Instant Pot Eggless Mug cake or open pot Mug cake are easy and quick single-serving mug cakes that can be made without an oven or microwave.
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These Instant Pot Eggless Mug cakes are perfect when your kids need some treats or when you have a sudden guest at your home. They are also good for parties where you can make individual portions and are free from the fuss to cut and serve.
Flavours of Eggless Mug Cake
Another good thing about these mug cake is that they can be customized to individual needs. I can make different types. You can have one chocolate, another strawberry, another banana, apple etc. How? read on below.
One bowl or one Mug Cake/Cake without Stand Mixer or Hand Blender
These mug cakes do not need any fancy ingredients like a stand mixer or a hand blender. They are just mixed in a bowl or mug and you are done.
I have made this in ramekin moulds as opposed to coffee or tea mugs as I wanted to keep the portion size small. But you can definitely make it in coffee mugs. Just make sure the mugs which you use are heat resistant that are able to handle the heat or are microwave-safe or can be used for baking in the oven. I am telling the microwave and oven here just as a guideline.
Cakes without Oven
Many still do not have ovens or at times baking a whole big cake is time-consuming. Another thing is that like me, many do not prefer cooking in the microwave and hence I came up with this idea to cook it in an instant pot or an open pot.
I started my cake making in a pressure cooker only. Did you check these easy Eggless Chocolate Cooker Cake (without Cocoa powder) and these Eggless Lemon Drizzle Cake which are made in a pressure cooker. They are also done over an induction stove top so if you are looking for the settings of an Induction stove top, do check the above recipes.
The above cakes are made in a pressure cooker where we try to mimic the oven in a pressure cooker. The cake is baked slowly.
I wanted to make a cake where we pressure cook with the help of water. So I came up with this method of Instant pot or open pot.
Why open pot?
Because many are still scared to cook the cake in a pressure cooker. Generally when baking in a pressure cooker we are not adding water and the whistle has to be removed. The base in a pressure cooker cake is generally salt or nothing at all. So one is a bit scared to bake in a pressure cooker. Hence I choose to make this cake in an open pot.
Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
Instant pot because it is one of the latest new gadgets replacing the stove top pressure cooker. That said you can definitely make this in a stove top pressure cooker too. Add water and pressure cook it to 2-3 whistles.
I decided to make these mug cakes for our current Warm Desserts theme for Shhhhh Cooking Secretly Challenge. These mug cakes are really enjoyed warm and when Rafeeda asked us to make any warm dessert, I thought this is perfect. This also matched perfectly with the secret ingredients Chia seeds and oats which my partner Poonam gave me for the current theme.
Before I hop on the recipe process of Eggless Mug Cakes, I would like you to check Poonam’s Instant Suji Jalebi which she made for the current theme with the secret ingredients lemon juice and semolina.
Also, Rafeeda has a nice collection of dessert recipes. I would love to try her, Fudgy Brownie Pie recipe. So delicious and the good thing is it is baked in a cast-iron pan.
So what are Ingredients used in today’s Instant Pot Eggless Mug cake
This Mug cakes uses all healthy ingredients and are made using pantry staple generally available in each household.
Dry ingredients
I have used Whole wheat flour and Oats as the base for this cake. If you do not like oats you can replace it with whole wheat flour completely. One can use all-purpose /plain flour or maida.
Cocoa powder is added for a chocolate flavour. Baking powder is used as a leavening agent and sugar to increase a tad bit of sweetness.
I have also added a few Almond Flakes for crunch. I added it in the last minute and hence not in the pic. It is completely optional and one can skip it to make it nut-free.
Wet Ingredients
I have used Banana, Milk, Oil and Chia Gel as the wet ingredients here.
Banana is used as a natural sweetener and also for taste and nutritious. If one does not like bananas replace it with ¼ cup of sugar and ⅛ cup of more milk.
Next for my vegan friends and to up the nutrient content, I have used chia gel as an egg replacement here. One can use flax gel too or if you are not vegan and eat eggs can add an egg too.
