Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad?? YAS QUEEN. Don’t even question this masterpiece, just accept it. It’s the ultimate sweet-and-salty combo that you didn’t know you needed in your life. Healthy folks might try to call it a ‘dessert,’ but honestly, I wouldn’t even limit it to that. It’s like a party in your mouth—salty pretzels, creamy layers, and that sweet jello finish. It’s the kind of thing you could eat at any time of day—breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner… who’s judging? No one, because it’s that good. It’s sweet, salty, and totally addictive. Originally published January 30, 2012.
Table of Contents
- This sweet and salty strawberry jello salad rocks
- Strawberry jello salad ingredients
- How to make jello salad with fruit
- Step 1: The Crunchy Pretzel Base
- Step 2: The Jello Layer
- Step 3: The Cream Cheese Layer (aka the magic layer)
- Step 4: The Final Chill
- What to serve strawberry jello salad with
- How to store strawberry jello salad
- Can I freeze strawberry jello salad?
- More fresh fruity desserts
- I published this recipe in 2012…
- Jello Pretzel Salad Recipe
- Here is more of the “story”
Hello friends, I’ve got a blast from the past for you today!! I posted this recipe back in 2012, but am updating the photos and recipe in April 2025. This recipe is an oldie but a goodie! Here is what was going on with us in 2012, my 14-year-old daughter was just a baby :
So Eric and I have been cramming for Charlotte’s one-year check-up with the doctor. There is this test that we are supposed to put her through to see if she is up to speed on baby skills. Stuff like one-handed cartwheels, obstacle courses, and speed reading.
Just kidding. It’s really a list of stuff that you should be doing with your kid to help them develop, like peek-a-boo and waving bye-bye. We are trying to get them all checked off before her appointment so that we can add “smartest baby in the world” to our previously accomplished “cutest baby in the world” achievement.
Charlotte has yet to take her first step. A few days ago I was in the other room when Eric called to me, Karen this is it! I’ve found a way to get Charlotte to walk! I came in expecting him to be luring her with his iPhone.
Instead, I see this. That’s right, he put necktie reins on our baby. She will be running around in no time. Don’t worry I will put the brakes on if he decides to bust out the baby blinders.
This sweet and salty strawberry jello salad rocks
Okay, back to 2025 Karen :) I LOVE this “salad.” (Bless our grandmother’s hearts for their versions of salad!!) It’s always a hit at parties.
It’s a layer of crushed pretzels on the bottom, just like a graham cracker crust. And then a tangy-sweet layer of cream cheese folded with whipped cream, and topped with strawberry jello and fresh or frozen strawberries.
You might be weirded out thinking about pretzels as a crust, but it works, I promise. It’s quite salty and has that “briny” pretzel taste that is so distinctive. The sweetness of the cream cheese/whipped cream layer and especially the jello layer balances it out perfectly.
If you are still dubious about the pretzel layer, you can make this with a graham crust! I’ve got instructions in the notes. Sometimes I make it that way, it’s a lot sweeter. This is a dessert no matter which way you slice it, but that doesn’t stop me from slapping it on my Easter plate alongside my ham 🤣
Featured Comment
“I don’t even like jello and this is still one of my favorite things I’ve eaten in recent memory!”
-Kristy
Don’t knock it til you try it! Let me know if you make it. Here’s all the details below! 👇
Strawberry jello salad ingredients
Here’s a quick shopping list to help you gather your ingredients. Jump to the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions!
- pretzels
- brown sugar
- butter
- instant strawberry jello
- frozen or fresh strawberries
- cream cheese
- sugar
- Cool Whip
How to make jello salad with fruit
Okay, folks, here’s how you make this legendary strawberry jello Pretzel Salad. The key to success is in the layers. The layers are everythingggg
Start with the pretzel crust.
Step 1: The Crunchy Pretzel Base
Start by combining pretzels, brown sugar, and melted butter in a bowl, then press it all into a greased 9×13 pan. Pop it in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Step 2: The Jello Layer
We are going to use a little more water than called for on the jello package. In testing, I just realized I wanted MORE JELLO. Two packages of jello was too much, but stretching the jello by adding a bit more water and strawberries gave me a better ratio that I liked. I actually shot this recipe before making this change—so the final photos you see show a slightly smaller layer of jello than you will actually get when making the recipe.
