• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

Join my free recipe email club!
Free eBook
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • ABOUT JO
  • Contact
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • One Pot
  • Desserts
Home / Recipes
5 hours 28 minutes
5 from 7 votes
6 Comments

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 188
by: Joanna Cismaru
06.23.22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for strawberry pretzel salad.

This delightful Strawberry Pretzel Salad is more of a desert than a salad because it tastes that good! It’s a little bit sweet and a little bit salty, but oh, so incredibly delicious, with a pretzel base, a smooth and creamy center, and is finished with a fabulous strawberry jello topping.

3 slices of strawberry pretzel salad stacked on top of each other on a white dessert plate.

Amazing Strawberry Pretzel Salad

I realize this is called a salad, but it really is a dessert. As far as why it’s called a salad, some say that this is a Southern dish that used to be served as a side or even a main dish. Who knows, and I don’t really care, but regardless of what it’s called, this is one yummy dish.

This strawberry pretzel salad includes a base of pretzels, a smooth and sweet cream cheese layer, and a topping full of strawberry delight. This reminds me of ambrosia salad, which in my opinion is also heavenly and tastes more dessert-like. Ambrosia salad has always been a favorite Holiday dish, and I think this amazing strawberry pretzel salad can be added to the festive table.

a slice of strawberry pretzel salad on a white plate.

Highlights Of This Heavenly Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Sweet and Salty. The sweet and salty flavors are surprising, but absolutely fantastic. I think the salty pretzel base really elevates the whole flavor profile which I’m sure you won’t be disappointed in.

Perfect For Special Occasions. Whether it’s a party, a special Holiday, BBQ or a family potluck, this salad is always a huge hit with everyone.

What Ingredients You’ll Need

overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make strawberry pretzel salad.

Pretzels – Salted straight or twisted pretzels work. You’ll have to crush them for the base but don’t crush the pretzels too much as you want to retain some of that great crunch.

Butter – Salted butter is used here to bind the base ingredients.

Sugar – Just plain white sugar. I use a little for the base and some for the filling.

Cream Cheese – Room temperature or softened cream cheese will be whipped light and fluffy which is used for the filling. I usually prefer to use Philadelphia.

Cool Whip – A container of cool whip that’s been thawed in the fridge for 4-5 hours or even overnight to be used in the filling. Or, make your own whipped cream.

Strawberry Jell-0 – I used a large 6 oz box of strawberry Jell-O which will be used to top off the salad.

Water – You’ll need a couple of cups of boiling water to stir in and dissolve the Jell-O.

Strawberries – Fresh strawberries are best but if they are not available, frozen will work as well. Make sure to defrost them and remove the liquid.

How To Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

detailed process shots showing how to make the 3 layers of strawberry pretzel salad.

Preheat The Oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9×13 inch pan with cooking spray, or line the pan with parchment paper. If the crust is fragile, it’s sometimes easier to use parchment paper to help pull out the squares.

Make The Crust. The crust is super simple to make. You only need to crush the pretzels, to it add the melted butter and 3 tablespoons of sugar then stir until everything is combined. Next, press the mixture in the bottom of the pan and bake for 8 minutes. It’s important to allow the crust to cool completely before adding the filling, otherwise your cream cheese mixture will melt.

Prepare The Jell-O. Mix the strawberry Jell-O and boiling water together until the Jell-O is dissolved, and then set it aside to cool until it’s at room temperature. Make sure the Jell-O is fully dissolved, otherwise you’ll notice some of the powder sinking to the bottom of the bowl.

Make The Filling. To the bowl of your mixer add the cream cheese and ½ cup of sugar and mix until all is well combined and fluffy, then fold in the thawed cool whip. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled pretzel crust. Lastly, transfer the pan to the fridge to chill for minimum one hour.

Finish The Strawberry Topping. Evenly arrange your sliced strawberries over the cream cheese mixture and pour the cooled Jell-O over the strawberries.

Chill And Set. Place the pan back in the refrigerator and chill until it’s firmly set, at least 4 to 6 hours, or overnight works as well.

Cut And Serve. Cut into squares and serve.

detailed process shots showing how to assemble strawberry pretzel salad.

What Is A Strawberry Pretzel Salad?

