Recipe Makeover: Strawberry Pretzel Salad *Video*
Bariatric Dessert: Strawberry Pretzel Salad
A reduced calorie version of a summer classic dessert
Growing up, this was one of my family’s favorite summertime dishes. Great for cookouts and barbecues….and something I always think of at the Fourth of July. Trouble is, it’s not a healthy dish. Which is deceiving because it’s so light …I mean, if it tastes light it should make us light, right??
To cut down on the fat and sugar of my beloved dessert, I used a product I knew very well from years of selling them in bariatric surgery clinics – protein pretzels! You cannot buy these in stores but you can get them online.
Purchase Pretzels on Bariatric Food Source
Full disclosure: Bariatric Source provided me compensation to link this post after I created this recipe. The support of this product is long-standing and is my own opinion.
You may wonder if it’s worth it to buy specialty pretzels for this recipe. It’s my opinion that it IS worth it because pretzels are a dangerous food for me to have in the house. I would prefer to have a dessert like this that I can not only feel good about at the time that I’m eating it, but I also don’t have extra high carb ingredients lurking around.
I have also used these pretzels to create Protein Pretzel Coated Chicken Nuggets!
A traditional strawberry pretzel salad can have up to 500 calories in a serving with 70 grams of carbs, 25 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein. No wonder I loved this growing up!
This bariatric version cuts the nutrition down to an estimated 140 calories, 12 grams protein, 12 grams carbohydrate and 3.5 grams fat. Note: this recipe makes 2 servings.
To cut the carbs I used the protein pretzels instead of traditional pretzels. I also used Stevia natural sweetener and butter spray for the crust, instead of sugar and butter. For the creamy center I used plain Greek yogurt and light whipped topping. For the gelatin I used a sugar-free strawberry and skipped the frozen strawberries.
See the full recipe below.
You might also enjoy this old cooking video when I first created this recipe! While the recipe has not change, the information on how to purchase is out of date.
Recipe Makeover: Strawberry Pretzel Salad *Video*
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 bag protein pretzels available on bariatricfoodsource.com
- butter spray
- 2 tbsp Stevia all natural sweetener
Topping
- 1 cup 0% fat, plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp Stevia
- 1 cup light whipped topping thawed
- 1 box sugar free strawberry gelatin
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- Crush pretzels inside the bag. Pour into a small oven save dish (approximately 4 inches in diameter if available). Add 2 tbsp stevia and stir to incorporate with crushed pretzel. Spray pretzels with butter spray approximately 5 times or until it looks lightly coated.
- Move to heated oven for 8 minutes. Remove and let cool until ready. *If you'd like a prettier presentation, move crust to the dish you'd like to use for serving.
- Meanwhile prepare gelatin per package instructions. Leave in refrigerator until thickened but not set. Approximately one hour.
- While gelatin sets, mix together Greek yogurt with 2 tbsp Stevia sweetener. Fold in light whipped topping. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Once crust is cooled, add Greek yogurt layer. You will have leftover yogurt mixture. When gelatin is thick enough you feel you can pour it over the yogurt without it seeping to the bottom, add the top layer. Move back to refrigerator and allow it to set another 3-4 hours.
LOVE IT!! You’re a natural on camera, Steph! :D
Educational videos!!! I want to lear about nutrients and vitamins, Why certain veggies and herbs are good for you. Why water is good for you. What sports drinks have to offer/not offer… I don’t know, things like that.
Oh, wait… That comment was meant for the “What kind of videos…” post. sorry! :D