Ready in just two minutes, this french toast in a mug is sweetened with ripe banana and easy to make vegan! It’s a quick weekday breakfast that you can prep ahead of time and microwave in the morning!

close up. french toast in grey speckled mug. dusted powdered sugar. drizzled maple syrup.

If you think french toast can only be done on a weekend with ample time, think again.

With this recipe, you don’t need to heat up a skillet, end up with hands covered in egg wash from achieving that perfect egg coating, or wait for that golden crust to form. You also don’t need to make an entire batch – you can easily make just one serving!

No dishes, no clean-up, prep you can do the night before, resulting in one perfect serving. Plus, it’s super easy to make vegan, if that’s your thing! 

As for how it tastes, think warm, banana-y, bready goodness. Of course, the microwave won’t be able to achieve the same skillet crisp, but the flavor cannot be beat.

And I’ll take not crispy for a two minute cook time and fewer dishes to clean on a weekday morning.

Packed with nutrients like fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and B vitamins, it’s filling, satisfying, and will make you believe that it’s the weekend, even if it’s just for a minute.

Ingredients You’ll Need

ingredients. on marble counter. labeled.

Notes on Ingredients

Butter: Used for greasing the mug before adding your ingredients. To make it vegan, use a vegan butter alternative, coconut oil, or nonstick cooking spray.

Banana: The riper, the better, especially if you’re looking for a sweeter breakfast.

Milk: I used unsweetened almond milk but you can use cow’s milk or any other non-dairy milk alternative!

Flaxseed: Binds everything together. If you’re not vegan, you can use one egg here instead. Chia seeds will also work similarly. 

Bread: Opt for 1 or more days old, or leave out a slice to stale overnight. If you don’t have stale bread, you can toast a slice for a few minutes, or if you want to spend a bit more time, toss it in the oven at 285 degrees F for 12-15 minutes. 

Equipment You’ll Need

Your favorite mug!

How to Make French Toast in a Mug

white mug with butter. bowl with wet ingredients. mug with pieces of bread. mug with french toast ingredients.

Step 1: Grease a microwave-safe mug using butter or a vegan alternative. 

Step 2: In a small bowl, add mashed banana, milk (or non-dairy milk), flaxseed (or egg), vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to combine. 

Step 3: Add bite-sized bread pieces to your mug (I tear a stale slice of bread into 1-inch pieces).

Step 4: Pour banana mixture over bread and mix until all pieces are coated well. Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds, or until mixture is solid. If using an egg, make sure it’s no longer runny. Let sit for one minute, then enjoy!

Expert Tips

To save on dishes used and clean-up, skip the mixing bowl, and make the entire recipe in your mug! Add wet ingredients to your mug, and mix together. Then, add your bread, and mix again right in the mug. 

Prep ingredients in a microwave-safe container or travel mug if you want to take this on-the-go!two grey mugs with french toast. sliced bananas in wood bowl. silver spoons. two slices bread.

Recipe FAQs

Why do I need to use milk for french toast? 

Milk, whether dairy or non-dairy, gives french toast (in a mug and traditional) its tenderness and richness. Without milk, your bread may be undercooked and taste overly eggy. 

Do I have to use stale bread?

Technically, no, but the outcome will be soggier than you may want. Stale bread absorbs more of the egg or flaxseed mixture, leading to more flavor and better texture. 

Can I take this recipe on the go?

Definitely! If you want to eat this breakfast at work or during a commute, simply replace a mug with a microwave-safe container or travel mug. Heat it up when you get to the office or before you leave for the commute!

Can I make french toast in a mug vegan or gluten-free?

Yes! To make this vegan, follow the recipe instructions below. You’ll use vegan buttery spread, non-dairy milk alternative, and flaxseed (instead of egg).

To make this recipe gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free bread.french toast with powdered sugar in grey mug. spoon with french toast bite on top of mug.Storage and Preparation

Toss bread and liquid mixture in a mug, cover with plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator overnight. Simply remove in the morning and pop it in the microwave to cook!

You could also cook ahead of time and store in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the morning. Reheating does dry out the bread slightly so reheat for 30 seconds at a time to avoid over reheating. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Recipes That Pair Well

For more sweet breakfast inspiration, check out my other recipes below!

If you like this recipe, please be sure to comment and give it a 5-star rating below. If you make it, share it on Instagram and tag me @karalydonrd and I’ll re-share it with my followers! If you want to save this recipe for later, be sure to pin it on Pinterest!

This recipe was retested, reshot and revamped to bring you the most delicious (and most beautiful) dish! The original post was published April 2016. 

