Ultra-Fast Fluffy Microwave Mug Pizza

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

• Yield: 1 mug pizza (1 serving)
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 minute 30 seconds (microwave on High)
• Total Time: 6 minutes 30 seconds

Quick Ingredients

• 1 tsp neutral oil or butter (for greasing mug)
• 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp baking soda (optional but fluffier)
• 1/8 tsp fine salt
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp olive oil (or neutral oil)
• 2 tbsp pizza sauce
• 1/4 tsp red wine or apple cider vinegar
• 1 pinch sugar
• 1/3 cup (30 g) shredded mozzarella
• 1 tbsp grated Parmesan
• 1–2 tbsp favorite toppings (mini pepperoni, diced bell pepper, etc.)
• Pinch dried oregano or Italian seasoning

Do This

• 1. Lightly oil the inside of a large microwave-safe mug (at least 12 oz capacity).
• 2. In the mug, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• 3. Stir in milk and 1 tbsp olive oil until you have a smooth, thick batter.
• 4. In a small bowl, mix pizza sauce, vinegar, and a pinch of sugar; spoon over batter.
• 5. Top with mozzarella, Parmesan, a sprinkle of oregano, and your chosen toppings.
• 6. Microwave on High for about 1 minute, then in 10-second bursts until risen and set (about 1 minute 20–30 seconds total).
• 7. Let stand 1–2 minutes (very hot), then dig in while the cheese is still melty.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It tastes like a personal pan pizza but cooks in under 2 minutes in the microwave.
• The fluffy batter base rises into a soft, bready crust right in your mug.
• The quick tangy sauce and gooey cheese deliver true pizza flavor with pantry ingredients.
• Perfect for late-night cravings, dorm rooms, or quick lunches with almost no cleanup.

Grocery List

• Produce: Optional: bell pepper, mushrooms, red onion, fresh basil.
• Dairy: Milk, shredded low-moisture mozzarella, grated Parmesan.
• Pantry: All-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, fine salt, olive oil, neutral oil or butter, pizza sauce, red wine or apple cider vinegar, sugar, dried oregano or Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, mini pepperoni or other toppings.

Full Ingredients

For the fluffy mug batter base

• 1 tsp neutral oil or softened butter (for greasing the mug)
• 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp baking soda (optional but makes the base extra fluffy)
• 1/8 tsp fine salt
• 3 tbsp milk (dairy or unsweetened non-dairy)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (or any neutral vegetable oil)

For the tangy pizza topping

• 2 tbsp pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/4 tsp red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 small pinch granulated sugar (about 1/16 tsp)
• 1/3 cup (about 30 g) shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
• 1 small pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Optional toppings (choose 1–3)

• 1 tbsp mini pepperoni or finely chopped pepperoni
• 1 tbsp finely diced bell pepper
• 1 tbsp finely diced mushrooms
• 1 tbsp finely diced red onion
• 3–4 small black olive slices
• A few fresh basil leaves, torn, for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Pick the right mug and prep it

Choose a large, microwave-safe mug with straight sides that holds at least 12 fl oz (350 ml); anything smaller risks overflowing as the batter puffs up. Ceramic or thick stoneware mugs work best. Lightly grease the inside of the mug with 1 teaspoon of neutral oil or softened butter, making sure to coat the bottom and at least halfway up the sides. This prevents sticking and helps the batter rise evenly, giving you that fluffy, bready base instead of a dense puck.

Step 2: Mix the fluffy batter base

Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda (if using), and salt directly into the greased mug. Whisk them together with a fork to distribute the leavening evenly; this step helps the mug pizza rise uniformly. Pour in the milk and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir with the fork until the mixture is smooth and no dry pockets of flour remain, scraping down the sides and bottom of the mug as you go. The batter should be thick but pourable, similar to a pancake batter. If it seems extremely stiff, you can add a few extra drops of milk to loosen it slightly.