Yes, it’s called a salad but this irresistible dish really looks more like a dessert. At first glance, you see beautiful fresh strawberries encased in strawberry jello, followed by a luscious cream cheese filling which is a no-bake cream cheese mixture, and then finally a salted pretzel base. I’m not joking here when I say this is surprisingly delicious.

Can I Substitute Other Fruit?

Of course. Raspberries would be my first choice but other fruit work as well. Try blueberries, blackberries, or peach slices. I would change the Jell-O flavor also to match the type of fruit.

Can I Use Frozen Strawberries Instead Of Fresh?

Absolutely. You can use frozen strawberries, although fresh is best. Make sure you defrost them and drain the liquid from them first.

strawberry pretzel salad in a baking dish with a spatula inside.

Tips

  1. Do not make the strawberry Jello according to the package directions. Make sure you follow the recipe directions.
  2. I like to crush the pretzels in a Ziploc bag and lightly use a rolling pin. Do not crush too finely so that a bit of crunch is retained.
  3. Two cups of crushed pretzels is equal to approximately 2½-2â…” cups of uncrushed pretzels.
  4. Make sure your jello doesn’t set, but also that it cools to room temperature so that it can be poured over the strawberries.

Leftovers

If your lucky enough to have leftovers, place the squares in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Freezing is not recommended.

a slice of strawberry pretzel salad on a white plate.

More Great Recipes To Try

  • Pretzel Bites
  • Homemade Pretzels
  • World’s Greatest Soft Pretzels
  • Easy Pavlova
  • Summer Fruit Salad with Lemon Dressing
  • Strawberry Cookies
  • One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo
  • Strawberry Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Bars

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

3 slices of strawberry pretzel salad stacked on top of each other on a white dessert plate.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

5 from 7 votes
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 8 mins
Resting/Chilling Time: 5 hrs
Total: 5 hrs 28 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 12
Print Pin Rate
This delightful Strawberry Pretzel Salad is more of a desert than a salad because it tastes that good! It's a little bit sweet and a little bit salty, but oh, so incredibly delicious, with a pretzel base, a smooth and creamy center, and is finished with a fabulous strawberry jello topping.

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch Casserole Dish

Ingredients

Pretzel Crust

  • 2 cups pretzels crushed
  • ¾ cup butter salted, melted
  • 3 tablespoons sugar

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 8 ounces cool whip thawed

Strawberry Topping

  • 6 ounces strawberry Jell-O
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 4 cups strawberries sliced (1 pound)
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13 inch pan with cooking spray, or line the pan with parchment paper.
  • Make the crust: Add the crushed pretzels, melted butter and 3 tablespoons of sugar to a medium bowl and mix until combined. Press the pretzel mixture into the prepared pan. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 8 minutes. Let it cool completely.
  • Prepare the Jell-O: In large bowl add the strawberry Jell-o and boiling water and mix until the Jell-O is dissolved. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
  • Make the filling: In the bowl of your mixer add the cream cheese and ½ cup of sugar and mix until well combined and fluffy. Gently fold in the cool whip. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled pretzel crust. Transfer the pan to the refrigerator, and chill for at least one hour.
  • Finish the top: Place the sliced strawberries over the cream cheese mixture in the pan, arranging them evenly over the entire surface. Pour the cooled Jell-O over the strawberries.
  • Chill and set: Transfer the pan back to the refrigerator and chill until firmly set, at least 4 to 6 hours.
  • Cut and serve: Cut into squares and serve.

Recipe Notes

  1. Do not make the strawberry Jello according to the package directions. Make sure you follow the recipe directions.
  2. I like to crush the pretzels in a Ziploc bag and lightly use a rolling pin. Do not crush too finely so that a bit of crunch is retained.
  3. Two cups of crushed pretzels is equal to approximately 2½-2⅔ cups of uncrushed pretzels.
  4. Make sure your jello doesn’t set, but also that it cools to room temperature so that it can be poured over the strawberries.
  5. Place the squares in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Freezing is not recommended.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1servingCalories: 358kcal (18%)Carbohydrates: 44g (15%)Protein: 5g (10%)Fat: 19g (29%)Saturated Fat: 12g (75%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 54mg (18%)Sodium: 313mg (14%)Potassium: 143mg (4%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 30g (33%)Vitamin A: 647IU (13%)Vitamin C: 28mg (34%)Calcium: 54mg (5%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Course:Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine:American
Keyword:Strawberry Pretzel
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 188

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

30 recipes from around the world cover.