First up, boil some water:
Pop the jello in the fridge to let it chill and partially set. This can take up to 2 hours—don’t rush this! If the jello is too runny when you pour it over the cream cheese, it’ll leak through the layer and your pretzels will be soggy-sad. Wait until it’s thickened up just enough to hold its shape.
Step 3: The Cream Cheese Layer (aka the magic layer)
Now beat some cream cheese and add some powdered sugar:
Remove the cream cheese and use the same bowl to beat the whipped cream.
Then combine the cream cheese and whipped cream, and layer over the crust!
Here’s the super important step: when spreading the cream cheese layer, make sure to go all the way to the edges of the pan to create a nice seal. This is key because if you don’t seal the sides, your jello might leak through and soggify those pretzels.
Step 4: The Final Chill
Once your jello has set to the right consistency, pour it over the cream cheese layer and refrigerate until it’s fully set—this could take a couple more hours. Now go ahead and try not to eat it all before the party. Spoiler: It’s impossible.
Patience is key here, especially when it comes to the chilling time. If you rush it, you might end up with soggy pretzels, and nobody wants that.
What to serve strawberry jello salad with
Strawberry jello salad is the perfect sidekick for BBQ and cookout spreads because it’s both refreshing and indulgent, balancing out all the smoky, savory flavors. Here are some of my favorite dishes that pair super well with it:
- Best Smoked Pulled Pork Recipe >> the smoky, tender meat meets creamy salty jello salad
- The Best Hot Dog You Will Ever Eat >> you really can’t go wrong here
- Grilled Chicken >>this is my favorite marinade!
- Fresh Coleslaw >> you can’t have a BBQ without coleslaw!
- Best EVER Potato Salad >> a sure crowd-pleaser
How to store strawberry jello salad
Once you’ve served it up, make sure to put it back in the fridge right away because jello needs to stay nice and cold. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. For the best taste and texture, try to enjoy it within 3 to 5 days—any longer, and it might start to get a little weird. Weird meaning soggy but still 100% sugary and edible, ask me how I know. I did a lot of tests on this recipe lol. SO MUCH JELLOOO
Can I freeze strawberry jello salad?
Whatever you do, don’t freeze it! Thawed jello turns into a watery mess. Don’t be a fool. Eat it for breakfastlunchndinner til it’s gone! Or call the neighbors for a jello party! I can’t think of anything more fun 😉
More fresh fruity desserts
Plus a few more of my favorite jello desserts, let’s bring back the 1950s!
- Creamy Strawberry Banana Jello >> you can call it salad. You can call it dessert. I don’t care! We all know it’s delicious
- Sea Foam Salad (Creamy Pear Jello) >> pears, jello, cream cheese, and fresh whipped cream make a light and spongey, perfectly-1950s jello side dish
- Coca-Cola Jello Salad with Cherries >> cherries and Coke go together like two peas in a pod
- Lemon Strawberry Shortcake >> I LOVE the mix of sweet and citrus
- The Easiest Mixed Berry Cobbler Recipe You’ll Ever Make >> you will never find a berry cobbler easier than this one
- 7-Up Jello Salad from Granny’s in the Kitchen
- Rhubarb Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches from Frostings and Fettuccine
- Nectarine Upside Down Cake from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
I published this recipe in 2012…
And here’s the horrendous photo to prove it. Haha!! Everybody’s got to start somewhere, right?? I shot this on my coffee table in my living room, because that was the only window in our tiny apartment back then. You can see the afghan that my Aunt Cheryl crocheted for me in the background on the couch 💕
Jello Pretzel Salad
Ingredients
For the crust
- 6 cups pretzels
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup butter, (1 and 1/2 sticks), melted
For the jello
- 2 and 1/4 cups water
- 1 (6-oz) package instant raspberry jello, or strawberry jello*
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 4 cup fresh strawberries, (buy 2 and 1/2 pounds strawberries total)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, for the strawberries
For the cream cheese
- 1 (8-oz package) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For the whipped cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream*, see note for sub
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350. Add 6 cups of pretzels and 1/4 cup sugar to a food processor.* Blend on low until the pretzels are almost powdered. Pretzels are pretty stubborn, so let the processor run for a solid 2 minutes at least.
- Add 3/4 cup melted butter to the food processor, and whir until combined. Scrape the pretzel mixture into a glass 9×13 inch pan. (Glass because it's pretty to see the layers. You can use any pan you want!)
- Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Let cool completely (I like to stick it in the fridge or freezer to speed this up)
- Prep the strawberries: Slice 5 cups of strawberries. Add to a bowl and sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar. Stir and let sit for 15 minutes to macerate.**
- Make the jello: In a 3-quart saucepan, bring 2 and 1/4 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Add the 6 ounces of raspberry jello powder and whisk to combine. Make sure all the powder is dissolved.
- Add 1 cup of the sliced strawberries to the jello mixture. If you have an immersion blender, blend the strawberries into the jello. This will create a slightly creamier texture to your jello, rather than the bouncy clear version you are used to. You can skip it if you want! The mixture will be foamy. (you can transfer the mixture to a regular blender if you don't have an immersion blender.)
- Add the remaining 4 cups of strawberries and all the juice to the pot with the jello. Stir to combine. Put this in the fridge for about 2 hours, stirring about halfway through. You want the jello to be partially set. Leave it in a little longer if necessary. If it is not set enough, it will leak through your cream cheese layer and make your pretzels soggy.
- Make the cream cheese mixture: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat 8 ounces of cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt until smooth. There should be no lumps. Scrape the mixture into another small bowl and set aside.
- In the same bowl you beat the cream cheese in (no need to clean it out) add 1 cup cream and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat on high for 2-3 minutes, until you have soft peaks. Read my Whipped Cream post for all the details about whipping cream.
- Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the whipped cream. Don't mix too hard, you don't want to deflate the whipped cream. Just gentle folds until it's combined. Refrigerate this until you are ready for layering.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the pretzel crust. Make sure you spread completely to the edges to create a seal, so your jello doesn’t leak through.
- Pour the jello over cream cheese layer. Arrange the strawberries in the jello on top so they look pretty. Refrigerate until set! Serve cold.
Notes
- 2 packages graham crackers (18 full sheets), crushed into powder
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
Nutrition
Here is more of the “story”
It was part of my old blog post from 2012. This video is still available and still makes me laugh. Ahhh the days before TikTok and reels!
“I’ve only been in Utah for four months and I’m already making weird jello combinations. But not as weird as this:
The other day my brother gave me this link which his friend Kristy had sent to him with the comment, “Get Karen to make this!!! It is not at all a waste of time!” It is a video of somebody making an origami crane out of jello. Yes you read that right. And all this while the.coolest.song.ever. plays in the background (Rill Rill by the band Sleigh Bells). My favorite parts about this video:
- The fact that there are absolutely no measurements
- Their huge container of gelatin. Where did they even get that?
- The only other things they have in their fridge to go with their jello-cranes is a can of Crisco and a beer.
- The part where they are making a paper crane and say, “Sorry you can’t see this part . . . It’s important.“
I love this jello, I need to make it again soon! Also, when I saw Janice’s comment about her grandma making it all the time, my first thought was “why did I write that? My grandma made sea foam salad.” Then it occurred to me there might be more than one Janice in the world 🤣
One of my favorite childhood dishes. Grandma made it for every family gathering.
Love the Recipe. I left the pretzels a little crunchy, broke them up in a plastic bag. Oh, my goodness. They added the taste of nuts to the crust. This will make a great special Occassion and everyday dinner, salad or desert.
Our family makes this with Raspberry jello and frozen raspberries. Mmmmmm.
ooh now that sounds delicious Kelli! Thanks for chiming in!
FOOLPROOF. As in, I accidentally DOUBLED the water when making the jello and it was STILL awesome. Also, I could eat the pretzel/butter/brown sugar crust with a spoon, like even more so than I would want to do that with graham cracker crust. A true winner!
Sarah how do you mess up Jello?? haha. Good to know this recipe is so fool proof :)
I blame being 7 months pregnant for feeling aversion toward this jello dish, especially since I normally like all things jello. Oh, and alcoholic jello is huge. Many entire sites dedicated to it (seriously). People are crazy.
haha. that video is so not easy. i also love pretzel salad. it is way more delicious than it sounds. yum.
i had this jello somewhere, and couldn’t figure out who made it so i could beg the recipe from them – thank you! also, if you go to the website the jello crane came from, you’ll see that most of their jello is infused with vodka, which just made me laugh even more. [if you want to try the cranes, i can send you one of our origami books!]
ew vodka jello??? gross!! also awesome.
I don’t even like Jello and that’s still one of the favorite things I’ve eaten in recent memory!
I love this salad! Many people have brought it to potlucks! I also love the tie harness. Very creative. Joy and I watched the Jello Crane video. Very weird. Very, very Weird.
Awesome! Both the tie idea and the recipe!