There’s something about strawberry pretzel salad that just feels like home. It shows up at potlucks, holidays, and summer get-togethers and for good reason! You get that perfect mix of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy in every bite.
This recipe is simple, make-ahead friendly, and always one of the first dishes to disappear.
If you’ve ever come home with a flat of strawberries and thought “now what?”, this is one of my favorite ways to use them.
If you have extra strawberries, try making my strawberry freezer jam or learn how to freeze strawberries for later.
Why This Recipe Works
Balanced flavor - salty pretzel crust + sweet strawberry layer makes for a delicious dessert
Make-ahead friendly - perfect for busy days or gatherings
No fancy ingredients – this is a humble recipe, using real-life pantry staples
Great for a crowd – the recipe easily feeds a group. All the best recipes can be made in a 9x13 pan, don't you think?
This is the version I grew up with. My Aunt Sue made this strawberry pretzel salad for birthdays and family gatherings, and to this day, it’s still the best I’ve ever had (Ryan agrees!)
I’m pretty sure her secret was using pineapple juice in the strawberry layer - it really sets it apart. She even shared a handwritten copy of her recipe with me, and this is the version I keep coming back to again and again. 🥰
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🛒 Ingredients
This strawberry pretzel salad comes together with three simple layers:
- Pretzel Crust: Crushed pretzels, sugar, and melted butter create a salty, crunchy base.
- Cream Layer: Cream cheese, sugar, and whipped topping make a smooth, slightly sweet middle layer.
- Strawberry Layer: Strawberry gelatin, pineapple juice, and fresh strawberries add a bright, fruity finish.
Tip: You’ll need about 1 pound of fresh strawberries to get 2 cups of sliced strawberries. Slice them vertically for the best texture and appearance.
See recipe card below for specific quantities and ingredient list.
🥣 How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- Step 1: Make the Pretzel Crust. Mix crushed pretzels, sugar, and melted butter. Press firmly into a 9×13 baking dish. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes, then let cool completely.
- Step 3: Prepare the Strawberry Layer. Dissolve gelatin in hot pineapple juice. Refrigerate for 45–60 minutes, until slightly thickened but still pourable. Stir in sliced strawberries.
Tip: Using pineapple juice instead of water gives the strawberry layer a subtle tropical sweetness that pairs beautifully with the salty pretzel crust.
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- Step 2: Make the Cream Layer. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in Cool Whip. Spread over the cooled crust, making sure to seal all the way to the edges.
Sealing all the way to the edges is the trick to keep the crust from getting soggy.
- Step 4: Assemble and Chill. Pour the strawberry mixture over the cream layer. Refrigerate for 4–6 hours or overnight until fully set.
📋 Variations
If you'd like to add your own spin to this recipe, try these...
- Use raspberries or mixed berries instead of strawberries
- Swap pineapple juice for water (traditional version)
- Add crushed pineapple (well drained) for extra flavor
Farm Girl Tips
- Don’t crush the pretzels too fine. You want small chunks, not crumbs for that classic crunch.
- Spread the cream layer all the way to the edges so the gelatin doesn’t seep through.
- Let the crust cool completely. If you move forward with a warm crust you'll end up with a melted cream layer.
- Use slightly thickened gelatin. If it's too thin it will soak into the layers. Refrigeration is key here.
Make Ahead & Storage
Do not freeze: I don't recommend freezing strawberry pretzel salad. The texture of the cream and gelatin will change.
Make ahead: You can, however, make it ahead of time! It's best made the day before serving.
Store leftovers covered for up to 3 days.
FAQ
Fresh is best for texture, but you can sub in frozen strawberries. Thaw them for best results.
It's super-duper important to run the cream layer all the way to the edges, even in the corners. Not doing this is usually why your pretzel crust is soggy.
Yes! This is actually better when made ahead, which makes it perfect for holidays and busy seasons.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to know what you think! Leave a ⭐ star rating and review below. It helps other readers and makes my day! 😉
This recipe comes straight from my Aunt Sue, who made it for just about every birthday and family get-together. Her version uses pineapple juice in the strawberry layer and after years of eating it, I have to agree it makes it the best!
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Recipe
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
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Ingredients
Pretzel Crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels coarsely crushed
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
Cream Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 8 ounces whipped topping like Cool Whip, thawed
Strawberry Layer
- 2 cups pineapple juice heated
- 1 6-ounce package strawberry gelatin (such as Jell-O)
- 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries about 1 pound
Instructions
Pretzel Crust
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups crushed pretzels, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, and 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter.Press mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
Cream Layer
- In a large bowl, beat 8 ounces cream cheese and ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth.Fold in 8 ounces whipped topping until fully combined.
- Spread evenly over the cooled crust, making sure to seal completely to the edges.
Strawberry Layer
- In a bowl, dissolve 1 6-ounce package strawberry gelatin (such as Jell-O) completely in 2 cups pineapple juice.
- Refrigerate for 45–60 minutes, until slightly thickened but still pourable. Stir in 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries.
- Carefully pour over the cream layer. It's okay to let the strawberries fall where they may. If you get too fussy, it can disrupt the cream layer and pull it to the top. Still great for eating but not as pretty.
- Refrigerate for at least 4–6 hours or overnight, until fully set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use coarsely crushed pretzels for the best texture (not too fine).
- Make sure the cream layer is spread fully to the edges to prevent a soggy crust.
- Slice strawberries vertically for the best texture and appearance.
- Crushed graham crackers can be used in place of the pretzels.
- Water can be used in placed of pineapple juice.
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
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