This recipe for spirulina is completely vegan and gluten free.

Spirulina is good for many reasons. Just a few benefits of spirulina powder include: Spirulina is
High in vitamins, E, C and B6 and has also been proven to lower bad cholesterol. Besides it’s not so appealing color it acts as a great natural sweetener to cakes which makes spirulina taste like candy floss.

I will also be answering your most FAQ’s like ‘what is the definition of spirulina’ ‘how to cook with spirulina powder’ ‘how often should you eat spirulina’ ‘when should spirulina be taken’ and so much more.
Why you’ll love these cupcakes with spirulina
- They’re completely vegan and gluten free
- Can be made in one bowl!
- An excellent natural food dye
Expert Baking Tips for these spirulina cupcakes
Although the recipe for these spirulina cupcakes are super simple, here are just a few expert tips i'd recommend:
- Ensure your plant - based milk is at room temperature before adding to your dry ingredients to ensure there's no lumps.
- Divide your cupcake cases so there's a gap between each, this will help evenly distribute the heat in the oven, this will help it rise better.
- Allow your plant-based milk and vinegar to sit for at least 10mins before adding to the rest of the ingredients. This will allow the milk to curdle to create your buttermilk.
Master the art of baking GF, DF & Vegan
Baking Free From 101
Ingredients list for these vegan spirulina cupcakes
For these cupcakes you will need:

- Caster Sugar - This is just a very refined sugar if you can’t find it refined granulated sugar will work well here too.
- Xanthan gum - This will prevent the cupcakess from crumbling and act as a stabilizer.
- Apple sauce - This will add moisture to the cupcakes and create a soft spongy texture.
- Gluten free self raising flour - If you didn't want to make these gluten free simply substitute this for normal self raising flour. There’s no need to add xanthan gum if you're not making these gluten free.
- Plant based milk - I used oat milk for this recipe, but almond or soya milk will also work well here.
- Spirulina (sponsored - good and greens)
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Good and Greens whole foods shop, it has a brilliant selection of natural, organic produce and brilliant vegan and gluten free baking ingredients also.
I received Good and Greens oat milk , apple cider vinegar, and Spirulina for this recipe and was very pleased with the quality of the products.
How is spirulina cake made
Step by step instructions
For this easy vegan spirulina cake recipe you just simply combine the milk and apple cider vinegar in a glass/bowl and set aside. Then whisk your flour, spirulina, raising agents and sugar.
Add the oil to the milk and pour into the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth.

Scoop the batter evenly into your cupcake cases and bake for 15-20mins. Once baked they should be springy to the touch and skewer should come out clean when inserted.

Assembling
Once the cupcakes have cooled down, pipe on your vegan chocolate buttercream and enjoy!

Non-vegan alternative
If you don't want to make these cupcakes vegan simply substitute the plant-based milk for normal whole milk and the vegan butter for regular margarine or block butter.
FAQ’s
Is spirulina caffeine free ?
No spirulina does not contain caffeine, and actually aids the body's production of melatonin to help you sleep at night.
How often should you eat spirulina ?
A study found you should aim to have 5 grams of spirulina a day
Spirulina benefits and dosage ?
Spirulina is high in vitamins, E, C and B6 and has also been proven to lower bad cholesterol. Therefore, it has been recommended to aim to take 5grams a day. Which many people add it to their shakes or smoothies because it comes in powder form.
Where do spirulina come from ?
Spirulina is a type of algae, like seaweed, that grows in freshwater environments like lakes, rivers, and ponds.

Storing and freezing
How long does spirulina cake last ?
These cupcakes will last up to 3 days before they begin to dry out. But you can also freeze it for up to 2 months if wrapped tightly in cling film/plastic wrap or sealed in an airtight container.
More vegan cupcake recipes
Make sure to tag me @whiskmefree on Instagram and leave a review below if you followed this recipe with spirulina. To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the button on the recipe card or on any of the photos above. Happy baking!
Recipe with spirulina - spirulina cupcakes :
Equipment
- Muffin/Cupcake Tin
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 280 g Caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon Xanthan Gum
- 200 g Gluten Free flour
- 2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1½ teaspoon Bicarbonate of soda
- 150 ml Plant based milk
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider Vinegar
- 120 g Apple sauce
- 5 g Spirulina
- 60 ml Veg oil
Vegan Chocolate Buttercream
- 100 g Vegan butter
- 250 g Icing Sugar
- 40 g Cocoa powder
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat your oven to 180°c / 356°f and line your cupckae/muffin tin with cupcake cases.
- Combine the milk and apple cider vinegar in a glass/bowl and set aside.1 tablespoon Apple cider Vinegar, 150 ml Plant based milk
- Mix together the dry ingredients into a large bowl until fully combined.280 g Caster sugar, 1 teaspoon Xanthan Gum, 200 g Gluten Free flour, 2 teaspoon Baking Powder, 1½ teaspoon Bicarbonate of soda, 5 g Spirulina
- Pour in the oil and applesauce into the milk mix and transfer into the dry ingredients, mix until combined.120 g Apple sauce, 60 ml Veg oil
- Scoop the batter into your cupcake cases filling them to the top and bake for 30 mins. Once baked the cupcakes should be springy to the touch and skewer should come out clean when inserted into the centre of the cupcakes.
Vegan Chocolate Buttercream
- As the cupcakes cool begin making the vegan buttercream. For this begin creaming your vegan butter until pale then add the icing sugar and beat together for 3-5mins.100 g Vegan butter, 250 g Icing Sugar
- Add the cocoa and beat for a further 2mins until pale and fluffy.40 g Cocoa powder
- Pipe onto the cooled cupcakes and enjoy!
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Jenna from Heavenly Spiced says
Such a beautiful color! I take spirulina as a supplement but now use is in cupcakes thanks to you! Love your recipes. 😊🧁
Leena. says
Oh I'm so glad, thank you