Step 3: Make the quick tangy sauce

In a small bowl (or even a measuring spoon if you are minimizing dishes), combine the pizza sauce, red wine or apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of sugar. Stir well. The tiny splash of vinegar brightens the sauce and makes the finished mug pizza taste more like something from a pizzeria, while the sugar balances the acidity. Taste a tiny bit if you like; it should be pleasantly tangy and savory. Spoon the sauce evenly over the batter in the mug. Do not fully mix it in; you want distinct layers so you get pockets of sauce with each bite.

Step 4: Add cheese and toppings

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauced batter, making sure to cover the surface so you get a gooey cheese cap. Follow with the grated Parmesan, which adds a salty, nutty flavor and helps with browning in the microwave. Scatter your chosen toppings (pepperoni, diced veggies, olives, etc.) over the cheese. Finish with a pinch of dried oregano or Italian seasoning and a small pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Keep toppings in a single layer to ensure everything heats through quickly and the batter beneath can rise properly.

Step 5: Microwave until puffed and melty

Place the mug in the microwave and cook on High for 1 minute. After 1 minute, check the pizza: it should be noticeably puffed, and the cheese should be mostly melted, but the center may still look slightly wet. Continue microwaving in 10-second bursts, checking after each one, until the batter is set and springy to the touch and the cheese is fully melted and bubbling. For most 1000–1200W microwaves, the total time will be about 1 minute 20 seconds to 1 minute 30 seconds. Avoid overcooking, which can make the base tough and dry.

Step 6: Let it rest, then serve

Carefully remove the mug from the microwave using an oven mitt or thick towel; the handle may be very hot. Let the mug pizza stand for 1–2 minutes. This short rest allows the steam to redistribute, finishing the cooking gently and giving the base a softer, fluffier texture. If desired, garnish with a few torn basil leaves or an extra sprinkle of Parmesan. Enjoy straight from the mug with a spoon or fork, or loosen the sides with a knife and lift the whole “mini pizza” out onto a small plate.

Pro Tips

• Use a bigger mug than you think. A 12–16 oz (350–475 ml) mug gives the batter room to rise and prevents overflow; tall, narrower mugs work especially well.
• Adjust for your microwave. If your microwave is very powerful, start checking at 45–50 seconds; if lower wattage, you may need closer to 1 minute 40 seconds total.
• Keep toppings small. Dice vegetables and meats finely so they heat through quickly without weighing down the batter.
• Do not overmix the batter. Stir just until smooth; overmixing can develop gluten and make the base chewy instead of tender.
• Let it cool slightly. The interior stays molten for a minute or two after cooking; a short rest improves both flavor and texture.

Variations

• Veggie Supreme Mug Pizza: Skip the pepperoni and load the top with finely diced bell pepper, mushrooms, red onion, and olives. Add an extra pinch of Italian seasoning.
• Garlic Lovers Mug Pizza: Stir 1/8 tsp garlic powder into the batter and sprinkle a bit more over the cheese before microwaving. Finish with a light drizzle of olive oil after cooking.
• Margherita-Style Mug Pizza: Use plain pizza sauce, top with mozzarella, a light sprinkle of Parmesan, and lots of fresh basil after microwaving. Add a tiny drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of flaky salt.

Storage & Make-Ahead

This recipe is best enjoyed immediately while the base is fluffy and the cheese is hot and melty. However, you can make a small dry mix ahead of time by combining multiple batches of the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a jar. When you are ready to cook, scoop out 1/4 cup of the mix per mug, then add the wet ingredients, sauce, cheese, and toppings. Leftover cooked mug pizza does not store particularly well, but if needed, you can cover and refrigerate it for up to 1 day and reheat gently in the microwave for 20–30 seconds, understanding that the texture will be denser than when freshly made.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate values for one mug pizza prepared with whole milk, olive oil, mozzarella, Parmesan, and 1 tbsp mini pepperoni: about 380–420 calories, 20–22 g fat, 30–34 g carbohydrates, 2–3 g fiber, 13–16 g protein, and 650–750 mg sodium. Exact nutrition will vary based on your specific brands of sauce, cheese, milk, and toppings.