Try this healthy strawberry pretzel salad, an elevated take on a classic. Naturally sweetened, salty, creamy, and crunchy, it\u2019s always a hit for gatherings, potlucks, or dessert!<\/p>\n
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\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSpring is one of my favorite seasons!<\/p>\n
And one reason I love it so much? It\u2019s strawberry season!<\/p>\n
As soon as those bright red berries make an appearance at the farmers\u2019 markets<\/a>, or I see a big sale at the grocery store, I stock up and make all things strawberry: Strawberry Pancakes<\/a>, Strawberry Lemonade Donuts<\/a>, Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits<\/a>, not to mention my Indulgent Strawberry Pecan Blue Cheese Salad<\/a>. Yum!<\/p>\n Yep, in berry season I\u2019m enjoying as many strawberries as I can, and one of my favorite desserts with strawberries is strawberry pretzel salad.<\/p>\n A classic and ever-popular dessert \u201csalad,\u201d this strawberry pretzel salad recipe is naturally sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy all at the same time!<\/p>\n In fact, it\u2019s not really a salad, but a delicious, layered strawberry cheesecake-type dessert that is super simple to make considering it\u2019s mostly no-bake!<\/p>\n Plus, it\u2019s healthy \u2013 sugar-free, made without cool whip, and has no jello (which means you aren\u2019t getting the unhealthy additives and high fructose corn syrup<\/a> from the frozen whipped topping and boxed strawberry jell-o!).<\/p>\n Strawberry salad with pretzels is great for potlucks or summer gatherings when fresh strawberries are in season, or just for an easy dessert. And you can also use frozen strawberries<\/a> to enjoy that berry flavor all year long.<\/p>\n I can\u2019t wait for you to try this super easy and healthy version of a summer family favorite!<\/p>\n This strawberry pretzel dessert has three layers, each with just a few simple ingredients.<\/p>\n Ready to make strawberry salad with pretzels? Follow these instructions!<\/p>\n I know it may seem like a lot of steps, but trust me, it\u2019s super easy! I like to be very detailed for you!<\/em><\/p>\n Make the Base Layer<\/strong><\/p>\n Step 1. Measure pretzels into a food processor<\/a> <\/strong>and turn on high until you have a mixture of fine crumbs, about 2 minutes. You can also place the pretzels in a resealable bag<\/a> and crush them with a rolling pin<\/a>, but you may end up with uneven pieces.<\/p>\n Step 2. Add the melted butter <\/strong>and maple syrup<\/a> to the crushed pretzels and pulse several times until everything is well combined.<\/p>\n Step 3. Press the pretzel mixture VERY WELL<\/strong> into the bottom of a 9\u00d79<\/a> or 8\u00d711 baking dish as tightly as you can. Bake in the oven at 375F for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely, about 5 minutes at room temperature, then 10 minutes in the freezer.<\/p>\n Step 4. Once you move the base layer to the fridge, <\/strong>next make the cream layer.<\/p>\n Step 5. Wipe out the crumbs from the food processor<\/strong> and measure 1 cup of heavy cream into the bowl.<\/p>\n Step 6. Turn on high for 10-second intervals<\/strong> until you have whipped cream. It took me about 10 cycles, at 10 seconds each to get nice stiff peaks. Be careful to not overwhip or you\u2019ll start to get butter! Scoop whipped topping out into a large bowl. (You can also use a stand mixer or electric mixer to whip cream<\/a>. But since we already have the food processor out and dirtied, why make more dishes?)<\/p>\n Step 7. Put cream cheese into the processor <\/strong>bowl and add vanilla<\/a> and maple syrup. Process on high until the cream cheese is very smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Scoop into the bowl with the whipped cream and very gently fold together using large sweeping motions from the outside of the bowl to the inside of the bowl.<\/p>\n Step 8. You\u2019ll need to \u201csweep\u201d the outside of the bowl <\/strong>while turning the bowl about 6 times in order to incorporate. Be careful not to over-stir or you\u2019ll lose that whippy-ness of the cream!<\/p>\n Step 9. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the cooled pretzel layer<\/strong> and place in the refrigerator to chill. Set a timer for 30 minutes.<\/p>\n Step 10. When the timer beeps, make the strawberry jello layer.<\/strong> Combine sliced strawberries, maple syrup, and lemon juice in a large saucepan. Bring just to a boil, then remove from the heat. Use a potato masher or wooden spoon to break down the strawberries, if desired.<\/p>\n Step 11. Measure 1 cup of water and sprinkle gelatin<\/a> over it. <\/strong>Allow it to bloom for about 30 seconds, then whisk well.<\/p>\n Step 12. Pour the gelatin into the hot strawberries and whisk<\/a> quickly<\/strong> until it\u2019s dissolved. If there are any clumps of gelatin in the strawberry mixture, remove them and add a pinch of gelatin to compensate.<\/p>\n Step 13. When berries are still warm to the touch BUT NOT HOT, <\/strong>pour over cream cheese filling and place in the fridge until it\u2019s firmed up, at least 2 hours. Slice and enjoy!<\/p>\n Strawberry pretzel salad makes a pretty addition to any meal. It\u2019s great for potlucks or gatherings or simply serve it for dessert after dinner.<\/p>\n Do jello salads fit into a real food lifestyle? This version does!<\/p>\n When you\u2019re including a treat like strawberry pretzel dessert in your day, keep these tips in mind:<\/p>\n Strawberry pretzel salad is a classic dessert that was first presented in the 1960s in the \u201cJoys of Jello\u201d cookbook. Trust me, my updated healthy version isn\u2019t your grandma\u2019s jello pretzel salad! It\u2019s naturally sweet, rich, and delicious!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Make sure the pretzel layer is completely cool before adding the cream cheese layer. You also need to make sure there are no spots where the strawberry layer can leak down into the pretzel layer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Strawberry pretzel salad will stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days \u2013 if it even lasts that long! Cover with plastic wrap or move to an airtight container<\/a> with a lid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Sign up for my FREE Fight Inflation Workshop<\/strong>\u00a0and learn simple strategies to save money, even with rising food costs!\n\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\nWHAT IS STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD?<\/h2>\n
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STRAWBERRY PRETZEL DESSERT INGREDIENTS<\/h2>\n
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![\"Ingredients](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Healthier-Strawberry-Pretzel-Salad_1_resized.jpg.webp)
HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY SALAD WITH PRETZELS<\/h2>\n
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![\"Food](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Healthier-Strawberry-Pretzel-Salad_4_resized.jpg.webp)
Make the Cream Layer<\/h4>\n
![\"Heavy](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Healthier-Strawberry-Pretzel-Salad_5_resized.jpg.webp)
![\"Spooning](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Healthier-Strawberry-Pretzel-Salad_6_resized.jpg.webp)
Make the Strawberry Topping Layer<\/h4>\n
![\"Perfect](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Healthier-Strawberry-Pretzel-Salad_2_resized.jpg.webp)
![\"Side](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Healthier-Strawberry-Pretzel-Salad_7_resized.jpg.webp)
TIPS FOR STRAWBERRY PRETZEL DESSERTS<\/h2>\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Healthier-Strawberry-Pretzel-Salad_9_resized.jpg.webp)
SERVE WITH STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD<\/h2>\n
CAN REAL FOODIES ENJOY STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD?<\/h2>\n
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FAQS FOR STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD RECIPES<\/h2>\n
Where is strawberry pretzel salad from?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Why is my strawberry pretzel salad soggy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How long does pretzel salad last?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
MORE DELICIOUS STRAWBERRY RECIPES<\/h2>\n
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Fight Inflation Workshop!<\/h4>\n