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Home » Dessert Recipes » Best Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Best Strawberry Pretzel Salad

November 21, 2022 by Ryan Allen Leave a Comment

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Is there anything more nostalgic than Strawberry Pretzel Salad? This unique jello salad has a sweet and salty flavor that is loved by all. Serve it at your next holiday party or when you need a fun, easy and delicious dessert!

Strawberry pretzel salad on a white plate with whipped cream

What is pretzel salad?

Pretzel salad is a dish that consists of pretzels, fruit, and a creamy dressing. It is typically served as a side dish or dessert. The pretzels add a crunchy texture to the salad, while the fruit adds sweetness and flavor. The salad can be made with any type of fruit, but strawberries are the most popular.

Pretzel salad is believed to have originated in the United States. It is a popular dish at potlucks and picnics. The dish is also often served at church functions and holiday gatherings!

Bring back a taste of nostalgia with this delicious strawberry pretzel jello salad recipe that's easy to make and even more delicious to eat!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • The ingredients are simple and can be found in most any grocery store.
  • The sweet and salty combination of pretzels and strawberry is a great combination along with giggly jello.
  • It can be served as a spring or summer dessert or at a holiday feast!
  • This easy dessert recipe is made with less than 10 ingredients!

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Crushed Pretzels - They give the salad a nice crunch and its classic salty flavor.
  • Unsalted Butter - Used to coat the pretzels to crush down and make the perfect crust.
  • Cream Cheese & Cool Whip - Makes up the base of the pretzel pie giving it a creamy, sweet, and tangy taste.
  • Strawberry Jell-O - Used with strawberries, jello adds strawberry flavor along with a fun texture.
  • Frozen Strawberries - This dessert would not be complete without the addition of strawberries suspended in the jello.
  • Boiling Water - Used to activate the gelatin.

How To Make Homemade Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 400F and prepare a baking dish. Set aside.

Bake the pretzel crust: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Turn off the heat and add the crushed pretzel and stir until completely coated. Add the pretzel to the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking dish and press it down with a spoon until firm and even. Bake for 5 minutes. Then, let cool to room temperature.

Prepare the cream filling: While the pretzels are cooling. Add cream cheese, sugar, and cool whip to a large bowl. Whip together with an electric hand mixer. Then, spread evenly over the top of the pretzel very carefully. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Make the strawberry mixture: Meanwhile, boil the water and add the Jell-O mix. Stir until well combined. Let cool to room temperature before stirring in the strawberries.

Assemble and serve: Pour the strawberry mixture over the top of the Jell-O salad. Refrigerate for 2 hours until Jell-O is completely set. Slice and enjoy!

Close up of strawberry pretzel salad in a clear baking dish

Recipe Tips

  • When baking the pretzel crust, do not cook too long as you do not want the pretzels to get too hard or burn.
  • The cream filling should be spread evenly over the pretzel crust. If it is not, the Jell-O will not set properly.
  • Do not add the strawberries to the Jell-O mixture until it has cooled to room temperature. Otherwise, they could get too mushy in the hot jello and change the texture.
  • To make this recipe easier, you can use a store-bought pretzel crust. Simply follow the instructions above and spread the cream filling over the pretzel crust. Then, continue with the strawberry mixture instructions.
  • This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Variations

  • Change up the jello flavor: Feel free to use a different flavor of jello such as raspberry, lime, or blueberry.
  • Use a different type of fruit: You can use any type of berries you’d like in this recipe. Fresh or frozen both work great!
  • Swap the crushed pretzels: If you’re not a fan of pretzels, you can use graham crackers or even vanilla wafers.
  • Add some whipped topping: Top the salad with some whipped cream or cool whip for an extra special touch!
Side view of strawberry pretzel salad on a plate with strawberries in the background

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Once chilled, this salad can be served and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezing: We do not recommend freezing this salad as the pretzels will get soggy and the cream filling can separate.

FAQ

Who invented pretzel salad?

There is no one definitive answer to this question. However, pretzel salad is thought to have originated in the United States in the 1950s or 1960s by the company Jell-0.

Can I use a different type of pretzel?

Yes! You can use any type of pretzel you’d like for this recipe. However, we recommend using a pretzel that is not too thick as it will be difficult to crush.

Is pretzel salad a pie?

Though it is called pretzel salad, this dessert is served more like a jello mold or jello salad that is served in square slices. It can be made in a round dish and served more like pie if desired.

Overhead look at strawberry pretzel jello salad

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Strawberry pretzel salad on a white plate with whipped cream

Best Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Is there anything more nostalgic than Strawberry Pretzel Salad? This unique jello salad has a sweet and salty flavor that is loved by all. Serve it at your next holiday party or when you need a fun, easy and delicious dessert!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Chilling Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 328 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups pretzels (crushed)
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (melted)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
  • 8 oz cool whip
  • 6 oz strawberry Jell-O
  • 10 oz frozen strawberries (sliced)
  • 2 cups boiling water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Turn off the heat, add the crushed pretzels, and stir until completely coated.
  • Add the pretzels to the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking dish and press it down with a spoon—Bake for 5 minutes. Then, let cool to room temperature.
  • While pretzels are cooling., addcream cheese, sugar, and cool whip to a large bowl. Whip together with an electric hand mixer. Then, spread evenly over the top of the pretzel very carefully. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, boil the water and add the Jell-O mix. Stir until well combined. Let cool to room temperature. Then, mix in sliced strawberries and pour over the top of the Jell-O salad. Refrigerate for 2 hours until Jell-O is completely set.

Notes

  • For optimal results, it is recommended to use small pretzels that have been salted, whether they are in stick form or in the traditional pretzel twist shape. The saltiness of the hard pretzels adds an unexpected yet delightful element to the dish.
  • To ensure accurate measurements, it is recommended first to crush the small, salted pretzels and then measure the desired amount.
     
  • To make it easier to remove the dish from the pan, you can line it with parchment paper. This will prevent the food from sticking to the pan and allow for a smooth and easy release.

Nutrition

Calories: 328kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 4gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 308mgPotassium: 116mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 644IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg

*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.

Keyword Strawberry pretzel jello salad, Strawberry Pretzel Salad
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We are Ryan and Shanna, the creators of The Cooking Duo.

As food bloggers, photographers, and recipe developers, we are passionate about sharing simple, delicious recipes that make it easy to provide real food for your family. As parents ourselves, we know firsthand how challenging it can be to prepare a wholesome meal after a busy day. That's why we are committed to offering accessible, seasonal, and mostly healthy ingredients in our family's favorite recipes. We're excited to share our culinary journey with you!

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