25 tasty microwave mug recipes you can make in less than a minute

Lazy and just want a quick, fuss-free meal that isn’t instant noodles? Trust us, we’ve all been there.

Instead of dooming yourself to yet another meal of MSG-laden (but oh-so-tasty!) noodles, how about trying out some microwave recipes?

What are microwave recipes?

So what are microwave recipes? They typically only require a minute of cooking in a microwave, and all in a mug. So what you’re left with, after just a minute is a steaming cup of goodness, and not much washing up to do – just your plain ol’ mug, and whatever crockery you chose to eat with.

Undecided on what to have? Here are 25 recipes of microwave meals in a mug that will make you look forward to meal-times more.

Savoury microwave mug meals

1. Pizza in a Mug

Let’s be honest – this wasn’t what you were expecting at all, in a simple do-it-in-one-minute sort of recipe. But yes, you can!

Sure, pizzas are unhealthy as heck (and probably don’t fare that much better than instant noodles!), but who doesn’t like indulging in the cheesy, tomato-ey goodness that is pizza? Enough said.

Ingredients you’ll need

• 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/16 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon marinara sauce
• 1 generous tablespoon shredded mozzarella cheese
• 5 mini pepperoni
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil or oregano will work)

Try your hand at this – read more here.

2. Mac & Cheese in a Mug

Yes, we know that there’s the usual Kraft Mac & Cheese to count on, on a lazy, rainy day just waiting for you at your nearest supermarket, but if you can easily make it at home within five minutes – tops – then why not just stay at home?

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1/3 cup small macaroni elbow noodles (uncooked)
• A scant 1/2 cup water
• A scant 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup pre-packaged finely shredded cheese (we like a cheddar/jack blend)

Try your hand at this – read more here.

3. Thai Green Curry in a Mug

Forget having to scuffle in the throngs of people at a Thai restaurant, sweating it out in the sweltering Singapore heat when you can simply get your green curry fix right at home in your PJs!

The best part? You could literally just lump all the ingredients in your favourite mug, send it off to the microwave to do its thang, and voila – your steam mug of Thai Green Curry.

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1/2 cup (4floz/120ml) coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon green curry paste
• 3 tablespoons frozen carrots and peas (or whatever frozen veggies you like)
• 1 handful vermicelli rice noodles
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Cilantro for garnish (optional)
• Sliced red chili for garnish (optional)

Try your hand at this – read more here.

4. Scrambled Eggs in a Mug

A classic egg dish that almost everyone knows how to cook – regardless of whether you consider yourself a good or bad cook – forget even using the frying pan, simply chuck it in the microwave to get yourself a steaming mug of delish scrambled eggs.

Ingredients you’ll need

• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons shredded cheese
• Salt, pepper, and any other herbs you choose to use

Try your hand at this – read more here.

5. Shakshuka in a Mug

A traditional Mediterranean dish perhaps not so commonly known or seen in Singapore, it is a flavourful egg dish typically eaten for breakfast that is seasoned with cumin, garlic, and herbs in a tomato sauce, which are ingredients that should be familiar to the rest of us, even if you haven’t heard of Shakshuka before!

Ingredients you’ll need

• ½ cup (4floz/120ml) tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dry oregano
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 egg

Try your hand at this – read more here.

6. Quiche in a Mug

Taking only around 3 minutes to prep and make, you don’t need to go to a café to pay for an overpriced quiche when you can do it yourself, at a much more discounted rate.

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1 thick slice white bread, torn into bite-size pieces
• 1 slice honey-roasted ham, torn into bite-size pieces
• 4 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 25 green pepper, deseeded and diced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 10 gcheddar, grated

Try your hand at this – read more here.

7. Spinach Ricotta Lasagne

Fresh veggies, cheese, pasta, instantaneous, and with all the nutrients that instant noodles lack, what more could you ask for in a mug meal?

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1/2 fresh lasagna sheet
• 2 1/2 cups (75g) baby spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/4 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 3 large basil leaves, finely chopped (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 6 tablespoons pasta sauce or tomato sauce
• 1/3 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella

Try your hand at this – read more here.

