Apple Cinnamon Pretzel Salad
Apple Cinnamon Pretzel Salad is a delightful layered dessert that combines the sweet crispness of apples, warm cinnamon spice, and the salty crunch of pretzels with creamy layers of Greek yogurt or cream cheese. Perfect for gatherings or family treats, this easy-to-make salad delivers balanced flavors and textures in every bite.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be gluten free with gluten-free pretzels
Base
- 3 cups pretzels, crushed
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Creamy Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese or 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apple Layer
- 3 large crisp apples (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
- Prepare the Pretzel Base: Crush the pretzels using a rolling pin inside a zip-top bag until small pieces form. Mix the crushed pretzels with melted butter and brown sugar, then press firmly into the bottom of your serving dish to create a crunchy, sweet-salty crust.
- Mix the Creamy Layer: In a bowl, combine the cream cheese or Greek yogurt with honey (or maple syrup) and vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy, balancing the textures of the base and topping.
- Layer the Apples: Thinly slice the apples and toss them with cinnamon and brown sugar if desired. Spread the cinnamon-coated apples evenly over the creamy layer to ensure every bite has juicy apple flavor.
- Chill and Set: Cover the dish and refrigerate the salad for at least two hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the pretzel base to remain perfectly crisp.
Notes
- Choose crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and tart flavor.
- Refrigerate the salad before serving to allow flavors to blend and texture to set.
- Use fresh ground cinnamon for maximum spice potency.
- Press the pretzel base firmly to prevent crumbling when serving.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey and brown sugar to your preference.
- For a nutty twist, add chopped walnuts or pecans as garnish.
- To make vegan, substitute cream cheese or yogurt with plant-based alternatives and use a vegan sweetener.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: apple cinnamon salad, pretzel salad, layered dessert, sweet and salty dessert, easy no bake dessert