Strawberry Pretzel Salad is always a hit at parties. It’s dangerously good! The combination of sweet, salty and tart make it irresistible. This layered strawberry pretzel dessert is loved by adults and kids.
Jello recipes are the perfect potluck dessert because they keep well and are easy to make which is why this Strawberry Pretzel salad is so popular during the holidays. Our jello cake and classic raspberry pretzel jello are also reader favorites this time of year.
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Why is it Called “Pretzel Salad”?
There is a massive debate on Facebook as to why this is called a “salad” and it really is a passionate debate (very entertaining to read). can a pretzel jello salad be a salad? I just want to put it out there that I did NOT name this dish. So, what do you think: Salad? or Dessert?
Can I Substitute Cool Whip?
Cool Whip provides the best results because it doesn’t soften the pretzels and keeps better overnight. You may substitute with more natural version like “True Whip“.
If using whipped cream (by beating 1 cup heavy whipping cream until stiff and fluffy) and although this substitution tastes good, it softens the pretzel crust so the crust isn’t as crisp. If using whipped cream, add 2/3 cup sugar to the cream cheese to reach the same sweetness and refrigerate the cream portion for 45 minutes for it to set better.
What Kind of Pretzels are Best for Pretzel Jello?
Use small, SALTED pretzels (either sticks or traditional pretzel twists). Salted hard pretzels add the salty element which is surprising but so good. Smaller pretzels are easier to crush and measure.
Tips for Strawberry Pretzel Salad:
- Dissolve the jello according to recipe instructions (NOT package instructions)
- Use softened cream cheese and thaw cool whip in the refrigerator
- Measure 2 1/2 cups of whole pretzels
- Spread cream portion all the way to the edges for a tight seal before adding jello
- Pour room temperature jello gently over the top to prevent cracks in the cream layer
Watch How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad:
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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Ingredients
- 6 oz strawberry Jell-O
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 1/2 cups salted pretzels, (measured before crushing)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 8 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 8 oz cool whip, thawed in the fridge
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Combine strawberry Jell-O with 2 cups boiling water and stir until completely dissolved. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Crush 2 1/2 cups pretzels in a sturdy ziploc bag, using a rolling pin.
- In a medium sauce pan, melt 8 Tbsp butter then add 1/4 cup sugar and stir. Mix in crushed pretzels. Transfer to a 13x9 glass casserole dish, pressing the pretzel mix evenly over the bottom of the dish and bake for 10 min at 350°F, then cool to room temp.
- When pretzels have cooled, use an electric hand mixer to beat 8 oz cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar on med/high speed until fluffy and white. Fold in 8 oz Cool Whip until no streaks of cream cheese remain. Spread mixture over cooled pretzels, spreading to the edges of the dish to create a tight seal. Refrigerate 30 min.
- Hull and slice 1 lb strawberries then stir into your room temperature jello. Pour and spread strawberry jello mixture evenly over your cooled cream cheese layer and refrigerate until jello is set (2-4 hours).
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Tools We Used for this Strawberry Pretzel Jello (affiliate links):
2 Quart Ovenproof Glass Batter Bowl
Glass baking dish
Breville Stainless Steel Electric Kettle
Glass mixing bowl
Stainless Steel Saucepan
Le Creuset Silicone Spatula
Wusthof Classic Ikon 6-inch Utility Knife
OXO Good Grips Nylon Flexible Turner
I hope this pretzel ‘salad’ becomes a new favorite for you! If you have a suggestion for something you want to see on our blog, I’d love to hear about it in a comment below.
I made the recipe exactly as written and used mini pretzel twists as recommended, measured before crushing. They didn’t even cover half of the 9×13 dish and it was way too much butter. I added a bit more pretzels and transferred them to a 8×8 which they covered with just the right thickness. It seems weight measurements would be more accurate here. I still used all of the cool whip and cream cheese but only half the strawberries and jello. It was delicious but next time I want to actually make a 9×13 I’ll use a different recipe.
HI Jessica, I’ll need to add a weight measurement for pretzels next time I make this – it could be the type or size of pretzels and how much volume they take up.
Amazing!This dessert is always a hit! Follow the recipe exactly as written. My husband unintentionally bought sugar free Jell-O and it worked! Seriously, you will win the “People’s Award” bringing this to your next get-together!
Awesome. Best directions on the internet to make this recipe. My family loves this dessert. Bookmarked forever!
Made this for a birthday party and received rave reviews! Made exactly as directed and it was delicious!! My daughter said it was the most nostalgic dessert she’s had in years and she wants it every year from now on for her birthday!
Aww, that’s amazing! I’m so glad your daughter loved it!
loved it! Easy to make and eats light as well
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, NC!
Why did my jello run through to my pretzels at the bottom 😭😭😭😭😭
Hi Tee! This often happens if you didn’t create a good seal with the cream. Make sure to spread it all the way to the sides so there aren’t any gaps. Also, make sure the jello is cooled down before adding it, and pour it on slowly.
The video says 2 cups pretzels but the recipe says 2 1/2 cups. Which is correct? Thank you!
Hi Jill! Follow the written recipe.
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G ! Natasha!
I have ALWAYS used fresh strawberries but this time I used frozen which I let thaw but it was a ooey gooey mess!
Also do you know of a way to crush the pretzel to a dust,imy husband can’t eat it and enjoy it! Would the 2 1/2 cups increase??
Hi Amy! I’m so happy you love this recipe! One of my viewers reported crushing her pretzels finely and it resulted in a very tough crust, like cement, and she was not able to cut through it. I haven’t personally tested it, so I can’t so for sure how it would work.
U add jello to 2 cups boiling water,dissolve and add frozen berries to that stirring until it barely starts to thicken and pour on then refrigerate
Loved it. My only hiccup was that some of the pretzels stuck to the pan, making it hard to get out. Should I have pre-treated my pan first?
Hi Corrine! Are you using a glass pan? That works best to not stick. There is enough butter in the crust to keep it from sticking but you can grease your pan too if needed.
Wonder if you can make this with sugar free jello and sugar substitutes like munk fruit? Has anyone tried?? I love this recipe but hubby is diabetic.
Hi Paula, I haven’t tried it that way but a couple of my readers have reported good results with sugar free jello, sugar free cool whip and sugar substitute. Without testing it myself, I can’t really recommend it or tell you how much to substitute. I hope you enjoy it if you try sugar free
Hey Paula! I made a keto one once with all the sugar free stuff and substitutes. I replaced the pretzels with pecans 😊
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Brittany!
Can you make the crust a day or two ahead of time and not refrigerate? I need this for Sunday and won’t be back home until then and won’t have an oven to bake the crust in
Hi Jennifer! I haven’t tested that, but I think that would be ok.
Yes, I have used sugar free jello, used cool whip lite (whatever type has lower sugar),
Anyway I can cut calories or sugar…wirks out Wonderfully 😋