Can these Mug Cakes be Gluten-Free?
You can replace the Whole Wheat flour here with gluten-free flour. Buckwheat flour or Ragi Flour would be a good substitute. I was actually going to make it completely gluten-free but skipped it.
If you are looking for Gluten Free recipes, try these, Eggless, Butterless Chocolate Ragi Brownie.
Can these Mug Cakes be Vegan?
I have used normal cow milk. One can replace it with soy or almond milk.
Variations
- Cocoa powder is added as I wanted to make the chocolate flavor, but you can completely skip it if you do not want to make it chocolate flavor. Just replace it with equal quantities of dry flour.
- Instead of chocolate, one can add berries, lemon zest, apple etc to come up with different flavors. One can even customize individual cups as per liking.
- Hopefully, in a few days, I will add the variations with pics to this recipe when we get fresh seasonal berry produce.
- Instead of chia gel, one can use flax egg or 1 medium size egg.
Serving Suggestions
Though they are good as is, you can always serve them with some hot chocolate sauce, or with some fresh cream or fruits on the side.
Can this be stored?
Yes, they can be. I had some extra, and I kept it covered in the fridge. They will be good for 4-5 days in the fridge.
Can we use a microwave?
Yes this can be made in the microwave too. Depending on the size of cup and your microwave settings you can cook it for 1-2 mins or in intervals of 15-30 seconds after the first 1 min.
Can I bake in Oven?
Yes, definitely you can. Bake it for 15-20 mins at 180 deg C in a preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Few pointers while cooking
In Instant pot
- The mug used should be heat resistant. As mentioned above try to use microwave-safe or oven-safe mug.
- Pressure cook it in sealing mode.
- Let the pressure release for 5 mins naturally.
- After the pin has dropped, release the pressure manually.
In Open pot method
- The mug used should be heat resistant. As mentioned above try to use microwave-safe or oven-safe mug.
- The water should not be too much or too less.
- There should be enough water to cook in the pot.
- If required you can keep some boiled water handy. If the water reduces a lot you can add water in the base.
In Pressure Cooker method
- The mug used should be heat resistant. As mentioned above try to use microwave-safe or oven-safe mug.
- By adding water and a trivet at the bottom, and following the same process as followed for Instant pot to keep the mugs.
- Pressure cook the cakes for 2-3 whistles at the max.
- Some pressure cookers take a bit more. i.e. 2-3 whistles are not enough. In that case, you can add an extra whistle. But you would need to test this out with your pressure cooker.
So here goes an easy recipe of Instant Pot Eggless Mug Cake that can be done in Instant Pot or your stove top Pressure cook or in an Open Pot
Instant Pot Eggless Mug Cake | (Open Pot | Pressure Cooker Mug Cake)
Ingredients
- ½ Cup – 50 grams Porridge/Rolled Oats
- ½ Cup – 80 grams Whole Wheat Flour (All purpose/Plain Flour or Maida can be used)
- 2 Tablespoon – 20 grams cocoa powder (Optional, Read above for Variations)
- 1 medium-size – 100 grams Ripe Mashed Banana (Optional, Read above for Variations)
- 2 tablespoon -28 grams Demerara / Brown Sugar (One can use granulated white sugar too)
- ½ – 60 ml Cup milk (Vegans can use almond or soy milk)
- 1 tablespoon Chia seeds (1 medium size Egg can be used instead of chia seeds and lukewarm water)
- 3 tablespoon lukewarm water
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ¼ Cup – 30 ml – Oil (Any vegetable oil is okay)
- 1 tablespoon of Almond Flakes (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon oil for greasing
- Water for boiling
Instructions
- Grease the Ramekin moulds/mugs with oil.
- If using an open pot or pressure cooker, add enough water and keep it for boiling.
- In a small bowl add chia seeds and lukewarm water.
- Mix it and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- In the meantime, in a large bowl sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder.
- Add in the oats and sugar and mix everything.
