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The best and (easiest) 5 Minute Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Mug Cake. Because it’s Friday and we all need our chocolate fix. All made in one bowl, with pantry staple ingredients, super quick to mix up, healthy, and SO DELICIOUS! Yes, that pretty much sums up this mini banana bread mug cake, and it’s the perfect individual little cake to bake up this weekend. With over-ripe bananas, good honey, and your favorite chocolate bar, this is sure to become your favorite banana bread in minutes. Perfect for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or a late-night dessert.

overhead close up photo of 5 Minute Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Mug Cake

When you’re looking for something sweet, but you still need something healthy and quick to bake up?

Make these cute little mug cakes.

Look, I’m well aware that a mug cake might not be all that exciting. But you guys, please hear me out. If you’re on the healthy January trend and you still want something sweet to enjoy on a Friday night or over the weekend, this is 100% your recipe. Typically I’m all about a real deal baked dessert. I tend to avoid microwaving anything, but I make an exception for a mug cake.

The inspiration? Well, it came from a few sources. First and foremost, my go-to banana bread recipe. I made it a few years back and it’s one of the handfuls of recipes I actually make on repeat. Of course, I love all the recipes I share with you guys, but because I’m cooking and baking so many new recipes day in and day out, I rarely find the time to come back to older recipes…no matter how delicious they are.

But this banana bread is different. I make it so often and so does everyone else in the family.

prep photo of mashed banana

My second source came from the mug cakes I shared years and years ago that I brought back to life when everything went into lockdown. I’d forgotten what a fun and easy recipe they were. It’s actually a recipe I make on occasion every now and then when I just need something warm and sweet to enjoy, but I have no time to actually bake up a cake.

And finally, my third source of inspiration? No one other than my mom. She’s all about a low sugar, healthified dessert. And she loves nothing more than an EASY peasy recipe, so mug cakes just seemed fitting. With brown bananas on the counter and my favorite banana bread recipe in the back of my head, a banana bread mug cake was the obvious choice.

So, here we are, and the verdict? Better than I’d pictured in my head. The banana within these cakes is the real secret. Wel…the banana and all those chocolate chunks. Obviously.

prep photo of 5 Minute Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Mug Cake before cooking

The quick details.

This banana bread cake comes together in five minutes tops, so the details are pretty darn quick.

Start with your wet ingredients. I like to use coconut oil for these cakes. Melt it in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Once melted, add a very overripe banana and give it a good mashing with a fork. The key to any sweet banana recipe is to use bananas that are way past their prime and pretty black all over. Black bananas create the best sweet recipes due to their natural amount of sweetness.

When you have the banana all mashed up, whisk in a squeeze of honey, a single egg, and a splash of vanilla. I personally like to use honey as my sweetener as I’ve found it creates a perfectly soft, tender, and moist banana bread cake. But maple syrup works well too.

Once the wet ingredients are combined. Stir in the flour, baking soda, a pinch of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. At this point, the cake is almost ready for “baking”.

overhead photo fo 5 Minute Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Mug Cake

But I have a couple of secrets.

First, chocolate chunks…and a generous helping too. The chunks are a must and create the most luscious banana mug cake. You will fold them into the batter as the final ingredient. As the cake bakes, the chocolate sinks in, melting as it sinks. It leaves you with a puddle of warm melted chocolate throughout your cake. And with every bite, a little of that melted chocolate is scooped up.

And it is delicious.

Second, instead of mixing the batter in the mug you plan to “bake” in, mix the batter up in a small bowl, then transfer to a microwave-safe mug. Yes, it’s one additional dish to dirty. However, I found this ensures that the batter is more easily mixed up and in turn bakes up nicer too.

overhead photo of 5 Minute Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Mug Cake

But the real KEY to success?

Eat this mug of banana bread warm, just after cooking. This isn’t a cake you want to eat leftover, it’s meant as a quick chocolate fix. It should be eaten right away and preferably with a small pat of butter, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkling of sea salt on top. Nothing is better.

I will say that that every microwave is different, so the cooking time is a little tricky. That said, I tested this on two different microwaves and found two minutes to be just the right amount of time. You may need to adjust slightly by fifteen seconds, give or take.