8. Spicy Curry Pumpkin Chowder

Not just a regular ol’ canned soup you’d find on the shelves in supermarkets on a particularly desperate, hungry day, but actual legit soup. Curry, but still a warm, spicy, piping hot mug of soup – and all in less than five minutes.

Ingredients you’ll need

• 3 tablespoons diced potatoes (they should be around 1/4-inch cubes)
• 3 tablespoons chopped kale
• 2 baby carrots, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons corn
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup (60g) pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie puree)
• 1/3 cup (80ml) unsweetened soy milk
• 2 teaspoons to 1 TBS maple syrup (depending on your taste)
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, add more if necessary
• 1/8 teaspoon granulated garlic
• Pinch of cayenne powder
• Cashew cream for topping (optional)
• Chopped chives for topping (optional)

Try your hand at this – read more here.

9. Mugrito (Mug-Burrito)

Mugrito, the portmanteau of ‘mug’ and ‘burrito’ coined affectionately by the author of this recipe herself, the Mugrito is what it is – a burrito in a mug. Just the perfect thing for breakfast in the morning, with minimal effort, too!

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1 large 9 inch tortilla (flour or whole wheat)
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons beans (pinto/black beans)
• 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese , grated
• 2 tablespoons scallions , chopped
• Salt and pepper
• Garnish
• Salsa
• Sour cream

Try your hand at this – read more here.

10. Fried Rice in a Mug

Because who knew you could even make fried rice in a mug, amirite?

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1 cup cooked jasmine rice
• 2 tablespoons frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons chopped red pepper
• 1/2 stalk of green onion, sliced
• small pinch of mung bean sprouts
• small pinch of shredded purple cabbage
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder

Try your hand at it – read more here.

11. Egg McMuffin in a Mug

McDonald’s got nothin’ on this, man. Create your own Egg McMuffin with your own hands. (And the handy use of the microwave, too, of course!)

Ingredients you’ll need

• 5 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda*
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or melted butter
• 2 tablespoons egg
• 1 tablespoon grated cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon scallions, chopped
• 1 small egg

Try your hand at it – read more here.

12. Ramen in a Mug

Well, it may not have spent 9 hours simmering in the pot, to become the milky, smooth broth that Singaporeans know and love of Japanese ramen, nor is it your regular instant noodles, but what it is, is noodles, in a warm broth of tasty soup, ready in approximately a minute or so.

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1 cup Chicken stock (or veg stock)
• A few strands of Ramen Noodles (¼ portion)
• 2 tablespoons frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 teaspoons amino acids (or soy sauce)
• 1/2 teaspoon chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon green onions , sliced

Try your hand at it – read more here.

Desserts microwaved in a mug

13. Sticky Date Pudding in a Mug

Sweet, decadent, fudgy, and oh-too-tasty, make a little treat for yourself that you can easily concoct in less than 5 minutes.

While – yes, this recipe requires you to take the mug out of the microwave – twice, one for the pudding and the other for the caramel sauce, trust us, they journey’ll be worth it all in the end and you’ll be thanking yourself for going the extra miniscule mile.

Ingredients you’ll need

Sticky Date Pudding

• 10 dates, chopped
• 2 tablespoons boiling water
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons self-raising flour
• 1 egg yolk

Caramel sauce

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tsp butter
• 1 tsp milk

Try your hand at this – read more here.

14. Berry Cobbler Mug Cake

Fruity, decadent and most importantly – yummy – get this done in no time; binge on your favourite series on Netflix while munching on this indulgent dessert!

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 4 teaspoons granulated white sugar, divided
• 2 tablespoons self-rising flour
• 1 tablespoon sprite or 7-up
• 2 tablespoons quick oats
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, sliced into two thin squares

Try your hand at this – read more here.

15. Jelly Donut in a Mug

Craving for doughnuts but lazy to head out the door? This is it. And the best part? You have the power of adjusting the sugar level to your preference.

Talk about the perfect afternoon tea snack!

Ingredients you’ll need

• 2 tablespoons (1oz/30g) Butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon Strawberry jam
• Cinnamon sugar to garnish

Try your hand at this – read more here.

