Craving banana bread but don’t want the whole loaf? With just 5 minutes, half a banana, a microwave, and some other simple pantry ingredients, you can have a single serving of Banana Bread in a Mug.
This incredibly easy and tasty mug dessert is surprisingly moist and fluffy, despite the fact it is cooked in just 90 seconds in the microwave! Plus, it’s naturally vegan!
As an environmental scientist, I am always looking for ways to reduce my contribution to food waste. In our house, bananas are one of those produce items that seem to go from perfect to entirely overripe overnight.
So, I’m always looking for fun and delicious ways to use up overripe bananas, and this incredibly easy banana bread recipe is undoubtedly one of my favorites!
Green tip: Did you know that of the billions of pounds of food wasted annually, it is estimated that 50% of it happens in our homes? Reduce your contribution to food waste by using up overripe bananas in one of these ripened bananas recipes.
Banana Bread in a Mug Ingredients
Here’s everything you need:
- Overripe Banana. It’s best if your peel has brown spots. If your bananas aren’t ripe enough yet, you can place them on a baking sheet and stick them in the oven at 200°F for about 5 minutes until the peels turn black.
- Brown sugar. I use light brown sugar, but dark works too! Using brown sugar as opposed to granulated gives this mug banana bread a subtle caramel flavor.
- Vanilla extract & Cinnamon. For flavor and aroma.
- All-purpose flour. The base of your banana bread batter.
- Baking powder. For a little lift.
- Salt. To enhance all of the other flavors.
- Oil & milk. For moisture.
Optional topping ideas:
- Whipped cream
- Sliced bananas
- Candied Walnuts
- Berries
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate hazelnut spread
- Chocolate syrup
- Chocolate Chips (you can also add these to the batter before microwaving!)
- Sprinkles
- Cinnamon or Cinnamon sugar
Banana Bread Mug Cake Tips and Tricks
Use Overripe Bananas
As banana’s ripen, their flavor gets sweeter, bolder, and fruitier. So, in order to get this mug dessert well, banana-y, it’s best to use ripened bananas for this recipe.
In fact, if they are overripe and the peel is showing brown spots, then they’re just right for this! Not only will they be packed with flavor, but they will be softer and easier to mash.
If you have some bananas that aren’t quite overripe yet, you can still make this Banana Mug Bread. You’ll just have to quickly brown the bananas in the oven.
Set your oven to low (200°F) and stick the bananas in, still in their peels, on a baking tray. Keep them in there until the peel starts to turn black (this usually takes anywhere from 3-7 minutes).
Green tip: Organic farms rely on biodiversity to generate rich soil, avoiding the use of pesticides and fertilizers, which means no toxic runoff. Consider organic ingredients for this recipe.
Mash Your Banana with a Fork
One of the best things about this recipe is it can be completely made in a mug! Start by peeling your bananas and placing them directly into the mug.
Since they are overripe (or heated in the oven), you should be very easily able to smash them with a fork.
Continue to crush your bananas with the fork until they are broken down and almost liquefied. It’s okay to have some lumps left!
Add the Sugar and Vanilla Extract Next
Once your banana is mashed, add the sugar and vanilla extract and use the fork again to mix.
Make sure to completely combine, scraping the sides and corners of the mug to integrate everything together.
Add the Dry Ingredients Next
Next, add the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. The stirring at this point is the most important. You definitely don’t want to have any lumps of flour or baking powder.
Again, make sure to loosen any ingredients that may get stuck on the edges or corners of the mug.
Finish the Banana Bread Batter with the Wet Ingredients
Finally, add the oil and milk. Mix it slowly so that none of the wet ingredients splash out of the mug.
Continue to stir until everything is completely combined.
Microwave Your Banana Bread, then Let it Sit
Microwave your single-serve banana bread on high for 90 seconds. Then, leave it in the microwave for another minute with the door shut to continue to cook.
If you take it out of the microwave and you notice it looks underdone in the center, you can microwave it again for an additional 7-12 seconds on high or choose to leave it slightly underdone for a super moist texture.