Soo, have I convinced you that you need a banana bread mug cake in your life tonight?

This is the best afternoon pick me up…warm after-dinner dessert…or late-night treat while cozied up by the fire. It’s Friday, live a little. AND if you happen to have a snowy weekend in the forecast, you really need to bake this up. It’s great any day, but it’s best enjoyed on the coldest of days.

overhead photo of eaten 5 Minute Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Mug Cake

Looking for more simple, healthy dessert recipes to bake? Here are a few favorites:

One Bowl Chocolate Chunk Chai Banana Muffins

Salted Tahini Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

5 Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake

Lastly, if you make this 5 Minute Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Mug Cake, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

5 Minute Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Mug Cake

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 large mug
Calories Per Serving: 788 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • 1. In a bowl, stir together the mashed bananas, coconut oil, honey, egg, and vanilla until combined. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, mix until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chunks. 
    2. Pour the batter into a (10-12 ounce) microwave-safe mug. Microwave on full power for 1 minute and 35 seconds to 2 minutes (I always do 1 minute 35 seconds, but it's better to under "bake"). Eat warm with a smear of butter and a drizzle of honey (you should do this!). Enjoy!

Notes

To Oven Bake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 2 cup oven safe ramekin/mug or 2 muffin tins. Add the batter and bake 22-25 minutes. 
Microwave: every microwave is very different, so results may vary slightly. I have a 1200 watt microwave and found 2 minutes to be the perfect cooking time. You may need to cook 1 minute 45 seconds or 2 minutes 15 seconds. Start with 2 minutes. 
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Comments

    1. Hey Arnaz,
      Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have the best week:) xTieghan

      Reply

    1. Hi Andie,
      Fantastic!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend:) xT

      Reply

  3. 5 stars
    That is the best healthy mug cake I have ever tasted. Thanks for all your tips. I have to admit that I didn’t use an egg. I don’t eat eggs so I used Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer. So delicious!

    Reply

  5. I tested this out last night because I had a ripe banana. I microwaved it for 3 minutes instead of 2 because it looked soupy after only 2 minutes. Three minutes in the microwave was PERFECT! I loved this recipe – easy, delicious, and no artificial stuff that some of the boxed banana breads have. Will definitely be making this again!

    Reply

  6. Delicious! We added some unsweetened shredded coconut and chopped pecans and used “sugar free” chocolate chips. Definitely a keeper- thank you!

    Reply

    1. Hey Michelle,
      Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT

      Reply

  8. 5 stars
    This is by far the best quick dessert ever. 2 minutes I’d highly recommended as is using organic maple syrup (I love the Coombs brand) .

    I just don’t understand the calorie calculations. It says 1 serving at 214kcal but here’s a break down of the ingredients (not counting the salt, cinnamon, baking soda)…

    1 medium banana (105 calories )
    1 large egg (72)
    1Tb Coconut oil (117)
    1Tb organic Maple syrup (52)
    1/4C whole wheat APF (102)
    1/4C Chocolate chips (207)
    = 655 calories

    Wow 655 calories shouldn’t change through the baking process, right?

    Reply

    2. Hi Mariana! I subbed egg whites for the egg, almond flour for whole wheat flour, 1 tsp coconut oil rather than a tablespoon, and then 1-2 tablespoons of chocolate chips to lower the calorie count and it is DELICIOUS!!!!

      Reply

      1. Hi Mar,
        Fantastic!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! The calories are based on our online calorie counter. Have the best weekend:) xT

        Reply

  11. I eat a whole foods/plant based diet (no added oil, vegan), and easilymodified this recipe to accommodate. I made a flax egg with 1:1 flax and water, then omitted the oil. It was fantastic! (Thanks Teigan- I also really appreciate the modifications you often include!)

    Reply

  13. This recipe is the best, and it’s shareable with someone if you are so inclined. Super easy, quick and definitely fulfills that craving without having to make a whole cake! Definitely recommend.

    Reply

    1. Hey Leslie,
      Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks bunch for giving it a go! xxTieghan

      Reply

    1. Hey Jordan,
      Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am glad to hear that it was enjoyed. Have the best weekend!! xTieghan

      Reply