Low Calorie High Protein Chocolate Mug Cake

This Low Calorie High Protein Chocolate Mug Cake is low calorie and high protein. And best of all, it takes just 2 minutes to make.

You can cook this protein mug cake recipe in a coffee mug, or a ramekin, and use any protein powder you prefer. Plus, I’ve supplied you with a protein powder guide below!

Air just 204 calories for a BIG portion, this high protein mug cake recipe will curb your cravings without ruining your diet.

Try this microwavable protein cake in a mug tonight, you only need a handful of ingredients.

This Chocolate Protein Mug Cake is low calorie and high protein. And best of all, it takes just 2 minutes to make.

Why You’ll Love this Low Calorie Protein Mug Cake:

• Quick Treat – I bet you’ve never been able to bake a cake in 2 minutes… until now (sort-of). These protein mug cakes take just 2 minutes to “bake”.
• High Protein – with 8.8g of protein this is far better for you than tradition cake, and traditional mug cakes for that matter! Boost the protein more with added nuts, and nut butters (see the toppings guide below!)
• All Natural – this healthy treat is 100% all natural, so you can feel good about making it for everyone in your family (including yourself!)
• Toppings Guide – I added a toppings guide for these healthy mug cakes, so you can “jazz-up” your treat anyway you like it!

Low Calorie High Protein Chocolate Mug Cake

Ingredients in Low Calorie Mug Cake

I used an all-natural zero calorie sweetener to make these protein powder mug cake recipes low calorie. But you can use any sugar you like in its place. Traditional sugar, coconut sugar, even honey, agave and maple syrup will work in this recipe.

And I used a plant based protein powder to make this easy protein mug cake recipe. However, you can use your favorite chocolate protein powder. You may need to add more liquid, and wI have addressed how to do that in the next sections.

Shopping List for Protein Powder Cake in a Mug:

• Oat Flour – the perfect balanced flour for this microwave dessert. Be sure to get gluten-free oat flour for gluten-free desserts.
• Chocolate Protein Powder – as I noted above, I used a plant based chocolate protein powder to make this sweet treat. You can use whey instead but you may need to add more liquid. I’ll cover that in the next sections.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – add depth and all the chocolatey goodness you need in a chocolate mug cake with good quality cocoa powder.
• Zero Calorie All-Natural Brown Sugar – you can really use any sweetener you like (pure cane sugar, coconut sugar, maple, agave, honey) but I love this zero calorie all-natural brown sugar (see recipe card below!). It adds sweetness without any calories or sugar (and it’s made from real sugar cane!)
• Baking Powder – to make these mug cakes rise, you need baking powder. It’s different from baking soda, so read the labels to be sure you get the perfect microwave cake.
• Salt – to balance the sweetness, we need just a little salt. Though you could skip it for health reasons.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk – you can use your favorite milk. I like almond milk because it’s low calories, vegan, and naturally boosts metabolism.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – for that melted chocolate kick, we need some chocolate chips. Dark chocolate or semi-sweet are perfect. You can also swap them out for milk chocolate, white chocolate or even chocolate chunks. Be sure to get vegan chocolate chips for a vegan dessert.

Low Calorie Mug Cake Toppings Guide:

• Chocolate Chips – I like to hold some chocolate chips back to add to the top, white chocolate chips (and even caramel chips) are also great options.
• Course Salt – Salted chocolate treats have becomes all the rage, the salty and sweet combination is so decadent. Try adding a pinch (1/8 teaspoon) of course salt to the top after “baking” your mug cakes.
• Low Calorie Chocolate Frosting – my low calorie chocolate frosting is divine, and goes great on this low calorie dessert. It’s just 20 calories for a tablespoon, the perfect amount of these microwave cakes.
• Low Calorie Cream Cheese Frosting – if you prefer a cream cheese frosting, my low calorie cream cheese frosting is just 12.5 calories per tablespoon!
• Peanut Butter – add some extra protein (and flavor) and add some peanut butter to the top of your mug cakes. Smooth or creamy, before “baking” or after “baking” it’s an amazing topping!
• Flaked Coconut – unsweetened flaked coconut adds a tropical note to these yummy treats. Add after cooking to avoid burning the coconut.
• Chopped Nuts – just like the peanut butter, nuts add a boost of protein and can be added before or after “baking” these high protein treats.

How to Make a Low Calorie Protein Mug Cake

I chose my favorite protein powder to use when testing this recipe, but some protein powders are thicker than others. And with that said, you may need to slightly modify your chocolate protein cakes recipe.

If you choose a different protein powder you may need to add in more liquid. Just add in 1/2 tablespoon extra almond milk at a time until you get a thick batter like consistency. 

How to Make Low Calorie Protein Mug Cakes:

1. In a mug or a ramekin, mix together the flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. Stir in the almond milk, then fold in 1/2 tablespoon the chocolate chips.
3. Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon chocolate chips to the top.
4. Microwave 60-80 seconds or until mug cake expands to the top of the mud/ramekin. Watch closely as all microwaves are different.
5. Serve hot.

Low Calorie High Protein Chocolate Mug Cake Recipe

I was able to shed 100 calories from the other recipes you’ll find on the internet, all thanks to our favorite zero calorie all-natural brown sugar (see recipe card). Of course you can use real sugar. Or honey, agave, or maple syrup in their place (add liquid sweeteners to the almond milk and mix first to evenly distribute).

Don’t forget the toppings! If you skipped ahead to the recipe card, scroll back up for the toppings guide. There’s even a low calorie frosting in there!

If you love this recipe, you should check out my Low Calorie Brownie Recipe! Here are some more recipes I think you’ll love.

Nutrition and Calories in Low Calorie Mug Cakes

The nutrition and calories in mug cakes below are based off 1 serving (the full recipe above- it’s 1 serving) about 1 cup of protein mug cakes.

Important Note: As a reminder, at Lose Weight By Eating it is my goal to make you healthier, all-natural versions of your favorite recipes… not all will be “diet worthy” depending on the diet you are on. But they will be healthier versions to help curb your cravings.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Weight Loss Recipes:

Lose Weight By Eating Cookbooks

Share this Low Calorie Healthy Recipe:

Article History:

• Originally written and published October 6, 2022 by Audrey Johns
• Updated on June 12, 2023 by Audrey Johns
• Updated on September 27, 2023 by Audrey Johns