This keto brownie in a mug is gooey and decadent, and serves just one person. It’s the perfect single-serve dessert when you need chocolatey goodness but you don’t want the leftovers.
Add a scoop of keto ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.
Don’t say I never do anything nice for you. Because not only do I give you the recipe for this delicious keto mug brownie, but I also provide you with three different ways to bake it!
I show you how to bake this same recipe in an oven, in an air fryer, and in a microwave. So no matter what equipment you’ve got on hand, you can enjoy a delicious keto dessert.
How’s that for a full service keto food blog?
Single Serve Keto Brownie
Usually when I make keto brownies, it’s the “whole pan to feed a crowd” type of recipe. My family can put a pretty good dent in a pan of brownies before you can bat an eye.
But sometimes I need a treat that is just mine, and mine alone.
I developed this keto mug brownie almost 6 years ago now, but I decided it needed an update. My goal was to reduce the carbs but make it just as gooey and rich as it always was.
I also experimented with the cooking method, to see if I could get the same results in an air fryer and a microwave.
And it worked perfectly every way I tried it. Now we all have more options and you can’t beat that!
Ingredients
This keto brownie takes basic low carb ingredients that you can find in almost any grocery store. You will need:
- Butter
- Keto sweetener: I recommend using a powdered sweetener like Swerve Confectioners so it blends in better.
- Egg: You just need two teaspoons and carton eggs or egg whites work well.
- Vanilla extract
- Almond flour: Use finely ground, blanched almond flour for best results.
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Water or cold coffee
- Chopped nuts or sugar-free chocolate chips (optional)
How to make keto brownie in a mug
This recipe is ridiculously easy to make, and you have three different ways to bake it. Here are my best tips for getting it right:
The brownie batter
- Melt the butter: Use a microwave safe bowl and cook on high until just melted but not too hot.
- Whisk in the sweetener: I recommend a powdered sweetener so that it dissolves well.
- Add the egg and vanilla: You need such a small amount of egg but it’s important to measure it out carefully. You can whisk a whole egg, or use eggs from a carton.
- Stir in the dry ingredients: Make sure everything is well combined and break up any clumps in the almond flour and cocoa powder.
- Add a little liquid: At this point, the batter will be quite thick. Add 1 tablespoon of water or cold coffee to thin it out.
- Sprinkle with some toppings: I really like some finely chopped pecans, for crunch. But a few keto-friendly chocolate chips work too.
Oven method
You can use a regular oven or a smaller countertop oven. Bake it at 325ºF for 10 to 15 minutes – the less you bake it, the more gooey it will be.
Air fryer method
This may be my favorite method, as I think it produced the best results. It was like a cross between a brownie and a chocolate lava cake!
Bake it at 325ºF for 7 to 9 minutes. Again, the less you bake it, the gooier it will be.
Microwave method
In a hurry to enjoy this keto mug brownie? You can cook it in less than 1 minute in your microwave! It does end up a little more spongy, as microwave cakes usually do. But it’s still delicious.
I found that starting and stopping the microwave in 15 second increments helped keep the brownie from spilling over the ramekin. Check on it frequently so you know when it’s the right consistency for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coconut flour won’t work in this recipe but you can use sunflower seed flour. It is a 1:1 replacement with almond flour.
Absolutely! Use coconut oil or another dairy-free alternative to butter. If it’s a liquid oil like avocado, there is no need to melt it first.
Yes but do keep in mind that sweeteners such as allulose can affect the consistency. I find that baked goods end up more puffy and cake-like when I use allulose as the main sweetener.
Absolutely! Just double or triple the recipe and divide the batter among more ramekins. Cook as desired.
Keto Mug Brownie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 1/4 tbsp (1.5 tbsp) powdered Swerve Sweetener
- 2 tsp whisked egg, (can use carton eggs or egg whites)
- 1/8 tsp (0.13 tsp) vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp almond flour
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/8 tsp (0.13 tsp) baking powder
- 1 tbsp water or cold coffee
- 2 tsp (1 tsp) chopped pecans, (optional)
Instructions
- In a small microwave safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Stir in the powdered sweetener until well combined, then stir in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Add the almond flour, cocoa powder and baking powder, then add water and stir until the mixture is smooth.