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

chili in a bowl topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream.
Previous Post
Instant Pot Chili
rugelach cookies on a cooling rack.
Next Post
Rugelach Recipe

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate Recipe Cancel reply

Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Amy D says

    March 31, 2022 at 9:18 am

    Trying to figure out why my pretzel crust is so wet after pulling it out of oven. I measured and did exactly as the recipe stated. Will it hardened once cooled?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      March 31, 2022 at 10:50 am

      It shouldn’t be wet to begin with, but wait till it cools, it should harden.

      Reply
  2. Shawn says

    March 2, 2022 at 9:14 am

    5 stars
    Delicious… if I can make this anyone can …

    Reply
  3. nico ab says

    December 8, 2021 at 8:05 am

    Is it ok to half the recipe?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      December 8, 2021 at 9:57 am

      For sure! In the recipe card if you hover over the number of servings and scroll down to 6 it will automatically update the ingredient amounts for you.

      Reply
      • nicole pagan says

        December 11, 2021 at 5:24 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you we made it and it was gone the same day! ADDICTIVE!! 🥰🥰🥰

Primary Sidebar

Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More…
cover for the big book of jo's quick and easy meals.

My Cookbook

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

Sign me up

Dinner Favorites

black pepper chicken on a bed of rice on a black plate.

Black Pepper Chicken

a slice of pastitsio on a black plate.

Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna)

side view shot of a piece of eggplant parmesan with marinara sauce in a white plate garnished with parsley and a piece cut out and held by a fork

Eggplant Parmesan

side view shot chicken souvlaki skewers with a little tzatziki on a plate

Chicken Souvlaki

yakisoba noodles with chicken and vegetables in a large serving platter.

Yakisoba

pouring lemon sauce over fried chicken.

Chinese Lemon Chicken

a chicken gyro wrapped in paper and topped with lots of tzatziki sauce with another gyro in the background

Chicken Gyros

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

Air Fryer Recipes

a roasted chicken on a serving platter along some roasted root veggies.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

apple pie bombs on a white plate with the top one cut in half.

Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs

3 cooked chicken breasts on a cutting board.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

air fried chicken drumsticks in a basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

cooked chicken thighs in the basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

eggs inside an air fryer basket.

Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

lobster tails on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Lobster Tails

hands pulling apart a mozzarella stick with the rest in the background

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

freshly made bread in air fryer on a cutting board cut into slices.

Air Fryer No Knead Bread

bacon wrapped water chestnuts on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Jo Cooks...

Flavors from around the world

No matter what household we have all grown up in, there is something that has brought us all together here and that is a love and appreciation of food. Food that is from cultures and cuisines across the world has always been a staple of the blog. I'm excited to bring you all a taste of each corner of the earth, every last bite seasoned to perfection and served up with love - from my kitchen to yours.
chow mein in a white asian bowl.

Asian

creamy chicken marsala pasta in a white platter.

Italian

chicken fajita taquitos with sour cream and salsa on a white platter.

Mexican

chicken and mushroom in creamy dill sauce over a bed of rice in a blue bowl.

Romanian

freshly made lamb korma in a beige braiser.

Indian

freshly made hummus drizzled with olive oil and garnished with tomatoes cucumbers and olives.

Middle Eastern

Trending Now

overhead shot of oven baked chicken breasts in a baking dish

Baked Chicken Breast

overhead shot of oven baked chicken thighs in a pan

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

roast chicken with roast potatoes on a roaster.

Roast Chicken

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

Browse All
  • Easy Dinners
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index

Featured On

today logo.
huffpost logo.
the washington post logo.
jezebel logo.
countryliving logo.
good housekeeping logo.
lifehack logo.
buzzfeed logo.
mashable logo.
woman's day logo.
health logo.
better homes & gardens logo.
delish logo.
healthline logo.
nbc news logo.
blogloving logo.
university of washington logo.
shape logo.
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • About Jo
  • Contact
  • visit my other site: Craving Home Cooked
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
© 2022 · All Rights Reserved · Back to Top
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and get a free dinner recipes ebook!