16. Chocolate Pudding in a Mug

Chocolate pudding in less than five minutes? Skip the diet, and make this, pronto.

Ingredients you’ll need

• 3 tablespoons (1½ oz/45g) bittersweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (cornflour)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cups (4oz/115g) full fat Milk

Try your hand at it – read more here.

17. Ginger Bread Cake

It may not be Christmas yet, but you could put this recipe in your to-do list to awe your guests when Christmas does arrive!

Plus, you don’t even need to prep that much, but you could always pretend you did, just saying.

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1/4 cup flour all purpose, whole wheat, whole wheat pastry or spelt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 3 tablespoon Almond Breeze Almondmilk Cashewmilk Blend + 1 tablespoon more as needed
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar coconut sugar or 1/2 tablespoon Splenda brown sugar blend work great
• 1/4 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• Dash of ginger

Try your hand at it – read more here.

18. Blueberry Cheesecake (Vegan and Gluten-free!)

“And let them eat cake,” Marie Antoinette said, once upon a time in history, but we really think she meant cheesecake, to be specific. Because how could anyone in their right mind resist cheesecake?

And for the vegans shaking your head at your screens at the moment – this is vegan, so literally no excuses now!

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or sub vegetable oil)
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk (or any other plant-based milk)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup to taste (or sub any other sweetener)
• 4 tablespoons plain flour (or sub rice flour if gluten-free or your favourite gluten-free flour blend)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
• 8 fresh blueberries

Try your hand at it – read more here.

19. Chocolate Expresso Mug Lava Cake

 

There is literally nothing more decadent in the world than a gooey cup of super unhealthy, chocolatey, moist, fudgey lava cake, with a tinge of expresso to really kick it all off.

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon of espresso or double-strength coffee
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
• Sprinkle of powdered sugar (optional)

Try your hand at it – read more here.

20. Red Velvet Mug Cake

Super trendy and a classic amongst hipsters, get your hands on your own red velvet mini-mug cake in no time.

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon liquid red food colouring
• 3 tablespoons buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup self-rising flour
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cider, white, white wine, or rice vinegar

Try your hand at it – read more here.

21. Apple Pie in a Mug

An American classic and family favourite, this is what you want to tuck into all the time – whether you’re down and gloomy, looking for a picker-upper, or if you’re happy as can be.

Ingredients you’ll need

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup milk room temperature
• 4 tablespoons butter melted & cooled
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup apple pie filling

Try your hand at it – read more here.

22. Churro in a Mug

Because why go out to have churro – get the mess all over yourself in public, when you can do it all at home in a cute lil’ cup (without the mess or public embarrassment?)

Ingredients you’ll need

• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/16 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon flavourless oil (vegetable, canola, sunflower)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon roughly chopped chocolate

Try your hand at it – read more here.

23. Cookies and Cream Mug Cake

Psst, this is a calling to all the Oreo lovers out there, because how could you resist something so perfect-sounding?

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons whole milk
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 Oreo cookies

Try your hand at it – read more here.

24. Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug

Okay, if you weren’t convinced by the Oreo cake in a mug, you have to be convinced by this. Come on, who can say no to fluffy, chocolate chip cookies in a mug, made in easily a minute or less?

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon (pinch) salt
• 1 egg yolk
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1-2 tablespoons chocolate chips

Try your hand at this – read more here.

25. The Ultimate Gooey Caramel Brownie Mug Cake Sundae

Well, there is a reason why we left it last because would you just look at how majestic and delightfully sinful it looks?

This is the thing you treat yourself to after a particularly nasty breakup, or hey, when you conveniently forget about your diet, am I right or am I right?

Ingredients you’ll need

Cake Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips (half bittersweet and half semisweet)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 square of your favourite dark chocolate bar

Topping Ingredients

• 3 Werther’s Original® Baking Caramels
• 2 teaspoons milk
• Melted chocolate chips
• Vanilla bean ice cream or gelato
• Crushed toasted nuts
• Crushed cookie
• Whipped cream

Try your hand at this – read more here.