Air Fryer Mug Cake
An air fryer mug cake is a small chocolate sponge for one, mixed and baked in a single mug. There is nothing to wash up apart from a fork and a spoon. It cooks at 170°C for 12 minutes and is ready in about 20 minutes in total, including preheating. The result is soft and warm, closer to a baked pudding than a microwave sponge.
- Total
- 22 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Serves
- 1
- Per serving
- 485kcal
Common mistakes with air fryer mug cake
Most mug cakes go wrong in two ways: too much batter or too long in the heat. Keep the batter to two-thirds of the mug so it has room to rise, and start testing at 10 minutes. The moist crumbs on the skewer are right. Adjust the timing to your own machine, as basket-style models run hotter than drawer ones.
Air fryer mug cake: the method
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat and grease Heat the air fryer to 170°C for . Brush the inside of the mug with a little oil.
- Mix the dry ingredients Put the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder and salt into the mug and stir with a fork, pressing out any lumps of cocoa.
- Add the wet ingredients Pour in the milk and oil and stir until the batter is smooth, scraping the bottom of the mug so there is no dry flour left. Scatter the chocolate chips on top. The mug should be no more than two-thirds full.
- Cook Place the mug in the basket and cook at 170°C for . Test with a skewer: it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. Cook for more if needed.
- Rest and serve Lift out the mug with oven gloves, as it will be very hot. Leave it for , then eat from the mug with a spoon, topped with ice cream or cream if you like.
Serving and variations
Eat the cake straight from the mug while it is warm, with a scoop of ice cream or a splash of cream. For a larger chocolate bake to share, try classic chocolate cake. If you like a gooey centre, the air fryer chocolate lava cake is a good next step. Try swapping the chocolate chips for chopped nuts or a teaspoon of peanut butter.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Mug Cake
- The cake is dry and crumbly.
- It has cooked too long. Air fryers vary, so check at 10 minutes. A few moist crumbs on the skewer is right, as the cake carries on cooking in the hot mug.
- The middle is raw.
- The mug is too deep or too full. Use a wide mug, fill it only two-thirds, and give it another 1–2 minutes at 170°C.
- The top has burnt or the mug cracked.
- Check that the mug is ovenproof, and do not move a hot mug on to a cold or wet surface. Put a small piece of foil loosely over the top if your air fryer browns the cake too fast.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Mug Cake
How long does a mug cake take in an air fryer?
About 12 minutes at 170°C, plus 3 minutes to preheat. A skewer in the middle should come out with a few moist crumbs.
Which mug can you use?
Use a plain ceramic or stoneware mug marked ovenproof, with no metal trim or decoration. Glass mugs can crack, so avoid them unless they are rated for the oven.
Can you make it without milk?
Yes. Use the same amount of oat or almond milk. Check the chocolate chips as well, because many contain milk.
Can you double the recipe?
Make two separate mugs rather than one large one. Both fit in most air fryer baskets, and the cooking time stays the same.
How did you like the recipe?
4.7 / 5 · 33 ratings
