Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad

Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad has a pretzel crust, cream cheese filling, and a fruity gelatin topping. It’s a side dish that easily doubles as dessert!

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Do you usually enjoy these gelatin salads more as a dessert or as a side dish?

We enjoy it both ways – in the warmer months, usually more as a side dish … in the cooler months, usually as a dessert. It’s a great dish no matter when you serve it!

Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad

The great this about this Orange Jello Pretzel Salad is that you can enjoy it as a side dish or a dessert! Although it does require some time to make, most of that time is just waiting for it to set up. Starting with a pretzel crust, it’s then topped with a creamy cheesecake layer, then a fruity orange layer, followed by a whipped topping layer. Garnish it with orange peel and an orange wedge, if desired. 

Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad recipe

For the pretzel crust:

• butter
• granulated sugar
• finely crushed pretzels

For the fruit layer:

• boiling water
• orange gelatin
• crushed pineapple
• mandarin oranges

For the cheese layer:

• cream cheese,
• granulated sugar
• whipped topping

Optional:

• Additional whipped topping and mandarin oranges

How to make Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium bowl, mix melted butter and 1 tablespoon sugar; stir in pretzels. Press mixture onto the bottom of an ungreased 13×9-in. baking dish. Bake 10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
3. In a large bowl, add boiling water to gelatin; stir 2 minutes or until completely dissolved. Stir in fruit. Refrigerate until partially set, about 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a separate large bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over crust.
5. Gently spoon gelatin mixture over top. Refrigerate, covered, until firm, 4-6 hours.
6. To serve, cut into squares. Top with additional whipped topping and oranges, if desired.

Orange Jello Pretzel Salad Questions

• Can I make this ahead?

Absolutely! It actually needs time to set up correctly, so making it a day or two in advance is a great idea!

Other recipes you may enjoy

• Peanut Butter Pretzel Fudge
• Pretzel Bites
• Double Chocolate Whopper Bars
• Easy Pretzel Dogs
• Orange Fluff Salad