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.
Can peach jello and slice peaches
Work for this receipe?
Yes Charlene, it should work 😀
Can you make this without the fruit in it and it still taste the same? I can’t have seeds and would like to make this.
Hi Kim, it will still work with only jello and no fruit in the top layer, just keep in mind the top layer will be a little thinner so you can add more jello to the top to make it more substantial.
Great recipe! I’ve been making this for at least 30 years and it’s always a hit!!
I’m glad you love it! 🙂
I doubled the pretzel/butter crust and filling ingredients, using organic whipping cream, as Cool Whip is mainly palm oil and corn syrup – yikes on those saturated fats! It worked beautifully and it much healthier. Thanks for the recipe.
You’re welcome Lee! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe. Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers!
Thumbs up. 👍🏾 Fantastic.
I’m glad you like it Cheryl! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this, I’ve just started baking and this is very easy and fast to make, I will try it this week end…thanks again
I love this recipe! Thanks for sharing. Only problem is my pretzels don’t seem to stick to the pan. So when I go to out on the cream after its cooled from the oven, the pretzels come up. The second time making this i learned how to work with it but did anyone else have similar experience and advice? Thanks !!
Hi Diana, it really helps to spoon the cream over the pretzels all around and then spread it. It will have some lift so it’s easiest to spoon it on so you don’t have to work it across the entire pan. I hope that helps for next time! 🙂
I made this tonight. After baking the pretzel mixture it is really hard and sticks to the pan. I followed directions to a T. I hope it softens up in the fridge otherwise it’s a waste of $.
Hi Wendy, it will soften from the cream by morning and should be easier to serve. I hope you love it! 🙂
Can you make this the night before?
Hi Linda, this will work if made the night before when using cool whip, but if you substitute with real whipped cream, the pretzels will soften more overnight. I have tested it both ways.
I use pineapple juice instead of water,yummy!
Yum! That does sound good! 🙂
Usually I make the jello last and add frozen strawberries. I have fresh this time so we’ll see how this turns out.
In the last step, 5, you should change ‘poor’ to ‘pour’.
Thanks for sharing and for catching my ooops! I really appreciate that 🙂
Chuck, do frozen strawberries make the Jell-O soupier? Just wondering if I should thaw and drain before adding to the Jell-O. Making tomorrow. 🙂
Can you substitute frozen strawberries when they are out of season?
Hi Mary, I think that could still work as long as they are not overly large – you might slice them after they have thawed if they are too big so they don’t stick out over the surface of the jello.
Amount of strawberries if frozen?
Hi Megan, I would sub with an equal amount of frozen strawberries.
Great thanks!! Makes sense! Glad I came across your recipe. Turned out way better than another time I tried to make!
I’ve always loved this recipe. So much so that for Thanksgiving & Xmas, I make it with cranberries vs. strawberries. You just grind up a bag of cranberries, add some sugar (to reduce tartness) to it and let it sit while you make the rest of the recipe. Then add the cranberries to the top and chill.
I’m glad you love the recipe Mary! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers!
Hi Natasha! Can you use pretzel sticks (the thin small ones) in this recipe or does it have to be the twists? Thanks!
Hi Christine, either one will work 🙂
This was amazing!! We enjoyed this so much. Very, very yummy!
I thought 2.5 cups of pretzels was not enough so I added more, maybe 3-3.5 cups. It was great
I’m glad you enjoy the recipe Faye! Thanks for sharing your great review with other readers!
I loved this recipe!! I’ve done it three times. It is delicious and perfect for summer time. The only problem I have is when I mix the sugar with the melted butter (for the pretzels). The sugar doesn’t melt, and you can taste the grains of sugar instead of tasting just sweetness. Is this suppose to be like that? Other than that, it is great.
HI Beatriz, I haven’t had that same experience – maybe try keep it on the heat just a little longer. A couple other reasons might be: 1. make sure you are pre-baking your crust which also helps the sugar to melt/set and 2. Do not use a course granule sugar (if using raw sugar or organic, pulse the sugar in a food processor to get the same size granules as granulated sugar).
Followed the recipe exactly and ended up with a thick pretzel layer that was too thick, and a thin cream cheese layer as well. Recipe should not call for that much pretzels. The jello layer is too thin on top as well. 🙁
Hi Jenn, I’m not sure if this helps, but pretzels should be measured before crushing. If you measure pretzels after crushing, you will have significantly more. I haven’t had anyone mention a thin cream cheese layer – is it possible that the amounts were modified from what was in the recipe? Or was a different sized dish used that what is called for?
Made it for friends today. Everyone gave it a big thumb’s up. Thank you for such a great recipe.
You’re welcome Bonnie! I’m happy to hear that everyone enjoys the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review!
This tasted great – but my pretzels stuck to the bottom of the glass pan and were really difficult to scrape off … should I grease the pan or line it before making?
Hi Melanie, Did you alter the proportions? Also, sometimes if you crush the pretzels too finely, it will be more compact of a crust and be more likely to stick. Otherwise, there is enough butter that you should not have to grease the pan. You might also try lining with parchment paper on the bottom to make it easier to cut and serve.
Hi Natasha!
I have a question, I’m wanting to make this for Sunday. I’ve made it before and it didn’t turn out. so if I were to make it Thursday night would it be good to eat on Sunday?
Hi Julie I usually like to make this the night before or max 2 days before so the strawberries stay fresh.
It turned out delicious! And it was super easy to make. I will add this recipe to my favorites for sure!
Yay, I’m so happy to hear that Lena! Thanks for sharing your great review!
Hello there I would love to try this recipe for a family gathering tomorrow evening. I am just wondering if you think it will be OK to make this 24 hours ahead of time? Thank you for the recipe it sounds delicious!
Jana, that should be fine, just keep it refrigerated until serving 😬.