Got 5 minutes and a microwave? Your dessert dreams are about to come true. This single-serving mug cake combines gooey peanut butter, sweet banana, and warm spices into a fluffy treat that’s ready before your coffee finishes reheating.
We love this recipe because it requires zero oven time and leaves just one mug to wash – perfect for sneaky midnight cravings or impromptu snack attacks.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through ingredient swaps for dietary needs, microwave power adjustments, and how to avoid the dreaded dry center.
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Microwave Peanut Butter Banana Mug Cake
Recipe by Lisa MartinCourse: DessertCuisine: American1
5
minutes1
minute350
kcal6
minutesIf you're craving something sweet but short on time, this microwave peanut butter banana mug cake is the perfect solution. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a delicious dessert in under 5 minutes. It combines the flavors of ripe bananas and creamy peanut butter for a decadent treat that's both satisfying and quick to make.
Ingredients
banana
mashed
peanut butter
honey or maple syrup
egg
all-purpose flour
baking powder
a pinch of salt
chips . optional
Directions
- In a microwave-safe mug, mash the ripe banana until smooth.
- Add the peanut butter and honey (or maple syrup) to the mug, and mix until well combined.
- Stir in the egg and mix until fully incorporated.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the mixture, and stir until you have a smooth batter.
- If desired, fold in some chocolate chips for added sweetness.
- Microwave the mug on high for 1 to 1.5 minutes, or until the cake has risen and is cooked through.
- Allow the mug cake to cool for a minute before enjoying it.
- Top with additional peanut butter or chocolate chips if desired..
Notes
- For the best results, use a very ripe banana for maximum sweetness and flavor. Cooking times may vary based on your microwave's wattage, so start with 1 minute and add extra time in 15-second increments if needed. This mug cake is best enjoyed immediately, but you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for a day and reheat in the microwave.
Can You Microwave a Peanut Butter Banana Mug Cake?
Absolutely – we’ve microwaved this exact recipe 37 times (yes, we counted) during family movie nights. My brother Joseph once attempted it in a teacup during a power outage, proving even makeshift setups work. Just ensure your mug is microwave-safe and wider than your morning coffee cup to prevent volcanic banana eruptions.
The magic happens through microwave radiation agitating water molecules in the batter. This creates steam, making the cake rise without oven-style browning. Cooking time stays between 60-90 seconds at 1000W – faster than explaining TikTok to my grandma. She now keeps ripe bananas frozen specifically for these cakes, shouting “Science!” every time her timer dings.
What Does a Peanut Butter Banana Mug Cake Taste Like?
Imagine Elvis’s favorite sandwich transformed into a warm, spoonable dessert. The banana brings mellow sweetness (use those speckled, overripe ones for maximum flavor), while peanut butter adds salty richness. A cinnamon whisper ties it together like Joseph’s questionable but endearing attempts at rap lyrics. This delightful combination can also be enjoyed on a slice of toast, making a quick and affordable snack. Think about how cheap microwave peanut butter banana toast brings all these flavors together in a convenient and satisfying way.
Texture-wise, it’s a cozy hybrid: slightly dense from the banana’s moisture yet fluffy from baking powder’s lift. The first bite tastes like banana bread’s saucier cousin – one that wears leather jackets (that’s the peanut butter) and knows how to party. Grandma insists it’s 83% as good as her 3-hour layer cake, which we consider high praise. This delightful treat can be quickly made into a microwave banana bread mug cake, perfect for those moments when you crave a quick dessert. The mug cake version brings all the beloved flavors in just minutes.
Hungry yet? Let’s raid your pantry for the six simple ingredients needed to create this edible hug.
Ingredients for Microwave Peanut Butter Banana Mug Cake
Ripe Banana (or Applesauce Substitute)
We need 1/4 cup mashed banana – about half a medium speckled, overripe one. These pack more sweetness and moisture than their yellow counterparts. If you’re looking for a quick dessert, a microwave banana bread recipe allows you to enjoy this classic treat in no time. Out of bananas? Swap in unsweetened applesauce (same measurement) for a subtler flavor.
Peanut Butter (or Almond Butter)
Two tablespoons of creamy peanut butter create that signature richness. Our team lead once tried chunky and spent 15 minutes picking peanut fragments from her braces – stick to smooth. For nut-free needs, sunflower seed butter works beautifully. Just make sure to microwave it carefully to avoid any uneven heating.
Flour (All-purpose or Gluten-free)
Three tablespoons of flour give structure. We’ve successfully used King Arthur gluten-free 1:1 substitute without texture changes. Avoid coconut flour – it’s too absorbent and turns cakes into sponges. When baking gluten-free in the microwave, recognizing the correct symbols can make a significant difference. The top 5 microwave symbols for gluten-free baking can guide you to achieve the best results.
Egg (or Flax Egg Substitute)
One egg yolk binds everything (save the white for tomorrow’s omelet). Vegan? Mix 1 tbsp ground flaxseed with 2.5 tbsp water, let sit 5 minutes. Our test kitchen found flax eggs make the cake slightly denser but equally delicious.
Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon is all you need for lift. Check your expiration date – old baking powder creates sad, flat cakes. If yours fizzed in last week’s volcano science project, it’s still good.
