Strawberry pretzel jello salad is three layers of sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy, tart, tangy perfection! Now let’s arm wrestle over if it’s a salad or dessert!

I could live in strawberry season forever. Is there a place where it’s strawberry season forever? That’s where I want to live. Let me know in the comments below.

Strawberry shortcake is my absolute favorite dessert ever. Strawberries in a salad are divine. What can I say? Strawberries and I are besties! So I don’t really know if I think it’s a dessert or a salad, but it totally doesn’t matter. My answer is YES!

A serving of strawberry pretzel jello salad on a white dessert plate. The salad is layered with pretzel on the bottom, then a white cream layer topped with a layer of strawberry jello packed with sliced strawberries. A dollop of cool whip is on top. Two other servings are in the background.

I’m going to refer to it as a salad or a side dish for this post, just so we can all feel healthy about eating it. If you’re looking for a salad for your summer BBQs, you should give this recipe a try! I have never taken it to a gathering where it hasn’t been devoured.

Ingredients Needed for Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Here is your grocery list for each of the three layers of this salad:

Pretzel Layer – pretzels, butter, brown sugar and sugar

Jello Layer – strawberry jello, water, strawberries (fresh or frozen)

Cream Layer – sugar, cream cheese, Cool Whip

A casserole dish of strawberry pretzel jello salad. The strawberry jello is loaded with strawberry slices and there are two spoons and several strawberries beside the dish. A white bowl is in the background. The

How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

The steps for making this recipe are simple. Here they are broken down by layer:

Pretzel Layer

  • Preheat oven.
  • Combine all the ingredients well.
  • Press into baking dish.
  • Bake and let cool completely.

Cream Layer

  • Beat the sugar and cream cheese together.
  • Fold in Cool Whip.
  • Spread over cooled pretzel layer.

Jello Layer

  • Mix the jello powder and boiling water until the powder is dissolved.
  • Stir in the strawberries.
  • Put in fridge and let it cool.
  • Pour over the cream layer.
  • Refrigerate until firm (3-4 hours)
All the details for making this salad can be found in the recipe card below this post. Our tips for making this salad are in the next section.
A serving of strawberry pretzel jello salad on a white dessert plate. The salad is layered with pretzel on the bottom, cream layer in the middle and strawberry jello packed with sliced strawberries on top. The salad has a dollop of cool whip on top. there are two more servings in the background.

Tips for Making Strawberry Pretzel Salad

  • Measure the 2 cups of pretzels whole before chopping them up.
  • Chop the pretzels on a cutting board with a sharp knife.
  • Spread the cream layer all the way to the sides of the pan so it seals the crust and protects it from the jello layer.
  • Dissolve the jello as the directions states for this recipe. Don’t follow the directions on the box of jello.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature. That will help the cream layer be smooth.
  • Cooling the jello in the fridge will bring the temperature down. Putting hot liquid on the cream layer will crack that layer and ruin the salad.

Can I Use Whipped Cream Instead of Cool Whip?

Normally I am all about the whipped cream, but for this recipe, I would highly recommend sticking with Cool Whip. I’ve found that whipped cream sogs out the pretzels.

A white casserole dish with strawberry pretzel jello salad. The jello is filled with sliced strawberries and there are strawberries and two spoons next to the casserole dish.

Can You Make Jello Salad Ahead?

This recipe can be made 2-3 days in advance.  Cover the salad and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. It is best to serve about a half day after making it.

Can I Use Frozen Strawberries Be Used?

Yes, frozen strawberries can be used. Defrost them and drain them thoroughly. You don’t want to add any unnecessary moisture.

A white casserole dish with strawberry pretzel jello salad. The strawberry jello is filled with sliced strawberries. Two spoons, strawberries and a couple of small white bowls are in the background.

How Long Will Strawberry Pretzel Salad Keep?

This salad will keep for 5-7 days in the refrigerator. Cover well before storing.

Are Strawberries Good For You?

Strawberries have particularly high levels of antioxidants and they are packed with vitamins and fiber.  

Strawberries are a sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, low-calorie food. 

A serving of strawberry pretzel jello salad on a white salad plate. The salad has three layers, pretzel on the bottom, a cream layer in the middle and strawberry jello with sliced strawberries on top. The salad is topped with a dollop of cool whip. There are two other servings in the background.

Okay, okay it’s probably a dessert, right? But jello salad can always pass as a side dish here in Utah! So I will make this and a dessert to eat afterward! Indulge baby!

More Jello Recipes You’ll Love:

 

Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad

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Servings: 12
Prep Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 25 mins

Ingredients 

Pretzel Layer

  • 2 Cups Pretzels, broken into pieces
  • 1/2 Cup Butter
  • 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Sugar

Jello Layer

  • 1 Box Jello, 6 oz. Strawberry
  • 2 Cups Water, Boiling
  • 4 Cups Strawberries, fresh or frozen

Cream Layer

  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 8 oz. Cream Cheese, room temperature
  • 8 oz. Cool Whip

Instructions

Pretzel Layer

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Combine pretzels, melted butter, brown sugar and sugar, stirring well until combined.
  • Press into a 9x13” baking dish
  • Bake for 6-7 minutes and then cool completely.

Cream Layer

  • Beat the 1 cup sugar with the cream cheese until smooth. Fold in the Cool Whip. 
  • Gently spread over the the pretzels, pressing the cream cheese totally against the sides of the pan to seal the crust so the Jello won’t leak. 

Jello Layer

  • Mix Jello and boiling water until all sugar is dissolved. Stir in the berries. 
  • Place in the fridge to cool for 15 minutes. 
  • Pour over the cream cheese and refrigerate until firm, about 3-4 hours. 

Notes

Cover left overs and store in refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 347mgPotassium: 138mgFiber: 1gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 529IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 1mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: 100 + Salad Recipes to Obsess Over
Cuisine: American

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A serving of strawberry pretzel jello salad on a white dessert plate. The salad is layered with pretzel on the bottom, then a white cream layer topped with a layer of strawberry jello packed with sliced strawberries. A dollop of cool whip is on top. Two other servings are in the background.

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