Strawberry Pretzel Salad in a Jar

Learn how to make this delicious dessert with pretzels, strawberries, and cheesecake cream! Strawberry Pretzel Salad is getting a makeover, served in pretty layered glass jars for easy individual servings.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad is one of those old-fashioned no-bake desserts that everyone loves, much like Banana Pudding and Orange Jello Salad.

These tasty treats are a staple at potlucks and get-togethers all year long, and always the first dishes to be empty. They also make an impressive dessert for picnics, barbecues, and even kids’ parties. The individual servings make an excellent option for holiday gifts too. You can decorate the jars with themed ribbons or tags to match the occasion.

Often this veggie free “salad” is made in a casserole dish and scooped out into bowls, but these pretzel salad parfaits are single serve, beautifully layered into mini mason jars for a fancier effect.

Looking for a different type of no-bake treat? Try making a Banana Graham Cracker Icebox Cake!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. No Cooking – Aside from melting some butter, there’s no cooking involved in this no-bake dessert recipe.
2. Easy Ingredients – We’re using a few canned and packaged shortcuts to make this dessert. It’s truly amazing what a box of Jell-O instant pudding can turn into!
3. Adorable Presentation – I love the way these pretzel parfaits look in jam jars! You can also use other small glass dishes, or even plastic clear dishes if you like.

Ingredients In Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Here’s what you need to make this sweet and salty layered no-bake dessert:

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

• The Pretzel Layer- Crushed mini pretzels. Pretzels are an excellent choice for the base layer of this dessert. They bring a unique salty and crunchy texture that contrasts perfectly with the creaminess and sweetness of the other layers. I prefer to use Snyder’s Itty Bitty Minis, but you can use any pretzel type you like. Just ensure you crush them well to create a solid base. The added sugar sweetens this layer, providing a balance of flavors, while the butter binds the crushed pretzels together to form a more compact layer.
• The Cream Layer – The creamy middle layers and topping are made with a box of cheesecake flavored instant Jell-O Pudding blended with heavy cream and a bit of powdered sugar to make it thick and rich.
• The Strawberry Layer – Using simple canned strawberry pie filling is the easiest way to do this part. You can also use freshly made strawberry pie filling if that’s something that you’re interested in trying.

How To Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad in a Jar

1. Make the Pretzel Layer: Add the pretzels to a ziplock bag and crush them into small pieces. Stir the pretzel crumbs together with melted butter and granulated sugar in a medium bowl until well combined.
2. Make the Cream Layer: Add heavy cream, pudding mix, and powdered sugar to a medium mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add the cream mixture to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
3. Layer the Parfaits: Add about 2 tablespoons of the pretzel crumb mixture to each of 7 small glass jars. Top each with 2 tablespoons of strawberry pie filling, and then a piped swirl of the cream topping.
4. Repeat: Repeat the layers again (pretzels, strawberry filling, cream) to fill the jars. Garnish with any remaining pretzel crumbs or fresh strawberry slices, if desired.

Recipe Tips

• This strawberry pretzel salad can be made in a 8×8-inch baking dish if desired, use a serving spoon to portion out. 
• To lighten up this dessert, replace the cream cheese pudding mixture with plain whipped cream or whipped topping instead. 
• If you’d like to use fresh strawberry pie filling, you’ll need about 2 cups of it for this recipe. 
• If you can’t find cheesecake pudding mix, you can use vanilla pudding mix instead. 
• If you’d rather not use a piping bag, simply spoon in the cream filling instead. Your desserts will still look great and taste amazing!
• Enjoy your strawberry pretzel salad soon after making it. The pretzels will get soggy if not. 

Storing Tips

You can store leftovers, covered, in the fridge for up to 2 days. Be advised that the pretzels will get soggy if you don’t enjoy this treat immediately after making it.

Recipe FAQs

Everyone is going to love this tasty version of a classic strawberry pretzel salad! You may want to double the recipe so that there is enough to share! Be sure to Pin this to make later too.