Chubby Hubby Bars

These Chubby Hubby Bars are packed with chocolate chips, peanut butter, and crunchy pretzels—a salty-sweet dessert bar you’ll crave!

this Recipe

So, funny thing. These Chubby Hubby Bars came to life on one of those chaotic weekends when I was supposed to be organizing the pantry. I know—organizing the pantry never sounds fun, but I was motivated! And then… I found this half-eaten bag of pretzels, an almost empty jar of peanut butter (the crunchy kind, which my husband swears by), and a random collection of chocolate chips hiding behind the quinoa. And I thought, “Why not throw these together and bake something?”

What came out of the oven was pure magic. My husband (affectionately dubbed my “chubby hubby” after this moment) took one bite and said, “You’ve gotta make these again.” And again. And… well, here we are. Every time I bake a batch, it’s like an instant mood-lifter. Kinda like putting on fuzzy socks or hearing your favorite song on the radio out of nowhere, you know?

Why You’ll Love This Chubby Hubby Bars Recipe?

First off, if you love the whole sweet-salty combo as much as I do, you’re in for a treat. These bars check all the boxes:

• They’re chewy and crunchy.
• Sweet but not cloying, thanks to that salty pretzel bite.
• Ridiculously easy to make. (We’re talking one bowl and minimal cleanup—hallelujah.)
• They freeze like a dream. Not that they last long enough to need freezing around here… but still, good to know.

Ingredient Notes:

I get it. Sometimes you’re staring at an ingredient list, wondering if you can swap or skip something. Here’s the lowdown on what makes these tick.

• All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): It’s the structure. Don’t skip. (Though if you’re gluten-free, there’s hope—more on that below!)
• Baking Soda (1 tsp): Lifts the bars just enough. Nobody likes a flat snack.
• Salt (½ tsp): Vital, especially when there’s this much sweet going on.
• Unsalted Butter (¾ cup): I’m team unsalted so I can control the salt level. But if all you have is salted, go with it and skip the added salt.
• Brown Sugar (1 cup) & Granulated Sugar (½ cup): Sweetness + chewiness. Brown sugar brings that cozy vibe, you know?
• Eggs (2 large): Binds everything and makes the bars rich.
• Chunky Peanut Butter (⅓ cup): Trust me on this. You want those little peanut pieces. Smooth works, but it won’t have the same oomph.
• Vanilla Extract (1 tbsp): Always. No exceptions.
• Chocolate Chips (1 ¼ cups): Semi-sweet is my fave, but if you want to go milk or dark? Live your life!
• Chopped Pretzels (1 ½ cups): Crunch. Salt. Perfection.
• Peanut Butter Chips (½ cup): Optional… but come on, why not?

How To Make Chubby Hubby Bars?

Step 1: Preheat Like a Pro

Crank your oven to 350°F. While you’re at it, grease your 9×13 pan or line it with parchment paper. I vote for parchment—who loves scrubbing pans?

Step 2: Smash the Pretzels

Throw ‘em in a zip-top bag, grab your rolling pin (or a wine bottle, no judgment), and go to town. We’re aiming for chunks here, not dust.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Stuff

In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Simple.

Step 4: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In another big bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer if you’re feeling fancy), cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Give it a solid 2-3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. I always sneak a taste. Just me?

Step 5: Add the Eggs, Peanut Butter & Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the peanut butter and vanilla. Your kitchen is already smelling amazing, isn’t it?

Step 6: Combine It All

Gradually mix in the dry ingredients on low speed. You don’t wanna overmix, just enough to bring it all together.

Step 7: Fold in the Chocolate Chips and Pretzels

The magic moment. Gently fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips and 1 cup of your crushed pretzels. It’s gonna look thick—perfect.

Step 8: Spread It Out

Transfer the dough to your prepared pan and spread it out. It’s sticky, but you’ll manage. Just tell yourself it’s worth it. (It is.)

Step 9: Top It Off

In a small bowl, mix the remaining chocolate chips, pretzels, and peanut butter chips. Sprinkle that goodness over the top.

Step 10: Bake, Cool, Slice

Pop it in the oven for 30-35 minutes. You’re looking for a nice golden brown top. Then? Let it cool. Completely. (The hardest part, I know.)