It’s always better to undercook than overcook when it comes to making desserts in the microwave. Overcooking any kind of mug cake (or in this case, bread) tends to give it almost a “spongey” texture.
Green tip: Coconut milk is one of the lowest impact milk choices when it comes to our environmental footprint. Coconut trees use little land, little water, and the production of coconuts requires no deforestation.
Microwave Times May Vary
Everyone’s microwave is a little bit different. My microwave is 900 watts, and on high, this banana mug bread is perfect after 90 seconds of heating and 1 minute of sitting in there after.
The average microwave is between 600 – 1200 watts. If you already know your microwave is only 600 watts, you will probably need an extra 10 seconds. However, if you know your microwave is 1200 watts, start with just 80 seconds.
If you’re not so sure about your microwave wattage, stick with 90 seconds. You can add more time, if necessary, but it will be safe to eat after 90 seconds.
Just make yourself a note for cooking time if you feel it was slightly over or under cooked so you can get it perfectly on point next time you make it.
Additionally, if you’re making more than one banana bread in a mug, it’s best to microwave them each separately.
Alternatively, you can bake this mug cake in the oven if you wish. Just make sure that your mug is oven safe. Place your oven safe mug on a baking sheet and bake the banana bread at 350°F on the top rack for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Storing Leftover Banana Bread Mug Cake
This vegan mug dessert is single serving, and intended to enjoy fresh out of the microwave when it is still warm. If you do have leftovers, cover your mug and keep it at room temperature for 1 or 2 days.
You can enjoy your leftovers at room temperature or reheat them for up to ten seconds to give the banana bread a little warmth. Reheating for more than 10 seconds may overcook it and give you a rubbery texture.
I do not advise freezing this mug banana bread or placing it in the refrigerator.
If you do want to prep to have some mug banana batter on hand to make it easier for when the craving hits, you can! Mix all the dry ingredients together and store it in a reusable storage bag.
Then, when you want your single-serve banana bread, all you have to do is smash the banana in a mug, add the prepped dry ingredients, and mix in the oil, milk, and vanilla extract.
Green tip: Another great way to avoid food waste is by properly storing, reheating, and enjoying leftovers!
Mug Banana Bread Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you add too much banana to banana bread?
Adding too much banana to any banana bread will give you a denser and wetter batter, which can sometimes be very hard to bake all the way through.
Adding extra banana over what is called for in the recipe is not recommended, as you will likely be left with a raw center. This banana bread in a mug is best with just 1/2 of a banana.
Why You Should Make this 5-Minute Banana Bread in a Mug
- It’s single-serve! When you need a quick little treat but don’t want a whole loaf, this recipe is your friend.
- It’s so quick. This mug dessert comes together in just about 5 minutes!
- The texture! Surprisingly moist and fluffy, despite it being cooked in the microwave!
If you’re loving this Banana Bread in a Mug, check out these Banana Bread Cookies and this 4-Ingredient Banana Bread!
5-Minute Banana Bread in a Mug
Print Save RateEquipment
- 8 or 10 ounce Mug
Ingredients
- ½ large overripe banana
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar (tightly packed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)
- 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable, canola, grapeseed, or coconut oil in liquid form)
Instructions
- To a standard 8- or 10- ounce mug, add the banana and use a fork to press down to mash it until it is almost completely liquefied.
- Add the brown sugar and vanilla extract and use the fork to combine with the banana.
- Next, add the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon and mix again with the fork, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Finally, add the oil and milk and slowly mix until the liquid is integrated and the banana bread batter is smooth.
- Microwave on high for 90-seconds, then allow the mug banana bread to sit in the microwave for an additional 1 minute. If the center still seems too undercooked, you can microwave it for an additional 8-12 seconds. Enjoy!
Pro Tips
- If you wish to make this mug cake in the oven rather than the microwave, make sure to use a microwave-safe mug. Place it on a baking sheet and bake it at 350°F on the top rack for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- For more single-serve, microwaveable desserts, check out this list of Easy Mug Cake Recipes!
- Check out this list of all my best banana bread recipes.
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