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French Toast in a Mug


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  • Author: Kara Lydon
  • Total Time: 3 minutes
  • Yield: One serving
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Ready in just two minutes, this french toast in a mug is sweetened with ripe banana and easy to make vegan! It’s a quick weekday breakfast that you can prep ahead of time and microwave in the morning!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 ripe banana, mashed (about 1/4 cup)
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 thick slice of day old bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
  • Optional toppings: maple syrup, powdered sugar, banana slices

For vegan french toast in a mug:

  • 1/2 tablespoon vegan buttery spread
  • 1/2 ripe banana, mashed (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1/4 cup non-dairy milk alternative (I use almond milk or coconut milk beverage)
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground flaxseed
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 thick slice of day old bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
  • Optional toppings: maple syrup, powdered sugar, banana slices

Instructions

  1. Grease a microwave-safe 12-ounce mug using butter.
  2. In a small-medium mixing bowl, add mashed banana, milk, egg, vanilla, cinnamon, and pinch of salt, and stir to combine.
  3. Add bread pieces to the mug to fill all the way up to the top.
  4. Pour liquid mixture over the bread and mix with a spoon until all pieces are coated.
  5. Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds, or until the mixture is solid and egg is no longer runny, or a thermometer inserted in the middle reads 160 degrees F. Let sit for 60 seconds before serving.
  6. Optional: top with powdered sugar, banana slices, and maple syrup.

For vegan french toast in a mug:

  1. Grease a microwave-safe 12-ounce mug using vegan buttery spread.
  2. In a small-medium mixing bowl, add mashed banana, non-dairy milk alternative, ground flaxseed, vanilla, cinnamon, and pinch of salt and stir to combine. Let sit in the refrigerator until thickened, about 5-10 minutes.
  3. Add bread cubes to the mug to fill all the way up to the top.
  4. Pour liquid mixture over the bread and mix with a spoon until all pieces are coated.
  5. Microwave on high for 60 seconds, or until the mixture is solid. Let sit for 30-60 seconds before serving.
  6. Optional: top with powdered sugar, banana slices, and maple syrup.

Notes

  1. If you don’t have day-old bread to use, you can dry your bread in the oven. Preheat to 285 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack over top. Place slices of bread on top of the wire rack and bake for 12-15 minutes. Bread should not be browned but should be crispy.
  2. To save dishes, make the entire recipe in the mug! Add wet ingredients first and stir to combine. Add bread pieces and stir to coat with the liquid.
  3. To make ahead of time, toss bread and liquid mixture in a mug, cover with plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator overnight. Simply remove in the morning and pop it in the microwave to cook! You can also cook ahead of time and store in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the morning. Reheating does dry out the bread slightly so reheat for 30 seconds at a time to avoid over-reheating.
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 minute
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Microwave
  • Cuisine: American
 

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29 Comments

  1. Kim

    Love this idea! Might try it with berries like you mentioned.

  2. This looks and sounds divine!!!

  3. This is the best idea ever, Kara! I am seriously drooling right now! Love the addition of fresh fruit for breakfast!

  4. I love the idea of making this in a mug! Sometimes my kids want a breakfast like this and I don’t want to make a whole pan. Looks delish! Love to have you join our meatless Monday link up today

  5. Amanda Barnes

    Hi Kara,
    Thankyou for thinking of this, I only have a bar fridge and a microwave at the moment in the kitchen and I was having a drool reading your vegan French Toast recipe. Then, joy of joys I see the link to vegan French Toast in a mug, read it, and I can do that! Marvellous, thankyou so much.
    Amanda.

  6. Great idea! I always feel the need to make something in my empty mug once I suck down my coffee.

  7. You had me at french toast, but then vegan, in a mug and only takes 5 minutes on top of that….yes freaking please!!!

    Can’t wait to make this. Great recipe.

  8. I have some stale bread I need to use up. I love this idea!

  9. I haven’t jumped on the mug train yet either, but I love this idea! Bananas and I don’t get along, but I imagine this would work well with frozen berries too.

  10. Oh my gosh that sounds delicious!!

  11. Oh my goodness! This is such an awesome idea. And totally agree, not having a dishwasher is awful. Ergh dishes :-(.

  12. I’m all about the mug cake french toast! So easy and delish!

  13. I love how easy and delicious this looks. ! Definitely giving this a try

  14. Parker Brown-Nesbit

    Could you make this using almond milk in place of the coconut milk? Or substitute berries for the bananas? Sounds very good! I have some frozen bread (supposed to be really good, high quality and all) that is just horrible by itself.

    • Absolutely! You can sub almond milk for coconut milk and use berries instead! The bananas are likely to add a little more sweetness than the berries but I think it will still be delicious with berries.