This Protein Mug Cake without Protein powder is simply the best single-serve chocolate protein snack packed with 17 grams of protein per serving. It’s also egg-free, gluten-free, and ready in 2 minutes.
Last year, I created a few delicious mug cake recipes with protein powder like my protein powder mug cake or my banana protein mug cake.
Many of you requested a version without protein powder. I investigated all my options to boost the proteins of a mug cake recipe without using protein powder. I looked at my vegan protein sources list, and It came out that hemp seeds are one of the highest sources of plant-based proteins to bake with.
I started by grinding hemp seeds in my NutriBullet to form a powder, then realized I could buy this in the shop, which is much more convenient. The result is fantastic. Hemp powder binds the mug cake crumb perfectly, delivering a high-protein mug cake without protein powder.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Hemp Powder – This is ground hemp seeds. It looks greenish and is made 100% from hemp seeds, nothing else. You can buy this product from the grocery store, often labeled as hemp protein powder, even if it’s basically ground hemp hearts. Or, bring hemp seeds in a coffee grinder to make your own.
- Soy Milk or any plant-based milk. Soy milk is higher in protein than almond milk or oat milk. That’s why I like this option. You can also use soy milk enriched in protein for even more protein.
- Mashed Bananas – These add sweetness and moisture to the protein cake. You can swap for dairy-free yogurt or unsweetened applesauce.
- Oat Flour is higher in protein than other flours, plus the fiber in oats bind the batter together, creating a moist, fluffy cake crumb. If you are celiac, pick a certified gluten-free oat flour. The recipe doesn’t work with almond flour or coconut flour.
- Baking Powder for a fluffier cake texture, make sure you pick a gluten-free baking powder if needed.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Hemp powder is earthy, and adding a chocolate flavor to this mug cake is the best way to pass the taste of hemp. I enjoy hemp flavor, but if you are new to baking with hemp powder, you will love this chocolate protein mug cake.
- Maple Syrup or any liquid sweetener you love, like agave syrup or coconut nectar. You can also use crystal sweeteners like coconut sugar or sugar if preferred.
- Chocolate Chips – These add a boost of sweetness and chocolate flavor. The mug cake tastes like a single-serve protein brownie with chips on top. Highly recommended!
How To Make Protein Mug Cake
- Mash the banana, pack the mashed banana in a 1/4 cup to measure the exact amount called by the recipe.
- In a small mixing bowl, stir all ingredients together except the chocolate chips.
- Stir until it forms a consistent cake batter.
- Pour the batter in a microwave safe ramekin – I am using Le Creuset ceramic pot. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
- Microwave on high (1000W) for 90 seconds or until the top of the cake is set. The cooking time depends on the power of your microwave. Insert a toothpick in the center of the mug cake to check if it’s cooked. If sticky batter is left on the toothpick, microwave with extra 10 seconds burst.
Serving
Serve the mug cake immediately after baking as a filling post-workout snack. For a boost of proteins or flavors, add some of the toppings below:
- Peanut butter or almond butter
- A dollop of dairy-free yogurt – soy yogurt is high in protein.
- Protein powder frosting or Vegan Whipped Cream
- Berries like strawberries or raspberries taste amazing with chocolate.
- Banana slices
- A dollop of my Peanut butter dip
- A scoop of my Ninja Creami protein ice cream
- A pinch of sea salt flakes
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Make sure you place the batter in an oven-safe greased ramekin and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or keep baking until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
You can swap hemp powder for pea protein powder or soy protein powder.
Microwaved mug cakes won’t taste good after a few hours. It’s preferrable to eat the mug cake straight away after microwaving.
More High-Protein Baking Recipes
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Protein Mug Cake
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Mashed Banana - (note 1)
- 3 tablespoons Soy Milk - (note 2)
- 3 tablespoons Oat Flour - (note 3)
- 2 tablespoons Hemp Seed Powder - (note 4)
- 2 teaspoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup - (note 5)
- ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
Optional
- 2 teaspoons Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Chips - optional
Instructions
- Mash ripe banana and measure the exact amount called by the recipe by packing the mashed banana in a 1/4 cup.
- In a mixing bowl, stir mashed bananas with all the remaining ingredients – except the chocolate chips.
- Transfer the mug cake batter into a microwave-safe ramekin or mug.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the batter.
- Microwave on high power (1000W) for about 90 seconds until the top is set.
- Serve immediately plain or with a dollop of plant-based yogurt.
Loved it, easy to make!