- Transfer the batter to a small (4-ounce) ramekin and sprinkle with chopped nuts, if desired.
To bake in the oven (or toaster oven)
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF and bake the brownie 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how gooey you want it to be.
To bake in an air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 325ºF and bake the brownie 7 to 9 minutes, depending on how gooey you want it to be.
To bake in a microwave
- Microwave on high in 15 to 30 second increments, stopping the microwave in between so that it doesn't spill over. A total of 45 to 60 seconds should be enough.
Video
Nutrition
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This is my new favourite treat! I have trouble not eating too many sweets if I make a whole batch, but this single serving brownie is fantastic (I make it with chopped peanuts) and only uses a bowl, measuring spoons and a ramekin. So easy, so tasty!
Thank you for this and for providing the answer to my question ahead of time. I want to double it, so my husband and I can both enjoy a dessert. You are the best!
Enjoy!
Is there something I can substitute for the egg whites? My son in law us allergic.
I haven’t tried this with egg replacers, I think you will need to let us know how it turns out.
I just made this mug cake. I mixed the wet ingredients and scrambled an egg for this recipe (separately) in two identical bowls. When it came time to add the dry ingredients I accidentally added it to my egg mixture only and cooked it in the microwave. It was terrible. When I went to clean up and throw the cake in the trash I realized my mistake. I made another cake using the proper wet mixture and it was awesome! I was thinking the whole time I was tasting my terrible first attempt that there was no way Carolyn could have posted a recipe like this on her site and I was right. User error! Thank you Carolyn for all of your wonderful keto recipes. It has made life with diabetes so much more enjoyable. All of your recipes are wonderful and this is no exception! Thank you!!! 🙂
Oh no! Sorry the first one didn’t work out. I can see that would be such a disappointment but glad you figured it out!
Do you think this would work well in a Dash mini Bundt cake maker?
No idea, I don’t own such a thing! 🙂
This was delicious. I microwaved it, but I have an Instant Pot and the Air Fryer Lid. Would you cook it on the “Air Fry” setting or the “Bake” setting, or does it make a difference?
Air fry setting. I haven’t ever tried the bake setting as yet…
Just made this Carolyn. It’s another winner!!! Super tasty. I poured a little HVC in my cup when it was finished cooking!
So glad you enjoyed it1
This was so good! Thank you !
Does the baking dish need to be placed in another pan in the oven or can it go directly into the oven?
As long as it’s oven safe, it goes right in. But if you are afraid it will tip over on the racks, feel free to place it on a cookie sheet.
This was wonderful!!!! I use Optavia Keto furlongs for my diet, and your brownie was muuuuccchbetter for the same nutrients. I just love your recipes!
Are these powdered egg whites or just the natural liquid? Does a whole egg work instead?
Liquid egg white from the carton. Whole eggs will be fine but you MUST whisk them and measure it out to match my measurement.
This was delicious and a perfectly portioned treat for me! Followed the ingredients exactly and mixed in a 5″x 5″ Pyrex dish. I cooked in the microwave for 60 seconds and it turned out great! It was a little thin in that size of dish so I will try a smaller ramekin next time. I really appreciate that you include the nutrition info on your recipes. Your website is my go-to place for trustworthy Keto recipes. Thank you for all the effort you put in here!
So good and easy to make!
Tried this tonight and it far exceeded my expectations! I’ve tried microwave mug cakes etc in the past however always found they came out rubbery – this one is amazing oven baked and topped with cream. 10/10
Thanks, Janine!
My dear Carolyn, I always have a small amount of carton Eggwhites left over from making your Multipurpose Bread and you have just provided the perfect yummy recipe to help me finish them up. Yay.
Glad to hear it.
Can i use a blend of stevia and erythritol?
For this recipe, it should be fine.
Yum!
The ideal snack!
Absolutely perfect! Not to just not make them every single day!
These are the perfect treat for the weekend!