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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

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Strawberry Pretzel Salad is so easy to make! This dessert salad has a salty pretzel crust filled with a creamy, sweet, no-bake cream cheese layer, and a strawberry topping that is irresistible! This layered strawberry pretzel dessert is a favorite for kids and adults alike.

Strawberry pretzel salad with fresh strawberries on top.

The Best Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

So there has always been a huge debate about the name of this recipe since the word “salad” is used. (As you can see from the picture, it looks more like a kind of dessert bar.) I didn’t come up with the name, but I grew up with my grandma making dessert salads, so it seems totally normal to me. I would love to know what you would call this recipe, though!

At the end of the day, since it’s filled with crushed pretzels, sweet velvety cream cheese, and sugary strawberries, I guarantee that you’ll fall in love with it, regardless of what name you decide on.

(Also, if you’re looking for some more tried-and-true dessert salads, you will love our popular Snickers Apple Salad, Cherry Fluff Salad, Ambrosia Salad and Twix Caramel Apple Salad!)

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Strawberry pretzel salad is a year-round favorite dessert in my house! Here’s why your family will immediately be hooked on it too:

  • Great texture. Crunchy pretzels, silky cream cheese, and juicy strawberries are a divine combination!
  • Sweet and salty. Made with a buttery, salty crust, a sugary cream cheese filling, and a jiggly strawberry jello topping, this strawberry pretzel salad is the perfect sweet and salty treat!
  • Quick and easy. This recipe requires about 30 minutes of prep/cook time in total – the rest is just chill time!

Watch The Recipe Video!

Want to see how this recipe comes together step by step? Check out the video below:

Strawberry pretzel salad ingredients.

Ingredients You Need

You only have to round up a handful of ingredients to make this dessert salad! For the exact amounts, take a look at the recipe card below.

  • Pretzels – Crush any type of pretzels for the crust (the easiest way to do this is to use a food processor).
  • Butter – Melt the butter before you begin to make the crust.
  • Sugar – Regular granulated sugar is all you need for this recipe.
  • Cream cheese – Make sure to let this soften before you start as well.
  • Cool whip – Make sure to use a whipped topping such as Cool Whip instead of making your own whipped cream. Homemade doesn’t set as firmly.
  • Strawberry jello – You need boxed strawberry gelatin.
  • Fresh strawberries – Thinly slice these for the jello layer and for the garnish!

How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

As mentioned above, strawberry jello pretzel salad is so easy to put together. You will have to wait just a little bit for refrigeration, but it’s mostly finished in 3 simple steps (see the recipe card for the full set of directions):

  • Make the crust. Combine crushed pretzels, sugar, and melted butter, and press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Next, bake the crust for 8 minutes, then set it on a wire rack to cool.
  • Prepare the cheesecake filling. Whip the cream cheese and sugar, then fold in the whipped topping. Spread the mixture over the baked pretzel layer and refrigerate until firm.
  • Mix the strawberry jello topping. Combine jello and water with fresh sliced strawberries, and pour the strawberry jello mixture over the cream cheese layer. Finally, let the finished salad firm up in the fridge for about 4-6 hours, then enjoy!
Strawberry pretzel salad in a baking dish.

Can I Make This In Advance?

Yes! We like this the best when it has been in the fridge to chill for 1 full day, and it will keep there for up to 4 days.

Tips & Recipe Variations

Take a quick look at this list of tips and tricks before you begin to get the best results with your pretzel salad!

  • Use frozen strawberries. You can use frozen strawberries if you can’t find fresh (just defrost and drain them first). You could also substitute or add other fresh fruit, if you like.
  • How to crush the pretzels. Easily crush the pretzels using a food processor, or place them in a large ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
  • Refrigerate each layer. Allow each layer to cool before adding the next layer to prevent any melting.
  • More possible flavor variations. The flavor of this dessert salad can easily be changed with different berries and jellos. You could try orange jello instead, for example, with mandarin oranges, or you could try our Raspberry Pretzel Salad.
Side view of strawberry pretzel salad with mint leaves.

How to Store

Strawberry pretzel salad should be kept in the fridge in an airtight container. It will be good in there for 3-4 days, but I doubt it’ll last that long!

More Strawberry Dessert Recipes

Looking for more easy strawberry desserts? You’re in the right place!

Strawberry jello salad feature.
4.99 from 64 votes

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Strawberry pretzel salad is a dessert salad with a salty pretzel crust, a sweet cream cheese filling, and a strawberry jello topping! The whole family will love this easy treat.
Servings: 12
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Refrigerate: 4 hours 30 minutes
Total: 4 hours 58 minutes

Ingredients
  

Crust

  • 2 cups crushed salted pretzels
  • 3/4 cup butter melted
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Filling

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 8 ounce container frozen whipped topping thawed

Topping

  • 6 ounce package strawberry Jell-O
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 2 cups thinly sliced fresh strawberries

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • In a bowl, whisk together jello and boiling water until the jello is completely dissolved. Add the strawberries. Place in the refrigerator.
  • In a medium bowl, mix the crust ingredients. Press into ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Bake 8 minutes. Cool on cooling rack.
  • In a medium bowl, beat the filling ingredients with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over cooled crust. Cover and refrigerate until cool, 30 minutes or more.
  • Carefully spoon the gelatin topping over the filling. Refrigerate 4 to 6 hours or until firm.

Last Step:

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Notes

  • To store. Strawberry pretzel salad should be kept in the fridge in an airtight container. It will be good in there for 3-4 days, but I doubt it’ll last that long!

Nutrition

Serving: 12g | Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 333mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 608IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

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