Healthy Mug Brownie Recipe (Paleo & Vegan)

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This healthy mug brownie recipe is ready in under 5 minutes! Irresistibly chocolatey, insanely fudgy, and made with nutritious ingredients! This microwave brownie is paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan & refined sugar free!

Overhead view of a healthy mug Brownie with paleo vanilla ice cream and a chocolate drizzle. A spoon with a bite of brownie on it is resting next to the ramekin.

This single-serve healthy Mug Brownie is a recipe that took me a year to perfect. Itโ€™s not a mug cake – it is a gooey, fudgy paleo brownie that is ready in under 5 minutes and totally healthy!

Now when the chocolate craving hits and you donโ€™t have time to bake brownies, you can make this healthy mug brownie, top it with your favorite paleo vanilla ice cream and have a delicious dessert in no time.

A slightly underbaked gooey ramekin of chocolate brownie can be yours whenever you want it. Plus, this mug brownie is  vegan, paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar free!

a spoon taking a bite of healthy mug brownie in a ramekin

Paleo Mug Brownie: Ingredients & Substitutions 

As always I recommend that you make the recipe exactly as written. I went through so many trials and errors to get this healthy mug brownie just right…that I know it’s best when the recipe is followed to a T. However, I know y’all will want to know what you can substitute, so here we go:

overhead photo of the labeled ingredients in this healthy mug brownie recipe
  • Almond butter: you can use any nut/seed butter. I have had the best results with almond butter, cashew butter and peanut butter (not paleo).
  • Coconut oil: Grass-fed butter or ghee can be used in place of coconut oil.
  • Almond Milk: Any dairy or non-dairy milk, cream or even creamer will work as a substitution for almond milk.
  • Coconut sugar: Any granulated sugar can be used without affecting the results. Honey or maple syrup are also a possible substitution, however I find that it makes this even more gooey and it tastes less like an actual brownie and more like brownie pudding if you use a liquid sweetener.
  • Almond flour: The only substitutions that could potentially work here are: another nut flour, a gluten-free flour blend, or oat flour. Do not use coconut flour, it is not a 1:1 substitute for almond flour (or any flour).
front view of a healthy mug Brownie with paleo vanilla ice cream and a chocolate drizzle.

Paleo Chocolate Chips & Bars

Sometimes it’s hard to figure out which chocolate chips are Paleo, so I’ll discuss some of my favorite healthier chocolate options!

overhead view of a microwave brownie before being baked.

How to Make a Healthy Mug Brownie

Let’s walk through this recipe step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

To begin, melt together the coconut oil and almond butter.

two photos showing how to make Healthy Mug Brownie Recipe (Paleo & Vegan)

Next, add the rest of the wet ingredients and whisk to combine. Then add the try ingredients.

two photos showing how to make a Healthy Mug Brownie Recipe (Paleo & Vegan)

Stir until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps. Then, add chocolate chips and put the mixture into a greased ramekin or mug.

two photos showing how to make this Healthy Mug Brownie Recipe (Paleo & Vegan)

Microwave the mug brownie for 1 minute, then remove it and let sit until slightly cooled (it really needs to cool or you will destroy your mouth).

Note: If you look at the picture below, you will see that this little healthy treat is not the prettiest. Since it’s not a cake I had to sacrifice the perfect, puffy top in order to make it irresistibly fudgy and gooey (so worth it). Top it with ice cream and you won’t be able to tell!

overhead photo of this healthy mug brownie after being microwaved

Serve

I suggest serving this healthy mug brownie with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of almond butter. Here are some of my favorite ice cream recipes:

healthy mug Brownie with paleo vanilla ice cream and a chocolate drizzle in a white ramekin

Healthy Mug Brownie Recipe FAQs

Do I have to use a mug to make this recipe?

No! A mug works great, but as you can see I used a small ramekin (5.5 oz capacity, 3.5″ diameter, 2″ tall).

What size mug do I use to make this recipe?

Use a small mug that can hold about 6 oz.

