Pin It It was 2 AM on a Tuesday and I was starving but refused to wake up my roommates by clanging pans around. I mixed together some flour, sugar, and milk in a mug, crossed my fingers, and hit start on the microwave. Two minutes later I was sitting on the kitchen floor eating the most unexpectedly fluffy pancake I had ever made, wondering why I had been doing things the hard way for so long.
My sister called me once complaining she was too busy to make breakfast before her morning classes. I told her about mug pancakes and she thought I was lying until she tried it herself. Now she texts me photos of her breakfast experiments at least once a week.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour: The structure behind the fluffiness, though Ive made this with whole wheat in a pinch and it still works beautifully
- Baking powder: This tiny amount creates the rise that transforms a dense cake into something that actually tastes like a real pancake
- Granulated sugar: Just enough to make it feel like a treat without crossing into dessert territory
- Salt: A pinch wakes up all the other flavors and keeps it from tasting flat
- Milk: I prefer whole milk here for richness but any milk you have in the fridge will get the job done
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter adds that cozy breakfast flavor and helps create a tender crumb
- Vanilla extract: Makes it smell like you put in way more effort than you actually did
- Maple syrup: The classic finish that pulls everything together
- Fresh berries or chocolate chips: Optional but highly recommended for texture pockets
Instructions
- Prep your mug:
- Give the inside a quick swipe with butter so nothing sticks and you can actually eat the whole thing
- Whisk the dry ingredients:
- Flour, baking powder, sugar and salt go straight into the mug and get stirred until they look uniform
- Add the wet ingredients:
- Pour in the milk, melted butter and vanilla then mix just until combined, some lumps are fine
- Microwave:
- Hit it with high heat for 90 seconds and watch it rise like magic through the window
- Finish:
- Let it sit for a minute because this thing comes out molten hot, then top however you like
Pin It I made these for my dad when he was recovering from surgery and too tired to sit at the table for breakfast. He was skeptical about microwave pancakes until he took his first bite and asked if I could make another one immediately.
Mix In Ideas
The base recipe is fantastic on its own but I have found that a tablespoon of mix ins takes this from convenient breakfast to something that feels intentional. Chocolate chips are classic but frozen blueberries work surprisingly well since they thaw perfectly in the microwave. My personal favorite is a teaspoon of peanut butter swirled into the batter before cooking.
Making It Your Own
Once you have the basic timing down for your microwave, you can adjust the sweetness level. I have cut the sugar entirely when using sweet toppings and no one noticed the difference. You can also double the recipe in a wider bowl if you want a more substantial portion, though you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Serving Suggestions
The easiest way to elevate this is with toppings you already have in your kitchen. A pat of butter on top while it is hot makes it feel much more indulgent. I have also topped it with a spoonful of Greek yogurt and honey for a protein boost.
- Try dusting the top with cinnamon sugar before microwaving for a churro inspired version
- A scoop of peanut butter on top makes this feel much more filling
- Leftover mug pancakes can be reheated for 15 seconds if you somehow do not finish it in one sitting
Pin It Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that stick around because they actually work when you need them. This mug pancake has saved more lazy mornings and late night cravings than I can count.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of mug should I use?
Use a large microwave-safe mug with a capacity of at least 12 oz (350 ml) to prevent overflow during cooking.
- → Can I add toppings before cooking?
It's best to add mix-ins like chocolate chips or blueberries into the batter before microwaving, while toppings like syrup should be added after cooking.
- → How do I avoid overcooking the pancakes?
Microwave for about 90 seconds, checking at 70 seconds to prevent drying out; each microwave varies, so adjust accordingly.
- → Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, substitute plant-based milk and oil in place of butter to create a vegan-friendly version.
- → What is the texture like?
The pancakes turn out fluffy and moist, similar to traditional stovetop pancakes but in a fraction of the time.