- If adding Almonds, add it now to the mix.
- Once the chia seeds are swelled up and they form a gel-like structure continue with the next step.
- In the same bowl add the mashed bananas, oil, milk, chia seeds mix and milk.
- Form a lump free batter
- Fill in the ramekin moulds/mugs to 3/4
- If you are making different variety of mug cakes, fill the moulds/mugs only half with the batter.
- Now top it with your toppings and mix.
- Cover the moulds/mugs lightly with an aluminium foil. Press it down on the edges. Be sure that the foil should not touch the water. Covering helps the water not get inside the cakes.
Instant Pot Method
- In the inner vessel of the instant pot add 2 cups of water.
- Put the trivet inside.
- Gently keep the ramekin moulds/mugs.
- Close the lid and put the Instant pot on sealing mode.
- Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.
- After 8 minutes, let the pressure drop naturally for 5 minutes
- Once the pin has dropped, release the pressure by changing the vent to release mode.
- Open the instant pot lid and remove the aluminium foil.
- With the help of hand gloves, remove the ramekin moulds/mugs.
- Let it cool for 2-3 minutes or as required.
Open Pot Method
- Before starting mixing the ingredients, add enough water in a wide pot with a trivet at the bottom.
- Keep it for boiling.
- Once the water has boiled and the moulds/mugs ready, insert gently into the open pot.
- The water should just touch the base of the moulds/mugs or else you might have some water going in.
- Close it with the lid or a plate.
- Let it cook for 20 minutes.
- It should be done in 20 minutes or to test, insert a toothpick and check if it comes out clean.
- With the help of hand gloves, remove the ramekin moulds.
- Let it cool for 2-3 minutes or as required.
Pressure Cooker Method
- In a pressure cooker add enough water with a trivet at the bottom.
- The water should just touch the base of the moulds/mugs or else you might have some water going in.
- Gently keep the ramekin moulds/mugs.
- Close the pressure cooker lid and cook it for max 2-3 whistles.
- Once done let the pressure settle for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, remove the pressure manually by lifting the whistle with the help of a long spoon or spatula. (Careful here, or else you might burn).
- Once all the pressure has released, open the lid.
- With the help of hand gloves, remove the ramekin moulds/mugs.
- Let it cool for 2-3 minutes or as required.
- Enjoy it warm.
Notes
- Standard US Size cups are used.
- At times it happens some flour absorbs more or less liquid. If you feel your batter is on the thicker side add a tablespoon of milk at a time to get a semi-thick dropping consistency batter.
- Some pressure cookers take a bit more. I.e. 2-3 whistles are not enough. In that case, you can add an extra whistle. But you would need to test this out with your pressure cooker.
- The above mixtures make 5 Ramekin size Mug cakes or will make 2 Mug Cakes (Normal Coffee size mug)
- Read above for Variations, Gluten-Free and Vegan options.
Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate the recipe. Share your pics and tag us.
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Swati
Sunday 28th of February 2021
Renu, I love all your bakes with nutritious and healthy ingredients which moms can make for there kids and give them without any guilt.. making in IP is a wonderful idea when one doesn't want to switch on the oven especially during hot summer months. perfect for anytime sweet little dessert craving.
Seema Sriram
Friday 26th of February 2021
Aww renu, You are making desserts simply had to resist,these amazing, easy to make creations. Love this recipe as I love steamed cakes.
NARMADHA
Friday 26th of February 2021
Eggless mug cake made so easy in the instant pot. Very quick and easy to make. Looks absolutely tempting and irresistible.
Sasmita Sahoo
Friday 26th of February 2021
ahaaaa !! The eggless mug cakes look absolutely tempting Renu here! Such a wonderful way to make them using any format like in instant Pot or in an open pot or even in a pressure cooker.
Anu Kollon
Monday 22nd of February 2021
These mug cakes look so delectable and healthy. I liked your method of pressure cooking in instant pot. Should try the next time I make a cake.