By Becky Hardin
Updated Feb 18, 2025
Necessity is the mother of invention and my Sugar Free Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe is the proof! It is a perfect treat while you are on diet, made with layers of salty and buttery pretzels, low fat cream cheese/whipped cream, and tangy strawberry jello topping. Enjoy the delicious dessert on your favorite Holidays – Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and beyond without any guilt!
5-Star Review
I made this, and it it was amazing!!! You wouldn’t think it was sugar free at all! It was also one of the easiest desserts I have ever made, and I’ve made a TON of desserts!” -Sonja
Strawberry Pretzel Salad (Sugar Free)
This healthy strawberry pretzel salad is one of my all-time favorites. I’ve swapped out the sugar for Stevia, and am so excited to share how tasty this recipe can be when made a bit healthier.
Don’t be intimidated by the layers or number of ingredients. This healthy strawberry salad with cream cheese is real to make! It’s the perfect side dish all year long round.
Tips for Beginners
- Make a uniform crushed powder for pretzels. It helps form a firm crust.
- Use butter and cream cheese at room temperature.
- Be careful while pouring Jello liquid over the cream cheese layer. It should not mix in the cheesy layer. It is better to use a spoon and slowly add it on top. Also let the Jello liquid settle a bit in its jiggly wiggly form. If you pour while completely liquid, it will reach the crust and make the whole salad soggy.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ¾ cup salted butter 170 grams, melted (1½ sticks)
- ▢ 2 cups crushed pretzels 120 grams (about 4 cups before crushing)
- ▢ 3 tablespoons Stevia 4.5 grams (or 38 grams granulated sugar)
- ▢ 8 ounces low fat cream cheese 227 grams
- ▢ ¾ cup Stevia 18 grams (or 150 grams granulated sugar)
- ▢ 8 ounces sugar free whipped topping 226 grams
- ▢ 2 cups water 454 grams
- ▢ 0.6 ounces sugar free strawberry gelatin mix 17 grams (2 packages)
- ▢ 14 ounces frozen strawberries 397 grams, with no sugar added
- ▢ 8 ounces crushed pineapple in 100% juice 227 grams (1 can), drained
- ▢ sugar-free whipped topping optional, for garnish
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Mix together the melted butter, crushed pretzels, and 3 tablespoons stevia (or sugar) in a medium-sized bowl. 2 cups crushed pretzels, ¾ cup salted butter, 3 tablespoons Stevia
- Pour the pretzel mixture into the baking dish and press down firmly to create a flat, thin layer. Bake the crust for 7-8 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to fully cool.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese and ¾ cup stevia. 8 ounces low fat cream cheese, ¾ cup Stevia
- Stir in the whipped topping until smooth. 8 ounces sugar free whipped topping
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the pretzel crust and use a spoon or offset spatula to make a smooth layer. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30-60 minutes.
- Boil the water in a small saucepan. Once boiling, turn off the heat and stir in the gelatin mix. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. 2 cups water, 0.6 ounces sugar free strawberry gelatin mix
- Stir in the frozen strawberries and crushed pineapple. 14 ounces frozen strawberries, 8 ounces crushed pineapple in 100% juice
- Pour the strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer and place back in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours, or until the gelatin is fully firmed.
- Slice and serve with a dollop of whipped cream and sliced strawberries! sugar-free whipped topping
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9×13 Baking Pan
- Hand Mixer OR
- Stand Mixer
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to make Strawberry Pretzel Salad Sugar Free Step by Step
Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.
Prepare the crust: Mix together 2 cups of crushed pretzels, ¾ cup of salted butter and 3 tablespoons of Stevia (or sugar) in a medium-sized bowl.
Pour the pretzel mixture into the greased baking dish and press down firmly to create a flat, thin layer. Bake the crust for 7-8 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to fully cool.
Prepare the creamy layer: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together the 8 ounces of low fat cream cheese and ¾ cup of Stevia.
In the same bowl, stir in the 8 ounces of sugar free whipped topping until smooth.
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the pretzel crust and use a spoon or offset spatula to make a smooth layer. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30-60 minutes.
Prepare jello layer: Boil the 2 cups of water in a small saucepan. Once boiling, turn off the heat and stir in the 0.6 ounces of sugar free strawberry gelatin mix. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
Stir in the 14 ounces of frozen strawberries and 8 ounces of crushed pineapple in 100% juice.
Pour the strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer and place back in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours, or until the gelatin is fully formed. Be careful and use a spoon to place on the cream cheese layer.
Slice and serve with a dollop of whipped cream and sliced strawberries!
Don’t mind me, I’ll just be eating this Sugar Free Strawberry Pretzel Salad for breakfast, lunch, dinner, AND dessert until Christmas!
How to Store
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing it.
Serving Suggestions
I’m SO excited about all of our holiday main courses we have been churning out lately! Some favorites (that would be SO tasty with this Strawberry Salad for Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving) include: Beef Tenderloin , Instant Pot Pot Roast , Classic Prime Rib , or even Thai Beef Brisket !
Since I shared a recipe for a healthy salad, I would love to show you few more healthy salads that you can enjoy anytime. Pineapple Pretzel Salad , Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes , Honey Glazed Carrots , Watergate Salad (Pistachio Fluff) , and Cranberry Salad , are some of my favorites. Enjoy!
Best strawberry recipes you’ll love
Super Easy Strawberry Tart Recipe (Puff Pastry Tart)
Homemade Strawberry Vodka & Spiked Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Floats
Easy Strawberry Shortcake Pie Recipe
Strawberry Buttermilk Cake Recipe
Strawberry Brownies (Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownie Recipe)
Strawberry Palomas
Strawberry Cookies
Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe
Sugar Free Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9x13 Baking Pan
- Hand Mixer OR
- Stand Mixer
Ingredients
- ¾ cup salted butter 170 grams, melted (1½ sticks)
- 2 cups crushed pretzels 120 grams (about 4 cups before crushing)
- 3 tablespoons Stevia 4.5 grams (or 38 grams granulated sugar)
- 8 ounces low fat cream cheese 227 grams
- ¾ cup Stevia 18 grams (or 150 grams granulated sugar)
- 8 ounces sugar free whipped topping 226 grams
- 2 cups water 454 grams
- 0.6 ounces sugar free strawberry gelatin mix 17 grams (2 packages)
- 14 ounces frozen strawberries 397 grams, with no sugar added
- 8 ounces crushed pineapple in 100% juice 227 grams (1 can), drained
- sugar-free whipped topping optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Mix together the melted butter, crushed pretzels, and 3 tablespoons stevia (or sugar) in a medium-sized bowl. 2 cups crushed pretzels, ¾ cup salted butter, 3 tablespoons Stevia
- Pour the pretzel mixture into the baking dish and press down firmly to create a flat, thin layer. Bake the crust for 7-8 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to fully cool.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese and ¾ cup stevia. 8 ounces low fat cream cheese, ¾ cup Stevia
- Stir in the whipped topping until smooth. 8 ounces sugar free whipped topping
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the pretzel crust and use a spoon or offset spatula to make a smooth layer. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30-60 minutes.
- Boil the water in a small saucepan. Once boiling, turn off the heat and stir in the gelatin mix. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. 2 cups water, 0.6 ounces sugar free strawberry gelatin mix
- Stir in the frozen strawberries and crushed pineapple. 14 ounces frozen strawberries, 8 ounces crushed pineapple in 100% juice
- Pour the strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer and place back in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours, or until the gelatin is fully firmed.
- Slice and serve with a dollop of whipped cream and sliced strawberries! sugar-free whipped topping
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