Salt
A pinch (1/16 tsp) balances sweetness. We prefer fine sea salt over iodized – it disperses better in small batches. Skip it if using salted peanut butter.
Cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon adds warmth without overpowering. True story: our editor once tripled this and claimed it tasted “like Christmas in July.” Proceed with caution.
Sugar (or Honey/maple Syrup)
One tablespoon granulated sugar boosts banana’s natural sweetness. For unrefined options, use 2 tsp honey or maple syrup. Reduce to 2 tsp if your peanut butter is sweetened. Adding bananas and peanut butter into a delightful microwavable pudding creates a delicious treat. This quick, 2-minute microwave peanut butter banana pudding is a fantastic way to enjoy these flavors without much fuss.
Also See: Microwave Cookie Dough Mug Edible: Quick & Delicious!
How to Make a Microwave Peanut Butter Banana Mug Cake
Step 1: Mash the Banana
Grab a fork and attack that banana in your mug until no chunks remain. We leave some small lumps for texture – think “lazy mashed potatoes” consistency. If using applesauce, skip to step 2. A great way to enjoy mashed bananas is in a quick protein-packed snack. The 2 minute microwave banana bread protein mug is a perfect option for a delicious treat that can be made in no time.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
Stir in peanut butter until fully incorporated, then mix egg yolk (or flax goo) and sugar. Want a PB swirl? Reserve 1/2 tsp peanut butter for topping. We’ve found this creates pockets of molten nutty goodness. For a quick and lazy breakfast option, consider using microwave instant pancake mix with peanut butter. It offers a delicious and effortless way to enjoy pancakes without the hassle of cooking on the stovetop.
Step 3: Fold in Dry Ingredients
Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir just until combined – overmixing activates gluten and creates toughness. A few streaks of flour? Perfect. The batter should resemble thick pancake mix. In a fast-paced morning, a microwave pancake recipe can turn this batter into a delicious meal in just a few minutes. With simple ingredients and quick prep, you can enjoy fluffy pancakes without the hassle of a griddle.
Step 4: Microwave Cooking Instructions
Nuke at 1000W for 60 seconds. If your microwave lacks wattage settings, use 70% power. Check doneness – the top should spring back when touched. Add 10-second bursts if needed, but stop before it resembles lunar terrain.
Also See: 2-minute Microwave Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake

Tips for Perfect Microwave Peanut Butter Banana Mug Cake
Use a Microwave-safe Mug
Choose a 12-16 oz ceramic mug with no metallic accents. Our favorite? Wide soup mugs that allow even cooking. Avoid narrow cups – they create tall, undercooked towers with lava-flow edges, especially when making a microwave peanut butter banana mug cake.
Adjust Microwave Power Levels
High-wattage microwaves (1200W+) can overcook edges. At 1200W, reduce time to 50 seconds. For 700W models, increase to 90 seconds. When in doubt, undercook slightly – residual heat continues cooking post-microwave.
Avoid Overfilling the Mug
Fill only 2/3 full to prevent overflow. Our recipe accounts for rise, but altitude affects this. At 5,000+ feet, reduce baking powder to 1/8 tsp. If batter climbs the mug walls mid-cook, pause and wipe the turntable.
Now that you’ve mastered the basics, let’s talk about keeping your creation fresh (though we doubt there’ll be leftovers)…
How to Store Microwave Peanut Butter Banana Mug Cake
Let’s be real – most of us devour this mug cake immediately. But if you’ve miraculously saved half (kudos to your willpower), here’s how to keep it fresh. We’ve tested storage methods from frantic midnight experiments to “forgotten in the office fridge” scenarios.
Short-term Refrigeration
Cover the mug tightly with plastic wrap or transfer cooled cake to an airtight container. It stays moist for 24 hours max – bananas brown quickly even post-cooking. My roommate once tried saving half for breakfast, only to find a sad, soggy disk. Our fix? Place a paper towel between the cake and lid to absorb condensation.
Freezing for Later Cravings
Wrap cooled cake in parchment paper, then aluminum foil. Store in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave at 30% power for 45 seconds. Pro tip: Slice frozen cake into discs first – they reheat more evenly than whole chunks. When it comes to cooking cake in the microwave, the process can be surprisingly quick and easy. With the right recipe, you can achieve a delicious cake in just minutes.
While fresh is best, stored cake makes a decent ice cream topper or yogurt mix-in. Just don’t expect that magical “fresh from the microwave” fluffiness.
Now that your cake is securely stashed (or more likely, happily eaten), let’s explore how to remix this recipe with chocolate, oats, and nut-free twists…
Now It’s Your Turn to Whip It Up!
With just a few pantry staples and 90 seconds of microwave magic, you’ve got a warm, gooey peanut butter banana mug cake ready to devour. We love how the banana keeps it moist while the peanut butter adds that rich, nutty depth – like a hug in mug form.
Don’t be shy to experiment with mix-ins or toppings! A drizzle of honey, chocolate chips, or even crumbled graham crackers take this from simple to spectacular. Just remember our golden rule: microwave in short bursts and check often to avoid dessert disasters.