

If you make this recipe, feel free to snap a photo of it and share it on Instagram, tagging @The.Roasted.Root

Paleo Banana Bread Mug Cake for all them meals!

Paleo Banana Bread Mug Cake (Two Ways!) A grain-free mug cake recipe made with either almond flour or coconut flour. Grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free and amazing!

Paleo Banana Bread Mug Cake

Grain-free paleo banana mug cake made with either almond flour or coconut flour! A light and delicious breakfast or snack that is simply sensational!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
1 mug cake

Ingredients

  • 1 large ripe banana, mashed
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons full-fat coconut milk, or almond milk (see note*)
  • 1 tsp pure maple syrup or honey**
  • 2 Tbsp coconut flour or 4 tablespoons almond flour
  • 1 tablespoon raw pecans, or walnuts, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch sea salt

Instructions

  • Mash the banana in a microwave-safe mug until it's nice and creamy.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients to the mug and mash/stir together until well-combined.
  • Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, or until cake has set up and tests clean.
  • Allow cake to cool slightly before diving in!

Video

Notes

Nutrition facts are calculated for the coconut flour version.
*If making the almond flour version, omit the coconut milk unless it appears as though the batter looks dry.
**You can omit the sweetener altogether or add more depending on your personal taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1mug cake - Calories: 358kcal - Carbohydrates: 44g - Protein: 11g - Fat: 17g - Sugar: 21g
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana bread, dairy free, gluten free mug cake recipe, grain free, grain free mug cake, healthy mug cake recipes, low-carb, mug cake, paleo banana bread mug cake, paleo breakfast recipe, single-serve breakfast, single-serve dessert
Servings: 1 mug cake
Calories: 358kcal
Author: Julia
Paleo Banana Mug Cake - Grain-free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free single-serve breakfast or dessert recipe! This post includes two versions - one with coconut flour and one with almond flour.

Paleo Banana Bread Mug Cake - 2 versions! Dairy-free, refined sugar-free, grain-free, gluten-free, delicious!

Recipe Rating




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Mary

Wednesday 28th of February 2024

This recipe was soooo good!!❤️❤️I used almond flour and used chocolate chips in place of the pecans! As suggested, I did not use coconut milk because the batter was pretty thin already.😋😋😋will definitely make again!

Julia

Wednesday 28th of February 2024

Sounds amazing, Mary! Thank you for sharing! xo

Rox

Monday 3rd of October 2022

Hello could this recipe work in the oven too?

Julia

Monday 3rd of October 2022

Hi there! Yes, absolutely! In the past when I've made mug cakes, I've done 350 degrees F for about 30 to 35 minutes. Hope you enjoy! xo

Mikala

Tuesday 26th of July 2022

Honestly I think you should Call it banana bread batter because this ends up nothing cakey or bread like. It’s mush. I’m not saying it’s bad but it’s definitely not what I expected. :/ got my family saying “eww what is that”

Julia

Wednesday 27th of July 2022

Hi Mikala. More information would be super helpful. For instance, which flour did you use (coconut flour or almond flour)? Which brand of flour did you use? Did you add more pure maple syrup? Did the batter seem thin before you microwaved it? Did you make any changes to the recipe? Let me know so I can troubleshoot what happened.

Allie

Sunday 2nd of May 2021

Moist and delicious. I used the coconut flour version and cooked it in the little convection/toaster oven. I added a Tablespoon of cacao powder. So good! Thank you!

Julia

Monday 3rd of May 2021

Happy you like it, Allie! xo

Jody

Monday 8th of February 2021

I LOVE this! Thanks so much for posting. Nice to have something different to add to the recipe repertoire.

Julia

Monday 8th of February 2021

So happy you like it, Jody!! xoxox

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