Storage Options:

Room temp? They’ll last about 5 days in an airtight container. Freezer? Wrap each bar individually in plastic, then toss ‘em in a freezer bag. They’ll be good for a couple of months—if they last that long!

Variations and Substitutions:

• Gluten-Free Version: Swap in your fave gluten-free flour and pretzels.
• Different Nut Butter: Almond butter or sunflower seed butter works if you’re avoiding peanuts.
• Mix-In Fun: M&Ms, butterscotch chips, chopped nuts, or even crushed potato chips. Yeah, I said it.

What to Serve with Chubby Hubby Bars?

• A Big Glass of Milk: Classic.
• Coffee: Morning treat, anyone?
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Warm the bar, plop a scoop on top. You’re welcome.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use creamy peanut butter instead of chunky?
Yep! It’ll still be great, just less texture.

Do I have to use peanut butter chips on top?
Nope! Skip ‘em or swap with more chocolate chips.

Can I freeze the dough and bake later?
You bet! Freeze in the pan (or scoop into dough balls), and bake when ready—just add a few minutes to the baking time.

And there you go, friend! My ride-or-die recipe for Chubby Hubby Bars. They’re easy, crazy delicious, and they always make me think of that random Sunday when pantry leftovers turned into something special. Give ‘em a try—and seriously, let me know how they turn out. I love hearing your baking stories!

Happy snacking!

Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:

Sweet Potato Pie

The Best Pecan Pie Recipe

Queso Mac and Cheese Taco Beef Casserole

Chubby Hubby Bars

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Take a journey, with Chubby Hubby Bars, where the timeless combination of chocolate, peanut butter and pretzels come together in perfect harmony. Each bar is a work of art featuring a brown, crispy outer layer that reveals a soft and chewy center. The luscious peanut butter blended with bursts of melted chocolate chips and the satisfying crunch of pretzels creates an experience that seamlessly blends sweet indulgence with savory gratification. These bars are more than a treat; they're a celebration of contrasts expertly crafted to offer a mouthwatering escape with every bite. Dessert enthusiasts looking for a twist, on the traditional, will find them to be a perfect choice.

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12 Servings

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• 2 c all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ c unsalted butter 1 ½ sticks, room temperature
• 1 c packed light brown sugar
• ½ c granulated white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ c chunky peanut butter
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ c chocolate chips divided use
• 1 ½ c chopped pretzels divided use
• ½ c peanut butter chips

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Instructions

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350F. Make sure to spray a 9 x 13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Take a bag put the pretzels inside and give them a chop using a rolling pin.
3. In a bowl combine 2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda and ½ teaspoon of salt.
4. Using a mixer beat ¾ cups of butter, 1 cup of light brown sugar and ½ cup of white sugar until they become fluffy in texture.
5. Incorporate into the mixture 2 eggs, ⅓ cup of chunky peanut butter and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.
6. Gradually add the mixed flour ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed until they are just combined.
7. Gently stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips and 1 cup of chopped pretzels until they are thoroughly mixed in.
8. Transfer the batter evenly into the baking pan by spreading it out evenly.
9. In a bowl combine together half a cup of chopped pretzels, one cup of chocolate chips and half a cup of peanut butter chips. Sprinkle this mixture over the batter evenly.
10. Place the baking pan in your oven. Bake for approximately 30 to 35 minutes or until it turns golden brown. Allow the bars to cool down completely before proceeding to cut them into square-shaped pieces.

Notes

You can easily transform our Chubby Hubby Bars into a free treat that is just as delightful! Here's a unique twist, on the recipe to ensure that everyone can enjoy this dessert:

Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. There are high-quality blends that mimic the texture and binding properties of wheat flour so your bars will maintain their beloved texture.

Instead of pretzels go for gluten-free pretzels. You can find them easily in health food stores. They provide the same salty crunch without any gluten.

When using chocolate and peanut butter chips make sure to check the labels for hidden gluten or cross-contamination warnings. This is especially important if you're catering to people, with needs.

While vanilla extract and baking soda are generally gluten-free it's always practice to check. Some brands might have additives that contain gluten.

Bitty

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Let me know! Mention @nodashofgluten or tag #nodashofgluten

Bitty

I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!

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