Make-Ahead Protein Mug Muffin Mix
This easy Make-Ahead Protein Mug Muffin Mix combines all the fresh “baked” warmth and taste of a hearty protein muffin, but with microwave speed and convenience – and all without the brand name cost!
This recipe was developed out of desperation.
Mornings are hectic and busy, and when we decided to give up cereal, that left us with not a lot of “easy” options for quick and simple breakfasts.
My kids are carb addicts, but those carbs don’t always keep you feeling full for very long.
And things like eggs and bacon and sausage take awhile to cook.
I found the microwave protein muffins at the grocery store, and the kids liked them. But the price?!? *sigh*
There had to be a way to make my own, right?
So, I pulled out my Make-Ahead Muffin Mix and started testing!
Today, I bring you those results! 🙂
Along with my kids’ hearty approval! We go through a large batch of this mug muffin mix pretty regularly.
What you’ll love about this Protein Mug Muffin Mix recipe:
The Ingredients
This recipe uses my Make-Ahead Muffin Mix as a base, so you’ll need to make a half-batch of the muffin mix to start with.
In addition to the muffin mix, you’ll need:
- oats – any kind will work (regular, quick, or even steel cut). See box below for info.
- brown sugar
- protein powder – you can use any kind or flavor you like here. See below for some different flavor options.
- baking powder
Tools you’ll need
You will be blending the oats into a flour, so you’ll need some sort of blender. Many regular blenders can handle quick and regular oats. But if you’d like to use steel-cut oats, you’ll need a high-powered blender.
*Alternatively, you can use pre-ground oat flour if you do not have a blender. Use 2 2/3 cups of oat flour in place of the ground oats.
Making the Mix
There really aren’t many steps for this recipe, which is an extra bonus. It truly just takes a few minutes and you’ve got a large batch of mix to be used!
Since I keep a batch of muffin mix around already, it makes mixing up the protein mug muffin mix even faster.
Step 1: Measure 3 cups of oats and pour into a blender. Blend until it becomes a fine powder or flour.
Step 2: In a large bowl, add ground oats and the remaining ingredients, and carefully whisk to combine.
Step 3: Add your mix to a large airtight container for storing. This recipe will make 10 cups of mix, so make sure your container is big enough.
And that’s it!
Using the Mix to Make a Protein Mug Muffin
When you’re ready to make a mug muffin, add 1/2 cup of the mix to a microwave-safe mug.
Pour in 1/4 cup water and stir.
Microwave for about 75 seconds. Check for doneness. If not fully cooked in the middle, put the mug back in for 10 second intervals until completely cooked through.
Customize the Flavors!
The Protein Powder
The recipe below can be made as a “base” or neutral flavor using a vanilla, plain, or unflavored protein powder.
My kids tire of the “plain”, so we like to mix it up with various different flavors of protein powders.
Here are some good ones to try (I’m including links to brands we have used, but feel free to use your favorite brand):
The only caveat to this is that this requires you to make an entire batch of the flavor. Which is fine, if it’s one your family likes.
Or alternatively, leave the protein powder out of the base mix and add 2 1/2 teaspoons of protein powder when you go to make a mug muffin. This will allow you to test out flavors without committing that flavor to an entire batch!
Handy tip: Before you commit…
The only caveat to to using a flavored protein powder (other than plain or vanilla) is that you have to commit that entire batch of mug muffin mix to that flavor.
So…before you commit, you can make a batch of mug muffin mix WITHOUT the protein powder, and then add in 2 1/2 teaspoons of a flavored protein powder when you go to make a mug muffin.
This will allow you to test out flavors without committing that flavor to an entire batch!
Mix-ins
My kids also like to add mix-ins to their mug muffins.
We usually do this when we make the individual mug muffins (rather than trying to make an entire batch of one flavor), so these instructions are “per mug muffin” amounts:
To make:
- Maple Sausage Mug Muffin – Add 1/4 teaspoon mapleine and 1/4 cup browned loose breakfast sausage.
- Blueberry Mug Muffin – Add 1 teaspoon blueberry powder and 1 tablespoon fresh or dried or freeze-dried blueberries.
- Strawberry Mug Muffin – Add 1 teaspoon strawberry powder and 1 tablespoon fresh or dried or freeze-dried diced strawberries (you may want to chop them smaller if you are using sliced dried or freeze-dried strawberries).
- Chocolate Chip Mug Muffin – Add 1 teaspoon cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips. (If this ends up being a family favorite, go ahead and make an entire batch and using chocolate protein powder.)
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Mug Muffin – Add 1 teaspoon cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon peanut butter chips. Extra yummy if you make a batch with chocolate peanut butter protein powder.
- Banana Mug Muffin – Add 1/4 teaspoon banana extract and 1/4 to 1/2 mashed banana.
Really, there are so many different flavors you could try, the sky’s the limit!
Storing your Mug Muffin Mix
This mix will last for up to 3 months if stored in an airtight container.
If you find that you don’t go through it fast enough, you can take half of the mix and put it in a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer to extend shelf life.
Other great
Make-Ahead Mixes
Make-Ahead Protein Mug Muffin Mix
EQUIPMENT
- blender
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 batch Make-Ahead Muffin Mix (6 cups total)
- 3 cups oats (regular, quick, or steel cut) ground
- 1 cup protein powder see notes above
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 4 tbsp baking powder
INSTRUCTIONS
To make the mix:
- Place 3 cups of oats into a blender and blend until powdered.
- In large bowl, mix together powdered oats, 6 cups of muffin mix, protein powder, brown sugar, and baking powder until well combined. Be sure to break up any clumps of brown sugar.
- Store mix in an airtight container. Mix will store for up to 3 months. Or place unused mix in the freezer to extend shelf-life.
To make a mug muffin:
- Add 1/2 cup of protein mug muffin mix to a microwave-safe mug.
- Add 1/4 cup water and stir to combine.
- Microwave for about 75 seconds (depending on microwave wattage), or until knife or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (with crumbs, not wet).
My kids have these for breakfast multiple times each week and LOVE them!!!