Up-close, front view of a spoon with a bite of healthy mug brownie on it

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Healthy Mug Brownie (Paleo & Vegan)

Laura
This Healthy Mug Brownie recipe is ready in under 5 minutes! Irresistibly chocolatey, insanely fudgy, and made with nutritious ingredients! This microwave brownie is paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan & refined sugar free!
4.93 from 14 votes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 1 Brownie
Calories 229.7
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time1 minute
cooling time3 minutes
Total Time3 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Grease a small ramekin (5.5 oz capacity) or mug, set aside.
  • In a small glass measuring cup, melt together the almond butter and coconut oil, stir until smooth.
  • Add almond milk and vanilla extract and stir until combined.
  • Add coconut sugar, cocoa powder, almond flour, sea salt and baking powder, stir until completely combined and there are no lumps.
  • Mix in the mini chocolate chips.
  • Pour batter into prepared ramekin or mug. Place in microwave and cook for 1 minute.
  • Remove and let sit until slightly cooled.
  • Serve with paleo ice cream, and extra dollop of almond butter, or eat it plain!

Video

Notes

Use a small ramekin that holds 5.5 oz (3.5″ diameter, 2″ tall) or a small mug that holds 6-8 oz for the best results.ย 
Ingredient Substitutions
  • Almond butter:ย you can use any nut/seed butter. I have had the best results with almond butter, cashew butter and peanut butter (not paleo).
  • Coconut oil:ย Grass-fed butter or ghee can be used in place of coconut oil.
  • Almond Milk:ย Any dairy or non-dairy milk, cream or even creamer will work as a substitution for almond milk.
  • Coconut sugar:ย Any granulated sugar can be used without affecting the results. Honey or maple syrup are also a possible substitution, however I find that it makes this even more gooey and it tastes less like an actual brownie and more like brownie pudding if you use a liquid sweetener.
  • Almond flour:ย The only substitutions that could potentially work here are:ย another nut flour, a gluten-free flour blend, or oat flour. Do not use coconut flour, it is not a 1:1 substitute for almond flour (or any flour).
Paleo Chocolate Chips & Bars
Sometimes it’s hard to figure out which chocolate chips are Paleo, so I’ll discuss some of my favorite healthier chocolate options!

Nutrition

Serving: 1brownie | Calories: 229.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 17.8g | Protein: 5.1g | Fat: 16.2g | Saturated Fat: 5.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 386mg | Potassium: 53.7mg | Fiber: 3.2g | Sugar: 13.9g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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4.93 from 14 votes (1 rating without comment)

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49 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I LOVE this mug cake! When my doctor encouraged me to go paleo for health reasons, my only reservation was directly related to my mild chocolate addiction. I need a fix about once a week. This hot, gooey treat does the trick and can be made in just a few minutes. I usually double the recipe (mild addiction) and zap it for twice as long. On occasion I pour a little extra milk of choice over it after it cooks and let it sit for a minute to get even more gooey. ๐Ÿคค๐Ÿคค๐Ÿคค

    Thanks for posting!!

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe is easy and delicious, and uses ingredients that I always have on hand (except for chocolate chips…those are a luxury in my house haha)! Loved this recipe!

    1. 5 stars
      This really is fantastic! Although great as a brownie, I find myself not making it to the microwave more often than not. It is even more delicious as brownie batter! Thank you for making my life so much better!

  3. Tried this last night and it was delicious! At first I thought I messed it up because after pull it from the microwave it looked a little funky and was more of a thick warm pudding, but it tasted amazing! Will definitely make this again!

  4. Can you bake this in the oven or toaster oven? Have you tried that? I just try not to use the microwave unless I have to, and itโ€™s acting up anyway.

    1. Hey Sheree! I honestly have not tried to bake it in the oven, but I do not see any reason it can’t be done! If you try it, pretty please report back and let me know how it went! The next time I make it, I will try baking and see what happens!

  5. 5 stars
    Just tried out the recipe and it turned out sooo delicious! I have a feeling Iโ€™ll be coming back to it often. ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. 5 stars
    I’ve eaten a lot of mug cakes and brownies (I’m not sure I should be so proud of that?) and this one is BY FAR, the ABSOLUTE BEST that I’ve ever had. Seriously. Amazing. NOM!

    1. Jennifer I am SO SO SO glad you love it! I seriously spent a year trying to get it just right so it makes me super excited that you tried it and enjoyed it!

  7. 5 stars
    SO in love with the fact that this is a vegan AND paleo chocolate CAKE! Running to the kitchen right now to make this!!!

  8. Paleo dishes that look this good are a must make! I love that you make it in the microwave! I am excited to try this out!

  9. Congrats on 1 year Laura!! I cannot believe you’ve only been blogging for 12 months— your stuff is so incredible! And this brownie. Oh my goodness I need this immediately!

  10. Yum! This looks like quite the bittersweet treat! And chocolate chips within and on top are a definite must!