A gluten free vegan mug muffin is a single serve cake in a mug! No microwave? Make this gluten free vegan mug cake in the oven!
recipe originally published July 28, 2010
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Why you'll love this mug muffin
This minute mug muffin recipe was a viral sensation in my early days of recipe blogging. Using that idea, I made my own without eggs AND using gluten free flour. Just like these vegan egg bites, the single serve mug muffin is a quick and easy breakfast on the run. Here's why everyone loves a mug muffin for one:
- This recipe makes a tasty vanilla muffin that is ready for all kinds of add ins. Make it with your favorite flavors!
- For a muffin cooked in the microwave, these have a soft, springy texture. The trick is to just mix, do not overmix. (Keep reading for more tips.)
- This mug muffin recipe is quick and easy and literally a few minutes start to finish!
With literally endless flavor combinations, you can have a different mug muffin every time!
Tips to make mug muffins
- Stir muffin batter until just combined; over mix can lead to a less tender muffin.
- For richer flavor, use dairy free melted butter in place of oil.
- A pinch of sea salt also enhances flavor.
- For a moist muffin, add a teaspoon of dairy free yogurt or milk.
- Fill the mug / container only half way to avoid muffin batter spilling over as it rises.
- Use a microwave and oven safe mug or container.
- Use oven gloves or potholders to carefully remove the hot mug! Let the muffin cool slightly before enjoying.
The best container to make mug muffins
Any container that is microwave and oven safe will work for mug muffins. I often use a ceramic ramekin or a my favorite New York coffee cup as a ceramic mug, but I have used a glass jar or ceramic bowl. You can even use a jumbo size silicone muffin cup!
The most important thing to note is to not overfill any container you use - fill only half way to avoid muffin batter spilling out as it cooks.
Mug muffin flavors and add ins
The mug muffin base lends itself to so many flavor options! I personally love the vegan goat cheese AND the pumpkin caramel, together in one muffin...
- chocolate muffin - cocoa
- chocolate chips to a vanilla muffin
- vegan goat cheese and fresh berries
- peanut butter swirled in
- protein powder
- pumpkin caramel stirred in
- add berries to batter
- nuts like pecans, walnuts
- applesauce or pumpkin purée
- pumpkin spice, cinnamon
- sliced banana
- streusel topping
Mug muffin in an oven
While it is quick and easy, you do not need a microwave to make a mug muffin. Guess what? I don't have a microwave! When I first made this recipe in 2010, I did have one. Now I usually pop the mug muffin in the oven, but it does take longer than a minute.
To make a mug muffin in an oven: Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Use an oven safe mug or container to bake the muffin. The time to bake depends on your own oven. I have tested this recipe with three different ovens, with bake times from 15 - 25 minutes. I always check at 15 by inserting a knife or toothpick.
Did you make this gluten free vegan mug cake?
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Gluten Free Vegan Mug Muffin

Have breakfast or a snack ready in minutes with a minute mug muffin. Choose favorite fillings for a tasty single serve muffin.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dairy free butter, melted or vegetable oil
- ¼ cup dairy free milk
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons gluten free all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons super fine almond flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Melt the butter either on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Combine the melted butter, milk, sugar, and vanilla.
- Add the flours to the top of this mixture but do not stir. Add the baking powder, salt, and sprinkles if using to the flour, and stir into the flour before stirring flour into the butter milk mixture.
- Microwave on high for 85 seconds, if the top is still wet, continue cooking in 15 second increments until set.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tips to make mug muffins
- Stir muffin batter until just combined; over mix can lead to a less tender muffin.
- For richer flavor, use dairy free melted butter in place of oil.
- A pinch of sea salt also enhances flavor.
- For a moist muffin, add a teaspoon of dairy free yogurt or milk.
- Fill the mug / container only half way to avoid muffin batter spilling over as it rises.
- Use a microwave and oven safe mug or container.
- Use oven gloves or potholders to carefully remove the hot mug! Let the muffin cool slightly before enjoying.
Mug muffin flavors and add ins
The mug muffin base lends itself to so many flavor options! I personally love the vegan goat cheese AND the pumpkin caramel, together in one muffin...
- chocolate muffin - cocoa
- chocolate chips to a vanilla muffin
- vegan goat cheese and fresh berries
- peanut butter swirled in
- protein powder
- pumpkin caramel stirred in
- add berries to batter
- nuts like pecans, walnuts
- applesauce or pumpkin purée
- pumpkin spice, cinnamon
- sliced banana
- streusel topping
The best container to make mug muffins
Any container that is microwave and oven safe will work for mug muffins. I often use a ceramic ramekin or a my favorite New York coffee cup as a ceramic mug, but I have used a glass jar or ceramic bowl. You can even use a jumbo size silicone muffin cup!
The most important thing to note is to not overfill any container you use - fill only half way to avoid muffin batter spilling out as it cooks.
No Microwave? Mug muffin in an oven
While it is quick and easy, you do not need a microwave to make a mug muffin. Guess what? I don't have a microwave! When I first made this recipe in 2010, I did have one. Now I usually pop the mug muffin in the oven, but it does take longer than a minute.
To make a mug muffin in an oven: Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Use an oven safe mug or container to bake the muffin. The time to bake depends on your own oven. I have tested this recipe with three different ovens, with bake times from 15 - 25 minutes. I always check at 15 by inserting a knife or toothpick.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 303Total Fat: 12gSodium: 224mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 3gSugar: 9gProtein: 6g
nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Indra says
making these for breakfast today - can I use chia?
Sondra K. says
how awesome are you?? these have changed my LIFE, I tell you! my mornings are basically spent on autopilot and now... I don't have to get hurt by the stove in my zombie like sleep state. 😀
Pauline says
had to tell you again this is SO fabulous! I love how easy this is, and very versatile as you said as well!! we have these or the egg muffins for breakfast every day! thank you!
spabettie says
glad you like them, Pauline! they make for an easier morning, for sure!
Erin says
so cute too! I bet they taste awesome.
Karen says
I just made this for our breakfasts, we have a "fun little Saturday planned" and I wanted something fast. thank you, this is great!!
Jill says
yum - this looks good - another use for my lucuma!
Mary @ ferventfoodie says
Wow! I gotta try these!! I love simple recipes 😀